Are aDSL and DSL the same thing? Is aDSL(asymmetric digital subscribers line) just the full way of saying DSL or is it different?:confused:

There is ADSL and SDSL. Most home users mean ADSL when they say DSL unless they really are getting the same speeds up/down then it is SDSL.

Casey

Thanks! Now I get it!

Just to explain further. DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. It is a technique for using previously unused frequencies that existed on regular copper phone lines to send digital data. On the consumer side, a DSL "modem" is required to convert the digital signals into Ethernet Data packets. On the Telco side is equipment to connect to the Internet and process the flow of data packets.

The A in ADSL stands for aysymmetric. That simple means that data travels at different speeds in different directions. So your modem sends data at one speed and the Telco Central Office sends it to you at a different speed. Symmetrical then would be having the same speeds in both directions.

One of the things with DSL is that you service is tiered so you pay different rates for different service. The higher the speeds, the more you pay.