[Pro-Bush]

The research firm found that the average cable modem connection was more than 50 percent faster than the average residential DSL connection.

[PFKEY]

Shhh...

Cable is slow and you have to share your bandwidth, plus there is the security issues related to this sharing.

[teletech]

I haven't met a DSL yet my cable couldn't beat!

[LPStar]

I'd like to know if this firm is paid by anyone. This sort of study can be rigged. If you're the only cable customer in the group that shares the connection, it's fabulous. Otherwise, you're going to have lots of performance up and downs. But DSL is more scalable, in my opinion.

[Arthalion]

The biggest advantage to DSL, in my opinion, is that it tends to be far less restricted than cable. I run a web server, DNS server, and email server on my 1100KBS average DSL line, and SBC KNOWS about it. With DSL, the prevailing attitude in the industry seems to be that you're buying bandwidth (much like a T1), and what you do with it is your business. My SBC terms of use explicitly state that I can hook up as many services and computers to my line as I want, as long as I'm not reselling the service.

Cable is a much different story. Most cable providers TOS limit you to one computer (enforcement is a different issue), prohibit servers, and many block incoming connections on the ports you're most likely to use for running your own public systems. Heck, I know a guy who got his Comcast service shut down for the "crime" of running a personal web site on his computer.

You also have greater security concerns on cable. Cable is, essentially, a big local network with an Internet gateway. Although security has improved in many areas, it is still stupidly easy for people on the same network to hack your computer. With DSL, at least you have the security of being on your own private, dedicated virtual circuit.

Cable may be a little faster, but I'll keep my DSL.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

I've had both. Cable is much faster, and more reliable, but that's just me. Plus, I got cable installed under a week when DSL took a month.

Not to mention, you pretty much have to live within 3 miles or so of the CO junction to get it. Folks out in the sticks won't have that luxury.

[lshoultz]

This study seems to ignore the fact that not all cable and DSL networks are equal. My ISP only offers DSL service over a Wide Area Network that necessitates installing a networking card into your computer. The upside is that it is three or four times faster than the cable modems offered by my cable company.

[FreedomPoster]

I just scanned all the posts, and didn't see anyone comment on what I see as the truth of the issue:

1) In places where you can get cable Internet access, and no DSL, cable is much faster than DSL (duh!). Service from the cable company is not unlikely to be poor.

2) Conversely,in places where you can get DSL, and not cable, DSL is much faster than cable (duh! again). Service from the DSL company (likely the ILEC/RBOC) is not unlikely to be poor.

3) In places where you can get both, sometimes the cable is better/faster, and sometimes the DSL is better/faster. It all depends on service provider and locale. Cable has the potential to be substantially faster than DSL, but often isn't due to poor network design. Reliability is more important than speed to many users, and often (not always) the RBOC DSL providers are more reliable, perhaps because of the telco heritage.

"This" is better than "that" because of "x" arguments, in this space, are pointless. It all depends on the local providers and their implementations of the techologies.

http://www.broadbandreports.com/ is a good resource.

[RippleFire]

bump

[dennisw]

Broadband competition "has created intense pricing pressure, so performance metrics such as connection speed are likely to become an increasingly important factor.............

 

A stinking lie. There is no competition in broadband. Only collusion. I have it and it's gonna get dumped as soon as I have some mega download sessions. Priced too high.

[rdb3]

Results

1.2 megabits per second

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Details

Your raw speed was 1181163.01 bits per second which is the same as:

Communications	1.2 megabits per second How communication devices are rated. Kilo means 1,000 and mega means 1,000,000. Examples include 56k modem and 10Mbit Ethernet
Storage	144.2 kilobytes per second The way data is measured on your hard drive and how file sharing and FTP programs measure transfer speeds. Kilo is 1,024 and mega is 1,048,576.
1MB file download	7.1 seconds The time it would take you to download a 1 megabyte file at this speed.

Rating

Compared to all connection types worldwide, yours is fantastic

Comparisons

your speed
T1
56k modem

 Complete stats

See all the speed test statistics

I have ADSL (SWBell).

And today was a good day...

[tje]

I have both, a cable modem at my Houston residence and DSL at my Oregon house. The cable modem is faster. Not that it matters for surfing.

I've had DSL for years. I got it from USWest and the account was managed out of their business services dept. and the service was great. But once they went commercial (and lowered the price), service quaility dropped. They have since sold their residential DSL services to MSN. I would not recommend MSN to anyone.

At both residences I run networks with multiple computers, a no-no according to the DSL contract, but supported by the cable service (RoadRunner).

[tuna_battle_slight_return]

56K outspeeds both cable and DSL. It's one of America's secret truths. That's all you need to know.

[chuckr]

I suggest we check the contracts and their fine print. Cable companies do not guarantee a minimum bandwidth with their Internet access service. So I ask, "what am I paying for?" just their good faith effort which does not include minimum down times also! DSL providers' contracts should be checked also look for guarantted bandwidths and availability.

[Brett66]

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Results

2.9 megabits per second

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Details

Your raw speed was 2927442.41 bits per second which is the same as:

Communications	2.9 megabits per second How communication devices are rated. Kilo means 1,000 and mega means 1,000,000. Examples include 56k modem and 10Mbit Ethernet
Storage	357.4 kilobytes per second The way data is measured on your hard drive and how file sharing and FTP programs measure transfer speeds. Kilo is 1,024 and mega is 1,048,576.
1MB file download	2.9 seconds The time it would take you to download a 1 megabyte file at this speed.

Rating

Compared to all connection types worldwide, yours is fantastic

Comparisons

your speed
T1
56k modem

 Complete stats

See all the speed test statistics

Info

test type	Downstream Test v3 (605 KB idt type)
test was run

[Psycho_Bunny]

If you need throughput; get cable - if latency is important; get DSL.

[tm22721]

I'm on satellite at 1 Mbps download speed but I would take either cable or DSL in a heartbeat.

BUMP

[SeeRushToldU_So]

I have a 4 computer network on a cable router. I range between 1550k-1900k per machine.

Not bad in my book.

[G Larry]

Bad data!!

I've got Qwest DSL and have tested it at 640kbps, in the Denver suburbs.

[farmfriend]

I love mine.

[Vinnie]

Communications
2.8 megabits per second

Storage
347.7 kilobytes per second

1MB file download
2.9 seconds

Time-Warner Cable