DSL (short for a direct subscriber line) is a high speed Internet service offered by most local or national telephone companies and is currently a highly popular choice among Internet users. DSL works by utilizing the same lines already in place for home phone service and routes information communicated between the home user and the DSL providers central office to provide high speed internet with speeds of roughly 1.5 Mbps (megabytes per second). DSL options are popular because they are usually fast, secure, and, when purchased in conjunction with local phone service, slightly less expensive than cable Internet.

DSLs method of transmitting information between the home user and the central office often means that the further you live from the providers central office, the less quickly the information is transmitted,the information has to travel along your phone line to the central office and back. Also, if you live too far from the central office, DSL may not be offered as a high speed Internet choice, it may be completely unavailable depending on where you live.

DSL customers use a modem that splits and routes the Internet service alongside your current phone line (allowing users to still utilize uninterrupted phone service while online). Companies often include modems for a small one time fee, so users do not have to worry about purchasing additional hardware from third parties to enjoy the benefits of high speed Internet.

One advantage DSL maintains over other high-speed Internet options, like cable Internet, is the user does not have to share bandwidth with other users while using a service. With cable Internet the connection to the service provider is shared along the same coaxial cable as other users in the service area, often leading to slightly diminished speeds during peak usage hours, and to an increased amount of denial of service attacks, service theft, and eavesdropping as a result. DSL users are allowed access to their own connection, unshared by any other users, which provides users with a slightly more secure Internet experience on the whole.

High speed Internet consumers are often attracted to the typically low rates for most DSL services. Internet deals, for instance, include a discounted rate for new subscribers willing to purchase additional home phone service. DSL is substantially cheaper when purchased in conjunction with an Internet deal, making its price an often attractive plus for consumers looking for a new high speed Internet provider.