Cable vs. DSL

willdeau · 09-14-2007, 09:32 AM

I would like to know the differences between using cable vs. DSL for surfing. The DSL I am looking at has a speed of 1.5 mb. Is this just as fast as cable or close to? I have no idea how fast cable is.

I am using cable right now and I have looking in to a great deal on a package plan but am worried about DSL speeds.

Would appreciate all opinions.

Thanks

**johnwill** · 09-14-2007, 01:11 PM

Most cable ISP accounts are faster, Comcast's standard speed is 6mbit/784kbit right now. If you'd like to know what speed you're getting now, try these speed tests.

A couple of popular Internet speed test sites in the US.

Speakeasy Speed Test

DSLReports Speed Test

**tosh9i** · 09-14-2007, 01:14 PM

What Johnwill says is true, cable is usually faster, but it's also usually more expensive.

There might be a third alternative, FIOS:

http://www22.verizon.com/content/ConsumerFios

It's not only faster, but also cheaper. However, it's not available everywhere.

**johnwill** · 09-14-2007, 01:17 PM

Well, I'm not sure that cheaper is the correct term. I have FiOS here, and their "teaser" price for the first year was $44.75/mo for 15mbit/2mbit service. OTOH, it's been flawless except for the tree falling on the lines up the street, so I'm keeping it and going with the Verizon TV and phone combination package. The 5mbit service may be cheaper than cable, and I suspect it would be more reliable.

willdeau · 09-14-2007, 05:51 PM

FIOS is not an option for me. I live kind of out in the boonies. I think these people got electricity about 20 years ago.

Seriously, cost isn't really the issue, my wife's company pays for our ISP. I am not sure if the cable company will sell me only internet access. And yes I did call but was unable to get an answer. In the mean time I figured I ask the difference of the two.

**tosh9i** · 09-14-2007, 08:19 PM

Well, if someone else is going to pay the bill, then I'd go for cable and I'd get the fastest connection they offer.

G3tTeCh[help]% · 09-14-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willdeau

I would like to know the differences between using cable vs. DSL for surfing. The DSL I am looking at has a speed of 1.5 mb. Is this just as fast as cable or close to? I have no idea how fast cable is.

I am using cable right now and I have looking in to a great deal on a package plan but am worried about DSL speeds.

Would appreciate all opinions.

Thanks

DSL sounds good , But if your worried cheak the speeds of cabl more mb the better

09-14-2007, 09:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
willdeau Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 58 OS: Windows XP Media My System	Cable vs. DSL I would like to know the differences between using cable vs. DSL for surfing. The DSL I am looking at has a speed of 1.5 mb. Is this just as fast as cable or close to? I have no idea how fast cable is. I am using cable right now and I have looking in to a great deal on a package plan but am worried about DSL speeds. Would appreciate all opinions. Thanks

09-14-2007, 01:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,937 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Cable vs. DSL Most cable ISP accounts are faster, Comcast's standard speed is 6mbit/784kbit right now. If you'd like to know what speed you're getting now, try these speed tests. A couple of popular Internet speed test sites in the US. Speakeasy Speed Test DSLReports Speed Test __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-14-2007, 01:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
tosh9i TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,837 OS: Windows XP	Re: Cable vs. DSL What Johnwill says is true, cable is usually faster, but it's also usually more expensive. There might be a third alternative, FIOS: http://www22.verizon.com/content/ConsumerFios It's not only faster, but also cheaper. However, it's not available everywhere.

09-14-2007, 01:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,937 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Cable vs. DSL Well, I'm not sure that cheaper is the correct term. I have FiOS here, and their "teaser" price for the first year was $44.75/mo for 15mbit/2mbit service. OTOH, it's been flawless except for the tree falling on the lines up the street, so I'm keeping it and going with the Verizon TV and phone combination package. The 5mbit service may be cheaper than cable, and I suspect it would be more reliable. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-14-2007, 05:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
willdeau Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 58 OS: Windows XP Media My System	Re: Cable vs. DSL FIOS is not an option for me. I live kind of out in the boonies. I think these people got electricity about 20 years ago. Seriously, cost isn't really the issue, my wife's company pays for our ISP. I am not sure if the cable company will sell me only internet access. And yes I did call but was unable to get an answer. In the mean time I figured I ask the difference of the two.

09-14-2007, 08:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
tosh9i TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,837 OS: Windows XP	Re: Cable vs. DSL Well, if someone else is going to pay the bill, then I'd go for cable and I'd get the fastest connection they offer.