What is ADSL?

ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line

Asymmetric means that a higher speed is available from the exchange to the user (downstream) and a slower speed from the user to the exchange (upstream) .
For example the user can download web pages or videos at high speed, but can only send at a significantly lower speed. Capability varies with distance - up to 9 Mbps downstream can be supported up to one mile from an exchange and 2 Mbps up to three miles. 64 kbps is the usual upstream speed. Note that the distance is the length of the cable, because of the way networks are routed a 3 mile cable may mean only 2 miles physical distance. ADSL can operate in parallel with conventional analogue voice telephony over the same line.

Why should I consider ADSL?

The main advantages of ADSL over dialup connections area:
Speed – An ADSL connection offers up to 10 times the performance of an analog line for data transmission.  Since the connection is always active, there is also no dialing time involved either.
Quality – ADSL connections are less likely to be affected by noise or static.
Functionality – The ADSL connection uses the same cabling of your phone line but does not interfere with normal phone usage.  You can make and receive phone calls even while your ADSL Internet connection is in active use.

Will ADSL interfere with my phone line?

NO.  The ADSL connection uses the same cabling of your phone line but does not interfere with normal phone usage.  You can make and receive phone calls even while your ADSL Internet connection is in active use.

Can I use a dialup connection if my ADSL connection goes down?

On DSL accounts 256 Kbps or above, you can use a dialup connection if your ADSL connection goes down.  You can not use a dialup connection and the ADSL simultaneously.  This option is not available on DSL accounts below 256 Kbps.