DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line, a technology that provides a high-speed internet connection over standard telephone lines.
In more detail:
DSL allows you to use your phone and the internet simultaneously, unlike older dial-up connections. It achieves this by utilizing frequencies that are not used for voice communication. Because of this, your phone service remains unaffected.
DSL technology comes in various forms, each offering different speeds and capabilities:
- ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): This is the most common type. "Asymmetric" means download and upload speeds are different, with download speeds typically being faster.
- SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line): Offers equal upload and download speeds. It's often used by businesses that need to send and receive large files regularly.
- VDSL (Very-high-bitrate Digital Subscriber Line): A faster version of DSL, offering significantly higher speeds over shorter distances.
- VDSL2 (Very-high-bitrate Digital Subscriber Line 2): An enhanced version of VDSL, providing even faster speeds and greater reach.
While DSL was once a popular choice for home internet access, cable and fiber optic connections often offer superior speeds and are more prevalent now. However, DSL can still be a viable option in areas where other high-speed internet services are not available. As the reference points out, the speeds of DSL can vary significantly by country; DSL in countries like Japan can be significantly faster than what is offered by US cable providers.
