DSL Internet Service

Much has changed with DSL providers in the past decade. They now offer two faster forms of high speed Internet connections - ADSL2+ and fiber optics. Some ADSL2+ plans reach speeds of up to 15 Mbps downstream. In areas with fiber optics, DSL Internet providers are able to achieve downstream broadband speeds of up to 50 Mbps or even faster.

The three largest DSL providers - AT&T, Verizon, and CenturyLink - are now in the fiber optic television business. If fiber optics are available in your area, you really should look into bundling your high speed Internet service with your home phone and television. These fiber optic TV bundles - AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS, and CenturyLink Prism - are only available in areas where copper phone lines have been replaced with modern fiber optic lines.

Call 1-877-476-0648 To Bundle TV, Phone & DSL Internet Service

Even if you are not in an area that offers fiber optic Internet service, you can still bundle your phone and DSL Internet with satellite television. Both DIRECTV and the DISH Network have partnered with the major DSL Internet providers. Bundling phone, Internet, and TV is a great money-saving option, so don't forget to ask about it when signing up for DSL.

Your Current Choices For DSL Internet Service

For the most part, your choice of DSL providers will be limited to the same companies that provide standard phone service in your area. With all the consolidation in the telecom market that has taken place in recent years, there are only three major DSL providers left:

• AT&T DSL Internet
• Verizon DSL Internet
• CenturyLink DSL Internet

If one of the telecommunication companies listed above is your phone provider, click on their link to read a review about their DSL Internet service. Those providers cover most of the population. There are many small, local DSL providers that cover the rest. The best way to know what is available to you is to check for High Speed Internet Providers By Zip Code. With this option, you'll know which DSL plans can be activated at your specific address.

There is also Windstream and Frontier. They cover mostly rural portions of the States. You can find out about all of these companies on our DSL Providers page.

Referring to these companies as "DSL providers" has become somewhat misleading. Most telecom companies are now partially copper-based (DSL) and partially fiber optic. You actually don't get a choice between either DSL or fiber. It's one or the other. That is going to be determined by whether your residence is wired with older copper lines or more modern fiber optic lines.

If your neighborhood is lucky enough to have been upgraded to fiber optics, you'll get the faster fiber optic plans. However, if the houses in your area still have copper phone lines, you'll be limited to DSL Internet service. The good news is that ADSL2+ (a new DSL technology) has pushed the upper limits of DSL from 7.1 Mbps up to 15 Mbps downstream. Check directly with your DSL provider to find out if your neighborhood is scheduled to be upgraded to either fiber optic Internet or the newer versions of DSL Internet (ADSL2 or VDSL2).

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Richard Lee Thomason
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