If you are still using dial-up, you have probably gotten either the “You don’t use DSL yet?” or the “You don’t use cable yet?” expressions of credulity. So you’ve decided that it’s probably time to get off of dial-up – yet, the question remains: which is better, DSL or cable? There are advertisements arguing the perks of both, but which will really get you more bang for your buck?

The three issues to take into account when comparing DSL and cable Internet connection are speed, customer satisfaction and security.

Theoretically, cable modems run faster than DSL because they offer more bandwith. There is also a form of DSL called VDSL which can match the speed of a cable modem. However, the speed of cable is relative to the number of people in your area who are accessing the neighborhood at the same time. One popular commercial compares cable modems to drinking out of a straw – the straw is fine, if one person is drinking from it. But if the straw must be shared – well, obviously things slow down a little. Both DSL and cable also vary in speed by the minute depending on the congestion caused by multiple users.

Customer service surveys conducted by J.D. Power and Associates in 2004 showed that DSL had an edge over cable in customer satisfaction ratings. This survey looked at billing, the provider’s business image, cost and tech support, and email services. Earthlink and Verizon, both DSL, were the top two service providers rated in the survey.

Since cable modems necessitate the sharing of a cable line to provide service to the entire neighborhood, DSL is slightly more secure. However, cable modems are easier to install, and many sources believe that the difference in security is not significant enough to go through the trouble of installing DSL. Many cable customers avoid security problems by putting up firewalls in order to protect themselves, and their information.



Thanks to Ross Gravett for contributing this article to our DSL blog:

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Can you answer sanghelunjgoygoloyar’s question about DSL?:

I need to know if cable modems will work for regular broadband internet or if there is a broadband modem that is different and where I could get one.

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Once upon a time, everyone connected to the Internet over phone lines. Dialup was slow and the lines were often busy, but that was what we had. At work we might have the luxury of a T1 line, but at home we had, at best, 56K. Then DSL and cable modems came along, and high-speed Internet access became a consumer product. Now Verizon FiOS is changing the face of consumer Internet access.

If you watch much television, you see a ton of commercials from your cable provider bragging about the speed of their Internet connection, compared to DSL. Unfortunately for the cable company, Verizon FiOS is faster, cheaper, and more reliable than cable modems. Add great service and members-only content, and Verizon FiOS embarrasses cable companies.

The key to Verizon’s speed and reliability lies in its fiber-optic connection that extends all the way to your computer. Cable companies brag about fiber-optic networks, but don’t advertise that their fiber-optic network goes only to the curb. Until Verizon FiOS, no Internet provider has offered fiber-optic all the way to the computer. This groundbreaking new technology makes Verizon FiOS the obvious choice over cable Internet.

With Verizon FiOS, you get up to 50 Mbps or 30 Mbps downstream and up to 20 or 5 Mbps upstream, which in plain English means you get the fastest possible Internet access in your home. Nothing else compares to broadband access from Verizon FiOS.

Because Verizon FiOS is 100% digital, traveling only over fiber-optic connections, your Internet access is more reliable, and you’ll suffer fewer outages and less downtime with Verizon.

You’ll also pay less for your faster connection and better service from Verizon FiOS. With plans starting at $42.99 monthly, Verizon FiOS is more affordable than DSL and cable. Most people would happily take better service for less monthly. Wouldn’t you?

For many people, Internet access has become a necessity. If you’re like the average Internet user, you check email from home, work from home at least occasionally, catch up on news, and spend time on the Internet searching for information and taking care of personal and professional business. With Verizon FiOS, your home Internet experience is faster, more reliable, and more affordable.

If you like what you’ve heard so far about Verizon FiOS, you may be wondering how difficult it will be to install. With fiber-optic all the way to your computer, FiOS can sound a little daunting. Good news. Verizon offers free professional installation with your one-year contract. A Verizon installation technician will come to your home, install the wiring, get your computer on the Internet, and provide a welcome kit with everything you need to take full advantage of your new Verizon FiOS service.

Most people who already pay for cable or DSL will readily agree that a faster connection, over more reliable fiber-optic lines, with free installation with one-year contract, and exclusive members-only contract, is definitely worth paying less for. With Verizon FiOS as an option, there’s just no point in paying more for inferior service.



Thanks to Russell Blanc for contributing this article to our DSL blog:

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