Let’s explore some of the disadvantages of using ADSL

ADSL is fast becoming the standard method of broadband Internet access, with growth far outpacing cable. However, there are some disadvantages of DSL that you should be aware of.

The first drawback is that ADSL prices can be highly variable, not only between ISPs, but within the same ISP in different areas. This is because most ISPs have only installed their own equipment in a limited number of local exchanges and continue to resell wholesale services to others. This can often double the prices advertised by ISPs! Unless you realize what’s going on, the situation can be very confusing, and ISPs make little effort to explain it to their customers.

If you are far from the telephone exchange, the speed of your ADSL connection may be affected, since ADSL is greatly affected by physical distance. The further it has to travel, the weaker it becomes. This fact makes ADSL highly unsuitable for use in rural areas, where it is often not available.

ADSL is also affected by the number of people using your line. In a busy area, at peak times, there can be a noticeable slowdown, especially if your neighbors also have ADSL and both have high-speed connections.

A specific disadvantage of ADSL, compared to other forms of DSL, is that ADSL downloads much faster than it uploads. If you frequently send files to other people or want to host a website over your connection, this can be a huge disadvantage, as you’ll need to upgrade to the more expensive commercial services to get decent upload speeds.

Another disadvantage of ADSL is that you must have a traditional phone line, which means you can’t take advantage of cheaper cable phone lines or Internet telephony instead. This can be a relatively high fixed cost each month, often making cable a cheaper option when it comes to considering phone service, TV, and Internet access together as one package.