Digital subscriber line access multiplexer

A digital subscriber line access multiplexer, (DSLAM) is a multiplexer located in the telephone company exchange that provides consumers access to DSL services over twisted pair copper cabling.

The device separates the voice and data components from the subscriber lines and aggregates the data for sending over the network. The DSLAM usually aggregates lines at a contention ratio of 50:1 or 20:1.

alternatively, a DSLAM multiplexes the signals output by a MDF (which separates voice and data in DSL telephony) which belong to different users into a stream which can be processed by an ATM network. A MDF seperates voice and data, a DSLAM (which may process incoming data after it reaches the MDF) may multiplex users signals.