What transmission medium does DSL use?

DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, utilizes existing phone lines as its transmission medium. This technology takes advantage of the copper wire infrastructure already laid out for traditional telephone service. By separating the frequencies used for voice calls and data transmission, DSL allows users to access the internet while still using the same phone lines without interference.

The choice of existing phone lines is significant because it enables widespread availability of DSL without necessitating new wiring, making it a highly practical solution for many households and businesses. Furthermore, DSL technology can deliver high-speed internet over these lines, which is an enhancement over traditional dial-up services that were also based on phone lines but offered much lower speeds.

Fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, and satellite signals represent different transmission mediums that serve various purposes but do not describe DSL technology. Fiber optic cables offer higher speeds and greater bandwidth, coaxial cables are primarily used for cable television and internet services, and satellite signals cater to regions without wire infrastructure but also do not utilize DSL technology.