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DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a type of internet that uses the same copper lines as your home phone service to deliver data. Instead of dialing in like old-school dial-up, DSL sends digital signals over dedicated frequencies, so you can access the internet and use your landline simultaneously.
Over the years, several versions of DSL have rolled out:
For years, DSL was the go-to “high-speed” upgrade from dial-up and became one of the most common ways to get broadband internet in the United States. It is still widely used in small towns and rural areas, but in many cities and suburbs, it is being replaced by faster options like cable and fiber internet.
DSL is a legacy, copper-based connection that’s being phased out in many areas. As telecom companies modernize networks, they’re increasingly retiring copper infrastructure, which can mean DSL is no longer offered at certain addresses and customers are migrated to newer options (like fiber or fixed wireless).
DSL speed depends on distance. DSL runs over existing telephone lines, and performance varies based on how close your home is to the provider’s network hub. The closer you are, the better the performance will be.
Upload speed is often the limiting factor. Many DSL plans offer acceptable download speeds but struggle with upload speeds, making video calls, cloud backups, and sending large files challenging.
Best for small households with lighter usage. DSL is a practical fit for 1–2 users to browse, send and receive email, and stream SD video. Multi-user homes with frequent video meetings, gaming, or multiple HD/4K streams will benefit from faster internet service.
Treat DSL as a “good fallback,” not the first pick if you have options. Because DSL is tied to legacy phone-line infrastructure, it’s slower than cable and fiber and may have fewer upgrade paths. Enter your address in our search tool to see if faster internet options exist in your area.
DSL can be a good fit if you live in an area with limited internet services and only need basic internet. Many DSL plans offer speeds of up to about 100 Mbps, which is sufficient for smaller households that primarily browse, check email, stream in standard HD, and occasionally make video calls.
Performance with DSL depends on how far your home is from your internet provider’s central office or hub. The farther you are from that hub, the more your speeds can drop and the less reliable your connection may become. DSL also tends to have higher latency (delay) than cable or fiber, which can cause lag in online gaming, live video calls, and other real-time activities.
If you’re looking for a rural internet option, DSL is often one of the only wired internet choices and can still be a practical solution for 1–2 users. In urban or suburban areas where cable, fiber, or 5G home internet is available, those newer technologies usually deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and a better overall experience than DSL.
It is widely available in suburban and rural areas
Lower cost than fiber & cable internet
Ideal for households with less than two people
Slower speeds than cable & fiber internet
Speed can be affected by distance from the phone company hub
| Provider | Starting Price | Max Download | Max Upload | Data Caps | Find Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarthLink | $49.95/mo. | 100 Mbps | 40 Mbps | Check Availability | |
| CenturyLink | $50/mo. | 20 Mbps | 100 Mbps | Check Availability | |
| Windstream | $19.99/mo. | 100Mbps | 50 Mbps | Check Availability | |
| Brightspeed | 55.00 | 100 Mbps | 10 Mbps | Check Availability | |
| Frontier | 64.99/mo. | Call for details | Call for details | Check Availability |
| Provider | EarthLink |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49.95/mo. |
| Max Download | 100 Mbps |
| Max Upload | 40 Mbps |
| Data Caps | |
| Check Availability | |
| Provider | CenturyLink |
| Starting Price | $50/mo. |
| Max Download | 20 Mbps |
| Max Upload | 100 Mbps |
| Data Caps | |
| Check Availability | |
| Provider | Windstream |
| Starting Price | $19.99/mo. |
| Max Download | 100Mbps |
| Max Upload | 50 Mbps |
| Data Caps | |
| Check Availability | |
| Provider | Brightspeed |
| Starting Price | 55.00 |
| Max Download | 100 Mbps |
| Max Upload | 10 Mbps |
| Data Caps | |
| Check Availability | |
| Provider | Frontier |
| Starting Price | 64.99/mo. |
| Max Download | Call for details |
| Max Upload | Call for details |
| Data Caps | |
| Check Availability | |
Pricing, speeds, offers, and availability vary by service address and are subject to change at any time. Additional fees, taxes, and terms may apply. As of 12/9/25.
DSL is a very accessible and affordable internet service. Although it is capable of broadband speeds and supports many online activities, its capabilities are limited. If you’re looking for a rural internet solution, 5G home internet availability is expanding and offers a much better speed and price value over DSL.
While it is one of the earliest forms of broadband internet, DSL has become one of the slowest types of internet. For wireline internet, fiber and cable internet can deliver significantly faster speeds than DSL. Satellite internet and fixed wireless provide similar speeds, but they can sometimes exceed the speed of DSL. Because it has lower bandwidth capabilities than fiber or cable, DSL has high latency, which can cause buffering while streaming or video conferencing, and lag during online games.
| Internet Type | Starting Price (typical) | Max Download (typical peak) | Latency (typical) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSL | $55+/mo | Up to 100 Mbps (VDSL2; distance-dependent) | 11–40 ms | Legacy copper; shrinking in many cities, still common in some rural areas. |
| Fiber | $50–$70+/mo | 1–5+ Gbps (select markets up to 8 Gbps) | 10–12 ms | Expanding, strongest in metro/suburban areas; check address. |
| Cable | $30–$70+/mo | 1–2 Gbps tiers common (DOCSIS 3.1) | 13–27 ms | Very wide footprint across the U.S. |
| 5G Home Internet | $30–$60/mo | 133–415 Mbps typical (some addresses higher) | 17–32 ms typical | Growing; availability varies by carrier signal and congestion. |
| Satellite (LEO & GEO) | $40–$120+/mo | LEO 45–280 Mbps; GEO up to 100–150 Mbps | LEO 25–60 ms; GEO 500–800 ms | Near-universal (requires clear sky view). |
| Fixed Wireless | $35–$70+/mo | 25–300 Mbps (provider and tower-dependent) | 10–50 ms | Regional/tower-based; strongest in rural/suburban edges. |
Between hidden fees and price hikes, finding the right internet plan can feel overwhelming. To help with your search, our team of internet experts evaluates ISPs on categories including performance, affordability, and customer satisfaction to provide you with the best options near you.
The highest DSL speed is about 100 Mbps. However, speeds vary based on the provider your choose and your location. The further you are from the phone company’s hub, the slower your speed will be.
DSL and cable internet both utilize copper wiring to transmit data–DSL uses phone lines and cable uses coaxial cable. They both use a modem to translate the data signals so that computers and other devices can connect to the internet. A DSL plan is often less per month than a cable internet plan, but the cost per Mbps might be higher due to the overall faster speed of cable internet. DSL is typically more available than cable since its telephone networks have a massive footprint.
Most providers include or offer modems for a monthly fee, but you certainly can use your own modem. Most providers offer devices that have the modem and router in one unit, called a gateway. Using a gateway eliminates the need for a router to distribute the internet signal in your home.
That depends on your provider, your plan, and what each user in your house is doing on the internet. DSL can support about 2 simultaneous video streams but could support more users if all their activities are light use. A good rule of thumb is to figure about 25 Mbps per person on one connection.
DSL is not obsolete. Yet. Many providers are phasing it out in favor of fiber internet or 5G home internet, which offer faster speeds and growth potential. Broadband internet is changing and DSL cannot keep up and provide the speeds needed to support people’s internet lifestyles.
In ideal conditions, DSL can reach speeds up to 100 Mbps. However, this depends on the provider, its network capabilities, and how far the customer’s home is from the phone company’s internet hub.
