DSL Vs. High Speed
"DSL" versus "High Speed," as a debate, is a misnomer, as "DSL" is a type of method to access the Internet, while "High Speed" describes the speed at which data can be transferred through an existing connection whether it be DSL, cable, fiber-optic line, power line or wireless. "High Speed" most often refers to the debate between DSL and cable Internet access.
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Definitions
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"DSL" stands for "digital subscriber line." "High Speed" is a term the U.S. government defines as Internet speeds faster than 768 kilobits per second in at least one direction. "Cable" refers to cable Internet access through a service provider like Comcast. The leading "high speed" methods of connecting to the Internet are DSL and cable Internet access.
Technology
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DSL utilizes existing phone lines, which consist of a pair of thin copper wires. These lines are used to transmit digital signals. Cable Internet access uses a thicker, coaxial cable. Fiber-optic Internet access uses fiber-optic cable composed of glass. High-speed transmission is possible wirelessly, as well as via power line.
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Speeds
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While cable is capable of faster data transfer speeds than DSL, it rarely meets those speeds because of a host of factors. Cable's recent upgrades to "Docsis 3.0" also enables faster speeds than DSL.
Considerations
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Costs for either DSL or cable can vary, but are generally close to each other. Both systems of access require special modems.
Fun Fact
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Some 40 percent of Americans lack access to high-speed Internet, often essential to education and high-paying jobs. This is called "The Digital Divide."
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