Is It Time for a Digital Subscriber Line? What is DSL Anyway?
For the home internet user, a wide variety of options exist to connect to the internet. Although wireless internet at first glance may appear the most popular and hence the most effective choice for your internet needs, the consumer should stop to assess whether a direct “broadband” connection may be more appropriate for their needs.
“Broadband” refers to connecting to the internet by use of a cable or existing telephone connection, as opposed to “wireless” signals sent without a hard cable connection. While wireless is portable and may better suit the user's “on-the-go” lifestyle, careful consideration should be paid as to whether a “hard-wired” home or office via broadband may be more appropriate.
There are two main broadband services, cable internet and what is called DSL. Cable connections exist through the television cable services using their cable lines. Many people ask, however, what is DSL? DSL stands for “digital subscriber line,” and refers to the process of connecting to the internet using phone lines that already exist installed in the place of business or home. Users connect to the internet with a special modem that transmits digital data over the existing copper phone lines; thus, obviating the need for additional cables or wires to be installed.
Oh What a Difference Digital Can Make: DSL verses “dial up” service
The first use of existing phone lines to connect to the internet was “dial up” service, which users may remember as notoriously slow and laborious. Dial up service did not even allow the user to remain online while making a phone call at the same time. DSL, however, solved both problems: it is fast and does not tie up the phone. Both internet and telephone can be used at the same time with DSL.
The reason for the upgrade in technology has to do with the frequencies of voice and digital transmissions. Voice data falls within specified lower frequencies and hence only uses part of the available space for transmissions over the existing phone lines. Digital signals, however, are sent on a much higher frequency. The two frequencies thus act as a kind of “freeway” that allows both sets of data to be transmitted at the same time. A filter is added to the voice frequency so that noise will not spill over from the digital transmissions.
Another sort of “freeway” exists for digital signals that are either being uploaded or downloaded. Different DSL plans provide for varying speeds for both uploads and downloads. Generally speaking, most plans provide for greater download speed for consumers. Businesses or individuals needing larger upload speeds can always increase the normal bandwidth and provide for equal “freeways” of data transfer, both up and down.
DSL Can Be Simplest, Most Efficient and Most Reliable Choice
Because existing technology from the phone companies forms the basis of DSL internet connectivity, the ease of installation should be immediately apparent. Many people will not have to take any additional steps to install DSL other than simply call the phone company and have them make a visit to the home to install a DSL modem. Most phone companies will provide the necessary modem. Ease of installation and access are thus the hallmarks of DSL service. If the consumer does not have an existing phone line, other services such as wireless may be more appropriate. Phone lines, however, can also easily be installed.
Another strong feature that distinguishes DSL is it's reliability. Because the connect is “hard wired” through the phone lines, fewer connection problems can result than if the user was relying upon wireless access. It may make a difference, however, how close the user is to the central server, called the Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplier (DSLAM). The closer the user is to the central hub, faster speeds and less connection problems will result. Interested customers should check with their local phone provider to determine the distance between themselves and the central hub, especially if fast upload speeds are necessary for one's business or personal use.
Thus, the benefits of a DSL connection include: (1) higher transmission speeds; (2) ability to use existing telephone lines while surfing the web; (3) ease of installation using existing phone lines; and (4) reliability.
For the home or office internet user not needing portable access, DSL may in fact be the best choice. The connection is stable and will provide continual internet access so long as the phone lines are in working order. Connectivity is simple--generally no new hardware or installation is required, and transmission speeds ensure ease of access. The biggest problem for potential DSL customers? It is not available in all areas. The customer must first check with their phone company to determine if the service is available.
“Broadband” refers to connecting to the internet by use of a cable or existing telephone connection, as opposed to “wireless” signals sent without a hard cable connection. While wireless is portable and may better suit the user's “on-the-go” lifestyle, careful consideration should be paid as to whether a “hard-wired” home or office via broadband may be more appropriate.
There are two main broadband services, cable internet and what is called DSL. Cable connections exist through the television cable services using their cable lines. Many people ask, however, what is DSL? DSL stands for “digital subscriber line,” and refers to the process of connecting to the internet using phone lines that already exist installed in the place of business or home. Users connect to the internet with a special modem that transmits digital data over the existing copper phone lines; thus, obviating the need for additional cables or wires to be installed.
Oh What a Difference Digital Can Make: DSL verses “dial up” service
The first use of existing phone lines to connect to the internet was “dial up” service, which users may remember as notoriously slow and laborious. Dial up service did not even allow the user to remain online while making a phone call at the same time. DSL, however, solved both problems: it is fast and does not tie up the phone. Both internet and telephone can be used at the same time with DSL.
The reason for the upgrade in technology has to do with the frequencies of voice and digital transmissions. Voice data falls within specified lower frequencies and hence only uses part of the available space for transmissions over the existing phone lines. Digital signals, however, are sent on a much higher frequency. The two frequencies thus act as a kind of “freeway” that allows both sets of data to be transmitted at the same time. A filter is added to the voice frequency so that noise will not spill over from the digital transmissions.
Another sort of “freeway” exists for digital signals that are either being uploaded or downloaded. Different DSL plans provide for varying speeds for both uploads and downloads. Generally speaking, most plans provide for greater download speed for consumers. Businesses or individuals needing larger upload speeds can always increase the normal bandwidth and provide for equal “freeways” of data transfer, both up and down.
DSL Can Be Simplest, Most Efficient and Most Reliable Choice
Because existing technology from the phone companies forms the basis of DSL internet connectivity, the ease of installation should be immediately apparent. Many people will not have to take any additional steps to install DSL other than simply call the phone company and have them make a visit to the home to install a DSL modem. Most phone companies will provide the necessary modem. Ease of installation and access are thus the hallmarks of DSL service. If the consumer does not have an existing phone line, other services such as wireless may be more appropriate. Phone lines, however, can also easily be installed.
Another strong feature that distinguishes DSL is it's reliability. Because the connect is “hard wired” through the phone lines, fewer connection problems can result than if the user was relying upon wireless access. It may make a difference, however, how close the user is to the central server, called the Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplier (DSLAM). The closer the user is to the central hub, faster speeds and less connection problems will result. Interested customers should check with their local phone provider to determine the distance between themselves and the central hub, especially if fast upload speeds are necessary for one's business or personal use.
Thus, the benefits of a DSL connection include: (1) higher transmission speeds; (2) ability to use existing telephone lines while surfing the web; (3) ease of installation using existing phone lines; and (4) reliability.
For the home or office internet user not needing portable access, DSL may in fact be the best choice. The connection is stable and will provide continual internet access so long as the phone lines are in working order. Connectivity is simple--generally no new hardware or installation is required, and transmission speeds ensure ease of access. The biggest problem for potential DSL customers? It is not available in all areas. The customer must first check with their phone company to determine if the service is available.