It is permanently 'switched on', unlike normal dial up access and is asymmetric in that it uses most of the available bandwidth downstream (towards you) to make collecting your email and browsing the web as fast as possible.
This makes it particularly suitable for end-users who expect to receive more data than they transmit, use of corporate intranets, and reception of digital audio-visual material (streaming media).
The technology also supports a statndard analogue connection (voice line) on the cable, which enables you to make voice or fax calls simultaneously with internet access.
ADSL (BroadBand) can be enhanced with additional services like Connect::VoIP (Voice over IP) giving you a cheaper telephone calls, conference calling and many more features.
