Get the GUARANTEED lowest price on Internet service.
How to Decide Between DSL and Cable
How to Decide Between DSL and Cable
As more and more information and entertainment becomes available over the Internet, true high speed Internet access is becoming more than just a convenience. With everyone advertising that they have the highest speeds available, how is it possible to cut through all of the hype and make an informed decision between DSL and cable Internet access?
Two Different Technologies
While both attempt to offer the same results, DSL and cable internet are based on two very different technologies with two very different sets of characteristics. In order to make an informed decision as to whether to choose one over the other, it is important to understand how DSL and cable Internet access work, the similarities between the two and also the difference. Once you know how each type functions, it may be easier to weigh the pros and cons of each type.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Access
A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a part of the telephone network that is designed to carry data. The advantages to DSL include the fact that the government has mandated telephone access to everyone, and the part of getting a license to provide phone service includes making telephone access available to all. However, this does not currently extend to high speed Internet access. Current technology is limited by distance and the existing telephone network. Because of this, DSL equipment has to be deployed in each individual neighborhood, and it is obvious that the more populated or lucrative neighborhoods will be connected first.
Since the DSL equipment is also limited by distance, the further one is from the DSL equipment, the slower the maximum speed available will be. This can also be affected by the configuration of the telephone lines in the neighborhood. It may be that one neighbor may qualify for the maximum DSL speed while a house across the street might only get the slowest speed, or no access at all, simply because of the way the telephone cabling is routed. So one of the questions to ask when inquiring about DSL is about the highest available speed at the desired address.
Additionally, since each location has its own individual wiring, the current wiring in a neighborhood will factor in, too. While many phone companies will attempt to upgrade the current wiring to provide the fastest service available, they must do so within the limits of the current phone network. Some newer neighborhoods have fiber optic cabling to the main junction box, some have fiber to the street curb and some actually have fiber to the premises. Some older neighborhoods have all copper wire. All of this will influence how high will be the speed of the Internet access that is available.
Cable Access
In order to get into the Internet access business, many cable companies now offer access through their cable networks. Unlike a phone network, where each house has an individual set of wires that can be traced from start to finish, a cable network has a main channel, with taps off to each individual property. Thus, Internet access isn’t restricted by cable length as much as it is by whether a neighborhood is served or not. However, if the Internet access equipment has not been installed, then no one in the neighborhood will have access. Just like the gradual roll out of DSL access, cable internet access will come to high demand areas first.
Another aspect of the cable system that comes into play is the shared cable network. Think of it as a pipe of a certain diameter that supplies water. More taps off this main pipe and more people using water at the same time doesn’t mean that more and more water flows through the pipe. After a certain point, that isn’t physically possible. What happens is that each individual user notes a change in water pressure. Most of the time it isn’t noticeable, but during high demand times the flow may slow to a trickle. That has also been the case with the cable networks. As more people subscribe to the services, some have noticed a drop in speed.
Unlike DSL, where the individual may be limited by the network, but the limitation is known and constant, the cable network is subject to fluctuations based on how many in the neighborhood are using the access at the same time. One may notice that speeds drop substantially during peak usage hours. Depending on when the customer will be using the cable Internet access, this might affect their choice of provider.
DSL or Cable?
If only one or the other is currently available, the choice is easy. If both are available, it should be determined what is the highest speed available for each and whether that is either needed or wanted. Then, compare the prices for both to see if one is financially preferable to the other.
If the highest possible speed is needed, and it is available in DSL, this might be the best choice if all the financial factors are more or less equal. DSL won’t be affected by neighborhood usage like cable, so there should be less risk of slow access.
If the property is located such that the required speed isn’t available in DSL, but it is in cable, then that might be the better choice. While there might be periods when the speed isn’t optimal, at other non-peak times the high speed will probably function well.
If the highest speed isn’t necessary, then it might come down to a financial decision. Get price per speed quotes from each and then a decision can be made.
Both DSL and cable Internet access have their own advantages and disadvantages, and these can vary by neighborhood or even from house to house. Do the research and get promises in writing. With a little work, you can make the right choice between DSL and cable Internet access.
This entry was posted on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 at 11:05 am and is filed under Internet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.