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DSL Internet vs Cable Internet

Which Is The Better Choice For Residential Internet Access?
by Richard Thomason - Updated March 7th, 2009

This is a common question asked by consumers in search of high speed Internet access for their homes. Our article will compare DSL and Cable in terms of price, speed, and security features. It is not my intention to answer the question for you, but rather to give you some basic information and let you decide for yourself.

The question of whether DSL or Cable is better will often come down to the local area you live in. Speeds are going to be very dependent on how close you live to your local DSL hub and whether or not your Cable provider has updated their connections with fiber optic technology. Also, Verizon, AT&T and Qwest are all moving away from DSL towards fiber optics, as well, so your choice may soon be Fiber vs Cable.

 

Connection Speeds

In the area of download speeds, there is a clear winner. Cable speeds have been higher than DSL for some time now. Since 2008, Cable companies have started to upgrade their network with fiber optics, so in some areas they are far superior to DSL.

Cable generally offers faster connection speeds

Basic DSL Internet Speeds: 768 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps
High-End DSL Internet Speeds: 3 Mbps to 7 Mbps

Basic Cable Internet Speeds: 4 Mbps to 6 Mbps
High-End Cable Internet Speeds: 12 Mbps to 16 Mbps and higher

 

Shared Bandwidth / Security

Your DSL connection is never shared between your location and the nearest DSL hub or central office. The bandwidth to your Cable ISP is shared by you and all the other Internet users in your area using the same service. Cable providers insist that this won't affect your connection speeds, but many consumers complain that it does.

DSL has a slight advantage in being more secure

Another problem with having a shared Internet connection is they are considered to be less secure than having a dedicated connection, like you have with DSL. Shared mediums are more susceptible to eavesdropping, denial of service attacks, and service theft. The general consensus among Internet security experts is that DSL connections are typically more secure, though not by a lot.

 

Distance Sensitivity

Another area where Cable is the superior choice is in how connection speeds fall off with distance from your provider. With Cable, they don't fall off. The average Cable connection will be just as good if you are close to your ISP's hub or not.

Cable has the advantage of not being distance sensitive

DSL is a very distance sensitive medium. DSL providers are only able to offer service to locations around 17,000 to 18,000 feet from a central office or DSL hub. In addition, the speeds will drop off quite a bit after 9,000 to 10,000 feet. This means that only locations that are close to a DSL hub can even get the top speeds of 3 Mbps to 7 Mbps. Users who live further than the drop-off point will only be able to get the basic DSL plans which offer speeds from 768 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps.

 

The Big One - Price

This is area where DSL has a slight advantage. As of March 2009, DSL prices are ranging from about $20/mo. up to $45/mo. for the highest speeds. Cable plans will typically run from $40/mo. to $55/mo., and most Cable providers don't have an option for paying less for lower speeds (though some do, like Cox).

DSL costs less on a monthly basis in most cases

You'll often see Cable Internet service advertised starting at $19.95 per month, but that price will last for only a short time -- typically the first three to six months. After that, the cost will go up to the normal monthly rate. If price isn't a big concern, then Cable is going to be the better choice simply for the higher download speeds. For those looking to save money on monthly bills, DSL provides the more affordable solution.

You can generally get DSL for only $19.95 per month with speeds from 768 Kbps up to 1.0 Mbps, depending upon your provider. That speed is usually enough to satisfy a casual Internet user who doesn't want to pay a lot each month for Internet access.

 

Fiber Optics & Wireless Internet

In the debate over DSL vs Cable, one thing that is often overlooked is how new Internet technologies are emerging to compete in the same space. Verizon, AT&T and Qwest have all begun the move to fiber optics, which is a much faster than DSL. The entry level plans have 15 Mbps download speeds, and even higher if you are willing to pay more.

Another service to keep an eye out for is WiMax. This is a new service being pushed by major companies, including Sprint, Clearwire, Verizon and others. Essentially, you might soon have a third major choice for home Internet access in the form of WiMax. You can also use the service from your mobile phone or laptop as long as you are in the service area. Speeds are estimated to be up to 7 Mbps, but the service is still in development.

 

Pick DSL Or Cable Depending On Your Needs

You should now have enough information to pick between DSL and Cable. For Internet users who want to save money or use it casually, DSL is probably the choice for you. You will be able to use the Internet at good speeds without paying a lot. However, Cable is going to be the service of choice for anyone who wants the fastest possible speeds. If you are going to download large files, stream media, and price is not a big concern, then it should be clear that Cable is a better fit for you.

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