• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Cable vs. DSL

MotionMan

Lifer
I honestly have never paid attention to my ISP speeds because I had resigned myself to paying as little as possible for my connection (e-mail and light surfing only). However, now that I have three active computers, 4 iDevices AND an AppleTVII, it is time to get up to speed.

I called AT&T, my DSL provider, and found that my $20/mo got me 758kb. For $30/mo I can get 1.5mb. Those are the only options in my area.

Then I called Time-Warner, my cable co. For $30/mo I can get 10mb ($40/mo=15mb, $50/mo=20mb).

Can this be right?!? What am I missing? Why would anyone get DSL (other than being lazy/stupid like me)?

MotionMan
 
DSL was dead technology the day it came into existence. You should be ashamed to be on a tech forum and then ask these questions.
 
Cable is the fatest thing out there, but if you live in a monopoly like here in Canada where the only 2 cable internet providers cap your downloads to 90 GB a month it's better to go with DSL, it gives 2.5mbds/down and no download caps.
 
That's probably an introductory rate for the cable package. Although if you don't mind calling up a CS rep every six months or so and threatening to switch to a competing provider, you can often get them to continue extending these rates.

But anyway, the reason people get DSL is because they don't need the higher speed and just want cheap internet service. In some areas DSL is as cheap as $10-15/mo for the 768kbps package. And that's the actual rate, not some introductory rate that goes up $10/mo or whatever after half a year. If you're not a power user, something like this is very affordable and more than adequate.
 
We had Pacbell/SBC/AT&T DSL for over 10 years. The available speeds kept increasing slowly over the years, and when we dumped Uverse a couple of months ago, we had the 15 Mb service and usually got in the 12-14Kbs range.
It was pretty good...not great, but good.

Now, we have Comcast Xfinity, and we have their 16 Mb service...and usually get in the mid 20's.
We really didn't WANT Comcrap...but the Alchemy price was too good to pass up.
 
DSL blows if you can get faster cable.

where i live i can either get 1Mb cable for $45/mo, or 3Mb verizon dsl for like $40/mo.

so yea i use DSL. my apartment is just wired to a shitty old ass cable company so that is the fastest I can get, and DSL is my only other option right now. was thinking about that Clear thing, but it still hasn't hit my region yet.

EDIT:

oh shit ... Clear has now expanded to where I live. anyone have any experience with it?
 
That's probably an introductory rate for the cable package. Although if you don't mind calling up a CS rep every six months or so and threatening to switch to a competing provider, you can often get them to continue extending these rates.

But anyway, the reason people get DSL is because they don't need the higher speed and just want cheap internet service. In some areas DSL is as cheap as $10-15/mo for the 768kbps package. And that's the actual rate, not some introductory rate that goes up $10/mo or whatever after half a year. If you're not a power user, something like this is very affordable and more than adequate.

Just a few days ago my internet went up again. I sent them an email saying I am tired of them raising my rates and getting nothing for it. They gave me a one year deal at $29.99. The raise made my price $50.99. So I guess in a year I will contact them again. :biggrin:
 
DSL blows if you can get faster cable.

where i live i can either get 1Mb cable for $45/mo, or 3Mb verizon dsl for like $40/mo.

so yea i use DSL. my apartment is just wired to a shitty old ass cable company so that is the fastest I can get, and DSL is my only other option right now. was thinking about that Clear thing, but it still hasn't hit my region yet.

EDIT:

oh shit ... Clear has now expanded to where I live. anyone have any experience with it?
My experience with wireless service in general is that it is extremely variable. Could work great for the guy down the street but be terrible for you, there are just so many factors that can affect signal quality. Best advice I think with wireless services is to make sure you can try it in your home risk free before committing. If they won't let you do this, I wouldn't bother.
 
My experience with wireless service in general is that it is extremely variable. Could work great for the guy down the street but be terrible for you, there are just so many factors that can affect signal quality. Best advice I think with wireless services is to make sure you can try it in your home risk free before committing. If they won't let you do this, I wouldn't bother.

yea I do a lot of online gaming on xbox360 as well, and I'm wondering if the wireless infrastructure will jack up my latency even more than it is now (i run wireless to my 360 but it is wireless to a hardwired router).

i also can't find a definitive answer on the actual speeds you get with Clear as far as DL speeds go.
 
Are you sure you're not confusing B and b?
My current DSL line through AT&T is faster than what I could get with TW Cable.

Time Warner offers their services in Mb/sec: "Includes your choice of Road Runner Turbo High Speed Online (up to 15 Mbps)"
Current Dload speed I'm getting on UVerse: Download speed: 1.38 MB/s
 
Are you sure you're not confusing B and b?
My current DSL line through AT&T is faster than what I could get with TW Cable.

Time Warner offers their services in Mb/sec: "Includes your choice of Road Runner Turbo High Speed Online (up to 15 Mbps)"
Current Dload speed I'm getting on UVerse: Download speed: 1.38 MB/s

im positive ... max i can download things at is like 340Kb/sec on the dot.
 
Are you sure you're not confusing B and b?
My current DSL line through AT&T is faster than what I could get with TW Cable.

Time Warner offers their services in Mb/sec: "Includes your choice of Road Runner Turbo High Speed Online (up to 15 Mbps)"
Current Dload speed I'm getting on UVerse: Download speed: 1.38 MB/s


Are you sure YOU are not confusing MB and Mb?

1.38 MB/sec = 11.6 Mbps.

So TW Cable is faster than your UVerse.
 
Back
Top