DSL or cable?

[mustang66]

We’re moving to a new place next month, and we have an option to go with DSL or cable internet. We have cable right now, and I know that it is faster than DSL, but is it really that much faster? I don’t download that much anymore, so it will be mostly web surfing, with some light downloading. DSL would also save quite a bit each month (which would be good with a house payment now). Which should I go with?

[ORrinker]

DSL is much less expensive. In fact, if you can get it, FIOS with 15mb download is cheaper than cable. I have had DSL for many years with no problems and I have had FIOS for about 6 months and I have not been down once. The 15mb download is incredible. You will probably find in your poll that most will go with cable. That probably has more to do with availability than anything else. DSL was slower to spread and create a client base as you had to live in a certain distance to get it while cable was easy to get due to the fact that cable is strung already to nearly every house. Availability has changed a lot and gives you more options. I refuse to give the cable companies any of my money. I have Directv and Verizon FIOS.

Good Luck,
Randy

[flapbreaker]

Go with the cheaper one. I find that the speed doesn't matter that much anymore unless your into downloading over 500 MB files routinely which most people are not. Don't get sucked into discussions on which is better. Based on your use I think you would be just fine with the DSL.

[jvp]

gamer/downloader-cable bb
normal - dsl works fine

[Cool Texan]

You can get cable for $19.99 for 6 months...hard to beat that.

[JustCallMeDave]

DSL is cheaper and usually has much more flexibility as far as where you can put it in your house. Usually there are more phone jacks in the house than cable jacks, and phone cabling is much easier to hide than coax is when having to run a length of it.

[flapbreaker]

You can get cable for $19.99 for 6 months...hard to beat that.

Good if you only plan to live in your house for 6 months. THen it goes up to 50/month.

[JustCallMeDave]

You can get cable for $19.99 for 6 months...hard to beat that.

Until it goes through the roof after the 6 month period.

[jvp]

DSL is cheaper and usually has much more flexibility as far as where you can put it in your house. Usually there are more phone jacks in the house than cable jacks, and phone cabling is much easier to hide than coax is when having to run a length of it.

get wireless router then no issues

[Grifgav]

Another thing to think about is That DSL is dedicated bandwidth while cable and wireless are shared mediums. Meaning DSL may be slower, but your performance will be the same virtually all of the time. Cable and wireless performance will both depend on the density of users in your area and what they are doing. IE if the cable service in your neighborhood is heavily subscribed and/or you have a bunch of online gamers in your 'hood, your performance will degrade. Same with wireless. All things considered cost should be your primary decider and as previously noted, don't get sucked in by the "introductory" deals from any of the providers unless you plan on keeping the service only a limited time.

[foxer]

Verizon offers a 768k service for $19.99 a month. This would be great for the web surfer.

[JustCallMeDave]

get wireless router then no issues

Wireless requires the installation of wireless cards into any computers using the connection, whereas most new PCs come with built-in Ethernet. Though relatively easy, not everyone is willing to do that.

Plus wireless-g is limited to 768k down. Fine for most, admittedly, as long as they're not PAYING for more.

[Swamp Puppy]

i don't recommend wireless if you're an online gamer.

[mustang66]

No wireless for me. I don't need to add another thing on my list of things to do that wont get done!

It sounds like DSL will be just fine for me. Thanks for all the info!

[Cool Texan]

Dave and Flap.... come on guys, you're not serious, right?? I had $19.99 for 6 months, and am on another 6 months of $19.99. I suspect that following that, I will be on another 6 month plan of $19.99, and another, and another, and another.... :grin:

[Small Fry]

There may be a difference in monthly prices but what the difference in installation cost and or service calls if you do have a problem. How soon will someone come out to fix your problem and how much will it cost. In my eye's Verizon and Qwest have the worst customer service in the world.

[Cool Texan]

Comcast screwed up my install....which was the greatest news to me in the world. I got it fixed (minor tweak required), but then had reason to complain...which got the full cable/internet install fees waived, and also helped to get the second run on the $19.99 for 6 months. One year for $19.99 a month...and I havent had to play the V card yet.....yet.

[FINZ]

DSL works fine for me. I have been on cable and not seen that much faster downloads. That could have also been do to slow computer.

DSL IMHO

[jocose]

i had comcast broadband for a few years and watched them jack the price up each year... finally dsl was available so i switched and dont miss broadband,plus i am saving 300 bucks a year. joco

[Chromaflage]

Sorry all you DSL'ers. But I have Comcast at home and my employer installed DSL in our office. What a differenct. Cable downloads are much faster and more reliable. If I need customer service, I use the online live service. Every time I've needed it, someone is right there to help. However, I've rarely needed it. We've only had 3 minor outages in four years.

CrF

[JustCallMeDave]

If I need customer service, I use the online live service. Every time I've needed it, someone is right there to help.

That's very helpful when you can't get connected.

For the price difference cable isn't worth it. That and I can run my own server at home. :smile: