Differences Between a 56K Modem and a DSL Modem
The term "Digital Subscriber Line," or DSL, refers to a technology that carries data to and from a computer. A 56K dial-up modem performs the same function; it uses a standard telephone line and can achieve a maximum data transfer speed of 56 kilobits per second (kbps). However, it carries data on the same portion of your phone line used for voice telephone calls. A DSL modem offers much higher data transfer speeds through your phone line, but it does not use the same part of the line as a dial-up modem.
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Speed
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Dial-up modems are produced in a variety of speeds, but 56K is the fastest available in most locations. This is a very slow data transfer rate compared to DSL. DSL speeds vary by service provider and area, but some providers promise up to 20 megabits per second (mbps), which is over 365 times faster than a 56K modem. More common DSL speeds are around 7 mbps, which is still 128 times faster than the top speed on a dial-up modem. Although a DSL connection usually does not reach the advertised top speed, it still produces incredibly faster Internet uploads, downloads and Web surfing than a dial-up connection.
Internal vs. External
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Many laptop and desktop computers have internal 56K modems, although external models are also available. If your computer has a jack that looks like a telephone jack and fits a standard telephone cord, that is the port for a dial-up modem. Your computer's specifications should tell you whether it is a 56K modem or a slower model. DSL modems are external and usually purchased from your Internet service provider. Your ISP can tell you which DSL modems are compatible with its system and what speeds are available in your area. An external DSL modem is approximately the size of a small paperback book and can sit on your computer desk. Some DSL modems are router/modem combinations that can produce wireless Internet signal in addition to your DSL. Without wireless, you can connect a DSL modem to your computer through an Ethernet cable, which resembles a phone cord but is generally thicker and has a wider connector on each end. Your computer must have an Ethernet port to accommodate this connection.
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Lifestyle Impact
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If you use a dial-up modem, you must install a dedicated, second phone line or accept that you'll be unable to make or receive phone calls while anyone in your home is on the Internet. Occasionally, your Internet service may be interrupted by incoming calls, causing you to lose data entered into online forms or interrupting downloads in progress. DSL does not affect your phone service in this way, so you can place or receive phone calls as you normally would at the same time that you are on the Internet. Your DSL modem will likely come with filters you plug into your phone jacks to ensure that digital "noise" from the modem does not cross over into your phone calls.
Practical Considerations
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If you don't have an internal dial-up modem, it doesn't require much skill to set up an external modem on your own. DSL modems require a little more setup, as you must get the modem and computer to recognize one another and add filters to your phone lines. If you are not computer-savvy, try to choose a DSL service provider that offers 24-hour telephone support. DSL service is generally more expensive than dial-up, but the convenience may be well worth the cost as modern Web pages often use images and coding that take far too long to download over a dial-up modem.
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References
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