What is ADSL broadband and what's the best alternative?

ADSL broadband is a type of internet connection that uses your existing phone line to connect you to the internet. Unlike the old dial-up connections it replaced, which tied up the phone line and required you to "dial in" every time, ADSL is always on. This means you can use the internet and make phone calls at the same time without interruptions.  

ADSL, which is also known as asymmetric broadband, has a download speed (getting data from the internet to your device) much faster than the upload speed (sending data from your device to the internet). This works well for most people, as activities like streaming videos or browsing websites require more downloading than uploading.  

But ADSL has some serious limitations. For one, your internet speed depends on how far you live from the telephone exchange (the building that connects local lines to the broader network). The farther you are, the weaker the signal becomes, which can lead to slower speeds.  

ADSL reuses old copper phone lines to deliver internet by splitting signals, prioritising downloads, and staying always connected. Your phone line is split into two parts using a small device called a splitter or microfilter, with one part handling regular phone calls, while the other part carries internet data.  

This split happens because phone calls use low-frequency sound waves (like talking), and the internet data uses high-frequency signals. By separating these frequencies, your phone and internet can work at the same time without interfering with each other. 

The ADSL modem then converts digital data from your computer into electrical signals. These signals travel over the copper telephone wires to your internet provider’s network, so you don’t need to "dial in" like old dial-up connections. Instead, it’s just on all the time.  

ADSL broadband download speeds typically range from 5 to 24 Mbps, depending on your setup, while upload speeds are much slower, usually between 1 and 3 Mbps. These speeds are fine for everyday internet use, but are nowhere near as fast as fibre or gigabit broadband packages.  

Internet providers often advertise ADSL as "up to 24 Mbps," but real-world speeds are often lower. If you’re in a busy area with lots of users, speeds might dip during peak times.  

Your actual speed can also be slower if you live far away from your nearest telephone exchange. The further you are from this, the greater the chance of the signal weakening and your internet speed slowing as it travels over old copper phone lines.  

For example, someone 1 mile from the exchange might get around 20 Mbps, while someone 3 miles away may only reach 5 Mbps. Copper wires can also suffer from interference from other devices, and weather conditions can also affect your ADSL speed.

Use our helpful broadband speed test to find out how your connection compares.

ADSL and VDSL both use telephone lines, but VDSL is much faster. ADSL offers download speeds up to 24 Mbps and uploads around 1–3 Mbps, while VDSL can reach 100 Mbps downloads and 10-20 Mbps uploads. 

This difference comes from how each technology uses the line's available frequencies. VDSL splits the line into more frequency bands, allowing more data to flow at once. But both still rely on copper wires, so your speeds will drop the farther you are from the network hub.  

ADSL is more widely available than VDSL, especially in rural areas, because it works over older phone lines. VDSL requires upgraded infrastructure (like fibre-optic cables part of the way to your home), so it’s mostly found in cities or suburbs. It’s still not as fast or as future-proof as full fibre broadband, though, so you’re better off looking at fibre broadband for getting connected at home.

For most homes, fibre broadband is the smartest upgrade from ADSL. By ditching old copper wires for fibre-optic cables, fibre delivers faster and more reliable speeds, ideal for 4K streaming, cloud gaming, video calls, and smart homes.   

Unlike ADSL, Fibre uses fibre-optic cables that send data as light signals, making it far faster and more reliable than ADSL with its copper lines. The result? Smoother streaming, faster downloads, and better performance across multiple devices, even during peak times.

Fibre is widely available across the UK. Use our helpful postcode checker to see the fastest fibre deals near you.

Fibre broadband is a major upgrade from ADSL in almost every way. From streaming and gaming to remote work and smart homes, fibre broadband is built for everything ADSL struggles to handle.

With our superfast fibre broadband, you can stream, game, and work seamlessly on multiple devices, all at once. Whether you're streaming films in 4K, gaming online, joining video calls, or running a smart home, our lightning-fast connection keeps everyone online without slowdowns. Bundle our superfast fibre with TV channels, crystal-clear calls, and hassle-free setup.   

Ready to get connected? Check out our broadband deals too and use our helpful postcode checker to see what's available in your area.