Cable vs. DSL: Which is the Best Choice For High Speed Internet?
As a consumer, I’m just looking for FAST when it comes to my internet connection. I don’t really care how it works; I just want it to be fast, cheap, and reliable. Which one of these can give me that?
Table 1: DSL vs Cable Internet: Speed
| Connection |
DSL |
CABLE |
| Connection |
Internet connection thru a normal phone line and a digital modem |
Internet connection thru a modem operating over ordinary cable system |
| Speed |
Up to 50 times faster than 56k |
Up to 100 times faster than 56k |
| Drawbacks |
The further away from the phone company "central office", the less speed you will get. |
Speed degrades as more users simultaneously access the shared network |
| Considerations |
Find out how close you are to the central office by using this free service at http://www.dslreports.com:. This will estimate the kind of speeds you can realistically expect. |
Actual Internet connection speed depends on a lot of variables. Advertised speed estimates assume that no other users are connected |
| Best Buys Choice |
If you want to to is browse the internet at lightning speed but don't plan on downloading large files (music, movies, etc) or playing online games, then DSL is going to be your best buy due to its lower price. |
If you are a speed junkie who wants to play online games AND download music at the same time, you're going to need the higher bandwidth capacity of Cable. |
| Best Service Providers |
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| Current Promotion |
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| Sign Up |
Click here to get verizon DSL! |
Click here to get AT&T YAHOO! |
Click here to get Comcast Cable! |
Click here to get Time Warner Cable! |
DSL vs. Cable Internet: Speed
DSL used to be the big buzzword in fast internet until cable came around. Maybe that’s why people still think DSL and cable internet are equally comparable. At the time when most people were using dial up, DSL seemed to perform at light lightning speed. But now that the excitement of leaving behind dial up is over and “instantly” isn’t fast enough for us, which one of these really performs faster?
There are 2 types of speed when speaking in terms of internet connection: Raw Speed and Real-World Speed. In terms of raw speed, cable internet offers about 3 times the bandwidth of DSL (10 Mbps with DSL vs. Cable Internet with 30 Mbps).
However, in terms or real-world speed, cable doesn’t always perform with 3x’s the bandwidth of DSL, but it’s still usually higher. Cable speeds can get bogged down if everyone in your neighborhood decides to go surf the internet at the same time. With cable internet, your bandwidth is dished out minute to minute depending on how many other people nearby are hogging it up at the moment. So choose your drug: raw speed, or real world speed when you compare internet connection options.
DSL vs. Cable Internet: Cost
There are 4 main players in the DSL vs. Cable arena. In the DSL corner are Verizon and AT&T Yahoo. In the Cable corner are Comcast and Time Warner. There’s no doubt the DSL is the less expensive option, with both Verizon and AT&T Yahoo ringing in at about $15 bucks a month. Comcast Cable cost about $5 more than DSL and Time Warner a full $15 more. In most areas, you won’t have a choice about which DSL or Cable provider operates in your area, but you may have a choice about whether to choose between the two types of connections.
DSL vs. Cable Internet: Availability
Though many people in the US have the luxury of choosing between cable and DSL, some people are stuck with just one option. If you only have one choice, well then that is your best buy -- both of these options beat dial-up without question!
DSL vs. Cable Internet: Best Buys Choice
So which is better, DSL or Cable Internet? According to most reviewers, cable Internet has the edge -- but barely, and your decision will start with what's available in your area. Experts say both cable and DSL beat dial-up Internet, but speed differences between cable and DSL will vary depending on availability, provider and location. DSL often has a pricing advantage. However, Cable is the best option to combine with VoIP phone service. Though many people in the US have the luxury of choosing between cable and DSL, some people are stuck with just one option. But if you have a choice, the Best Buys Editors Choice is cable, due to its greater potential speed and compatibility with new Internet Phone (VoIP) technologies. The slightly higher cost of cable is outweighed by the significant amount of money you can save if you combine it with a VoIP Internet Phone service.
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