ADSL is a type of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Internet service commonly used in homes. The 'A' in ADSL refers to the unequal distribution network bandwidth between downloads and uploads: ADSL connections provide comparatively more bandwidth for downloads than for uploads.
ADSL is designed to support the typical home user who frequently downloads large amounts of data from Web sites and online networks but uploads relatively less often. ADSL works by allocating a majority of the available phone line frequencies for communication of downstream traffic.
In other respects, ADSL possesses all of the characteristics one associates with DSL, including high-speed service, an "always on" combination of voice and data support, and availability and performance that is limited by physical distance. ADSL is technically capable of at least 5 Mbps, but ADSL customers may experience lower data rates depending on provider and service plan.
Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) is a type of digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, a data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines than a conventional voiceband modem can provide. It does this by utilizing frequencies that are not used by a voice telephone call. A splitter, or DSL filter, allows a single telephone connection to be used for both ADSL service and voice calls at the same time. ADSL can generally only be distributed over short distances from the telephone exchange (the last mile), typically less than 4 kilometres (2 mi), but has been known to exceed 8 kilometres (5 mi) if the originally laid wire gauge allows for further distribution.
Short for asymmetric digital subscriber line, ADSL is a type of DSL broadband communications technology used for connecting to the Internet. ADSL allows more data to be sent over existing copper telephone lines (POTS), when compared to traditional modem lines. A special filter, called a microfilter, is installed on a