Posted by MaryP/PA on 3/2/06 12:25pm
Msg #101394

cable vs. DSL

I currently have a cable modem but am thinking about switching to DSL which will cost me less in the long run. Are they pretty much the same? I can get the DSL bundled with my business line and save about $30 a month which averages out to about $360 a year.

Reply by LarryTN on 3/2/06 12:37pm
Msg #101395

I currently have DSL (Bellsouth) and it's good, cheaper than cable, but lately I have been thinking about going with cable because it is faster than DSL. I have DSL Lite (vs DSL Deluxe) so that may be why my service is slower than cable.

Reply by MaryP/PA on 3/2/06 12:42pm
Msg #101396

Larry is it a really big difference in speed to switch to cable? It's gotta be better than dialup.

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 3/2/06 1:01pm
Msg #101399

I use DSL (wireless in fact).

I think it is a heck of alot faster then dialup. I remember using dialup back in the day (back in the day coming from a 22 year old ) and it was slow.

I use verizon DSL at home, and my office uses Comcast. They are both wonderful. But if I had to choose between Verizon or Comcast, I would definitely choose Verizon.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/2/06 1:11pm
Msg #101402

MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference in

service you sign up for and there is a difference between the services in download speed and upload speed. DSL usually downloads much faster than it uploads. Our resident POTS expert, Expedient Notary in TX could elaborate much better but I do like my DSL. If you sign up now AT&T hs a special (at least in our area) of $12.95 a month for the service.

Reply by eXpedN_TX on 3/2/06 1:36pm
Msg #101405

Re: MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference in

Let's see if I can help. Personally, I use DSL - SBC/Yahoo. They are only second to Earthlink when it comes to overall ratings, but I like SBC best because it is cheaper. The only reason why they are second to Earthlink is because of their Technical Support, which I find to be fine, but I also really haven't needed them much. Verizon and BellSouth are also very good.

As for Cable, Earthlink came in first, then Cox, Road Runner, Optimum Onlinem and Insight. Comcast rated 7th according to Consumer Reports.

That being said.....

If high speed is your priority and it is offered in your area, cable broadband service is the way to go. It is faster than DSL. The main difference is noted when you try to dowload huge files and also if you run several computers/printers on the network at once. (Using a router/HUB). Just remember, it will also cost you more for this, but sometime companies offer better deals with bundling...like using their cable-TV service and such.

The worst broadband option, according to consumer reports, is DirecWay which uses satellite transmission. If you need to use a dial-up service, Juno is very good.

The other thing you want to look in to is what type of security options they offer. Do they offer features like antispam, antivirus, pop-up blocking, etc? Sometime these options may also affect your current Internet Security software...ie Norton, McAfee, etc. So be carfeul and make make back-ups beofre you start installing their software.

Some ISP's also allow you to keep your current email address. Just something to keep in mind.

Hope this helps. - Melissa

Reply by Ellen Grosser on 3/2/06 1:47pm
Msg #101407

Re: MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference in

That was good info, I currently have comcast , but got a flier on AOL hi speed with verizon online DSL, it is true broadband powered by a DSL connection, Does anyone have any experience with this new set up? I need fast for downloading edocs. I'm in PA, this offer is 25.90/mo

Reply by MaryP/PA on 3/2/06 1:57pm
Msg #101412

Re: MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference

Eileen - I'm in NE PA, where are you?

Reply by Ellen Grosser on 3/2/06 2:09pm
Msg #101420

Re: MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference

I'M IN SW PA

Reply by eXpedN_TX on 3/2/06 2:14pm
Msg #101422

Re: MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference in

Never hurts to try and out and see. You may want to be sure that the price you are given (29.50) isn't just a intro. charge. A lot of ISP's up their rates after 6 months to a year....make sure and read the "fine print" before you do the switch.

Reply by MaryP/PA on 3/2/06 1:50pm
Msg #101409

Re: MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference

wow very helpful. Currently there aren't too many choices in my area. We are sort of behind the times. I'm going to talk to the phone company and see what they have and ask a few questions. I was going to try Verizon but they are not available in my area right. We only just got digital cable last year.

Reply by eXpedN_TX on 3/2/06 2:18pm
Msg #101423

Re: MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference

Very good! Also, like I stated in a message before, ask them the price and how long that price is good. ISP's have a knack for upping the monthly fee after a few months...the offer seems so good that we forget to view the fine print. As a quick summary:

********************************************************************
CABLE BROADBAND SERVICE

Typical cost $40 to $50 a month.

Modem: Free or an extra $3/month.

Advantages For the higher-rated cable services, speed and reliability. Easy to try out. Usually requires no service commitment, and can cancel at any time.

Disadvantages High fees, especially if you don't also get cable-TV.

Best if you also want cable-TV service (bundled discounts usually apply).

********************************************************************
DSL BROADBAND SERVICE

Typical cost $30 to $45 a month. Modem: Free or $40 and up to buy.

Advantages In some areas, it's the least-expensive broadband service.

Disadvantages Often demands a 12-month commitment and subscription to landline phone service.

Best if you also want landline telephone service from the provider (bundled discounts usually apply).

********************************************************************
DIAL-UP SERVICE

Typical cost $10 to $25 a month. Usually, no other equipment is needed.

Advantages Low cost. Easy to take your e-mail address with you if you move.

Disadvantages Slower than cable or DSL in establishing a connection and in download speed. Ties up a phone line. Difficult to share service among computers.

Best if you mostly use the Web for e-mail and occasional surfing--and are patient.

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 3/2/06 2:32pm
Msg #101427

P.S.

All the equipment needed was free and included a CD for installation. The freebie was if you sign on for a year. If you back out early, you pay for the modem, wires, etc. Also I got the first month free and if you cancel in the first month, there is no charge of anykind. Such a deal !!

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 3/2/06 2:28pm
Msg #101425

Re: MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference

Mary: Perhaps this will help. I have been using Verizon DSL for about a year now and I researched it as best I could before making my decision. They tell me: Cable is O.K....my brother has it...One weekend when I was visiting, he was downloading a jpeg file that seemed to take forever. I told him my dial up was just as fast. Come to find that cable is a shared line...that is to say the more people on line, the longer the download time. You don't get your own 'line' so to speak, but everyone shares the same connection...just like cable TV.
With DSL your phone line is split and half serves your computer and half serves your phone or any other device you have connected. When I had dial up, my computer and my fax shared the same line....if I was expecting a fax, I had to sign off the internet to free up the line. Now with DSL I can be on the internet and receive a fax at the same time, or I can make an outgoing phone call while online. I have the slowest connection available (768 bps) and I pay $14.95/mo...it is fast enough for me. I have the option of upgrading and paying $29.95/mo but I have never seen the need. So, in short...Cable is a shared line and DSL is an extention of your private phone line. Hope this explains it better....also check out msg #84899.

Reply by MaryP/PA on 3/2/06 2:36pm
Msg #101428

Re: MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference

You know that makes a lot of sense. I have had plenty of times where my speed on the cable modem has been horrid. I didn't think about that. I checked out Verizon but it's not available in my area yet. I have Commonwealth Telephone and they offer it in a bundle with my business line.

Reply by Sandy_MD on 3/2/06 2:38pm
Msg #101431

Re: MaryP/PA Check the products in DSL there is a difference

I also have has both cable and DSL. I think that the DSL is just a s fast for what we do. I have just included a wirless broadband DSL for my laptop and find that it work just as well as the wired DSL in my house except that I could use it just about any where that I get Cell Phone service.

Reply by MonicaFL on 3/2/06 4:04pm
Msg #101446

I had cable - very, vey expensive. went with Sprint at about 1/3 of the cost and the speed I have noticed is no faster or slower than cable. It all works well and downloads in the blink (well maybe two blinks) of an eye. JMPO