Glossary:Digital subscriber line (DSL) (2024)

FAQs

Glossary:Digital subscriber line (DSL)? ›

DSL is a type of broadband internet connection that uses existing telephone lines to transmit data. It provides high-speed internet access to homes and businesses without the need for a separate dedicated line.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a modem technology that uses existing telephone lines to transport high-bandwidth data, such as multimedia and video, to service subscribers. DSL provides dedicated, point-to-point, public network access.

A technology for high-speed network or Internet access over voice lines.

A digital subscriber line or DSL, formerly called a digital subscriber loop, is a type of internet connection that uses the voice frequency of telephone lines to send and receive internet data and traffic. This type of connection enables high-speed downloads when the user is situated close to the DSL provider.

Common types of DSL are Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL, with matching upload and download speeds), Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL, featuring faster download speeds than upload), and Very High Rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL, featuring much faster asymmetric speeds).

The high-speed internet that you connect to via Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable through a modem is DSL internet. DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line/Loop and it is a communication medium that receives data via a copper telephone landline.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) denotes an internet that uses digital connections between a modem and a phone line. ADSL means Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line where the speed of data sent is known as upstream and data received is known as downstream.

What are the differences between cable internet and DSL? Cable internet arrives at your home through the copper coaxial cables used to provide you with cable TV. DSL is provided via standard copper phone lines wired to your home. Cable generally offers more bandwidth, especially when it comes to download speeds.

Cons: Slower speeds than cable. Quality degrades with greater distance from internet provider.

Voice signals use only a fraction of the available capacity on the wires. DSL exploits this remaining capacity to carry information on the wire without disturbing the line's ability to carry conversations. Standard phone service limits the frequencies that the switches, telephones and other equipment can carry.

Is DSL cable the same as phone cable? ›

The primary difference in these two services is in how they physically connect you to the Internet. DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, makes use of traditional landline phone wires while cable Internet providers have to install coaxial cable in the ground.

It tends to be less expensive than satellite, fiber-optic or other internet connections. It also has the benefit over cable in that service isn't slowed down when there are multiple subscribers online at once.

Key Differences

The main advantage of DSL is that, though it's the slowest option, it's the most widely available and affordable. Cable internet is significantly faster than DSL, with download speeds between 100 and 300 megabits per second.

Over 80% of households have access to DSL. Since DSL is a technology that uses copper phone lines, it is available in most areas with this type of connection. However, many new homes are no longer built with copper phone lines since more people solely rely on cell phones.

The most common form of DSL technology is ADSL, or Asymmetric digital subscriber line, where the bandwith used in either direction is different.

A DSL modem is a device that connects your computer to the internet through a phone line. It converts the digital signals from the ISP into analog signals that can be used by computers. A router is a device that connects multiple computers to the same internet connection.

What is DSL? Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Internet is a technology that connects your home to the internet over telephone lines. While DSL is great for light internet use, such as web browsing or email, it is not recommended for activities that require significant speed.

DSL internet runs through standard phone lines that are wired into your home. Cable goes through the cable lines. There is more bandwidth with cable, so cable is usually faster. You can get bundle discounts for cable TV and DSL TV with most internet providers.

DSL is being phased out as technology advances with options like fiber optic and 5G. The decline of DSL accentuates the existing digital divide. While major providers are transitioning from DSL to fiber, there's a disparity in coverage.

DSL is an initialism for "Digital Subscriber Line", which is a technology that enables high-speed data transmission on ordinary twisted-pair telephone lines. In short, a DSL modem router converts the DSL line to an Ethernet connection and shares the wireless network directly.