Broadband vs. Cable Modem

Cable and broadband signals provide high-speed Internet signals.

When looking for the best Internet connection for your home you might be familiar with a broadband or ADSL connection. The option of a cable modem also exists for most home users and the advantages make this a good alternative.

History

Dial-up connections are no longer the only option for home users--choices such as ADSL and cable are also available to most people. Broadband has been made widely available for the home Internet users since early 2000 and has improved significantly over the years. You can also get a cable modem which will provide you with an even faster data connection. These are two of the more popular choices for home use.

Technology

DSL is often referred to as the Last Mile Technology since it is only used between the home and the telephone switching station. It utilizes a two-wire copper line and will provide an "always on" Internet connection as it does not interfere with your voice calls. ADSL is the most commonly used DSL connection and supports data rates up to 9 Mbps for receiving and 640 Kbps for sending. Cable connections enable you to operate over your cable TV lines and provide speeds up to twice as fast as DSL. The coaxial cable used for cable TV provides much more bandwidth than a standard telephone line.

Comparison

There is a considerable difference in the speed between cable and broadband, with cable connections offering twice the speed of normal DSL connections. Security standards are almost identical so there is no distinct benefit in either one. In the US, cable connections are more popular but broadband is more popular in the rest of the world.

Costs

Cable connections are slightly cheaper than broadband. Both will have a one time setup fee, which this will vary greatly between providers--the same goes for the monthly subscription. In general, the setup fee for cable will be between $50 and $100 and about $150 for broadband, with monthly fees of about $40 for cable and $50 to $60 for broadband, as of 2010.

Benefits

For home users both of these connections will be a good choice to connect to the Internet. If you are looking to save money, you might go for the broadband connection but if you want faster speeds a cable modem will be your best option, since it utilizes your cable TV connection. Some providers will offer a discount on your cable connection. Some broadband installations will again be free of charge as a special offer for new customers. In the end it boils down to personal preference--with a choice between a cable modem and broadband you cannot go wrong.

References

• "Compliance Engineering Magazine": Designing DSL Equipment That Meets Industry Standards and Regulations
• Tech Trax: Using the Internet