What is DSL Internet?
DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line, which is a connection that uses pre-existing copper phone lines to transmit internet signals to your home. This makes it the most common type of internet in the United States. Due to its wide availability and established infrastructure, DSL internet is usually cheaper than other connections and available to more rural communities.
The most common type of residential DSL is ADSL, or asymmetrical DSL. This means your data transfer rates are faster in download speeds than upload speeds. To find out if DSL internet is right for you, see what top DSL providers have to offer below.

Top DSL Provdiers




Speeds may vary. Service may or may not be available in your area. All pricing subject to change at any time. Additional taxes, fees, surcharges, and terms apply. As of 8/23/21.
*Frontier Offer Details
†CenturyLink Offer Details.
How DSL Providers Stack Up
Windstream
100Mbps
Verizon
500Mbps
CenturyLink
20 Mbps
Is DSL Internet Right for Me?
When choosing between different internet plans, it’s important to consider your family count, home size, and internet usage before making any decisions. DSL internet is widely available and relatively cheap. This makes it a great option for shoppers on a budget or families located in suburban or rural communities.
DSL can support light internet browsing and movie streaming on up to 1-2 connected devices at a time. However, it is known to cause dead spots, latency issues, and all-around slower speeds compared to cable internet and fiber internet when you start adding more devices or have more than 2 people living at home. To see available options near you, enter your zip code above.
How DSL Compares to Other Connection Types
DSL internet falls a bit short on the speed meter compared to other connections, but it makes up for it with low costs and wide availability. Because DSL relies on pre-existing phone lines, its infrastructure covers nearly 90% of the U.S. compared to fiber’s 30% availability. This makes it the only internet option for rural and suburban residents in many cases. DSL speeds typically range from 10 Mbps up to 100 Mbps. Also, ISPs prioritize download speeds over upload speeds for most internet plans.

DSL Internet FAQs
ADSL, or asymmetrical DSL, is the most common DSL type and normally involves a subscriber receiving faster download speeds than upload speeds. SDSL, or symmetrical DSL, is DSL internet that offers equal download and upload speeds. And lastly, VDSL, or “very-high bit rate” DSL, is DSL internet that offers medium speeds between ADSL and SDSL.