Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) allows data to be transferred up to 36 times faster than a standard Internet connection (56k modem versus 2Mb ADSL).
ADSL is asymmetric, the sending and receiving rates are different. Most Internet users will download much more data than uploading. Take for example web browsing - ADSL normally allows data to be received at rates of 512Kbps to 22Mbps and sent at rates of 256 Kbps over an existing copper telephone line.
This is up to 36 times faster than the speed provided by a standard ISDN or dial-up modem connection.