DSL/Cable Internet options

[Bubba]

I think you will get a discount for the first month or two when you first sign up, then you will pay about $80-$85 for both cable and internet. I have had the internet since around Nov. of 1999 and have had very little problems and very satisfied with the speed. The cable internet service is $39.95/mo. for the slower of the 2 speed tiers. I have no complaints of the speed and can't see spending an extra $20 for the faster service when this service is plenty fast for what I do.

[Detector]

Technically, cable is faster rated at 30mb a second to DSL's 6mb a second, but in the real world neither is realistic. Neither DSL or Cable is better all the time under all conditions.

Bandwidth:
Basic DSL is generally 128kbps upstream and down downstream.
Cable is generally 500-700kbps downstream and 128kbps upstream.

Downstream = the speed at which you receive data FROM the Internet.
Upstream = the speed as which you send data TO the Internet.

Shared vs Not Shared:
DSL does not share it's bandwidth with your neighbors cable does. This doesn't necessarily mean DSL will be faster because DSL's bandwidth also is limited by your distance from the ISP, cable is not. Also, if the cable provider has good bandwidth sharing your connection will make little to no difference.

Secure:
DSL is thought to be more secure than cable because it doesn't share with your neighbors, plus most DSL is a on-demand connection. Meaning it's not always connected to the Internet like cable.

In the end it all boils down to your location and whats available to you.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[Bubba]

I just tested my cable with a speed test, remember I have the cheaper/slower cable option, here are the results:

4551 / 416
Your download speed : 4551 kbps or 568.9 KB/sec.
Your upload speed : 416 kbps or 52 KB/sec.

This was a server in Miami, FL

As far as secure, if you have a good firewall program like Zone Alarm Pro or a router which is a hardware firewall, you should have no worries.

Knock on wood, since I have been on cable internet fromm 1999 to present, I have had 0 viruses and 0 known hacks, my bank accounts and everything are still secure with no unusual activity.

[Dodgegal]

We had Cox cable internet at home for the last three years. We switched to SBC and are much happier. Not only was it cheaper, it works! We got to a point at home that we might see the internet once a week. Techs were called, no help. Techs came out, no problem they could see. We finally gave up and switched. We are much happier.

[Detector]

I've had both SWBell DSL and Cox cable and was happy with both. Now I have cable but wouldn't hesitate going back to DSL. I do like cables ease of setup. DSL can be a bit tricky at times getting setup.

As far as QoS(quality of service) both have proved to be about equal as far as stability goes.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Dodgegal

We had Cox cable internet at home for the last three years. We switched to SBC and are much happier. Not only was it cheaper, it works! We got to a point at home that we might see the internet once a week. Techs were called, no help. Techs came out, no problem they could see. We finally gave up and switched. We are much happier.

I must be one of the luckier ones then....the only problems I have had since 1999 has been I have lost 2 cable modems to lighting. Replaced the modems and it runs good.

[dirtdigger0416]

I currently have dialup because of where I live on the outskirts town. Went back to SBC for my phone service because of their promise of DSL. I am close enough if they would just upgrade their service. Hence, when I do make the move to highspeed, it will not be with SBC, it will in all likelyhood be with wireless. What really chaps me about my dialup is that because of the bandwidth restrictions on SBC equipment on the northwest corner of town, my 56K modem doesn't even connect at half that. That has been confirmed by SBC techs and engineers themselves.

[lurker]

I'd lurk at the wireless offerings.

[Signal 7]

I live in the boonies (couple miles east of Wright) and my only option other than dial-up (42.6 Kbps) is wireless. I checked the internet sites of United and Rurallink. I then called United and got about the same info from the person there as was on the internet site. I tried to call Rurallink's 800 number and all I got was a busy signal during the 15 minutes or so that I tried. Maybe this would be an indication of the service I would get with them??

Rurallink had three different rates that are somewhat more attractive than the $49 month from United. But I don't want to go one way then have to switch to another. Are there any more of you all out there who have some experience with the wireless service in this area? Need some help!!!!!!

[Detector]

It's my understanding wireless is a good choice unless you're a gamer. Wireless is very fast but does have a 3 second lag-time/delay. This isn't noticeable unless you're playing a real-time on line game.