< communications , protocol > (ADSL, or Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop) A form of Digital Subscriber Line in which the bandwidth available for downstream connection is significantly larger then for upstream . Although designed to minimise the effect of crosstalk between the upstream and downstream channels this setup is well suited for web browsing and client - server applications as well as for some emerging applications such as video on demand .
The data-rate of ADSL strongly depends on the length and quality of the line connecting the end-user to the telephone company. Typically the upstream data flow is between 16 and 640 kilobits per second while the downstream data flow is between 1.5 and 9 megabits per second. ADSL also provides a voice channel.
ADSL can carry digital data, analog voice, and broadcast MPEG2 video in a variety of implementations to meet customer needs.
["Data Cooks, But Will Vendors Get Burned?", "Supercomm Spotlight On ADSL" & "Lucent Sells Paradine", Wilson & Carol, Inter@ctive Week Vol. 3 #13, p1 & 6, June 24 1996].
See also Carrierless Amplitude/Phase Modulation , Discrete MultiTone .
ADSL Forum .
(1998-05-18)