Cable Vs. DSL High Speed Internet

Compare the basic features between high-speed DSL and cable Internet service.

High speed broadband subscriptions are growing exponentially, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In 2003, the FCC reported 28.2 million broadband connections in the United States. By 2006, the FCC reported 65 million subscriptions. In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed by President Barack Obama, with the purpose of ensuring that all Americans are afforded broadband access. As broadband availability for cable and DSL improves, and as consumer demand increases, consumers are looking to compare the pros and cons of cable versus DSL Internet service.

Service Line And Availability

Both cable and DSL service lines are carried across poles.

Cable internet service requires a coaxial cable line that originates from a service station, across telephone poles and into the building to be served. Many modernized buildings are already equipped with cable service, due to previous installation of cable television service. DSL makes use of existing telephone lines, but the line must meet certain quality requirements to accept Internet data, and DSL is only available within the boundaries of the nearest service station. DSL requires a splitter device to partition the two streams of telephone data and Internet transmission data. Splitters may be installed at the DSL service entrance at the building, or as individual devices that are plugged in to phone jacks inside the building. In addition, cable Internet service may require professional installation, whereas DSL is generally easier to configure.

Modem And Connections

Wired or wireless modems are available.

Cable and DSL Internet service require the use of a modem. The modem device receives the cable and the data stream, interprets it and passes it along to your computer. A cable modem receives a coaxial cable connection from the service line; a DSL modem receives a telephone connection from the service line. Both types may use an Ethernet or USB connection to connect to your computer(s) for your Internet service.

Connection Speeds

Cable uses coaxial cable, which transmits data much faster than DSL lines.

Cable is faster than DSL, but not by much. Most cable connections offer maximum download speeds of 2 megabytes per second; high-speed DSL is close behind with speeds of up to 1.5Mbps. Connection speeds for cable and DSL may vary depending on numerous conditions: too many users on the cable service may decrease your available bandwidth and cause lags in speed; a lengthy distance from the DSL service station may decrease connection speed; telephone lines that are old or damaged will cause DSL Internet connection problems.

Security Issues

Cable connections use a static IP address.

Cable Internet service provides a static Internet Protocol (IP) number: the IP number is the Internet connection address that identifies your service across the Internet. DSL service provides a dynamic IP number as the IP address changes changes periodically. Static IP numbers are generally less secure than dynamic numbers, merely because static IPs can be more readily targeted by malware or hackers.

Cost Factor

Look at the total cost to compare services.

Costs vary depending on locality and local market competition among providers. According to Cnet.com, DSL service has traditionally been more expensive than cable, but only by a few dollars. Cable and DSL companies may charge installation and activation fees, and may require you to purchase one of their company modems. A provider may offer discounts for bundled packages. For example, a cable provider may offer you a lower rate if you also subscribe to the cable television service. When considering cost, it's best to take into account all costs, and compare the installation and activation fees, monthly fees and any discount packages that may apply.

References

• Federal Communications Commission: Cable Television in the United States: Trends and Challenges
• Cnet: Cable vs. DSL
• Cnet: Vital Statistics
• What Is My IP Address: Dynamic vs Static IP Addresses
• Progress & Freedom Foundation: Towards Effective U.S. Broadband Policies