Cable Vs. DSL Internet
Cable versus DSL Internet service is a hot topic for consumers, especially considering there is somewhat of a made-for-TV "war" surrounding them. Both camps pledge that their service is faster, safer and cheaper than the other. But what are the real differences between DSL and cable?
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Service Basics
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Although both cable service and DSL take you to the same Internet, they do so in very different ways. DSL service uses a dial-up connection with a phone line and a modem which taps into phone signals to establish a wireless Internet connection. Cable, on the other hand, uses fiber optic wires in conjunction with a modem, to form fast Internet connections.
Security
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Although there has been much speculation about whether DSL or cable is more secure, they are both the same in this respect. Both of these connections are "always on," and it is essential that you have a firewall installed to keep each connection as secure as possible.
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Availability
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DSL service is widely available, but its speed depends largely upon the user's proximity to a phone company's central office. DSL service is fairly easy to find in cites and suburban areas, but can be hard to come by or of poor quality in more rural areas. Cable service is more widely available than DSL, and the service quality does not fluctuate based on location.
Features
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Both DSL and cable take you to the Internet at fast speeds, but DSL has a few more distinct features. For instance, DSL service is tiered, and can be customized to fit your usage needs and budget. There are three different types of DSL: ADSL, SDSL and IDSL. ADSL is most common, and is designed for home users who only require a single network connection. SDSL is a more business-focused DSL service, and can support multiple networks with more consistent connection rates. IDSL is low-performance DSL which is for those who are not close enough to a phone service tower for regular DSL or don't want to pay extra phone charges. Cable's main feature is it's consistent speeds, which do not fluctuate based on proximity.
Cost
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Although cable is generally more expensive than regular DSL, some say it is a better value. Because cable DSL allows for networked computers and unlimited speeds, some say its high cost can be justified, especially when you consider that DSL with network capabilities (SDSL) is more expensive than cable.
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