DSL Extreme

DSL is a modem technology that turns a customer's existing phone line into a three-channel data delivery system. The first channel transmits voice services. The second channel transmits data downstream at high speeds while the third channel transmits data upstream. The downstream and upstream channels carry information to and from the Internet. Phone or fax calls are not disturbed by the online activity occurring on the two data channels.

Modems are used at each end of the phone line. One is at the computer and the other is in the DSL Extreme central office. Working together, they provide a dedicated connection that avoids the need to dial-up for access, like a traditional analog system. The modem in the DSL Extreme central office points the traffic to the network and on to the Internet.

DSL Extreme is based on Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), which is a super-fast state-of-the-art technology that enables data transmission at significantly higher speeds than the standard 56K modem. DSL transforms standard twisted-pair copper telephone wires into a high-speed digital pipe. Since the wiring is already in place in most homes and offices, millions can switch to DSL without the need to run new wires.

DSL can take advantage of the bandwidth that is not used for voice calls. DSL technology splits the phone line into three information channels. One transfers data at high speeds from the Internet to the computer. Another channel transports data at moderate speeds from the computer to the Internet while the third handles regular phone calls and faxes.

It thus becomes possible to go online while making phone calls. DSL Extreme offers several packages with download speeds that range from 192 kbps to 7.1 mbps. DSL Extreme customers can thus download files and surf the Internet at lightning speeds. However the speed depends on factors like the distance from the connection to the telephone company central office, the actual line, traffic on the network and the servers hosting the websites.