What DSL Speed Do I Need?
Growth Trends, Future Capabilities
Broadband throughput requirements for common Internet applications.
DSL speed is an important part of performance and is measured as throughput.
To determine what DSL speed you need, use this table to select all the applications you currently run at once, and then add up the throughput numbers for each.
For instance, if each evening the members of your household are watching online video in standard definition (0.5-2.5Mbps), sending email (<1Mbps), and accessing the Web over a couple of iPhones® using Wi-Fi (1Mbps each), then you need a DSL connection of at least 3.5Mbps, and preferably 5.5Mbps (or more).
Growth Trends
Many factors are driving the demand for higher performance DSL connections today.
A growing number of electronic devices in the home rely on an Internet connection: televisions, smartphones, PCs, Macs®, iPads®, Kindles™, VOIP phones, and the list goes on.
Soon, we will see additions to this list for home appliances, security devices, lighting control, and more.
DSL provides broadband for devices throughout the home
Today’s applications place much greater demand on the broadband connection, for both throughput and latency.
In particular, the explosive growth of online video through services such as Netflix and YouTube requires a much more substantial DSL throughput to the home.
The bandwidth requirements for streaming video can be over 100 times greater than sending and receiving email. And the growth in online gaming, especially action games, increases the need for a connection with very low latency to minimize any delay or lag in the gaming experience.
Future Capabilities
DSL is the dominant technology used worldwide for delivering broadband connectivity to the home.
DSL provides a reliable, high-speed, and cost-effective option compared to other technologies such as cable and fiber. And the evolution of DSL technology continues to meet the demands for Internet applications going forward.
With the introduction of new standards, such as VDSL2, and with advanced signal processing technologies including vectoring and phantom mode, DSL subscribers can expect to see faster and faster speeds from their service providers – matching the one gigabit per second capabilities of more expensive alternatives such as fiber optics.
These new technologies will operate over the existing telephone wiring, without the added expense of installing new cables or equipment.