Having an internet connection and understanding how it works are two very different things! You may have been using the internet for several years now, but if someone asks you whether you have WiFi or a DSL, you may get confused for some moments!
Well, that’s completely normal. Not everyone is aware of the difference between Wifi and a DSL. However, they are not the same in any sense or manner. There is a fundamental difference between the two of them that makes them distinct!
The Difference Between Wifi And DSL
The gadgets in your home that you connect with the internet get WiFi signals due to the DSL modem with which they are attached. The built-in modem router is connected to the DSL internet. This is how you can receive the signals. When choosing an ISP for your home, Glimp helps you compare them.
DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. With the help of a telephone landline made of copper, it receives the data and works as an efficient communication medium. Resultantly, it offers fast-speed internet, which can be connected to an ethernet cable with the help of a modem.
In simple words, the DSL modes give away the WiFi signals, also known as the wireless internet connection. However, DSL doesn’t come from the WiFi itself. There is a requirement for the DSL router for that. Though both have the primary purpose of providing internet, they have a distinct working methodology.
A further explanation of this feat would be that the DSL is the essential device for providing the internet. On the other hand, a simple Wi-fi connection doesn’t offer access to the internet until it is paired with a DSL. This is how they compliment each other, rather than being in a competition against one another.
Hence, we get to know that DSL is necessary to have uninterrupted WiFi connectivity and supply. Here is more information regarding DSL.
How Does DSL Work?
The working methodology of the DSL system is pretty straightforward. The modem tends to receive the signals through the telephone lines. Once received, it converts these signals digitally, which you can use later.
The converted data now reaches you either without the support of a wire, i.e., wirelessly, or through a connected ethernet cable. As most cities have telephone lines already at work, the accessibility of DSL gets easier.
The Major Types Of DSL
Depending on how they work, DSL can be divided into two major types:
1) Asymmetrical DSL
Asymmetrical DSL is also referred to as ADSL. It is the distinction in the upload and download stream. Most of the time, the download speeds are faster compared to the upload speeds.
Probably this is why the former works at 1.5 Mbps while the latter does so within 256 kbps. There is a wide difference in the speed for sure. You should compare different broadband speeds offered by ISPs before opting for the right one!
2) Symmetrical DSL
Symmetrical DSL works completely opposite of how the asymmetrical DSL works. The download speed is not exceptional and is relatively slower than usual. Most of the time, it is merely 384 Kbps. This is why internet service providers do not offer this service widely, and customers, at the same time, are hesitant about having a symmetrical DSL.
Copyright: Blickpixel on Pixabay I License: CC0 Public Domain
Benefits Of DSL Connectivity
DSL is probably the most sought-after connectivity choice amongst the masses. There are numerous reasons why people opt for it rather than the other available options. Some of them are as follows.
1) Multiple Connectivity Options
This is a standalone device that doesn’t require any support. You can connect it with multiple gadgets at a single point in time. However, if the limit exceeds, it may slow down the download and upload speed for each connected device.
2) No Interference With The Phone Line
Though a phone line is required for the DSL to work, they don’t interfere with each other’s activities. They both work at varied operating frequencies. Hence they don’t get in the way of one another. You can use them both simultaneously without any problem with your network status.
Wifi Vs. DSL; A Clear Matter!
Where a legit connection with the internet comes with the DSL service, the WiFI connectivity cant stand alone. It doesn’t have the ability to offer access to the internet. Hence, it would require the DSL to provide its services. This is why the difference in their working technology and functionality makes the actual distinction between them.
Simply put, the DSL system works through a proper setup of wiring and physical connectivity, while the WiFI is a virtual connection. The latter doesn’t require support from wires; rather, it lets the gadgets connect with it independently.
