ADSL

ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL is a form of DSL, Digital Subscriber Line). The distinguishing characteristic of ADSL over other forms of DSL is that the volume of data flow is greater in one direction than the other, i.e. it is asymmetric. Providers offer ADSL broadband with download speeds higher than upload speeds.

There are both technical and marketing reasons why ADSL is in many places the most common type offered to home users. On the technical side, there is likely to be more crosstalk from other circuits at the DSLAM end (where the wires from many local loops are close together) than at the customer premises. Thus the upload signal is weakest at the noisiest part of the local loop, while the download signal is strongest at the noisiest part of the local loop. It therefore makes technical sense to have the DSLAM transmit at a higher bit rate than does the modem on the customer end. Since the typical home user in fact does prefer a higher download speed, ADSL providers (see our DSL providers page) choose to make a virtue out of necessity.

ADSL uses two pieces of equipment: one on the customer end and one at the provider end:

1) ADSL modem (or Transceiver): At the customer's location, there is an ADSL modem, which may also provide other services. The ADSL modem can connect to a customer's equipment in several ways, though most residential installation uses Universal Serial Bus (USB) or 10BaseT Ethernet connections.

2) DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) - The ADSL service provider has a DSLAM to receive customer connections.

What are the benefits of ADSL

ADSL is a high speed Broadband Internet service that lets you:

Use your phone (or fax) line while you’re on the Internet.
Download large files fast.
Enjoy high-bandwidth content like streaming media and online games.
Have your Internet service connected whenever and for as long as you like.

And because ADSL technology shares your existing telephone lines, there’s no need to have extra cables or external equipment installed (as there is with a Cable or Satellite Broadband service).

That means getting ADSL can be quick, non-disruptive and easy. In fact, many persons decide to install their own ADSL connection, using self-install kits.