If you're like most people, you've heard hundreds of ads promoting both DSL and cable Internet services without ever really knowing the difference between the two. Which is better? Which is faster? Is there really any difference?
There are significant differences between the two types of service. Choosing the correct service for your home depends on where you live and how you plan to use your internet connection. Understanding how both services work and the pros and cons of each is the first step towards making the right decision for your home.
What is DSL?
Digital Subscriber Lines use the copper phone lines in your home to transmit broadband Internet information. The phone line has a huge capacity, and only a small amount of this is needed to transmit phone conversations. The DSL line provides a direct physical connection to the service hub, which makes the transmission secure and consistent.
How does a cable modem work?
The cable TV line found in most homes has a practically limitless capacity to transmit information. Along with hundreds of channels, most cable companies take advantage of this capacity by broadcasting Internet data as well. The cable modem separates the data out of that stream and sends it into your computer. The speed of most cable connections is unmatched by DSL, and package deals combining TV and Internet service often make it the most affordable type of broadband connection available.
Which one is really faster?
When it comes to Internet service, fast is relative. For overall speed, cable Internet boasts transmission rates over ten times that of DSL connections. However, cable Internet connections are by definition shared connections. This means the data going to your computer is fighting its way through all of the TV transmissions and Internet downloads of all the cable customers around you. Access will be much slower in the afternoons and evenings, when people get home from work or school and watch TV and check e-mail, and faster late at night when more people are asleep.
DSL Internet transmissions are usually substantially slower than cable transmissions. Because the connection goes directly to the phone company, the distance between your home and the provider's hub will be a significant factor in determining the DSL speed available to you. The advantage of DSL is its consistency. Once the connection is established, the speed will not vary significantly because it is a dedicated connection available only to users in your household. This also increases security since your activity is never mixed in with that of other users.
Making the choice
So which is more important -- highest speed, or most consistent speed? The answer depends on how you plan to use your Internet connection. For general Internet usage, the speed of a cable connection will usually win. Cable connections are also easier to use with home networks involving computers in several different rooms of the house, so large families may find cable more practical.
For more advanced Internet usage, a consistent connection may be more important. High-tech hobbies like online gaming and advanced business applications such as video conferencing and VoIP telephone services rely on an even data flow to provide seamless communications. Attempting to use these programs on a cable modem during peak hours can be extremely frustrating and may result in gaps in service.
A final piece of technology to consider is the computer itself. Unless you are using the newest computer with the latest operating system, you might not be able to take advantage of a faster connection. Tuning up your computer or using commercial software to speed up performance might be the first step in getting the most out of your Internet connection, regardless of what system you decide to use.