DSL Versus Dial-Up

DSL and Dial-Up are going to be compared on four different issues. The issues include speed, flexibility, reliability, and price.

• Speed: DSL—actually offers a guaranteed speed of up to 1 Mbps symmetrical, which just means 35 times faster than 28.8 Kbps analog modem.
• Dial-Up—offers maximum speeds of only 56 Kbps.
• Flexibility: DSL—with DSL you have one single connection with all your PC’s having access to the one single connection without being charged extra for each PC. Plus with DSL you have a wide range of available speeds and it is inexpensive and easy to upgrade.

Dial-Up—with Dial-Up you can only have one PC using a single connection, and if you have more than one PC needing Internet access you have to pay for each additional PC. Dial-Up also has bandwidth limitations of 56 Kbps.

• Reliability: DSL—DSL is not time consuming and is not disruptive since it does not have to wait to dial in for Internet access.
• Dial-Up—with Dial-Up you do have to dial in for Internet access which can sometimes be a very tedious process.
• Price: DSL—with DSL most of the time there is a flat monthly rate so you do not have to pay for additional usage or toll charges. Plus DSL can be considered cost-effective if you have simultaneous access on a single connection.
• Dial-Up—on the other hand with Dial-Up the monthly charges could be costly because you may have additional charges for your Internet on top of usage and toll charges. Plus if you have more than one PC you want to have Internet access to, you have to pay for more lines and modems to have simultaneous access.