• Connect to the Internet with DSL.DSL Modem Detail image by Rob Hill from Fotolia.com
  
  Digital subscriber line (DSL) connects people to the Internet using a telephone connection and wire.The signal is carried over the phone line to the central office, where it is routed to the "cloud," a term used to describe the Internet in a network layout. DSL customers have choices of providers, download and upload speed, and price. DSL also offers the option of creating an internal home network, so all the computers in the home can use the DSL Internet connection.
  
  

Connection Speed

• The speed offered is dependent on your DSL provider. Most have several access speeds available. The lowest is typically about 1.4 megabytes per second. This is the range of a DS1 line, a common Internet connection for small offices. The highest speed is about 7 megabytes per second. This is best for people who require fast connections such as gamers, web developers and people with several computers on one internal network. User homes that are farther than three miles from the central office experience some signal degradation, so speeds may vary when that distance is increased.
  
  

Price

• Prices depend on the type of service the user receives, and some providers have better deals. Some have initial, six-month promotional rates which increase at the end of the period The cheapest option for DSL is approximately $20 per month. This is also the slowest speed for both uploading and downloading data. Some providers offer the fastest download speeds at $40 a month.
  
  

Internal Network

• DSL routers offer a connection for Ethernet internal networks. Ethernet is a common cabling topology, so users can affordably network all machines in the home or office to a single DSL router. This option allows users to share DSL service either through wireless or wired connections. Some users install a multi-function router so that wireless laptops and hardwired desktop stations can connect simultaneously.