DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) internet connection is of various types of DSL technology. The DSL is an internet technology that delivers high-speed internet to your home and business with the help of copper telephone lines. DSL internet is an upgraded version of the Dial-Up internet connection. Although, unlike Dial-Up internet connection, DSL broadband internet connection allows you to use both the services at the same time.
DSL internet technology transmits data back and forth with speeds that are much faster than available analog and digital modems. To simplify, DSL internet connection delivers speeds 5 to 100 MBPS speed and upload speeds between 1 to 20 MBPS. We have explained a few varieties of DSL Connections below and what they offer.
Different Types of DSL Technologies
DSL is a term that is used for a family of related technologies that includes RADSL, ADSL, SDSL, IDSL, and some more. Let’s check the difference between DSL vs VDSL vs ADSL and also check the most used DSL internet technology today are:
ADSL- Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line
The ADSL supports a wide range of asymmetric (Higher download speed than upload speed) data speeds that can reach up to 7 MBPS download and 1.5 MBPS upload. ADSL internet service can deliver simultaneous High-speed data and telephone service over the same cables.
The new fiber technology allows faster internet speed but due to its limited availability, DSL internet is widely popular. ADSL internet services use phone lines for delivering traffic but it does it with such high frequency that a lot of capacity is left for phone calls. This is the major difference between DSL and Dial-Up Internet.
ADSL Lite (G.Lite)
G.Lite is a lower-speed version of the ADSL internet connection. It provides download speeds of up to 1 MBPS and upload speed of 512 KBPS. You can achieve this speed at a distance of 18,000 feet from your Internet service provider’s location. It is used to simplify DSL installation at the user’s end. Even at the lowest of its connection speed, it usually offers 384KBPS speed. When you use a G.Lite connection, your computer’s analog to the digital modem is replaced with an ‘ADSL Modem”.
HDSL- High Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line
The HDSL internet provides a symmetric internet connection. Symmetrical speeds mean that you get the same upload and download speed. The speed ranges from 1.544 MBPS to 2.048 MBPS from a distance of 12,000 – 15,000 feet. Symmetrical internet speeds are highly useful for users who rely on upload speeds as much as download speeds. HDSL-2 provides the same kind of transmission rates but the data is transmitted over a single pair of copper wire.
IDSL Internet- ISDN Digital Subscriber Line
The ISDN Digital Subscriber Line provides up to 144 KBPS transmission speed from the distance of around 18,000 feet. You can extend the reach of an internet connection with a wireless repeater. This uses the same techniques to transfer data as ISDN Lines. This is an always-on type of connection that is helpful for users all across the nation.
VDSL- Very High Bit-Rate Subscriber Line
VDSL DSL internet connection is the fastest type of DSL service. It provides transmission rates of 13-52 MBPS download speed and 16 MBPS upload speed over a single pair of copper wire. You can get such speed over the distance of 1,000- 4,500 feet from your internet service provider’s network hub.
VDSL broadband internet connection is capable of supporting HD smart TV, VoIP service, and casual internet usage. VDSL is installed over existing wiring that is used for analog telephone service and lower-speed DSL connections. There is another generation of VDSL internet that we have described below.
VDSL2 – Very High Bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line 2
The second generation of VDSL internet connection was approved in 2006 as a method of transmitting data connection. VDSL2 uses frequency up to 30 MHz to provide speeds of around 100 MBPS over long distances. Most of the ISP today like AT&T, CenturyLink, and other DSL internet service providers offer the VDSL internet packages with the same kind of speed
Disadvantages of DSL Broadband Internet Connection
One of the major disadvantages of DSL internet is that connection speed and quality deteriorates over distance. The farther your home is away from your telephone company’s network hub, the slower your internet quality becomes. The maximum distance for DSL is about 18,000 feet (3.4 miles).
Several factors can affect your internet connection. Quality of your home’s wiring can affect your bandwidth. You can even use a filter with a DSL internet connection to reduce unwanted noise on the telephone line.
DSL also comes with low upload speed. Most users don’t care about upload speeds as the download speed is more important to users. However, if you do web conferencing, video conferencing, and online gaming then good upload speeds are crucial. DSL internet is too laggy for activities that require upload speeds. If you require both download and upload speeds then a cable or Fiber internet connection is a better option for you.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Affordable connection | Lower speeds than Cable & Fiber internet |
| Large coverage area | Distance Sensitive connections |
| Can use both Internet & phone calls at the same time | Electrical noise can affect internet connection |
Should I Choose DSL Internet?
DSL is a step up from Dial-Up internet connection. Right now, DSL is one of the slowest internet connections in the USA. If you live in an urban area of the USA, you will most likely get a better speed and better internet connectivity than DSL internet. With cable Internet speeds that can range between 10 to 500 MBPS Speed, Fiber internet on the other hand can range between 50 to 2000 MBPS speed. Top tier DSL plans can’t even reach mid-level internet speeds. Overall, DSL Internet connection is a good enough option if you don’t have a Cable or Fiber internet service available in your area.
