DSL Vs. Satellite -- Which Is Faster?
For rural Internet customers, high-speed broadband connections are rarely an option. In the last few years, satellite-based connections have become a popular alternative to dial-up and DSL, because they don't require a physical connection to ISP servers and can be used in much more remote locations. But is satellite Internet faster -- or better -- than DSL? It all depends on your local providers.
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What Is DSL?
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DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line, and it's one of the older Internet connection technologies available. It works by transmitting data over existing land-based phone lines, just like dial-up connections. But because DSL uses a higher frequency of sounds to transfer data, it's faster than dial-up and can be used at the same time as a voice line. Most rural and regional telephone companies offer DSL service in addition to dial-up, though DSL is marginally more expensive in most cases.
What Is Satellite Internet?
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Satellite Internet uses a parabolic dish attached to the outside of a building to communicate with an Internet service provider's satellite in geosynchronous orbit. The dish transmits requests to the satellite and the satellite relays information back to the dish and to the computers connected to it, much in the same way a satellite TV system works. Satellite Internet systems are popular in rural areas where broadband Internet, and sometimes even basic dial-up Internet, isn't available.
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DSL Internet Speeds
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The theoretical data speed of DSL is at least as high as most cable Internet connections in the United States, but most customers won't experience that level of speed. Typical residential DSL connections are between 256 kilobits per second and 3 megabits per second, usually falling somewhere in between. The speed of your connection depends entirely on the bandwidth and resources of your local phone company and you should, therefore, contact their customer service department for precise speed information. If your local service provider is slower than 256 kilobits per second, it might make economic sense to pay for cheaper dial-up service.
Satellite Internet Speeds
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Satellite connections are usually -- but not always -- faster than DSL in rural areas. Depending upon the tier of service you choose, the connection can be between 300 kilobits per second and 1.25 megabits per second. Faster tiers are more expensive. You should carefully weigh your options between a DSL provider and a satellite provider, because your location will determine which service is faster and less expensive.
Satellite Disadvantages
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Satellite Internet is still a relatively young technology and comes with a few limitations. The first drawback is the latency. Because of the extreme distance between the satellite and the dish, there's usually at least a second's delay between an initial data request (such as clicking on a link) and a response. Combined with a slow upload speed, this latency makes data-intensive applications, such as online games or video uploads, almost impossible. Satellite service providers place daily or monthly caps on their service's bandwidth, and if you exceed the data cap, you could be charged a service fee, have your Internet slowed or both.
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References
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