Rate-Adaptive DigitalSubscriber Line (RADSL)

Typically, when equipment is installed, assumptions are made based on minimum performance characteristics and speeds. In some cases, special equipment is used to condition the circuit to achieve those speeds.

However, if the line conditions vary, the speed will be dependent on the sensitivity of the equipment. In order to achieve variations in throughput and be sensitive to the line conditions, rate-adaptive DSL was developed.

This enables the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and adjust the speeds in each direction to potentially maximize the throughput on each line. In addition,as line conditions change, one could see the speeds changing in each direction during the transmission.

Many of the ILECs have installed RADSL as their choice given the local loop conditions. Speeds of up to 768 Kbps are the preferred rates offered by the incumbent providers.