Verizon - Your DSL service and broadband internet provider.

Questions are great. Answers are better.

Here are the answers to some FAQs you may have.

• What is DSL?

• Digital subscriber line, commonly known as DSL, is a type of wireline transmission technology used for connecting homes and businesses to the Internet. DSL uses existing coaxial copper technology and a modem to provide users with a broadband connection for transmitting digital data.

  DSL is similar to dial-up internet in that they both connect via phone lines, however, the two technologies differ in many ways. Unlike dial-up services, DSL uses higher frequency bands and does not interfere with voice data, so you can access the internet without tying up your phone lines. Download and upload speeds over DSL connections are much faster than dial-up internet speeds.

• What does DSL mean?

• DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line, and describes a family of technologies used for digital data transmission and connection to the Internet. It is a type of broadband communication service available to homes and businesses that uses existing phone lines without interrupting telephone use.

  For Verizon customers, DSL means high-speed broadband internet over a dedicated internet access line from our central office to your home on a network that is 99.9% reliable. Check out our DSL internet plans to see what's available in your area.

• How does DSL work?

• DSL works by transmitting digital data over traditional coaxial copper telephone lines. Telephone lines carry hundreds of thousands of frequencies, of which only a few thousand are used for telephone communications; thus, allowing for the transmission of digital data to occur at the same time without tying up the lines. DSL filters are typically implemented in homes and businesses to prevent high-frequency interference.

  Two primary types of DSL technology exist today: Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) and symmetric digital subscriber line (SDSL), with ADSL being the form most prominently used for internet access. SDSL offers equal bandwidth for upload and download speeds. ADSL offers download speeds faster than upload speeds and is suitable for most applications, since individuals typically spend more time downloading than uploading.

  Verizon's DSL services use ADSL technology to deliver fast download speeds for your internet enjoyment. Check availability today to see if DSL internet from Verizon is available in your area.

• How fast is DSL?

• DSL speeds vary depending on your internet service provider (ISP), equipment used, and the quality of the phone lines leading to your home or business. Verizon's DSL internet plans range in download speeds from .5 Mbps to up to 15 Mbps, depending on availability to your home.

• Who offers DSL in my area?

• Finding DSL internet providers in your area is simple. The Verizon DSL coverage map spans a variety of regions across the Mid-Atlantic states including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

  For customers seeking superfast internet speeds on our 100% fiber-optic network, Fios Internet and Fios Gigabit Connection may also be available in your area. Visit our Fios Availability page for more information.