G.lite in IT Glossary

G.lite (also known as Universal ADSL, and referred to as G.992.2
by the ITU ), allows for high-speed "always on" digital communications
over standard copper phone lines.

While it is based on the same underlying technology as standard ADSL,
G.lite doesn't require a splitter to be installed at the customer
location. The customer simply connects the G.Lite modem --
the same way he'd hook-up an analog modem --
after he signs up for the service.


Unlike standard ADSL, G.lite works with DLC
(Digital Loop Carrier - the local loop
infrastructure that connects customers
located more than 18,000 feet from the central office),
which opens the technology to a much wider audience.
The tradeoff for the increased availability
of G.lite is lower speed. While standard or full-rate
ADSL provides downstream speeds of up to 8-Mbps and
upstream speeds of 1.5-Mbps, G.lite is limited to

1.5-Mbps downstream and 512-Kbps upstream.