Home - Cable Internet - DSL Service - Satellite Internet - Wireless Broadband

Cable Internet or DSL Service: A Comparison

Overview

While we have some more in depth articles on DSL and Cable Internet, the question still comes up over and over again. Which is better? Which is faster? Which is more reliable? Should I get DSL or Cable Internet? Does it matter? Let's take a look.

Cable Internet	DSL
Technology Uses the cable TV wiring which is widely available in most larger centers and consequently offered by traditional cable TV providers.	Technology Uses the upgraded or modern telephone wiring and locally installed DSL networking technology. Available in most larger centers, but since it requires neighborhood level upgrades, it is not as widely available as Cable Internet. Offered by traditional telephone service providers.
Availability (Check Availability) Generally available wherever Cable TV is available	Availability (Check Availability) Generally available in populous or newer areas of larger centers.
Speed While some providers advertise speeds of up to 10 MBps (Megabytes per second), most are offering packages with maximum speeds of 4-6 MBps	Speed While some providers advertise speeds of up to 6 MBps (Megabytes per second), most are offering packages with maximum speeds of 1.5-3 MBps
Reliability Nowadays service is quite reliable, but this can depend on your neighborhood and providers. Densely populated neighborhoods with old cable wiring will most often have service outages or slow downs.	Reliability Since offering DSL service requires upgrades by your telecom provider, service is very reliable.
Limitations The since the cable network is essentially shared with your neighbors and neighborhood, peak usage times are more likely to lead to slowdowns.	Limitations Your neighborhood must have the appropriate technology upgrades.
Cost Thirty to seventy dollars depending on plans and providers. Generally around $40 per month for decent plans from the most popular providers.	Cost Fifteen to thirty five dollars depending on plans and providers. Generally around $25 per month for decent plans from the most popular providers.
Other Considerations Can often be bundled with TV and phone services for discounted pricing.	Other Considerations Can often be bundled with phone services for discounted pricing. In some cases you must be with a specific phone provider in order to qualify for their DSL service.

Have we helped answer your questions? Often the decision is predetermined by availability, but you may have a large number of choices available to you. Be sure to evaluate all options before choosing a High Speed Internet Provider and weigh your options carefully.