Download DSL Versus Cable Internet

DSL Versus Cable
Internet
What’s the big deal?
Kim Shuffield
ETEC 562
What are we talking about?

In order to better understand the
difference between DSL & broadband
cable internet. We first must
determine what these things are in
the first place.
DSL

DSL stands for digital subscriber line,
this is a line that turns your phone
line into a high-speed digital link to
Internet access.
DSL Myths & Realities
Myth
Reality
DSL is easy to set up
because you're using an
existing phone line, and
you don't need to install
any special new
equipment to use it.
It's not so easy to set up
DSL. True, you don't need
a special digital line, and if
you have the know-how,
you may be able to
connect your PC to the
service yourself. But most
people will need a
technician to fiddle with
the necessary wiring and
installation of the DSL
modem.
DSL
Reality
Myth
Once you're
connected, you have
an Internet
connection that's as
fast as a T1 line--at
least 1.5 megabits
per second.
Except for a lucky few
customers, DSL isn't as fast as
some companies imply. Crosstalk
generated by other nearby
electronic devices can affect DSL
performance. More importantly,
your distance the special
switching facility directly affects
your DSL connection. The further
you are from the switching
facility, the slower your
connection. And, of course, no
matter how fast your connection,
you're subject to traffic jams
once you get on the Web.
DSL
Reality
Myth
Anyone with a
phone line can get
DSL cheaply .
Cost is another harsh DSL
reality. You typically have to
pay $100 or more for
installation, from $40 & up
per month for access, $100
to $200 for the DSL modem
and network card, plus
possible service charges if a
technician has to come to
your premises when your
connection goes down or
your DSL hardware stops
functioning.
DSL
Reality
Because DSL keeps your
computer constantly
Myth
DSL is as safe and as connected to the Internet, you
secure as traditional may end up with a unchanging
IP address .Traditional dial-up
dial-up modem
services randomly assign you
connections.
a new IP address every time
you log on, so no one can find
you at the same place twice.
With an always-on Internet
connection like DSL, your
computer is vulnerable to
hackers .
Broadband Cable

Like DSL, cable technology provides
a high-bandwidth, always-on
connection to the Internet (often
over the same line as your cable TV
service).
Cable Myths & Realities
Myth
A cable connection is
easy to set up and
available everywhere you
find cable TV.
Reality
In order for you to get cable,
your access provider must
physically attach a coaxial cable
and a cable modem to your
computer, which may mean
adding a network card if you
don't already have one. This
installation process is often both
time-consuming and costly
All areas of the country do not
have access to cable Internet
connections. If your local cable
company doesn't offer Internet
access, you're out of luck.
Cable
Reality
Myth
With a cable modem,
you get connection
speeds as fast as 27
mbps
You'll probably never get data
transfer rates even close to
cable's theoretical 27 mbps.
One big factor is that you share
that cable line with other local
customers. If you're the only
person in your neighborhood
online via cable, you may well
get that 2 mbps. But as each
person logs on, your access
speed is divvied up. If one of
your cosurfers starts
downloading mammoth files,
your performance will slow
down even further.
Cable
Reality
Myth
Cable Internet access is
as cheap as cable TV.
It's true that cable internet
access is relatively cheap-as little as $39 per month.
But beware of not-sohidden installation costs,
including a setup fee of
around $75 and $30 to $50
for a network interface
card. Sometimes the use of
a cable modem is included
in the monthly fee, but not
always. This little piece of
hardware can cost $200 to
$300.
Cable
Reality
Myth
A cable connection is as
safe from hackers as a
traditional dial-up
modem connection.
Like DSL, cable is an
always-on connection with
a static IP address, which
means you're similarly
vulnerable to hackers. That
means you should disable
Windows' file- and printsharing features, turn off
your computer when
you're not surfing, and
install some antivirus
software.
So Let’s Look at a Comparison of what DSL & Cable
Internet By Cost
Source: NorthPoint Communications.
Cable and DSL Cost
Installation Fee
$100 to $200
$40 to $80 for
home users
$80 to $320 for
business users
$75 to $200
$39.95 to $49.95
DSL
Cable
Modem
Monthly Rates
Now let’s look at overall pros and cons….
DSL and Cable Pros and Cons
DSL
Cable Modem
Pros
Cons
Pros
Always on.
Far faster than 56kbps dial-up
modem.
Better security
than cable.
Setup can be
difficult.
Performance
depends on
location.
For business
users, higher
speeds get pricey.
More widespread
than DSL.
Potentially faster
than DSL.
Price break if you
get cable TV
service, too.
Cons
Less secure than
DSL.
Line shared with
others in
neighborhood;
speeds vary
accordingly.
In the end it is your decision

DSL & Cable both have their ups and
downs and in the end it is your
decision which connection is best for
you.