asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL)

Data compression technology that allows for very fast internet (and other network) connections over the common (unshielded twisted pair or UTP) telephone lines. Using a special modem, ADSL supports receiving (downstream) data speeds from 1.5 to 9.0 megabits per second and sending (upstream) data speeds of 16 to 640 kilobits per second. This arrangement suits a typical internet session in which much more data is received than sent.