Consumer DigitalSubscriber Line (CDSL)

Not all consumers need symmetrical high-speed communication to access the Internet.

Furthermore, ADSL speeds are more than the average consumer may be looking for. Lower speed communications capability was developed using CDSL.

With other forms of DSL, splitters are used on the line. CDSL was designed to eliminate the splitter on the line. Moreover, speeds of up to 1 Mbps in the download direction and 160 to384 Kbps in the upload direction are provided.

It is expected that the speeds and CDSL will meet needs of the average consumer for some time to come. A universal ADSL working group developed what is called ADSL-lite, also called G.lite.

This specification was ratified in late 1998, using the working group's specifications for service delivery to the average consumer. An example of this DSL-lite service is provided by the Nortel Networks' 1-Mb modem.