dsl vs. cable

[Lao Tzu]

Which is better? the price difference is negligible ($5 a month).

It will be in a college town, so i fear that the cable lines will be jammed and go down to 50-100Kbps. I have HEARD that DSL consistenly operates at 625Kbps, no matter how many DSL users there are in the city. Is this true?

 

[buddy28]

ive got dsl. Im no teckie, but I can tell you dsl download and upload speeds are directly related to PC terminal proximity to the nearest dsl routing station. The father away a computer terminal is located from the local dsl router assigned to that terminal, the more bandwidth must be shared with other users assigned to the same dsl router--- thus reducing individual bandwidth availability = lower speeds.


But I really dont know alot about this shit. I just like to pretend I do

For a good overview on how dsl and cable data transmission works, check out this site.

www.howstuffworks.com

may help you out.

 

[sicklydiesel]

i have had both...cable is wayyyyy faster .

 

[njmuscle]

Everyone I've talked to who has experience with both say cable modem is much faster...and more reliable.

 

[TheProject]

Cable is faster, so long as there aren't many people using cable in your neighborhood.

DSL is more of a "dedicated" connection, where cable has a pool of bandwidth.

I've got DSL, no complaints here.

 

[the nature boy]

there are a lot of variables, I'd go with whatever was cheaper as long as it's a reputable cable or phone company. the difference is USUALLY minimal.

 

[gymtime]

I've also used both. Cable is better, but not by a huge margin.

 

[The Whole F/N Show]

It depends on how far you are from your nearest phone company for DSL and how many people in your neighborhood are online with cable so it's hard to answer. Both kick the hell outta dial up and I'd probably go with what's cheaper or offers the better deal like a free modem, but based purely on what you said I'd get DSL since if you are in a place with a lot of college of students who are online a lot the speed will often be slow. DSL will never get that slow. In theory cable is faster but that's only in theory since the other factors determine the actual speed. In using the fast DSL and Cable that I've experience I could really tell a difference. Now the slowest cable I ever used at peak hours 7pm in a busy neighborhood, it was aobut as slow as 56K.

One plus about DSL, at least bellsouth dsl, is when it goes out you have a dial-up number backup you can get online with using a 56K modem. Normaly you are just SOL when cable goes out.

 

[wyst]

Cable tends to be better. Phone lines in most places were laid with no thought for computer style connectivity. Phone companies tend to sell you their DSL services and hope for the best. If the connection is bad and enough people on your loop complain, they might fix it by upgrading the wiring. Or not. Basically, if you do get DSL because it's cheaper or it's your only choice or something like that, and it works right away, fine. If the company can't get it running smoothly within a very short time after installation, chances are it'll never ever work right, and you should ditch it right away while you're still in the money back guarantee period.

I'm speaking from research, personal experience, and what I' ve learned from guys I know at Verizon. Of course, different areas have different providers that may be more or less honest, but DSL providers mostly share the same awful wiring challenges. Good service people at any DSL company will admit this; I've spoken with some high ups at some DSL providers, and they've confirmed that if it doesn't work well at the install, their strength is not trouble shooting -- the unspoken message is that they're really more interested in volume at this point.

xoxo

Wyst

 

[rotovibe]

also DSL has to have a landline at least with verizon. I tried to cancel my landline since I have a cellphone and keep DSL and I couldn't do it.

 

[Pineapple Devil]

go cable. imo

 

[b fold the truth]

Dial-up isn't an option?

j/k

B True

 

[manny78]

I used to have cable: sucked big time. Slow connection around 6-9 PM. Static IP too.

Now I have DSL: good shit so far. Dynamic IP, no slow download at any time.

 

[Caesar_wv]

Damn...wish i could have an opinion on this debate. In God's country...the best that I can EVER get is 28.8 kbps. That's what living in the sticks will do for ya'.

 

[slickdadd]

cable is 9 times out of 10 faster. it's hardware is more suited for the job, enhancing its performance and reliability. I've worked with DSL and its better then dialup, but if you have the choice, don't think twice, go with cable. People that sell DSL will tell you this. Its faster. Simple as that.