posted on December 20, 2001 12:04:20 PM new
I'm wanting to make the leap to a broad, uh, er, broadband connection. Any pros and cons to consider when choosing between DSL and cable modem?
posted on December 20, 2001 12:23:12 PM new
I've been looking into this, too. From what I understand, cable is a shared system, so the more people on it, the more taxed/slower the system can become.
DSL doesn't have that shortcoming, but shop around for the best installation deal possible. Some companies charge $200 for the DSL modem, some throw it in free with free installation and free phone filters, etc.
Don't know where you are, but I (San Francisco Bay Area) have several DSL providers to choose from and so far the best deal (100% free installation, free components) is through Earthlink. DSL service through them is $49.95/month.
posted on December 20, 2001 01:25:38 PM new
Earthlink has a great deal right now with free equipment and possibly three months free. You will need to check to see if the free 3 month period is still being offered.
I just subscribed to Earthlink DSL and it is fantastic...Much faster than my daughter's cable service in the same Washington DC, Maryland area.
posted on December 20, 2001 02:53:20 PM new
I have a cable modem and I am getting ready to switch over to DSL. The cable modem is getting slower and slower. Some evenings after 630 it is just as slow as a regular modem. Also, it went down on Friday morning and wasn't back up until Tuesday. The tech finally showed up today to try and fix it.
posted on December 20, 2001 04:44:18 PM new
I have DSL through my phone company. The cost is 44.95 a month, and the modem was free, as long as I keep their service for one year. They sent five filters with it. I installed it myself, so I saved on the installation charge.
No matter what time of day or night, the connection has never slowed down.
"There can't be a crisis today. My schedule is already full"
posted on December 20, 2001 06:36:53 PM new
I have DSL through Earthlink and love it--have had it almost a year now. The equipment & installation was free, the installer (gasp) actually showed up on time & installed it quickly, it's wonderfully fast, and in the passt year it has only gone down once & then only for a short while.
edited to add, that for the first week I *did* have some connection problems & I was ready to dump it all, but once they were cleared up it was clear sailing and no further problems.
[ edited by bunnicula on Dec 20, 2001 06:38 PM ]
posted on December 20, 2001 06:55:45 PM new
Now, Earthlink is easy to install. I installed mine in less than an hour.
Older computers without an Ethernet network interface card (NIC)will require opening your computer. If you don't know how to open the computer, you can get instructions from the computer maker.
posted on December 21, 2001 08:50:17 AM new
All network systems are "shared". In general cable is cheaper and much higher in speed. Typically 1.5 megabit or higher. Mine is about $40/mo. DSL for the same speed is MUCH higher.
Another typical problem with DSL is that there is usually a DSL "provider" (COVAD, EARTHLINK, etc) and then the phone company. If everything does not go right, you start a litany where these 2 outfits blame each other.
If your phone company is anything like Verizon, they've given the high price techs "packages" and got rid of most of the people that have been there and are up on all of the technologies. So if you have problems with your line, forget it. None of these guys have a clue about DSL. A friend had to cancel service and then re-order it when she started having problems.
posted on December 21, 2001 10:53:49 AM new
You can't get 10meg w. DSL. Typically the highest you get is 786K. Some places very close to the central office can offer 1500.
And at that, what they sell you is a "burst" rate that will vary. I you go to www.dslreports.com you can test the thru-put of your line. There are also "tweaks" in there to DRAMATICALLY boost your speed by setting W98 or 95 up for broadband, which is not the default.
posted on December 21, 2001 11:09:03 AM new
If you're talking about the Windows connect message, it is a meaningles number. Look at your DSL contract or run the tests on dslreports.
If you test around 300-400k, you probably have 768k or 1500k DSL. What is your zipcode and provider?? You can see plans/prices offered on dslreports.com
posted on December 21, 2001 06:44:42 PM new
I have a few friends that have tried a DSL service that they like quite well. I haven't tried it yet, but I hope to be able to soon. They have a pretty good deal going right now. Activatation fee is waived, and no charge for equipment. If you would like to check it out you can email me (I don't think I can put the link to it here) and I would be glad to email you the link. Email-- [email protected]
[ edited by diamondlils on Dec 21, 2001 06:51 PM ]
