DSL Modem Vs. Regular Modem

The standard dial-up modem is capable of transmitting data at 56 Kbps, which is 56,000 bits of data per second. A bit is the smallest unit of digital computer information. The FCC limits dial-up speeds to 53 Kbps, so this is the maximum dial-up transfer speed. Some residential DSL providers offer speeds of 40 Mbps, or 40,000,000 bits per second, but the highest DSL speeds aren't available in all areas and are only download speeds. Upload speeds may be less than 1 Mbps, but still faster than dial-up.

Dial-up modems convert a computer's digital information into an analog signal that can travel over phone lines. This analog data uses the same frequencies as voice data, so a user cannot talk on the telephone and connect to the Internet with a dial-up modem. DSL information travels via phone lines digitally, and at different frequencies than voice data, so the modem doesn't have to convert digital data into analog data. The difference in frequencies also means that DSL users can use the telephone and the Internet.

Both dial-up modems and DSL modems can install internally or externally, but internal DSL modems are very rare. Most DSL modems are external devices that plug into a computer's Ethernet port and require external power. Dial-up modems commonly install inside the computer case by plugging into a PCI slot.

One advantage of dial-up modems is their ability to send faxes. A bonus feature in many DSL modems is added wireless functionality. Some DSL modems also function as wireless routers so that other nearby computers can share one DSL connection.