Connection question

An American friend has asked me this question
"what is the difference between High Speed Internet and DSL?"
How can I explain that in simple terms?

donut...

Val re my previous post - the heading in web-search is HowStuffWorks

pmj...

Well...
The Answer to that Q will (to a large extent) depend on why they
are asking!
:-)

& also, since they are American, you would have to remember that
the way the Yank Suppliers do their Internet Connections (& thus,
to a certain extent, what their Customers know about & expect from
them) is actually a bit different to what we are used to over here
in the UK & Europe...

donut...

Aries...

thanks Donut:)

Val I typed DSL into web-search and found out what DSL was - didn't know myself
so it may help you explain.

pmj...

DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line (i.e. it's an Internet
(Digital) Connection over a *Phone* Line).

There are actually 2 different kinds of DSL (which is why you may
sometimes see it referred to as xDSL). There is SDSL which is
Symmetric DSL - where the *Upload* Speed is the same as the Download
Speed - which is why it relatively rare & much more expensive than
the alternative of ADSL which is Asymmetric DSL - where the Download
Speed is much faster than the Upload Speed, which is what most people
want for things like Web Browsing, but is not so good for File Sharing
type things, or if you are Running your own Servers.

OK, so that's DSL (roughly & very simplistically) explained...

So what is the difference between "DSL" & "High Speed Internet" then?

Basically xDSL (that's either SDSL or ADSL) is actually just one
kind of (one sort of) High Speed Internet Access.

There *are* actually other kinds available!!!

Over here (& also in the U S of A), you can also get your Internet
Access Connection through a *Cable* Modem, via an ISP's *Cable*
Service along with, in many cases, other things through the Cable,
such as TV, TV Replay, Radio & a Phone Connection.

In the USA, Cable Modem Services always tended to be the normal
(& most common) form of High Speed Internet Access (cos xDSL wasn't
used so much over there)

So, in many cases, when people (especially in the U S of A) talk
about "High Speed Internet" they can be assumed to be talking about
a *Cable* Modem Internet connection & not an ADSL (or SDSL) - Phone
Line Internet Connection (which is why they talk about there being
a difference between them)

What they *really* mean, or should ask, when they ask "What's the
difference between High Speed Internet & DSL?") is "What's the
difference between a Cable Modem Internet Connection & a (x)DSL
(Phone Line) Internet Connection?"

Cos a DSL Connection *is* a High Speed Internet Connection!

& the answer to the Q is (as Ratty & I have explained) that (x)DSL
is done via a Phone Line, whereas a Cable Modem Internet Connection
(remember, that's what Yanks generally refer to as a "High Speed
Internet" Connection) is actually just another sort of Internet
Connection, but done using a Cable Connection, rather than an
ordinary Phone Line.

As to the actual *practical* differences, then we would need to know
more about what they intend to do with their Internet Connection to
be able to advise & explain.

In many cases & areas, there isn't any choice available, anyway,
between (x)DSL & Cable, but if there *is* a choice (such as there is
in this area & in some parts of the U S A), then people would need
to have sufficient Info about the differences (& know what they
intend to use it for) to be able to make a sensible, informed choice.

~~seadancer~~...

I dunno, Val, but my techie son told us that you'll be apt to have
more problems with DSL (using phone lines) than you will with
a cable connection.

Aries...

Thanks Sea :)

Flying Rat...

High Speed Internet can also cover cable. DSL is the version that works
over old type phone lines.

In the US High Speed Internet is normally used to cover cable services
like Comcast (similar to our NTL) but it can be used to describe both
kinds of non-dialup internet access.

Tickettyboo...

So if it says High Speed Internet it aint a dial up then Ratty?

pmj...

I don't see how *any* form of *Dial* Up Internet Access can ever
legitimately & truthfully be called or described as a "High Speed
Internet" Connection.

Ali...

Not now, but 56k seems awfully fast after using a 1.2k or .3k (300 baud)
cannection.

High Spped Internet Access *has* to be done either via a cable
connection or an ADSL (or SDSL) Phone Line, or (in some cases)
by a Leased Line or other permanent Connection.

Oh goody cos I am orf to Canada soon and wondered about that, seen High
Sped Internet advertised on lots of hotel sites. If its similar to our
whooshing, then I should be able to connect with my laptop ( ie not need a
local isp like I would if it were dial up)

pmj...

Yep!
If they (Hotels etc,) are Advertising that they have & are offering
a "High Speed Internet Connection", then *they* are getting their
Internet Connection either via a cable, or via a (x)DSL Phone Line
Connection (or some other Permanent Connection) & are then making it
available to their Guests via either an Ethernet (LAN - Local Area
Network) Connection, or via WiFi.

The days of Tourists & Visitors (at least in the U S of A & other
parts of (North) America, such as Canada), having to try & find
a way to make & use a Dial Up Connection when they are there,
seem to be well & truly over!
:-)

LOL means you can all have postcards! ... maybe, if I don't make summat

pmj...

Great!
:-)

brokted.

So simply put, DSL is one kind of High Speed Internet which works over
traditional phone lines. Cable is another type.

Aries...

My friend will find that interesting, thanks Ratty :)