Each variation of DSL reflects the different compromises made by Telco s when deciding how fast and how far data can flow on a certain kind of subscriber line. DSL can reach speeds up to 2 megabits per second in some areas 30 or more times faster than today s fastest analog modems. DSL modems resemble analog modems but they provide a much higher throughput. Analog modems send digital data over the Telco s existing analog network but must perform a digital to analog conversion for transmission onto the network and vice versa on the receiving end. When using analog modems there must be a compatible modem on each end of the call.
Cable modems are capable of reaching high speed through fiber.
Usually access through a cable modem is structured in a way that has a group of users sharing a node in a specific area. The more consumers in that area, the less bandwidth is available to each user. DSL technology puts a high speed digital link on the copper telephone line, and routes it directly to a packet switching data network for wide area transmission, bypassing the voice network. Benefits of DSL DSL provides almost instantaneous transmission of voice, data and video over ordinary copper phone lines. A DSL connection is always on-line which provides fast access to information on corporate Intranet servers and the Internet.