Final answer:
The statement is true; DSL is substantially faster than dial-up. Technological advancements have made Internet access cheaper and faster, but the digital divide persists in areas known as digital deserts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that DSL can provide Internet access from 25 to 150 times faster than dial-up access is true. Dial-up Internet typically maxes out at 56 kilobits per second (kbps), while DSL speeds can range from approximately 256 kbps to over 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) in some areas, greatly surpassing dial-up speeds. The advancement in technology has led to cheaper, faster, and better-quality data transmission, significantly impacting our ability to access the Internet and use spin-off technologies like free Internet-based calling and video calling. The increase in Internet speed has facilitated more complex online activities, such as multimodal composition and the consumption and creation of digital media. However, the presence of digital deserts indicates that not everyone has benefited uniformly from these technological advancements, which exacerbates educational and social disparities, especially in areas with no high-speed Internet access.