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DSL versus Cable - |
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.
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, Verizon increased its network download speed for residential service from 768 kbps to 1.5 mbps.
Not to be outdone, Earthlink optimized its system to deliver downloads of up to 3.0 mbps. Upload speeds for both providers remain at 128kbps for the present time.
Dsl download speed is excellent for general Internet access and for applications where downstream speed is most important, such as video-on-demand.
The upload speed, which presently is not as fast as cable, is more than adequate for sending files and documents to other people or pages to a web site.
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
DSL Advantages
• DSL is traditionally cheaper than cable internet service! See special dsl offers
• Connection is unique and speed is not affected by the number of users on-line at the same time.
DSL speed is more consistent.
• Always-On Internet Connection 24/7. No dial up. No busy signals.
• Upload speed is comparable to cable. One study indicated that dsl is faster than cable modem service.*
• Customers can dial up services remotely when travelling.
• Optional Static IP address supports server hosting for gaming, home office users, and
telecommuters.
* - Based on a month-long benchmarking study by Keynote Systems, DSL was found to be 11% faster than cable modems.
Cable Advantages
• Always-On Internet Connection 24/7. No dial up. No busy signals.
• You can browse the Net, watch cable TV, and be on the phone at the same time.
• Downloads up to 100x faster than a 28.8K modem; however, typical speeds tend to be much lower than the maximum. Speed potential is greater.
• Cable provides bundled discounts for TV, Internet, and telephone services.
• Cable offers a much wider service area.
DSL Disadvantages
• Only as reliable as your phone line. Service may be subject to interruption by severe weather.
• Service is limited to an area within close proximity of local telephone facilities.
(approximately 18,000 feet or a little over 3 miles) This is to maintain service integrity.
Cable Disadvantages
• Service can be affected by the weather and reliability can be an issue.
• Shared bandwidth causes speed slowdowns especially during periods of peak demand. As the number of users on the system at the same time increases, so does the amount of service congestion. This results in slower connection speed.
• Dynamic IP address does not support server hosting for web site, e-mail or gaming.
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 ...
DSL is cheaper than cable.
While neither service guarantees download speed for residential service, dsl presently gives you more feature/benefits than cable. Accordingly, it represents the best overall value for high speed internet service today.
Did you know that dsl service is now available for
less than the cost of a telephone line?
For detailed information on dsl service, including introductory offers from America's leading providers, visit our dsl internet page.
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