Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
     
         (ADSL, or Asymmetric Digital
        Subscriber Loop) A form of {Digital Subscriber Line} in which
        the bandwidth available for {downstream} connection is
        significantly larger then for {upstream}.  Although designed
        to minimise the effect of {crosstalk} between the upstream and
        downstream channels this setup is well suited for {web
        browsing} and {client}-{server} applications as well as for
        some emerging applications such as {video on demand}.
     
        The data-rate of ADSL strongly depends on the length and
        quality of the line connecting the end-user to the telephone
        company.  Typically the upstream data flow is between 16 and
        640 {kilobits} per second while the downstream data flow is
        between 1.5 and 9 {megabits} per second.  ADSL also provides a
        voice channel.
     
        ADSL can carry digital data, analog voice, and broadcast
        {MPEG2} video in a variety of implementations to meet customer
        needs.
     
        ["Data Cooks, But Will Vendors Get Burned?", "Supercomm
        Spotlight On ADSL" & "Lucent Sells Paradine", Wilson & Carol,
        Inter@ctive Week Vol. 3 #13, p1 & 6, June 24 1996].
     
        See also {Carrierless Amplitude/Phase Modulation}, {Discrete
        MultiTone}.
     
        {ADSL Forum (http://www.adsl.com/)}.
     
        (1998-05-18)