Cable or DSL?

In the continuing battle between cable and DSL providers, who promise to provide customers with the best service for high-speed data transmission, who can YOU with the service you need?

Cable

Via their cable modem service, cable operators provide broadband using the same coaxial cables that send television to your TV set. Most cable modems are devices that plug in next to your computer with two connections; one to the cable outlet and the other to your computer. With this, a user can watch cable TV and surf the Internet from their computer at the same time. And just like DSL, instant Internet access can be achieved just buy Turing on the PC.

Residential cable Internet connections have download speeds between four to six Mbps; roughly 70 times faster than a dialup connection. Cable customers can even choose to bundle their Internet access with digital cable TV and digital phone service to leverage special discounts.

DSL

DSL is a service that allows regular phone lines to be used as high-speed data provider for Internet, voice and video. It is one of the fastest growing high-speed access technologies for both business and personal use.

A “normal” DSL connection enables users to download data at a maximum of 1.5 Mbps and upload data at 256 Kbps. Unfortunately, the farther away from the provider’s central office the slower the service you will receive. However, for most consumers, this is not an issue because the slight technological disadvantage DSL offers is offset by the lower subscription fees. And, just like cable broadband, DSL offers and always-on connection. In other words, a user can go online instantly because no dialup connection is needed.

So you decide which of these broadband technologies fits your needs best. If you only need an always-on connection with a minimal monthly cost, then DSL may be best. If your usage demands the highest connections speeds offered, then a cable modem will suite you better.