DSL is an acronym for “Digital Subscriber Line”, and is a type of broadband connection that typically uses the phone line to transmit information. It does not, however, inhibit the use of the telephone, like dial-up. The DSL connection and the telephone both use the lines at different frequencies and therefore go unnoticed by the other. DSL is usually a dedicated connection, so you can quickly access webpages at any time.

Telephone companies are usually the DSL provider, but sometimes other companies have an agreement with the local phone company, who provisions the user's line. DSL transfers data between the phone company's central office, the analog phone line, and a DSL modem. This is the same path dial-up, but DSL is able to use the telephone lines to full potential by eliminating the digital to analog to digital conversion that takes place with a dial-up connection. DSL is completely digital, and can therefore transmit more information and much faster.

Most DSL services work this way—through a land line phone. This type of DSL will not work on a VIOP or cable provided phone line. Dry-loop DSL is sometimes available and does not require an active phone service. New DSL customers must check with local phone companies and search online to find what kind of DSL service is available to them. They should also find out if 1, if it requires a land line phone, and 2, are there several providers to choose from. Once this information is obtained, there are a few additional factors that help make the decision on which plan is best:

Speeds available and needed: The possible connection speed for DSL is typically determined by the user's distance from the telephone company's central office. DSL is often not available at all to rural homes for this reason. DSL speeds usually range from .5 mbps to 6 mbps (megabits per second) in download speeds. Depending on the type of DSL, the upload speed can be equal to, but is usually less than the download speed. Typical Internet users will download more often than upload, so this is usually not a problem. Many factors can effect connection speeds, so sometimes the advertised speed is greater than the actual speed experienced by the user.

Even the slowest download speed on DSL most likely sufficient for normal web-surfing, email, and basic audio and video streaming. Higher speed plans may be necessary if the connection will be routed to other computers and wireless connections, or if the connection is needed for heavy usage and frequent downloads and uploads.

Price and other fees: Depending on the location of the individual and area competition, DSL can cost anywhere between $12-100 a month, as well as equipment and installation fees. The prices also differ depending on the download speed desired by the individual, and could be an introductory rate or include a contract. This is important to keep in mind. If two companies offer “DSL”, one at $14 a month and one at $24, the second might be double the speed as the other, and contractual requirements or eventual price increase on the “cheaper” plan could result in more expenses in the long run. DSL is rarely the same across the board.

The process of provisioning the DSL service to the telephone line and completing the set up usually takes several days, sometimes as much as two weeks. When new users order DSL service, they can expect several costs upfront, like buying a modem and other equipment. Some DSL providers will allow their customers to buy their own modem, but then will not be able to tech support it if it doesn't work. Those who want to use their wireless card on a second computer will need to buy a router, which is not always included in the DSL package. Many department stores and computer stores offer a variety of DSL modems and routers, so it may be helpful to shop around.

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Written by Hannah Miller, Online Marketing Representative and Customer Service, Copper.net.

Copper.net is a nationwide Internet services provider that is all-American owned and operated. Call today, 1-800-336-3318 or sign up online at www.copper.net! Check out my blog for more articles! 

The dial-up market declines as the broadband Internet services become more widely available at lower rates. Broadband offers faster downloads and web-surfing, flawless video and audio streaming. Dial-up, although it cannot compare in speed to broadband, is still being used by millions, and far from becoming obsolete. Here are a few reasons why dial-up isn’t going away any time soon.

Many people have no choice but dial-up. In the larger cities and other more populated areas in the U.S., wireless, dsl, and cable are becoming more prevalent each day. However, many thousands of rural homes are yet to gain access to most or all types of broadband internet. The majority of them have the choice between a very expensive and potentially unreliable satellite, or slow, but cheap dial-up. Unless these people are using their home internet for business purposes, satellite is hardly worth the expense.

Dial-up is simple to set up. Setting up a dial-up connection takes a matter of minutes. Any computer that has a dial-up modem can be set up with a phone cord to any analog phone line. Finding a dial-up provider is easy, and most of them provide an inexpensive service the same day, unlike many broadband services that require contracts, shipping of expensive equipment, and complicated set up processes.

Some people have minimal surfing habits. Live video and audio streaming is usually not possible without broadband, but reading news, emailing, and banking are certainly no problem for dial-up. Some people, especially in the older generations, do not spend much time online and only need it for a few necessities. Many of these people grew up with dial-up and simply don’t want to change. Since dial-up is often much less expensive, it makes an appealing offer.

Broadband is often available at work. Some people have internet access all day at work and therefore don't use it enough at home to justify paying large amounts of money on broadband. Therefore, dial-up is a back up solution for occasional use.

Dial-up can be improved. The two biggest complaints about dial-up is that it is too slow and ties up the phone line. There are several solutions for slow speeds, like accelerators, different browsers, and other software to help speed up your browsing or downloading. Internet call waiting is now available on most (V.92 standard) modems, and alerts the user of an incoming call while connected.

Dial-up travels. Anyone can establish a dial-up connection at a vacation home, business trip, or hotel in minutes. In comparison, moving even to the other end of the house can be a challenge with all the wires, and equipment required for broadband Internet. With the service being provisioned directly on-site, a dsl, satellite, or cable connection is restricted only to that home. A dial-up customer simply changes their access number if they move to a new home (assuming they move some distance). A broadband customer would have to reinstall all their equipment, and often reorder the service even if they had to relocate several blocks away!

Until broadband becomes more broadly available, or available at less expensive rates, dial-up will continue to meet the needs of those who simply don't have another choice or wish to save money.

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Written by Hannah Miller, Online Marketing Representative and Customer Service, Copper.net.

Copper.net is a nationwide Internet services provider that is all-American owned and operated. Call today, 1-800-336-3318 or sign up online at www.copper.net! Check out my blog for more articles!