DSL vs. Dial-Up Internet Connection

Dial-up service requires a phone line for service and it ties up the phone line while you are using the Internet. If call waiting is not disabled, you will be disconnected from the Internet every time someone calls or whenever someone in your house picks up the phone. With DSL, the phone line is not tied up when you are online. Some DSL providers require subscribers to have an existing phone line, but there are a few that waive this requirement.

The maximum speed of a dial-up modem is 56 Kbps for upload and download. DSL, on the other hand, has a maximum upload speed of about 128 Kbps and a download speed of 1.5 Mbps. Since most people spend more of their online time downloading web pages, files and e-mails, the download speed is of particular importance. The upload speed of a DSL connection is about 17 times faster than dial-up.

Each time you connect to the Internet, you do so using an IP address, which is a number unique to your connection. The IP address is how you are identified on the Internet. DSL connections use what is known as a static IP address, which means each time you connect you use the same IP. Dial-up connections generate new IP addresses with each connection. A static IP makes it easier for hackers to steal information from you. If you are a moving target with a dynamic IP, hackers will not be able to find you as easily.

Dial-up service is inexpensive and requires no set-up so there are no set-up fees. The average monthly service fee for DSL is higher than for dial-up and installation can cost extra. Each service requires a different type of modem. Dial-up modems must be purchased by the user, while DSL modems can be purchased or rented from the service provider.

DSL service is not available everywhere because of poor line quality. Before signing up for DSL, it is important to make sure your lines can hold the connection. Dial-up is available in any home or office that has a telephone line, which makes it nearly universally available in the U.S.