Whether you use the Internet to work, learn or play, "always on" Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services can help make the most of your time online.

If you want to know more about how DSL works and why it is so useful, you've come to the right place.


What is DSL?

DSL (digital subscriber line) is a proven technology that takes advantage of standard copper telephone lines to provide secure, reliable, high-speed Internet access. Unlike traditional dial-up connections such as analog modems and ISDN, DSL delivers continuous "always on" access. That means multimedia-rich websites, email, and other online applications are immediately available to you, anytime. And DSL makes it possible for you to remain online even while you're talking on the telephone - without jeopardizing the quality of either connection.

DSL is available in a spectrum of speeds. Some are best for home use, while others are designed to accommodate rigorous business demands. Whether for business or the home, DSL offers unsurpassed price/performance value compared to other online access options.

    For Business:
    Originally, companies seeking high-speed connectivity looked to T1 lines as a solution. However, dedicated T1 lines cost as much as $2,000 a month to maintain. Now, our DSL provides continuous T1 level performance (as fast as 1.5 Mbps to download files), at a fraction of  typical T1 cost.

    For Home:
    DSL is also a legitimate option for home users. At about $2 a day for DSL service that meets the needs of most home-based users, fast  Internet service is priced well to your reach.


DSL Fast Facts

Here are the five facts you should know about DSL Internet access. This service is:

Remarkably fast
With DSL service, you can benefit from Internet speeds that are up to 12 times faster than a typical ISDN connection and 50 times faster than a traditional 28.8 Kbps modem. This means that in the 12 seconds it takes to read this information, you could have downloaded a 2 megabyte presentation file or web photograph. It would take 10 more minutes (600 more seconds!) to download the same file with a traditional 28.8 Kbps modem.

Highly reliable
You can depend on DSL because its proven technology takes full advantage of the existing telecommunications infrastructure. And you can count on DSL to scale with your future connectivity needs. That's a level of comfort you won't find with other Internet access technologies.

Inherently secure
Because our DSL network provides a dedicated Internet connection via private telephone wires, you can bypass dial-up intruders or shared network hackers. Unlike traditional dial-up modems or cable modems, DSL protects your valuable data with the most secure connection available.

Surprisingly affordable
DSL is widely recognized as the most cost-effective connectivity solution for small businesses. Covad DSL delivers industrial-strength T1-like speed (as fast as 1.5 Mbps) to multiple users at only 25% of typical T1 costs. There's no better price/performance option available.

DSL is also an exceptional value for home users. At about $2 a day for service that meets the needs of most people, Covad's basic home configuration is priced within everyone's reach.

"Always on"
DSL is ready to run, every minute of every day. There's no more logging on and off, no more busy signals or disconnects. This gives you the freedom to focus on what you want to accomplish online - rather than focusing on trying to get connected. In fact, you can be more productive because the power and immediacy of the Internet is continuously available at your fingertips.


DSL in the News

Every day, DSL receives more and more attention. You read about its astonishing performance in the business and technology pages of newspapers and magazines. Your friends and colleagues rave about what a great value it is. Whenever people are talking about DSL, the news is usually good.

Here's what we've heard on the street lately:

"Let me assure you that when the happy day arrives that you too get a DSL-type connection, it will be right up there with other transforming moments in personal technology. Think back to the first time you ever saw cable television or the first time you ever used a microwave oven or your first cell phone call."

- James Coates, columnist, Chicago Tribune

"...DSL has a distinct advantage that makes it one of the most viable options for the delivery of high-speed data services. Unlike competing technologies, DSL eliminates the need for extensive and expensive infrastructure upgrades...That's one of DSL technology's chief advantages - the ability to transform the nearly 700 million phone lines installed worldwide into multimegabit data pipes capable of speeding digital video and data to homes and businesses."

- TeleChoice (market research firm)

"DSL speeds smoke cable modems...In a broadband drag race between cable modem and DSL access, even low-grade DSL is as much as 12 percent faster than cable--at least during consumers' prime-time evening hours."

- C/Net News

"Cable modems restrict connections to a single computer...As more households get high-speed Internet access, home networking products will enable family members and people with home offices to connect multiple PCs to the Internet simultaneously and also to swap files between PCs, enjoy multi-player games and share printers, fax machines and scanners."

- DSL Prime

"I've been using ordinary DSL for a few months now, and it definitely does a dance around remote dial up to a corporate network...Having dedicated access via DSL has literally changed the way I work."

- Beth Schultz, Network World editorial staff

"For the capacity they provide, DSL services will be quite cost-effective for telecommuters, remote offices and consumers."

- PC Week

"The three things that differentiate DSL...are: 1) High speed 2) Long reach 3) Cost-effectiveness...DSL offers the best solution, high speeds and long distances cost-effectively - all over existing copper infrastructure."

- The DSL Sourcebook, 2nd Edition


About DSL Applications

DSL provides a strong foundation for many specialized solutions that can improve your productivity at work, and help you get more enjoyment from your leisure time at home.

As an innovator in DSL technology, we are committed to building and supporting not only a rock-solid high-speed communications network, but also a family of practical applications that fully complement the inherent speed and "always on" benefits of DSL.

Visit this area to learn more as we make new applications available to you!

Learn About:

  • Virtual Private Networks
    Imagine the productivity improvements your company can gain by using DSL to extend your headquarters network to remote employees and other offices! Our VPN Central area takes you behind the scenes, so you can discover how VPNs work.
  • More applications to follow

 

For information on how to order DSL, please contact:
Joel Worst
Director, Integrated Solutions Division
Ph: (301)926-8000 ext. 341
Email: jworst@uhd.com

 

 

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