DSL
2 synonyms for DSL, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Abbreviation — Digital subscriber line: a technology that carries broadband internet over ordinary copper telephone wires, allowing the line to be used for calls and data at the same time.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
ADSL
How to use DSL
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
DSL modem
DSL line
DSL provider
switch from DSL to fibre
Standard technical vocabulary, common in service contracts and support calls. ADSL and VDSL are specific varieties of DSL.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between DSL and fibre?
DSL sends data as electrical signals over existing copper telephone wire, so speed drops sharply the further you are from the exchange. Fibre carries light along glass strands, giving far higher and more consistent speeds, but it requires new cable to be laid.
Is DSL the same as broadband?
DSL is one kind of broadband, not a synonym for it. Cable, fibre, satellite and fixed wireless are all broadband too, and DSL is generally the slowest of them.
Does DSL tie up the phone line?
No. Unlike dial-up, DSL uses frequencies above those used for speech, so you can browse and make calls at once. A small filter on each socket keeps the two apart.
