What Is Frontier DSL Internet?
Frontier DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is copper wire–based internet service that uses the same telephone lines running to most American homes. Frontier has provided DSL internet for decades — it was the company's primary technology before it began its massive fiber buildout.
DSL works by splitting your existing phone line: voice calls travel at low frequencies while internet data travels at higher frequencies. This means DSL doesn't occupy your phone line even when you're online.
The fundamental limitation of DSL is physics: the speed you get degrades with distance from Frontier's central office (CO). A customer 1,000 feet from the CO might get 100 Mbps; a customer 2 miles away might get 12 Mbps from the exact same plan.
Frontier DSL Speed & Plans
Frontier currently offers or previously offered these DSL tiers (actual availability varies by address):
| DSL Tier | Download | Upload | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic DSL | 6 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 1 person light browsing |
| DSL 25 | 25 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 1–2 users, basic streaming |
| DSL 50 | 50 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 2–3 users, HD video |
| DSL 115 | 115 Mbps | 15 Mbps | 3–4 users, close to CO only |
Frontier DSL vs Frontier Fiber: Side-by-Side
If fiber is available at your address, the upgrade decision is straightforward. Here's why:
| Feature | Frontier DSL | Frontier Fiber |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Copper telephone wires | Fiber optic cables |
| Max Download | 6–115 Mbps | Up to 7,000 Mbps |
| Max Upload | 1–15 Mbps | Up to 7,000 Mbps |
| Latency | 20–40 ms | 1–5 ms |
| Speed consistency | Varies by distance to CO | Consistent regardless of distance |
| Entry price | ~$30–50/mo | From $29.99/mo |
| Data cap | Sometimes capped | Unlimited |
| Upload/download symmetry | Heavily asymmetric | 100% symmetrical |
| Future-proof | Being retired | Decades of lifespan |
Is Frontier DSL Being Discontinued?
Yes. Frontier has publicly committed to retiring its legacy copper DSL infrastructure as it completes its fiber buildout. This is part of a broader, federally-supported transition — Frontier received $5 billion in federal BEAD funding specifically to build fiber to underserved communities.
What this means for DSL customers:
- If fiber is available at your address, now is a good time to switch — prices are lower than DSL in most cases
- If fiber isn't available yet, Frontier will notify you when it reaches your address
- DSL service will continue until fiber reaches each area, then copper is retired
- There's no penalty or cost to upgrade from DSL to fiber
How to Upgrade from Frontier DSL to Fiber
Check fiber availability
Enter your address to confirm fiber is available. Over 70% of former DSL customers can already upgrade.
Choose a fiber plan
Pick Fiber 500 ($29.99/mo), Fiber 1 Gig ($49.99/mo), or faster. All include unlimited data and no contracts.
Schedule installation
Pick a 2-hour window that works for you. A Frontier technician runs fiber to your home at no charge.
Get your eero router
The tech sets up your new eero Wi-Fi 6/6E router — yours to keep, no rental fee.
Start saving
Enjoy speeds 4–80x faster for the same or lower monthly price. Earn up to $100 Visa Reward Card.
Frontier DSL FAQ
Does Frontier still offer DSL internet?
What is Frontier DSL internet speed?
What are Frontier DSL plans and prices?
How do I upgrade from Frontier DSL to fiber?
Is Frontier DSL being discontinued?
How much faster is Frontier Fiber than Frontier DSL?
Ready to Ditch DSL?
Most former DSL customers save money AND get 10–80x more speed when they switch to Frontier Fiber.
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Marcus Chen
Internet Technology Analyst
Marcus specializes in broadband technology, ISP comparisons, and speed optimization. Former ISP network engineer.
Credentials:
- CompTIA Network+
- B.S. Computer Science