What is DSL?

When it comes to choosing Internet, there are many choices available for consumers. Dial-up, cable and DSL choices are three of the primary ways to connect to the Internet nowadays. However, since cable had the jump start in the market, a lot of consumers automatically dismiss DSL as a viable option.

DSL stands for digital subscriber line. It is part of the telecommunications family and a signal is transferred over wires grounded in local telephone networks. Thus, any existing telephone wires coming in and out of your home can generally work a DSL connection and offer consumers a quicker than dial-up option to surfing the world wide web. Depending on the types of telephone wiring going into a building, DSL can provide faster than cable connections in given areas.

Basically, once a modem is connected to the phone line, the connection splits itself in two ways. These bands utilize a DSL filter to develop paths for regular telephone use and DSL use. Higher frequencies are used on the line to offer a DSL connection while the lower allows a person to use a telephone to make and take calls. Naked DSL refers to the use of advanced telecommunications line, instead of traditional old school phone lines, to access the Internet. Providers such as Qualcomm, Verizon and AT&T rely on naked DSL connections to bring the highest speed possible to their customers.

In most cases, a consumer merely needs a modem to connect to DSL. In other cases, they need both a modem and DSL filter. Your particular provider can explain exactly what you need to get the best possible connection for your home or office. While you can rent the modem from your provider, you can also purchase one on your own from most consumer electronics retailers. DSL is a viable option for those who do not want to invest in a cable package to get Internet service and are tired of dial-up. It is one of several options to investigate when making the jump to high-speed Internet service.