When signing up for broadband internet service, you’ll usually have to choose one of 2 options. Cable or DSL. To the uninformed consumer they may seem like the exact same thing, but in fact they are two very different services. Each has its own pros and cons. So, before you decide on which one to go with, you should inform yourself of their benefits.

DSL is internet service that is routed through existing phone lines. However, unlike dial-up connections, it allows you to use your phone and get on the internet at the same time. This is because it transfers the data at a different frequency than the phone uses, so the two data streams don’t interfere with each other. This is a huge benefit, because you need minimal additional equipment to set it up. DSL is cheaper than cable, and also is available in more areas.

Cable, on the other hand, means that your internet connection is provided to you through a devoted cable. The cable can carry internet exclusively, or it may also have TV channels. The downside of cable is that you have to pay the price to have a cable run directly to your house. This is usually not cheap. However, once you have it, your internet connection will be much faster than the average DSL connection. For example, if you watch an internet video on a cable connection, you can watch it straight through. On a DSL connection, you may have to pause it and let it load all the way.

So, if you place a lot of importance on the speed of your internet connection, it may be worth the extra money to pay for cable. But, if you prefer a simple installation and you don’t mind a slower connection (not nearly as slow as dial-up, though), then DSL is a great option.



Thanks to Gabriel Adams for contributing this article to our DSL blog:

High Speed Broadband Isp

Can you answer Devin S’s question about DSL?:

I used to have them connected through the router when we had dsl, but we had to switch to verizon usb cards because we are in the middle of nowhere. So can i still network the computers when they are using a different internet connection?

Wireless Internet Service

Can you answer gr391ndra’s question about DSL?:

What is the different between DSL and T1 internet connection ? Other than the speed, that T1 has faster speed than DSL.
What it has to do with the bandwidth? Why there is an explanation that the bandwidth on T1 are guaranteed and not on DSL.

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Can you answer unForgiven’s question about DSL?:

I just got the mail recently and tried installing the DSL high speed internet. I was following the CD’s instructions but when i connected everything it shown, the internet light on the modem doesnt gets light up and the DSL light kept blinking. I tried a different modem and it still doesnt work. Can someone tell me what the problem is?

High Speed Broadband Isp

Can you answer mike b’s question about DSL?:

I live in an apartment by myself and I don’t have a home phone (I have a cell phone). Just wondering if its possible to have dsl internet withought having any phone service

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