DSL vs Cable interenet

[daves87rs]

Dave's dsl thread got me thinking about my own internet options. Currently, I've got comcast, but their prices are getting nuts! Right now, dsl does look like the much cheaper option, by almost nearly half the price!

If I dropped down to dsl, would I notice a big change? I'm mostly a surfer anyways, and watching TV like Hulu is about hard core as our computer usage gets.

I'm considering AT&T's service, which would be their 6.0 Mbps service. Though I am getting almost 30 mbps right now.

Now that I think about it, could that be too slow?

Either way, chime in those opinions....

 

[AandPDan]

I'm running 6.0 Mbps DSL with Verizon. No issues. I can watch streaming videos fine, Hulu is no problem. Amazon on Demand no problems either. I think they say you need at least a 3.0 mbps connection.

Even downloading files while watching, on one computer or two doesn't make much of a difference.

 

[azjake]

If you're getting close to 30 mbps now, you're not going to be happy with 6. I have Cox cable and internet and like Comcast their prices keep going up. I try to justify it by reminding myself that both the internet and Cable TV are a major form of entertainment for both my wife and I.

Going out to a movie you can easily drop $25 with snacks. I enjoy websites like BITOG and other sites like it. So I guess the price I pay for this entertainment is my cable and internet bill.

 

[97tbird]

remember thet 6 MPBS is the advertised max.
In real life, in evenings, it might be more like 3-4

 

[simple_gifts]

I can watch 360p Hulu with 1.5Mb; 30Mbs? Does that make the videos play faster? lol.

Telcos make some serious $$ convincing people they need bandwidth they might seldom use.

 

[thelazyhero]

You're most definitely going to notice a difference going from 30Mbps peak to 6Mbps peak... Depending on how much the difference would be, I'd just stick with cable.

 

[david_ES2]

Atleast you can get 6 mbps, im stuck at being offered 3mbps because of the distance to central office, which is barely good enough to watch netflix without it pausing to buffer. I do appreciate the low ping times though

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
I'm mostly a surfer anyways, and watching TV like Hulu is about hard core as our computer usage gets.

With this kind of usage, my wife and I got by with 3 Mbps DSL from Verizon. I think you'll be happy with 6.

 

[08_SHELBY]

We just upgraded to 6.0 DSL for 24.99 a month for a year then its 43 I think. we watch hi def netflix while the kids are on their kindle fires and computers at the same time. No problems so far. Can't beat the price.It gets the job done just fine for us.

 

[Garak]

I suppose it depends upon where one is and what the competition is like. I have cable internet (but not cable TV). The cable company is a local, non-profit organization. They've got great customer service and reasonable pricing. They had the highest speeds until recently.

The DSL is offered by the phone monopoly. Their speeds, traditionally, were decent. Recently, they started offering a speed that's higher than the local cable company. However, they want a bit more money for it. As it stands, I'm happy with my provider and have no plans to change.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I have 3.0 from ATT DSL abnd there's been times X-Box, Netflix and my online computer have all been going at the same time.

6 will be plenty for you. It just won't be quite as fast.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
remember thet 6 MPBS is the advertised max.
In real life, in evenings, it might be more like 3-4


DSL, at least up here, isn't usually susceptible to the congestion issues that once plagued cable.

 

[Volvohead]

Almost all the neighbors here have jumped to FIOS, but we're staying with Comcast for now. Our internet speeds have shot up as the neighbors have left, and we don't have any plans to switch with the FIOS install episodes and Verizon's CS. Other than a claimed faster FIOS UL speed, we're just as fast as FIOS at the same price point. Comcast's equipment at the drop is a lot less intrusive than a FIOS install.

Although a few weeks ago, the couple of us left on CC suffered a sudden drop in signal quality across the board, including for TV. Turns out the FIOS crews nicked the CC trunk when they moved in several years ago. Seems it's not enough to mess up their own customers. Comcast had two vans out in 24 hours, and had the line repaired in under two hours.

Periodically, we'll let Comcast know that FIOS keeps banging on our door (which they do every few months), and Comcast will upgrade something for free or offer some other incentive to stay competitive.

Anyone used to 30-50Mbps service is not going to be happy with DSL.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Volvohead
Almost all the neighbors here have jumped to FIOS, but we're staying with Comcast for now. Our internet speeds have shot up as the neighbors have left, and we don't have any plans to switch with the FIOS install episodes and Verizon's CS. Other than a claimed faster FIOS UL speed, we're just as fast as FIOS at the same price point. Comcast's equipment at the drop is a lot less intrusive than a FIOS install.

Although a few weeks ago, the couple of us left on CC suffered a sudden drop in signal quality across the board, including for TV. Turns out the FIOS crews nicked the CC trunk when they moved in several years ago. Seems it's not enough to mess up their own customers. Comcast had two vans out in 24 hours, and had the line repaired in under two hours.

Periodically, we'll let Comcast know that FIOS keeps banging on our door (which they do every few months), and Comcast will upgrade something for free or offer some other incentive to stay competitive.

Anyone used to 30-50Mbps service is not going to be happy with DSL.


Depends on the DSL

VDSL2 is pretty good. I have 24/4 and we have 58/58 at one of our sites.