Function

• DSL works by using a different frequency than the phone line. The frequency is filtered between the computer and the switch at the phone company. Because different frequencies are used, the phone line and Internet connection can be used simultaneously.
  
  

Benefits

• The benefits of broadband are mostly the increased speed in downloading web pages, images and media files. Additionally, the user can also use the telephone simultaneously with the Internet connection, which is not a capability of dial-up access.
  
  

Comparison with Cable

• Cable connections share data lines with hundreds of other users in the neighborhood. DSL offers users a dedicated line from the home to the phone company's office, giving the user faster Internet access.
  
  

Available Speeds

• DSL companies offer different services that give users variable download speeds. The standard download speed for DSL is 1.5Mb per second and a 256Kb per second upload speed.
  
  

Network

• The user can share a single DSL connection with other computers on the network. Using a router and ethernet connection, one DSL connection is enough for several computers in the home.