Cable vs DSL

Kenny Yates · Post by **Kenny Yates** » 10 Apr 2002 6:28 pm

I'm moving from the boonies where no fast access to the internet to where I have choices. What is the best way to go Cable modem or Dsl, actually ADSL. I've never used either, so all suggestions are appreciated.

Keb

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 11 Apr 2002 5:10 am

Kenny,
I'm with AT&T cable services. If you've only experienced telephone modem, you won't believe how fast cable is. No dialing up is necessary. Just click on your browser icon and you are up and running.

AT&T, however, has my local area/region locked up. If you want cable, you have to get it with them. It's tyranny. They charge me around $45/mnth, while other cable services charge in the more reasonable range of $20-$30. But that's life.

DSL - much, much more expensive, than even AT&T cable. DSL may be a bit quicker than cable, but the real stigmata about DSL is that you have to be located physically within their transmission facility, and this range is like only a 3 mile radius, I believe.
It's not vast, anyway. Just to get started with DSL, I think you have to lay out almost
$300 and up [there are different DSL levels
with corresponding rates].

I'd say go with cable. It's plenty fast enough for me.

Hope this helps...ChipsAhoy

Kenny Yates · Post by **Kenny Yates** » 11 Apr 2002 5:54 am

Chip, thanks much for the reply, it's sure good to hear all he pros and cons

Mark Ardito · Post by **Mark Ardito** » 11 Apr 2002 6:02 am

Kenny,

DSL speed is variable on the distance you are from the main switch. Cable modem is variable on how many people in your area are on the circut. For me, cable is the way to go. No one in my neighborhood is on the internet so I get all that bandwidth for myself. I am also on the AT&T cable modem system.

Go with cable!

Mark

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 11 Apr 2002 6:03 am

Hi Kenny,
I have DSL, right now here in Ca you can get a free modem, 49.95/month. Speed is great, I would call both places phone/cable, just remember you get two lines with the phone, you can be on line and still use your phone, and I believe with cable the more people in your neighbor-hood thats useing the cable for the internet it will slow down I believe, just another thing to check, but bottom line, both are much better that a dial up....

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Carter York · Post by **Carter York** » 11 Apr 2002 6:34 am

I live in Austin, and use DSL, and love it. I was able to go to the local vendor website (in this case Southwestern Bell) and enter my phone number, then it tells you whether or not you are close enough to a hub to get DSL. The main reason I went with DSL is that I don't want cable TV, which is required to get a cable modem.

With my service, I pay 39 bucks a month, got free equipment, and the phone company even had to come out to the house and remove a bridge tap, all for no charge.

I still don't believe it happened.

Carter

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 12 Apr 2002 10:13 am

DSL - much, much more expensive, than even AT&T cable.

Not really. It's totally dependent upon local rates and tariffs. Base level DSL in my area is around $35/mo., for example. Your mileage may vary.

DSL may be a bit quicker than cable,

In most incarnations, no. Cable typically delivers ~1.5MBps, which is the same as the fastest DSL service level usually available.
DSL is also sold in lesser service levels, down to ~128KBps. Both cable and DSL are physically cable of higher speeds, with cable leading at ~27MBps downloads, but you'll almost never see them in the real world.

...you have to be located physically within their transmission facility, and this range is like only a 3 mile radius

Correct, usually 18,000 feet max. This may vary according to line quality and other physical limitations of the existing wiring between you and the Central Office.

Just to get started with DSL, I think you have to lay out almost $300 and up.

There is no practical equipment cost differential between cable and DSL. Both require a "modem", and network interface card (NIC) or LAN port in your computer. Most vendors offer a start-up package including a free modem.

Some things to consider if you have a choice between cable and DSL:

<ul>
[*]Cable is a shared connection; imagine your machine being
on a big LAN comprised of the homes in your neighborhood. As such, it is inherently
less secure than DSL, which is a dedicated connection to your phone company.
While proper security techniques are important for both cable & DSL users,
if you run a default Windows installation on a PC connected to a cable modem,
you are at significant risk. This is especially true for XP Home Edition users.
Use a personal firewall and up-to-date antivirus and anti-trojan programs.</li>
[*]Most cable providers limit upload speeds to 128KBps. If
you run a server or are a hardcore gamer, this may be important to you.</li>
[*]As more people on your cable network node come online, your
bandwidth shrinks accordingly.</li>
[*]No matter how close you live to the CO, you'll almost never
reach the advertised speed of your DSL connection unless you're in a newly
developed housing area with good wire in the ground.</li>
[*]DSL installation and service quality varies widely across
the country. If you get a good local provider and tech, consider yourself
among the lucky ones.</li>
[/list]

[This message was edited by Jeff Agnew on 12 April 2002 at 11:15 AM.]

Lou[NE] · Post by **Lou[NE]** » 12 Apr 2002 4:49 pm

Something that Jeff mentioned in the fine print is very important. If you go with an always-online ISP connection (or even a dial-up, if you're on line for long periods), USE A FIREWALL! It is surprising how often someone tries to get in to your PC.

Most of the gurus recommend ZoneAlarm, which is available free for personal use from www.zonelabs.com

Hope this is helpful, and good luck.

Lou

P.S. I live in the boonies and pay $28.00/mo. for a 256K wireless link to an ISP, after $400.00 up front for antenna and card installation.[This message was edited by Lou[NE] on 12 April 2002 at 05:54 PM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Apr 2002 2:02 am

Kenny we also have Road Runner cable modem here at the house with a Router as a fire- wall. Cable modem advertises up to 20 times faster than modem,(28kb) but like mentioned above some PC's can fly beyond that. I have two PC's that are running about 1.2m and one running below at around 700kb ( the older PC ) The cost is a flying rip-off at $49/month but it is a business expens so at least I can write it off, but it is legal highway robbery. For the most part the system is running 90 to 100 % efficient but there are times that it is running about 50% for a brief time. But it is kinda like driving a new Z06 'Vette ( 405 HP/ 0 to 60 in 4 seconds ), it's real difficult to go back to the Toyota !

tp[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 13 April 2002 at 03:05 AM.]