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DSL Broadband Internet Access

DSL Broadband Internet Information

DSL and cable broadband are the two most common types of broadband connections.  These two connections provide customers with the efficiency and convenience of high-speed Internet in their own home along with an assurance that their Internet connection will be reliable.  Since most cable companies and local phone companies provide broadband services, it is possible to have one bill for your TV and Internet or your phone and Internet.

Important Things to Remember About DSL Services

1.  DSL Broadband is an Internet connection that shares the same cable as your telephone.  It still provides you with “always on” Internet access without having to dial-up.          

2.  Although your local phone company might provide DSL broadband, it’s also a good idea to check other providers for a better deal.  Always make sure that the company you decide to go with provides customer service.

3.  DSL is distance sensitive, meaning that the farther away from the central office you are, the less desirable your connection will be.

4.  One of the main perks of DSL is that, since each subscriber has high-speed Internet through their own phone line, they are not sharing bandwidth with anyone else and therefore, the quality of their Internet connection is not compromised during peak usage times (5 p.m. – 11 p.m.).

5.  Sometimes, older phone lines cannot sustain the information that needs to be transmitted at the speed it needs to be transmitted in order for a DSL broadband connection to work properly.  Check with your provider to make sure you are DSL equipped.

DSL Broadband Glossary

Now you know the important facts about DSL broadband, but are you up to date on the latest DSL lingo?  Our glossary will test your knowledge.

  • DSL - stands for Digital Subscriber Line.  Your basic high-speed connection that shares space with your phone line.
  • ADSL - stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.  Has a slower upstream (upload speed) and a faster downstream (download speed).  Ideal for personal use like e-mail or surfing the Web.
  • HDSL - stands for High bit-rate DSL.  Has a modem on either end of one or more twisted pairs of wires that delivers T1 speeds.  This method requires two phone lines.
  • IDSL - stands for Integrated DSL.  IDSL combines ISDN transmission coding and ISDN channels on one circuit.  There are no dial up or per-call fees.  This is a better option for subscribers that may live too far for regular DSL.
  • VDSL - stands for Very high bit-rate DSL.  It offers the highest speeds in DSL connections right now.  At present, this method is only being used for limited commercial use.  DSL providers hope to make this form of DSL more common in the future.
  • SDSL - stands for Single Line DSL.  SDSL is symmetric, which means that information can be carried upstream and downstream at the same rate.

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