What is DSL?

DSL is still a popular wired connectivity standard in Poland. In recent years, there has been mostly talk of fiber optics, which guarantee very high Internet speeds and reliable network performance, but for many users it is DSL that remains the only way to take advantage of wired network access. What is worth knowing about this standard? What is its history?

DSL – how did it start?

DSL ( digital subscriber line), or digital subscriber line, is a technology that uses copper cables – such as those used for landline phone calls. The possibility of using them made infrastructure preparation fast and relatively cheap. Before DSL, we could use much slower Internet. The speed limit on an analog line was only 56 kbps. Twice the speed, 128 kbps, could be obtained over an ISDN digital line. DSL solved the problems that accompanied the aforementioned types of connection. Performance improved, and the problem of blocking the telephone line while using the network disappeared.

Source: https://networkshardware.com/internet-types/dsl/

The DSL standard had its beginnings in the 1980s, with Poland not being plugged in until 1991. The patent describing DSL was lifted in 1988. The lack of need for new infrastructure accelerated access to the network. In January 1992, there were… 2,000 Internet users in Poland, and by the end of 1995 – about half a million. DSL contributed strongly to the development of the network in our country, and soon there were more ideas on how to make the best use of the available frequencies. This included asymmetric transmission, which is still used in fiber optics. The DSL standard was and still is used in a large number of companies and households.

History of DSL in Poland

As we mentioned, it had to take a long time before the DSL standard began to be implemented in Poland. However, there is no denying that it is to such connections that we owe the rapid development of the network. Many Internet users gained permanent access thanks to Neostrada, which operated precisely on the DSL standard. In 2001, the service offered data transfer speeds of up to 2 MB/s, which was a good result for the time. Of course, it was not available to everyone, and in terms of price it was even offered only to the wealthy. The aforementioned 2 MB/s cost 1,500 zlotys per month, while the minimum wage was 760 zlotys and the average was just over 2,000 zlotys. Initially, residents of Warsaw were able to use the service, and only in subsequent years did such an option appear in other large cities. Residents of small towns had to wait years for it.

In the following years, DSL Internet accelerated and approached 100 MB/s. From 2013 or so, DSL slowly lost interest – that’s when fiber optics and mobile internet became increasingly popular. This does not mean that Poles are not using DSL. Fiber optics is still not an option in much of Poland, or residents are reluctant to switch to the service for various reasons. You can still find information in the reports of Internet operators, which show that they have more customers using DSL than fiber.

Types of DSL

This technology has evolved over the years, new variants have been introduced, so it still meets the expectations of many consumers. Some of its types are no longer applicable, while others may still have them for a long time to come. Here are the terms you should know:

• ADSL – an asymmetric variant of DSL. It allows faster data downloads.
• DSL – uses the public telephone network to provide network access. Analog copper lines are used.
• G.fast – allows transfers of up to 1 GB/s. This is one of the latest DSL solutions. Customers often opt for this solution if they cannot have fiber.
• RADSL – enables maximization of ADSL link effects and optimization of modem connectivity in adverse conditions.
• SDSL – a type of DSL in which upload and download speeds are identical.
• skyDSL – data reaches the user via a satellite link at speeds of up to 8 MB/s.
• VDSL – developed the capabilities of DSL, giving the option to download data at 55 MB/s. However, this is a standard that is more than 20 years old.
• VDSL2 – with the second version of the standard, Internet users could get up to 200 MB/s download and 100 MB/s upload speeds.
• VDSL2-Vplus – mostly this standard is used today. It allows up to 300 MB/s download speed and up to 100 MB/s upload speed.

Is it still worth choosing the DSL standard?

It depends on many factors. Fiber optics gives you more options, and is a reliable service, but the problem may be providing the right infrastructure. It is possible that in the case of your location, bringing fiber will be very expensive. Although DSL is a cheaper solution, it is sometimes insufficient – simply because the company may have higher expectations that fiber can provide. There are also cases where deploying DSL in a building also involves a very high expense, especially when you need to deploy custom solutions.

Fiber optic cable and DSL – which to choose? Advantages and disadvantages

Both services have advantages and disadvantages. With fiber, speeds above 1 GB/s are achievable, and usually the minimum you’ll find offered is 100 MB/s. Typical speeds with DSL are up to 100 MB/s, so it is a slower service. In this case, the speed largely depends on the distance from the telephone exchange – the further away, the worse the connection can be. With fiber optics, it is possible to transmit over very long distances without significant losses, speeds are rather stable. The link provides convenient use of the network for many users at the same time.

Disadvantages of fiber include limited availability and possible high installation costs. Currently, about 60% of Poles are within range of a fiber-optic network, but not everyone takes advantage of the opportunity to connect to the network. Compared to Europe, we compare quite well, and the market is growing rapidly.

Source: https://www.ookla.com/articles/europe-fiber-gigabit-society-q3-2023

The pluses of DSL are the aforementioned use of a telephone line and wide availability. In the long term, fiber optics seems to be a far more favorable solution. The speed provided by DSL can be insufficient, especially when multiple users are using the network simultaneously.

As long as you have the ability to hook up to a fiber optic cable, it’s definitely worth taking advantage of. It simply gives your business more options. At ITH you can choose a symmetrical or asymmetrical link. We offer up to 10 GB/s. This is an offer aimed at demanding companies. Such high-speed Internet will cope with the biggest challenges – it will help you in your business, not hinder it.