Cable vs DSL

[OrangeBlooded]

Never have had DSL. RR can run pretty quickly when it is on. however, i cancelled my account about 2 months ago as my computer went out of commission. I am ordering a new one today and wanted to weigh options for Internet service before I went back to road runner. suggestions? can DSL run just as fast?

 

[KC-97HORN]

check with your providers but in most cases Cable modems are about 2Mbs vs DSL's fastest rate of 1Mbs (and DSL is usually slower than that- it depends on how far away from the relay station you are)

Technically cable can be slower than DSL if the node's are completely full, but that is very rare and most areas have multiple redundant backups.

DSL is usually cheaper IF you have phone service already- about $30-35 per month.

IF you dont have phone service you have to pay for basic phone service which is something like $16-25 per month extra.

Cable is usually around $45-55 per month- but there isnt anything extra to buy

 

[OrangeHair]

Of course with cable you usually have to buy basic TV (if you don't already have it, like if you have satellite) for about $10-15.

The real difference between cable and DSL is that cable is usually symmetric (same upload and download speeds) while DSL is asymmetric. I just got a renewal notice from SBC DSL advertising their pro service at "1.5Mbps-3.0 Mbps downstream and 384 Kbps upstream". Right now I think my download is ~1.5Mbps and my upload is 128kbps. Not sure if you have SBC in your area but they have great deals.

Back to the topic at hand, since DSL is much slower for uploading you might experience some problems playing online video games or hosting your porn website. But for most people who mainly surf and download music the DSL downloads are plenty fast.

I did have problems a few years back with cable but I think that was mainly due to huge demand and the fact you are in effcet sharing your connection. I'm sure they're much more reliable now. Supposedly DSL depends only on distance from the substation and not how many people are surfing in your neighborhood.

 

[TexasOwnzYou]

my cable is asymmetric. i get 1024/128 using cox cable.

i havent had any problems with it, except for outages due to bad weather maybe 1 or 2 times last year (each lasting for a couple of hours).

make sure that you have a cable jack in the room if you're going to get cable.

 

[Mal]

SBC's basic DSL package is 1.5 Mbps down and 128 Kbps up for ~$26. They have an additional package that is 3.0 Mbps down and 384 Kbps up (comparable to cable) for about $10. If you live near a relay station, as I do, your speeds will be consistently great.

 

[Sir_Climbs_A_Lot]

DSL allows you to run a server if you want, Cable modem Internet strictly prohibits running a server using your connection.

 

[TenaciousTgarden]

CABLE.
i find it to be faster and more convenient. no problems with customer service. mine's gone down maybe twice in the last three years. also, i thought DSL was cheaper b/c they were offering a special at SBC - however, when i calculated everything and compared it to time warner, the difference came out to be $9 per year more for the cable - i can suck up the 9 bucks since i prefer cable so much. also, with DSL you have to install their software, whereas with roadrunner i didnt have to do anything.

 

[Jamez]

I have Cox's cable internet and have never had a problem...another poster said you should have a cable jack that is true...I din't have another cable jack and Cox installed my own cable line for free.

 

[Longhorn Al]

I have Time Warner cable. It's awesome. I've had it for about 3 years now. The first year or so was rocky, but a tech came out and fixed something on our line, and it's gone out maybe once in 2 years. The installer also put a cable jack into this room for free.

It's assymetric for sure. Both cable and DSL are. I've done those speed tests, and I always get some readings way off the charts (and yes I clear my files and stuff before each test). It's something like 3.5 Mbs. A time or two I hit 4.

 

[OrangeBlooded]

excellent. thanks