A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL for short) is a group of several technologies. These technologies are used for the distribution of digital data. This data is distributed with the help of common telephone lines.
DSL services don’t have any effect on the quality of wired telephone services and vice versa. Both services use different frequency bands which stops them from interfering with one another. This allows ISPs to provide DSL services at the same time as wired telephone services through the same line. Users require a DSL modem in order to fully utilize broadband internet with the help of DSL. Users can connect their router or computer with this modem to use internet-related services.
The Digital Subscriber Line was invented by Joseph Lechleider in the late 1980s. This invention overcame several technical difficulties and made it possible to make internet access common. Because of the DSL, almost every computer in every home or office was able to connect to the internet. The DSL service was made available in some specific countries before finally becoming available throughout the world.
DSL has been very popular since the 1990s. Although it isn’t as commonly used as it once was, DSL is still a great option for some people. For example, the service is great for most offices and workplaces. Many people that play online video games also use the service as it is known to provide lower latencies as compared to other options. However, there are a few downsides to using the service as well. The quality of DSL service gets worse and worse with distance. It is definitely not a good option for people that live far away from their Internet Service Provider.
Is DSL good for Streaming?
As you can see above, a Digital Subscriber Line is great for a number of different things. The service works well for gaming and is an ideal option for workplaces. It is also great for everyday use which is why it was such a popular service at a time. However, is DSL good enough to let you enjoy streaming?
The answer to this question can vary depending on different factors. DSL is mainly great for streaming due to the fact that it offers low latency, as already mentioned. This is very good as higher latency can cause lag and other problems with your connection. However, low latency isn’t very helpful if you’re subscribed to a plan that offers slow internet.
Streaming on services such as Netflix, Twitch, Disney+ and more at 4K quality requires a speed of at least 20-25 MBPS. Anything lower than this will cause several issues. Luckily, Digital Subscriber Line is capable of providing speeds well of 35 Mbps and more. You should be able to enjoy streaming at 4K or at least 1080p as long as you’re subscribed to an internet plan that can get you 20 Mbps.
Lastly, distance also plays a role in determining how good your speeds are. As mentioned, you’ll get bad speeds if you’re too far away from your ISP. There is a maximum distance limit of 18,000 feet for ADSL signals. This limitation only exists for data transmission as voice signals used by telephones have much better range. In short, the quality of the signals decreases further and further depending on your distance from your ISP.
Conclusion
To answer the question, DSL is definitely good enough for streaming. However, you’ll need to be subscribed to a good internet plan if you wish to do so. Any plan that can get you 30 or 35 Mbps is perfect for streaming at the highest quality. Audio streaming is definitely not a problem either as services such as Spotify require less than a single Mbps in order to stream perfectly. This means that you should be able to stream podcasts and music without a problem.
There could be a different problem if you’re subscribed to a good internet plan and are located relatively close to your ISP. It could be that your DSL modem is damaged or there is another technical issue. If this is the case, you should troubleshoot the issue and try to fix it as soon as possible so you can stream using your DSL.