| It can be very confusing when you begin to | | | | |
| search for the best Internet connectivity and | | | | SDSL allows for the transfer of data at same |
| bandwidth needed for your business/home. | | | | speeds but up and down and it is guaranteed. |
| These include DSL, ADSL, and SDSL...they all | | | | This is a plus for data applications that |
| look very similar but they do have their | | | | need constant high-upstream bit rates, such |
| differences. | | | | as VOIP (voice over IP). SDSL is generally |
| | | | preferred by business, as the uploading speed |
| Below are some of these differences between | | | | is so much faster than ADSL. |
| an ADSL line and a SDSL line; | | | | |
| | | | ADSL: |
| Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line also known | | | | |
| as ADSL, has the ability to download at | | | | This type of line has a relatively low cost; |
| speeds of up to 512kbps and a maximum upload | | | | however it is not available in all areas, |
| of 256kbps. This basically means that you are | | | | although the major metro areas are almost at |
| transferring data when you download it at | | | | 70% in availability. The ability to upload is |
| 2mbps yet when you are uploading it, the | | | | also much slower than download and may not be |
| process would be half of that and is only | | | | beneficial if you use the Internet heavily or |
| travelling at 1mbps. | | | | need it for business purposes. Speed suffers |
| | | | as the bandwidth is aggregated at the main |
| ADSL uses the copper telephone wire that is | | | | office and is subject to oversubscription. |
| already in place and allows you to be on the | | | | The cost of ADSL is varied depending on the |
| Internet and make a phone call using the same | | | | carrier for the area and location of the |
| exact line. | | | | service. |
| | | | |
| Now, when you are using a Symmetric Digital | | | | SDSL: |
| Subscriber Line, otherwise known as an SDSL, | | | | |
| you will find that you have the ability not | | | | This line on the other hand has a higher |
| only to upload but to download at the same | | | | cost. Again this is varied according to who |
| speed of 512kbps. That is 8 times faster than | | | | the carrier is, where the service is located |
| standard ADSL. The reason that SDSL is able | | | | and what it will be used for. The ability to |
| to carry data more quickly is due to the | | | | upload and download is up to 2mbps both ways. |
| circuits for these lines are made from new | | | | Great for businesses that need the extra |
| copper wire. This new wire does not support | | | | speed but don't want the extra cost when |
| the more traditional method being able to | | | | compared to a T-1 line. |
| make a phone call and also using the same | | | | |
| line to connect the Internet at the same | | | | It is helpful to understand the difference |
| time. Due to the difference in technology | | | | between an ADSL line and a SDSL line as this |
| used, when using SDSL you will need to have a | | | | will help you to choose which route is best |
| router that is designated for this specific | | | | for your needs. |
| line. | | | | |