dsl vs. cable - a review of ADSL and cable broadband service.

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DSL versus Cable -
The Pros and Cons of Each Service

"So, You Can Decide Which Is Best For You!"

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With the advent of dsl and cable broadband services, many consumers are interested in learning more about the benefits of these high speed Internet systems. This discussion will point out the advantages and disadvantages of both services to help you to know which service may best fit your needs. First...

What's the Difference Between These Services?

The Favorable Side of DSL

DSL service provides always-on high speed Internet access over a single dedicated telephone line. This technology allows voice and data communications to utilize the same line simultaneously without interfering with the ability to send or receive telephone calls.

The most predominant type of dsl service in commercial use for business and residential customers around the world is ADSL or asymetrical dsl.

ADSL offers differing upload and download speeds and can be configured to deliver speeds from the network to the customer up to 120 times faster than dialup service and 100 times faster than ISDN. In the US, DSL providers like Verizon offer service speeds over their ADSL network up to 7.1 Mbps!

Typically, the delivered download speed for most networks is in the range of 50 times faster than ordinary 28.8 kbps dial-up. In striving to provide more speed for its least expensive residential service package called The Starter Plan, Verizon increased download speed from 768 Kbps to 1 Mbps.

Dsl download speed is perfect for general Internet access and for applications where downstream speed is most important, such as video-on-demand. The upload speed at 384 Kbps is not as fast as cable internet service, but it's more than adequate for sending files , pictures, and documents to other people or pages to a web site. More about Verizon's value DSL service called The Starter Plan.

Cable's Best Features

Cable broadband service, on the other hand, also offers an always-on high speed Internet connection. Internet access is delivered over a cable television line utilizing "shared technology" - that is all subscribers on the system share a single connection to the Internet.

While cable modems may have greater potential downloading capabilities (up to 200 times faster than a 28.8 kbps modem from the Internet to home), that bandwidth is "shared" among users on the system, and connection speed will therefore vary, sometimes dramatically, as more users are online at the same time.

Although many cable systems have the capability to deliver from 10 to 20 Mbps of download speed, most actually limit system downloads to significantly lower levels. Typical download speeds for the majority of residential cable services are in the 3 Mbps range with speed sometimes exceeding 5 Mbps, but not on a consistent basis.

Many cable systems now offer a "value internet service" with 1.5 Mbps download speed to compete with lower priced dsl service, but they do not always advertise it. You have to ask them about availability.

Too many people trying to send or receive data on a cable network at the same time causes congestion and slows the cable connection speed (Upload and Download) considerably. In many instances, this will cause cable to be slower than dsl.

However, dsl and cable broadband downloads are still significantly faster than ordinary dial-up. This allows consumers to enjoy streaming videos and audio presentations without herky-jerky interruption and to experience greater productivity and enjoyment on the Internet. Here's a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of both services.

DSL And Cable Comparison

Keep in mind that no service is perfect. Cable offers greater speed potential; dsl offers a unique Internet connection with more consistent high speed and a greater measure of privacy and security.

Additional features, such as firewall protection, spam blocking software and anti-virus software make dsl a popular choice for new subscribers. The bottom line is ...