DSL Vs Cable Internet
Which is Better?
Today, even 56k modem connections pain me. I loathe dial up connections. It's high speed or nothing for me. You might then wonder, which high speed internet connection do I prefer? DSL? Cable?
Cable Internet
In my area, Comcast provides cable internet. As a company, I don't like Comcast. They have terrible customer service, questionable prices, and a complete monopoly on cable television and internet.
But they have great commercials. The commercials feature a family of turtles called the Slowskys. The Slowskys don't like things to be too fast, so they prefer DSL to cable internet. The commercials comically show how Comcast's cable internet is faster than DSL.
Sounds convincing. If I didn't know anything about the Internet, I would choose Comcast even if the price were higher.
The only problem is that it isn't really true. I've used both Cable and DSL. For most practical purposes, you cannot tell a difference. Are you checking your e-mail? Surfing through Associated Content? Downloading songs (licensed songs of course)? You won't notice a difference.
To be fair, cable is noticeably faster when you're downloading especially large files. If you download many files over 50MB, then you'll notice a difference over DSL. 50 MB is about the size of 10 MP3 songs.
DSL Internet
AT&T (formerly SBC, formerly AT&T before that, and formerly Michigan Bell) provides DSL in my area. I don't like AT&T as a company either. They too have poor customer service.
Often, you'll need telephone service to get DSL internet. Be sure to factor telephone service cost when you compare prices.
Also, beware the hidden fees with DSL. With AT&T, I saw many unexpected taxes and charges on my bill. More so than with Comcast cable internet. This might just be customer specific, but it's something to look out for. Make sure to ask about all the fees.
I haven't seen DSL advertised as much, so if commercials are your thing, then cable is the victor.
The Verdict
So which should you choose, DSL or cable internet? I say pick either one. You won't notice a difference and you'll be happy with either one. Just pick the cheapest one, and then surf away!
Published by Scott Schlimmer
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- When I was younger, I had a computer with a 2400 baud modem.
- For most practical purposes, you cannot tell a difference between cable and DSL.
- So which should you choose, DSL or cable internet? I say pick the cheaper one
8 Comments
Post a CommentI would use dial-up before Comcast. Pitiful customer service, arrogant, know-it-all supervisors, overpriced. I now us 6 mg dsl. Best change I ever made.
I would take DSL over cable. Why you ask? Becuase i get my 6 meg down load anytime i log on, don't have to wait till late at night. come to find out cable is a shared network, the more people online the slower your speeds, after reading the fine print for cable they even tell you speeds may vary where at&t DSL says guaranteed. grant it i'm only getting about 5.8 but heck with dial up i never got 54mbs either and thanks to the comcast commercial with the slowinsky's i choiced DSL, thanks comcast
I have used both and do not like AT&T DSL. Pro is the speed that I was using. I paid $24.95 a month plus around $40 for the phone line just to have DSL. I went back to Comcast after my 12 month contract finally ended. Comcast appears to have much faster speeds than my DSL. Videos do not freeze up on me with the Comcast unlike the DSlL. Try them both and you decide.
Saba: I actually am afraid that Vonage will go out of business in the next couple years, so I've stayed away. Michael: I bet nobody goes from slow, to fast, and back to slow. It's just so tough to do! Ankur: Thanks for the comment!
Good article Scott. I agree that dial-up should no longer be an option for anyone looking to get online.
I also have Verizon DSL. So far, so good. I also agree about their customer service. If I ever have a problem, which is few and far in between (lol, knock on wood), they are great. We don't have Comcast in our area, but I did have RoadRunner internet before and it was also okay. So, I do agree about how they are all pretty much the same.
Well we could use some of that in my state!
Hey, I have Verizon DSL, they actually have great customer service. You are right though:) they are no different from one another.