How to Make DSL Faster for Free
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service delivers Internet service at speeds that are significantly higher than traditional dial-up service. It also offers a constant connection, and most DSL service in the United States can share an existing phone line. Tuning your DSL connection to make it faster involves trial and error, including verifying with your Internet Service Provider that your connection is set up optimally; making sure that all phone connections use a DSL filter; and running and testing speed-up utilities that claim to improve DSL speed by modifying your operating system's Internet connection settings.
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Instructions
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Contact your Internet Service Provider's technical support team to determine your expected DSL speed. DSL speed is affected primarily by the distance of your home or business from the ISP's switching equipment: The farther away you are, the slower the speed of service.
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Determine your actual DSL connection speed. A popular, free speed test is provided by SpeakEasy. If the speed you receive is close to the speed that your ISP promises, then you will not be able to significantly increase your DSL speed.
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Ensure that all phone connections, including fax machines and alarm systems, use a DSL filter. Anything attached to your phone line without a DSL filter--with the exception of your DSL modem, which must not be filtered--will degrade your DSL service.
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Older Windows operating systems, such as Windows 98 and Windows 95, were designed before DSL connections became available. However, free third-party DSL utilities are available that modify those operating systems and claim to improve DSL speed. Some Internet Service Providers offer customers a utility, as do DSL resource sites such as SpeedGuide's TCP Optimizer and DSL Reports' DrTCP (see Resources).
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Tips & Warnings
Poor-quality DSL connections often deliver unreliable service. If your Internet Service Provider determines that you have a poor connection--usually due to the length of your phone line--it might help for the ISP to artificially limit your maximum connection speed in order to deliver more reliable service.
Even when optimally tuned, DSL connections are much slower than cable or fiber-optic Internet connections. You will probably find DSL unsuitable for streaming live video or for downloading or uploading large files.
References
Resources
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