Whats faster DSL or cable??? I need to know.

Magickid2002 · Post by **Magickid2002** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 5:52 pm

Hey LD I have got a question I need to know what is faster and worth paying for.

So which is faster DSL or cable.

thanks
GK

Griffmar · Post by **Griffmar** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 6:32 pm

Depends, but most likely cable. I've had both and I prefer cable. Also, deals may vary by area, so I can only speak to what is available in my area, western Washington state, USA.

There are multiple levels of DSL available, and the cost goes up dramatically with the performance. At equivalent prices, cable has a higher peak throughput, but has the disadvantage that you share bandwidth with other customers on your same circuit. If everyone in your neighborhood uses cable modems and are all on at the same time, everyone's performance degrades a bit. With DSL you have your own dedicated data line, with a lower peak but unaffected by what your neighbors are doing.

In my area, cable is about equivalent to the low-end DSL offerings in price, but is about double the performance for download and upload. I'm very happy I switched. Cable has also been bulletproof, hasn't gone down once, whereas DSL has had occasional hiccups and dealing with the phone company to get them addressed is an excruciating experience.

I went from 768Kbps peak download with DSL to 1.5Mbps download with cable, and the difference is quite noticeable.

As always, your mileage may vary, hope this helps a bit.

Dave_Mustaine · Post by **Dave_Mustaine** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 7:12 pm

It really depends on where you live. The best way to find out would be to ask people who live in your neighborhood/town/city. Where I live, it's Cable, but on the other side of my county, it's DSL.

Druhsk · Post by **Druhsk** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 7:34 pm

Yeah, what Griffmar said.

For me Cable is faster than the DSL in the area though I guess I depends on where you live.

Also, I get my Cable internet, HBO, Showtime etc all on one bill so that helps out a bit when figuring out what "has" to be paid right now

Post by **Panzerfaust** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 8:04 pm

Almost every market that I know people in, cable is preferred, but I would poll the locals.

Dave_Mustaine · Post by **Dave_Mustaine** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 8:22 pm

The rule of thumb is (and yes, I made this up right now): If you can reach a grocery store in less than 5 minutes by car, cable is better in your area.

Pee-Wee · Post by **Pee-Wee** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 8:25 pm

But, what if I don't own a car? Is cable still faster?
What if I don't shop at the closest grocery stor? What if I shop at the Krogers two towns over? Is cable still faster?

What about those people who live on self sustaining comunes? Is their cable slower?

Phred · Post by **Phred** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 8:39 pm

take me for example... my cable modem drags, I lose packets left and right and quite frankley.. if its peak time my connection doesnt move very well.... the best method I have for you to test out, is if your area offers digital cable, and you know someone with a digital cabel box, borrow it and watch some of the movie channels in the upper channel ranges for a day or two during primetimes....

the lines by my house are old and the signal from the upper end channels ends to degrade faster so even movies freeze up when I watch them