Comparison of Available DSL Speeds

by Carla Jean McKinney, Demand Media

Although DSL utilizes telephone lines, it allows you to surf the Internet faster than dial-up.

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Major providers such as Verizon, AT&T; and Qwest, as well as some smaller companies, offer a variety of options for DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, Internet service. This technology establishes a continuous digital connection to the Internet over the phone lines. These packages allow users to choose plans based on cost as well as speed, denoted by data transfer at kilobytes (Kbps) or megabytes (Mbps) per second.

Verizon DSL Internet

With coverage in 25 states, Verizon remains a leader in connectivity. Verizon offers four DSL packages, beginning with the lowest-priced Medium plan, which offers speeds between five and 14 times that of dialp and data transfer between 256 and 768Kbps. Verizon also offers a Fast plan with speeds up to 768Kbps and a Faster plan with speeds of 1.5 to 3Mbps. Verizon's Lightning plan offers speeds of 4 to 7Mbps. A new high-speed option, Verizon FIOS, is also available in some areas.

AT&T; DSL Internet

Like Verizon, AT&T; offers four DSL plans based on speed. Users can choose from Medium (768 Kbps), Fast (1.5 Mbps), Faster (3Mbps) and the fastest offered, Lightning, with speeds up to 6Mbps. AT&T; offers coverage in 22 states. Users are advised to check with AT&T; for availability in their area.

Qwest DSL Internet

Qwest offers three DSL packages, beginning with Fast, at a data transfer speed of 1.5Mbps. Qwest's Faster plan provides speeds up to 7Mbps and its Lightning plan provides speeds of 12 to 20Mbps. Since not all QWEST plans are offered in every location, users can check for availability by entering a phone number at their web site.

Other Options

Some smaller companies also offer DSL packages at varying rates of speed. Comcast, although primarily identified with cable, offers DSL options with two different speeds. Toast provides connectivity at 100 times that of dialup, and Charter offers three plans: Fast (8Mbps), Faster (16Mbps) and High Speed Internet Max, (25Mbps).

References

  • About DSL Internet Service Providers: Types of Service
  • High Speed Internet Providers: Plans and Rates
  • Verizon DSL Plans
  • At&T; High Speed Internet
  • QWEST DSL Plans
  • Comcast Cable and Internet Packages

Resources

  • Toast DSL Internet
  • Charter Internet

About the Author

Carla Jean McKinney has been writing professionally since 1989. She is the author of three nonfiction books and numerous published short works, as well as articles on natural sciences and the environment. Also a photographer, McKinney earned her Master of Arts at the University of Arizona and is a graduate of the Sessions School of Design.

Photo Credits

  • Photos.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images