DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) technology supplies the necessary bandwidth for numerous applications, including high-speed access to the Internet, dedicated Internet connectivity, and videoconferencing. This digital broadband line directly connects your premises to the Internet, via the existing copper telephone lines.

There are many varieties of DSL technology (generally described with the term "xDSL").  DSL.net provides the optimal business-to-business solution, SDSL.

SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) —This technology provides the same bandwidth in both directions, upstream and downstream. That means whether you're uploading or downloading information, you have the same high-quality performance. SDSL provides transmission speeds within a T1/E1 range, of up to 1.5 Mbps at a maximum range of 12,000 to 18,000 feet from a central office, over a single-pair copper wire. This option is ideal for small- and medium-sized businesses that have an equal need to download and upload data over the Internet.

For a complete list of industry terms, view our glossary. Other varieties of digital subscriber lines include:

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) — This technology reports a downstream speed, but its upstream speed is a fraction of the downstream. Primarily used in residential applications and many providers do not guarantee its bandwidth levels.

RADSL (Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line) —This technology automatically adjusts the access speed based upon the condition of the line.

IDSL (ISDN Digital Subscriber Line) —This technology is symmetrical, similar to SDSL, but operates at slower speeds and longer distances.

HDSL (High-Data-Rate Digital Subscriber Line) —This technology is symmetrical, but is mainly deployed for PBX over a T-1 line.

VDSL (Very-High-Rate Digital Subscriber Line) —This is a high-speed technology, but has a very limited range.