| With the fast pace development of the internet | | | | DSL is a telecommunications service that allows |
| technology today, it's very possible to connect to | | | | an ordinary telephone line to be used as a |
| the world and get information in just a matter of | | | | high-speed conduit for data, voice and video. It |
| seconds. People who frequently go online have a | | | | boasts of broadband speeds over ordinary |
| choice between close broadband rivals cable | | | | telephone lines and is considered one of the |
| operators or DSL (digital subscriber line) service | | | | fastest growing high-speed access technologies |
| for instant access to the internet. The battle | | | | best for both business and personal use. Among |
| continues between cable and DSL companies who | | | | the telecommunication technologies available |
| promise to provide customers with the best | | | | today, DSL is the most powerful and flexible |
| service for high-speed data transmission. | | | | solution for high-speed internet access and |
| Broadband technologies started to develop in the | | | | information transfer. |
| early part of 2000. In the U.S. alone, broadband | | | | A typical DSL connection enables users to receive |
| internet usage either through cable modem or | | | | data at a maximum of 1.5 Mbps and send data at |
| DSL connections soared from only six percent in | | | | 256 Kbps. The nearer your location to the |
| June 2000 to 30 percent in 2003, according to a | | | | provider's central office, the faster the speed |
| study. | | | | you'll get. And what's best about this is that with |
| Cable | | | | DSL, connectivity is always guaranteed. In other |
| Cable operators, through their cable modem | | | | words, a user can be sure to go online instantly |
| service, provide broadband using the same coaxial | | | | as no dial up connection is needed. In some cases, |
| cables that transmit pictures and sound to your | | | | users can even use the same line for voice and |
| television set. Most cable modems are external | | | | data traffic. |
| devices that have two connections - one to the | | | | Apart from its high speed connectivity, DSL is |
| cable wall outlet and the other one to a computer. | | | | very cost effective in that a user needs only little |
| With this type of modem, a user can both watch | | | | new equipment and no new telephone lines. It is |
| cable TV and use his computer at the same time. | | | | easy to use and requires no further training. |
| Instant internet access similar to DSL can be | | | | DSL technologies come in various forms |
| achieved just by turning on the PC. | | | | depending on a user's location and bandwidth |
| With a residential cable internet connection, a user | | | | needs. These are the IDSL (ISDN digital subscriber |
| can have download speeds between four to six | | | | line), ADSL (Assymetric DSL), VDSL (Very High |
| Mbps or roughly 70 times faster than a dialup | | | | Speed DSL), RADSL (Rate Adaptive DSL) and |
| connection. Cable consumers can even opt to | | | | HDSL/SDSL (High Data Rate DSL/Symmetric |
| bundle their internet access with digital cable TV | | | | DSL). |
| and digital phone service to avail of discounts. | | | | So you decide which of these two broadband |
| Cable companies especially in the urban centers | | | | technologies suits your needs. If you only need |
| felt threatened with the entry of DSL and | | | | internet access without getting a new telephone |
| immediately took action spending billions of dollars | | | | line, then the DSL may be best. However, if you |
| for upgrades. Many of them have boosted their | | | | want to subscribe to a cable TV and have fast |
| download speeds in hopes of competing with | | | | internet access at the same time, then the cable |
| cheaper DSL offers. | | | | modem will suit you best. |
| DSL | | | | |