DSL (Digital Subscriber Line, Digital Subscriber Loop)

DSL is a group of networking technologies that allow for WAN connections over existing telephone network wires. Originally short for Digital Subscriber Loop, DSL is more commonly referred to today as Digital Subscriber Line. Loop refers to the short-haul connection between the end user's home or business and the local telephone company office where the DSL equipment resides. Line is merely a friendlier term that more people would understand than loop. When people refer to DSL, they generally are referring to ADSL, the most commonly used of DSL technologies.