What is ADSL?

Quite simply, ADSL is a fast and reliable way to access the Internet. ADSL is faster than a 56 Kbps modem, faster than ISDN, and can be faster than a cable connection.

ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. This technology allows you to take advantage of the unused bandwidth that already exists on your phone line. Regular telephone service uses less than one percent of the capacity of the telephone lines, leaving the remaining 99 percent of the line for high speed data use.

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over a given time period. Essentially, the more bandwidth, the faster information can be delivered to your computer. The upstream (from your computer to the Internet) and the downstream (from the Internet to your computer) speeds are different hence the term 'asymmetric.' Your downstream rate of information transfer is always faster than your upstream; both of these speeds vary depending how far you are from your telephone company's central office. Downstream transfer rates can vary from 640 Kbps to 2 MB.

ADSL is perfect for receiving multimedia, audio, video and animation files in real time. ADSL technology gives users fast digital data transmission and does not affect the analog telephone service that we currently use. That means that you can enjoy a fast, permanent connectin to the Internet, and still have full use of your telephone. What is unique about ADSL is that you hook into the existing telephone service and get information at lightning speeds.