Cable or DSL??

[golyg]

Hi all,
I don't mean to throw a general question out there but I have been hearing many different opinions on this.
I am aware that DSL can come in 3 levels,
and that Cable would almost compare to the 3rd(fastest DSL)
SO,
What are your opinions on this, stats would be great,
in my area I can get either, and am not sure which to get, both are priced the same.
TIA,
g

 

[rjs]

Cable is a shared network so speed varies with how much others are using the system in your area. If prices are the same, I would opt for DSL. Saying that, I have had cable for almost 4 years. Very little problems but you do get noticeable variations in speed.

 

[Jakman]

GO DSL.

 

[Lundah]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again; every internet access method is a shared connection, the difference is where the sharing starts. With Cable, it's at the fiber node in your neighborhood, and with DSL, it's at the DSLAM in the Telco CO or remote hut. Heck, even a T-1 connection is shared once you hit the ISP's router at their POP. Both DSL and Cable still depend a lot on the provider. I have Cable and love it; DSL around here is iffy. In some areas, it may be the other way around.

 

[Stealer]

DSL is usually $10 more a month than cable. I cannot see that it would be worth the extra $10.

Stealer

 

[jsauce]

DSL is better John D. Saucier
jsauce@magicguild.com
Certified Technician
Network Administrator

 

[marktee]

Go to

http://www.broadbandreports.com/

Among much else, you can look up other's experiences with various ISPs and UL/DL stats by ZIP code.

Mark

 

[InnoTech]

i have supported both types of connections cable and dsl. i have found in MY experience that cable has worked better for me and my customers. maybe it is the company who provides it but to me the dsl around here just plan sucks!!! i have been on cable for over a year now and have never tested at anything under 1.1mbps and that is good considering that i'm paying for 1024kbps. on the other hand my in-law in dallas has at&t dsl and his connection is always almost exactly what he pays for 1.5mbps. so I guess it will ALWAYS come down to how many people in your area is useing the same service. so, do a neighborhood survey and find out what people use and do the opposite of them!! lol

Ivan

 

[wuneyej]

I know this question has probably been asked and answered a million times before, but the search is down at the moment, so I'll ask again...Why exactly is DSL considered more secure than cable internet? I've read a handful of articles explaining it, but I still can't grasp it. If someone can explain it in simple terms I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

As long as I'm here...I've had cable internet (AT&T) for about a year and a half now and have had next to no problems; am very satisfied. Neighbors close by who went the DSL route are constantly complaining. Their speeds are at best half what mine are. The deciding factor for me was that all the DSL plans that I'm aware of force you to commit for a full year, while Cable can be cancelled any time.

JP

 

[jeffbouldin]

A lot of it is the area you live in. In Nashville I have had no problem with Comcast cable. Never have tried DSL. If you are in a newer house with good quality phone lines DSL might be solid.

As for speed, cable can be faster than DSL. You do share the connection with others in your neighborhood. Here in Nashville Comcast has been doing a good job keeping the network upgraded so it doesn't get bogged down.

With DSL your connection sharing starts at the telephone switching station. So it is your distance from that point to your house that determines what speed you'll get. The further away you are the slower your connection.

Both of them are always-on connections. If you are not running a firewall you are open to attacks.

If you are happy with your service I would leave it alone. Your neighbors may be a good indication that in your area DSL isn't reliable.

 

[manarth]

wuneyej (TechnicalUser) Jan 10, 2003
"Why exactly is DSL considered more secure than cable internet?"

The cable that comes into your home is the same right down your street...so everyone on the street get's exactly the same information - i.e. the same electrical signal.
The information is decoded by your set-top box / modem, which filters out information not meant for you.
Theoretically then, it is plausible to receive everyone's information. However, this doesn't address the problem of encryption.

ADSL uses your telephone line, which is private right up to the local exchange. Unless someone physically "taps" your line, the information won't go anywhere else other than the ISP.


<marc> paranoid yet?