DSL or Digital Subscriber Line started to gain popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. In the early World Wide Web days, people only had access to dial-up telephone service. It was not just slow but also produced congestion in phone lines. Seeing the increasing demand for a better internet connection, Bell Communications Research launched DSL.
In this blog, we will discuss in detail the DSL technology while and also cover its types, advantages, disadvantages, and similar aspects. So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What is DSL Internet? 1
DSL: Definition & Description 1
How does DSL work? 1
Types of DSL 1
Symmetrical DSL 1
Asymmetrical DSL 1
Pros & Cons of DSL Internet 1
Pros 1
Cons 1
Bottom Line 2
DSL: Quick Overview
There are various types of internet connections through which you can connect your devices to the internet such as cable internet, fiber optic and satellite. DSL is one of the oldest form of internet connection, but it is still a common one, especially in rural and remote areas. It delivers internet signals using a modem and a dedicated set of copper wires within your telephone lines.
DSL is an upgrade from the dial-up connection. It allowed users to experience a faster connection connection from a phone jack on their existing telephone network. DSL functions in frequencies different from the ones utilized by your telephone, which enables users to access the internet even during a phone call.
How does DSL work?
DSL Internet is an advanced form of traditional dial-ups. Several local phone service providers expanded their portfolio and started offering DSL services by delivering fast internet connection through customers’ existing telephone lines. Telephone wires transfer hundreds and thousands of frequencies. Out of these, only a few thousand are utilized for telephone communications. This way, the DSL modem, and telephone can operate simultaneously.
Types of DSL
DSL technology has two main types that are briefly explained below:
Symmetrical DSL
The type of DSL technology that provides the same download and upload speeds is known as the Symmetrical DSL.
Asymmetrical DSL
Asymmetrical DSL is more popular than the symmetrical DSL. It offers more downloading speed than uploading. This is because of the increase in the demand for higher download speeds among the majority of users.
Pros & Cons of DSL Internet
Pros
- DSL service has far-reaching availability as it uses existing home phone lines.
- It is cheaper than satellite internet connections.
- DSL offers a dedicated circuit to every internet subscriber, just like voice service. So, users can enjoy consistent internet speeds even when the network traffic is at its peak.
- It is easily accessible from any place with an existing telephone network.
Cons
- Cable or fiber-optic types offer better speeds than a DSL connection. However, these alternates also cost a lot more than DSL.
- DSL connection works a lot better when you are close to its central office. Due to this distance-sensitive nature, users face the issue of slow speeds.
Bottom Line
DSL is a communication channel used to transmit digital signals via telephone lines. What makes it special is its capability to use existing telephone lines with slight modifications. As DSL travels at a frequency different from your phone service, it does not cause any hindrance in your home voice service. This means you can use both your phone and the internet at the same time.
However, if you are looking for blazing fast internet speeds, then DSL may not be a suitable option for you. We would recommend you to go for cable or fiber internet plans, such as those offered by Spectrum packages that bring you internet signals through a hybrid fiber-coaxial network. So, good luck finding a perfect match for your internet speed needs!
