High Speed Internet vs. DSL

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The battle has raged for sometime over which internet access to use - high speed internet vs. DSL. High speed internet is a rather generic term for an internet access method that is faster than the fastest dial-up of 56K. Broadband, often used interchangeably with high speed internet, refers to the broader "bandwidth" of data that you can download in a given amount of time with a faster internet connection. In this discussion, we'll be comparing cable high speed internet to DSL.

In discussing high speed internet vs. DSL, there are a variety of differences between the products. Whereas cable high speed internet runs over a coaxial cable, like your cable television, DSL runs over an existing copper pair of telephone wires. (It is also possible to run it over fiber optic, but the majority of households, especially older ones, will have it provisioned over copper.)

Depending on the providers in your area, you may be able to combine these services with another common household service at a discount; cable high speed internet with your cable television, and DSL with your local phone service.

Cable high speed internet usually costs up to $100 to install with an average monthly cost of about $45.00. The maximum download speed is normally 2Mbps, but some companies advertise a maximum speed of 3Mbps. The maximum upload speed is in the same range as DSL - between 128 and 384 Kbps.

Although speed is not dependent on the distance from the provisioning office, it can be slowed down by your neighbors. If a large number of people are online at one time, especially should they all be gaming or downloading large video files, everyone's speed will slow. Cable high speed internet may also require professional installation and the provider may place limits on the amount of data downloads and uploads.

DSL can cost up to $150 to install on average, and the monthly cost runs about $45.00. But installation is often "do-it-yourself" and some providers are now offering "lite" versions of DSL with lower download speeds for less monthly cost.

The major speed difference with DSL is that the maximum download capacity is 1.5Mbps, although upload speeds are the same as cable high speed internet. However, unlike cable high speed internet providers, some DSL providers guarantee their download speeds, especially for business level DSL. Yet DSL is slightly less available than cable high speed internet, and even in areas where it is typically available, particular locations may not be eligible due to existing line quality.

If you are able to get DSL, you will be able to talk on the phone and use the internet at the same time. However, one last potential disadvantage is that the speed of the service drops the further distance a location is from the local phone company's central office.

In the end, the decision of what to choose when deciding between high speed internet vs. DSL will depend on your area's service providers, the availability of each service and the price points they offer. No matter which service you select, you are guaranteed a faster internet experience than your old dial-up method.