Cable vs DSL

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I’d like to upgrade from dial-up to broadband. Cost (installation and monthly charge) is one factor to consider.
I have a 2nd phone line installed for my pc connection. I suppose that calling in the cable company to run the needed line will probably add to the initial cost including the modem and start-up charge. Since my pc sits near the standard house connection for the phone, staying with DSL might cut out an installation cost. I am obviously price conscious, but naturally would like to know that I am getting a faster connection.
Which is better? Which costs less? Are there online sources you can direct me to to help me decide?

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Your best bet is surely to ask your cable company, who may or may not be the same firm which provides your (second) phone line! Either or both will be able to tell you about installation and other costs.

These matters vary throughout the world, and within each country, sometimes depending on what side of the road you live!

John

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Your best bet is surely to ask your cable company, who may or may not be the same firm which provides your (second) phone line! Either or both will be able to tell you about installation and other costs.

These matters vary throughout the world, and within each country, sometimes depending on what side of the road you live!

John

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Depending on where you are and how “hungry” the providers are, you might find both installation cost AND a modem cost will be waived, so you ought to ask. I found that to be true BOTH when I went to DSL 4 or 5 years ago and again earlier this year when I switched to cable. I found that Insight Communications (my cable company) waived the installation and modem cost, gave me the “first month” at a significant discount AND the installer even went under my crawl space and ran a 20-30 foot length of coax to the spot where I needed it – all without charge. Even though DSL is supposed to be a dedicated line and cable a “party line” thing, you might want to read this post I just made, just for laughs!

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Here in eastern Nebraska I am using a cable modem at about 4-5Mbps – pretty darn good. Note if you have a cable TV connection, and the cable is fairly new, you may be able to save on installation cost by doing it yourself, if your cable company offers it. If the cable is not new, the cable company will have to come out and replace it to achieve maximum signal strength- but that is included in the normal installation fees.

I prefer cable for a couple reasons – it is faster. It does seem to be more reliable (up time rate). DSL is more distance dependent – the further away you are from the switching office. And here’s a main reason, for me here in tornado country – it acts as a redundant means of communications! If a felled tree takes out my phone service, chances are I still have email or IM through the cable TV system.

If you have many people in your neighborhood that are on cable and all are on-line at the same time, that can affect performance of cable – but a good cable company can and will add equipment for a bigger pipe to compensate.

Note: Include the cost of a Cable/DSL router into your whole decision process. THIS IS A MUST! A Cable/DSL router with NAT will act as a very effective hardware based firewall. Additionally, with a router, you will be able to connect multiple computers up to your single Cable or DSL router connection. It is easier to set it up when you first get your cable or dsl modem as IP assignments can, at time, be “finicky” to reassign. Finally consider a router with a built in print server so that all PCs on your Home Network (which is what the computer(s) on your side of the router will become) will be able to print to that printer.

If your Java security settings do not allow you to run the above speed link, here are a couple more.

http://www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/%5B/url%5D

http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/Bandwidth.asp%5B/url%5D

http://us.mcafee.com/root/speedometer/default.asp%5B/url%5D

http://reviews.cnet.com/Bandwidth_meter/7004-7254_7-0.html%5B/url%5D

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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Here in eastern Nebraska I am using a cable modem at about 4-5Mbps – pretty darn good. Note if you have a cable TV connection, and the cable is fairly new, you may be able to save on installation cost by doing it yourself, if your cable company offers it. If the cable is not new, the cable company will have to come out and replace it to achieve maximum signal strength- but that is included in the normal installation fees.

I prefer cable for a couple reasons – it is faster. It does seem to be more reliable (up time rate). DSL is more distance dependent – the further away you are from the switching office. And here’s a main reason, for me here in tornado country – it acts as a redundant means of communications! If a felled tree takes out my phone service, chances are I still have email or IM through the cable TV system.

If you have many people in your neighborhood that are on cable and all are on-line at the same time, that can affect performance of cable – but a good cable company can and will add equipment for a bigger pipe to compensate.

Note: Include the cost of a Cable/DSL router into your whole decision process. THIS IS A MUST! A Cable/DSL router with NAT will act as a very effective hardware based firewall. Additionally, with a router, you will be able to connect multiple computers up to your single Cable or DSL router connection. It is easier to set it up when you first get your cable or dsl modem as IP assignments can, at time, be “finicky” to reassign. Finally consider a router with a built in print server so that all PCs on your Home Network (which is what the computer(s) on your side of the router will become) will be able to print to that printer.

If your Java security settings do not allow you to run the above speed link, here are a couple more.

http://www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/%5B/url%5D

http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/Bandwidth.asp%5B/url%5D

http://us.mcafee.com/root/speedometer/default.asp%5B/url%5D

http://reviews.cnet.com/Bandwidth_meter/7004-7254_7-0.html%5B/url%5D

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

Reply | Quote

Depending on where you are and how “hungry” the providers are, you might find both installation cost AND a modem cost will be waived, so you ought to ask. I found that to be true BOTH when I went to DSL 4 or 5 years ago and again earlier this year when I switched to cable. I found that Insight Communications (my cable company) waived the installation and modem cost, gave me the “first month” at a significant discount AND the installer even went under my crawl space and ran a 20-30 foot length of coax to the spot where I needed it – all without charge. Even though DSL is supposed to be a dedicated line and cable a “party line” thing, you might want to read this post I just made, just for laughs!

Reply | Quote