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DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. In a computer and networking context, it is a broadband internet connection that uses existing copper telephone lines to provide high-speed data transmission to homes and businesses without interrupting phone service. It provides "always-on" access, meaning a separate phone line isn't needed for a dial-up connection. A DSL modem is the hardware that converts the digital signal for your devices.

How it works: DSL divides the phone line into different frequency bands, allowing voice calls (low frequency) and internet data (high frequency) to run at the same time.

Hardware: A DSL modem is required at the user's location to connect to the internet, and a DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) at the internet provider's central office manages the signals.

Availability: Because it uses existing infrastructure, DSL is widely available, especially in rural or exurban areas where fiber or cable might not be.

Types: Common types include Asymmetric DSL (ADSL), which is the most common and has faster download than upload speeds, and Symmetric DSL (SDSL), which has equal upload and download speeds. Very-high-speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) is a faster upgrade.