How is dsl connected

So, the data should be translated into a format that can be understood by us. This is the working principle of the modem. The device that connects the computer system or router to a telephone line via cable wires to provide digital subscriber line service to the system is called DSL modem connection. The telephone connection is not interrupted and the device works efficiently even if the telephone connection is used. This is a way of business for telecom companies.

The frequency of telephone and DSL connection is different and this is the reason why telephone works even if the internet is being used. It is important to know the working of telephone lines and connections to know about DSL.

Telephone connections are made through wires that may be underground or not. These wires have a capacity more than that of normal telephone frequency.

Hence, DSL is used in the telephone lines with a different frequency so that an internet connection is also enabled in the same lines. Hence if we consider the period of DSL usage introduction and the telephone introduction, we could say that telephone cables were wasted for nearly a century with the use of less frequency.

A specific modem is needed for DSL connection and it works only for the same. A splitter is used so that the voice and the data connection is separated from the telephone lines. Data is sent through ADSL lines which is specifically used so that the data connection is faster for download than for upload.

It is to be noted that similar to other modems, the modem and ISP hub should be kept close so that the connection is faster always. If we stay away from the modem, the speed of the data connection will be worse. As discussed in the above points, two equipment is needed for the DSL connection. A modem and a splitter make the DSL connection a better one. The modem is supplied either by the company or by the router that works for the DSL connection.

It is designed in a way that if we change from one ISP and if we change the connection, it may not work well. But phone lines have a much larger capacity than your home phone service requires, so there's room for your DSL internet signal to piggyback on the same infrastructure. And the bonus perk is that, because it uses infrastructure that's already there, no extra cables need to get buried for DSL internet to work. Wait, if DSL internet uses your phone lines, do you need to get off the phone to hop online just like the old dial-up days?

Nope, not at all. DSL internet uses different frequencies than your home phone service, so you can chat away with your sister while you scroll through Facebook at the same time. The other type is symmetrical DSL. You may have also seen VDSL lurking around too. Here's how each one compares:. Thanks to its use of copper phone lines, a DSL internet connection tends to get worse the farther you are away from your ISP's hub.

That could mean slow internet speeds and buffering—or worse, disconnections. DSL technology is showing its age, and its speeds and throughput can't match what cable and fiber internet offer. But DSL is still a better internet option than dial-up, and we have to wonder why 1.

This means that dial-up doesn't let you use the internet and make phone calls at the same time. Plus, dial-up requires you to re-connect every time you want to access the internet. Remember that old screeeee-ba-doi-oi-oing-bapbapbap noise when you connected?

A DSL connection, on the other hand, is always on. This allows you to use the phone and internet at the same time. Cable uses coaxial cables to connect you to the internet, and those cables allow your internet connection to reach faster speeds than what DSL gets you.

For example, cable internet can reach speeds up to 1, Mbps, while DSL internet caps at about Mbps. Cable internet technology also offers faster upload speeds than even VDSL2, which means you can post that new YouTube video online faster or send off that giant Excel spreadsheet to your boss without wasting much time.

But one way DSL gets the lead on cable internet is that it gives you a dedicated circuit. That means you don't share your DSL internet lines with any of your neighbors. So if they hop online at the same time you do, your speeds don't slow down. With cable internet, you share part of your connection with any neighbors who use the same ISP.

So if everyone around you uses Xfinity and you do too, your internet speeds will likely dip if everyone's online at the same time.

If you can get fiber internet, we always recommend it over any other type of internet. This newer technology uses glass fibers and light signals to keep you connected to the internet, resulting in much faster speeds and a connection that doesn't get worse over long distances. The price for fiber internet has come down in recent years too.

That means you might pay as much for a fiber connection as you would for a DSL plan, making the choice between fiber and DSL much easier. Satellite internet might be another alternative you're considering if you live outside of town.

But if you've got the choice between a faster DSL internet plan, like 50 to Mbps, we say that's a better choice than satellite. The main reason is that DSL internet costs a lot less than satellite. That's a huge difference, and we doubt your budget would like it. Another reason is that satellite internet has high latency. That's how much time it takes for your data to leave your computer and travel to the server hosting the website you're visiting, then back again.

Satellite latency usually sits around milliseconds ms , while DSL latency hovers around 30 ms. You can find out what your latency and internet speed is right now with our free speed test tool. Depending on where you live, you may not have a lot of internet options.

Generally, we recommend DSL internet over satellite and dial-up. But if you've also got a choice between cable or fiber internet, those are likely better choices. The easiest way to see what internet providers are available in your area is with our free ZIP checker tool.

We advise getting a DSL internet plan with speeds of at least 50 Mbps if you game just so your partner or roommate don't get hit with the buffering hammer while they watch Netflix and you play Call of Duty. But depending on which speeds you're looking for and where you live, you might see prices above or below this average.

Here's a quick look at some popular DSL internet providers and the prices they charge. There are lots of variations in DSL technology -- many of them address DSL's distance limitations in one way or another. Other types of DSL include:. With DSL's distance limitation and lower availability, what are some other options? There are two major alternatives to DSL -- cable and wireless. Cable and DSL are the two big rivals in the world of broadband. Cable isn't limited by distance like DSL -- cable wires reach most neighborhoods, and signal strengths don't weaken over long distances.

While DSL allows you to use the telephone and Internet simultaneously, cable lets users watch television and surf the Internet at the same time.

Many cable companies are also beginning to bundle services with cable TV , Internet and digital telephone on one bill. Although cable and DSL speeds are about the same, the one disadvantage with cable is bandwidth -- connection speeds can slow down if too many people are using a cable service at the same time.

A new technology, known as WiMax or WiMax will provide high-speed wireless Internet over very long distances and will most likely provide access to large areas such as cities. WiMax technology will be available in most American cities in Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close.

Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. How DSL Works. You can leave your Internet connection open and still use the phone line for voice calls. The speed is much higher than a regular modem DSL doesn't necessarily require new wiring; it can use the phone line you already have.

The company that offers DSL will usually provide the modem as part of the installation. A DSL connection works better when you are closer to the provider's central office. The farther away you get from the central office, the weaker the signal becomes.

The connection is faster for receiving data than it is for sending data over the Internet. The service is not available everywhere. Asymmetric DSL " ". Photo courtesy Corning. Bridge taps - These are extensions, between you and the central office, that extend service to other customers. Fiber-optic cables - ADSL signals can't pass through the conversion from analog to digital and back to analog that occurs if a portion of your telephone circuit comes through fiber-optic cables.

Distance - Even if you know where your central office is don't be surprised if you don't -- the telephone companies don't advertise their locations , looking at a map is no indication of the distance a signal must travel between your house and the office.