Digital Service Lines

Surfing the Internet has been a mixed blessing for many of us on the Central Coast. We have suffered through slow telephone lines; broken connections and service that was not always available. New technology, however, is constantly being introduced to ease the burden. One such service is DSL (Digital Service Lines).

DSL provides for a constant connection to the Internet. When you subscribe to the service, your Internet Service Provider will install a type of network adapter in your computer that connects to the web on a continual basis. With traditional service, we dial-in via a modem, just as we do with a normal telephone conversation. You do not dial in to the DSL service - it's there whenever your computer is on.

DSL offers faster connections on the Internet. You will see a noticeable difference in your access time and because you are not using a telephone line, your current phone line is available for the traditional call. Your connection to the Internet is only broken only when your computer is off. It does not matter whether or not you are using the Internet.

There are some downsides to the service. The new service is more expensive than traditional methods, but the cost may be justified if you were considering a second telephone line. The lines are occasionally down also, which of course, means no access. Additionally, it has been pointed out that the speed of the DSL service may decrease after its popularity increases. Because one DSL line supplies the service for a local area - as the number of subscribers' increases, the speed that you will experience could decrease.

When we sign on to the Internet, we are in essence joining into a large network of computers. We all become connected via the telephone or service line we are using. Just as our highways become congested and slow during rush hour, so to does the flow of data on these lines. You have probably already experienced this during prime time access or during special events such as on Superbowl Sunday or during the Christmas Shopping season.

DSL is just one of the new services that has been introduced for Internet access. Charter Communication is offering access through Charter Pipeline and there is a variety of free Internet providers available. Web TV offers yet another alternative.

Remember this industry is still in its infancy stage. Whatever service you select, a new alternative is just around the corner.