ADSL

Commonly simplified as DSL, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is technology for high-speed Internet access. It uses existing copper telephone lines to send and receive data at speeds that far exceed conventional dial-up modems, while still allowing users to talk on the phone while they surf. By contrast, DSL is typically not as fast as cable Internet access. It is generally well-suited for moderate gaming, computer-aided design, streaming multimedia, and downloading large files.

ADSL Speed

The fastest dial-up modems are rated at 56 kilobits per second (Kbps), and usually operate at about 53 Kbps under good conditions. By comparison, ADSL allows download speeds from 1.5 to 8 megabits per second (Mbps), depending on the grade of DSL service purchased. Cable Internet is capable of supporting up to 30 Mbps.

How Does ADSL Work?

ADSL uses standard telephone lines to upload and download data on a digital frequency, which sets these datastreams apart from the analog signals that telephones and fax machines use. The telephone can be used at the same time when surfing the Web with DSL service because the signal is operating on a different frequency; this is not true of conventional dial-up Internet access. It may be necessary to install inexpensive filters on each phone or fax line to remove any "white noise" on the line that might be generated from the DSL signals.