The VoIP Mag

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. So that you can read the latest updates about VoIP Technology, Providers, VoIP Hardware, our Reviews or Price Comparisons for You to save and many more. Thanks for visiting The New VoIP Magazine!

Hopefully our guides to DSL Service and Cable Internet Service have provided you with some basic introductions into broadband internet access technology options, how they work and their advantages and disadvantages. The following provides a comparison summary of some of the main advantages and disadvantages of DSL Service Versus Cable Internet Service.

• Internet Access: DSL service is a dedicated connection, whereas Cable internet service is shared. Therefore, with DSL service their is no concern about reduced internet speed as neighbors or other users in your area get DSL service. With Cable internet, added users or just heavy usage by other users on your shared network segment can possibly slow your internet speed down. The Cable internet provider can typically add further resources to counteract heavy usage or large number of users if this happens and typically this is not really a problem.
• Internet Speed: DSL service internet speed can be reduced as the distance increases between you and the Central Office. Cable internet speed is not affected by distance. Typically, internet speed is higher with Cable internet service than it is with DSL service. Some broadband providers provide tiered services, so you can get higher speeds by paying a higher monthly rate.
• Internet Service Cost: The battle of the broadband costs are continuing, with DSL service (anywhere between $15 and $35) typically slightly cheaper than Cable internet service (around $45). However, DSL service currently requires that you have a local telephone line. Once you add this to the total for DSL service, Cable internet typically pops out in front as being more cost effective, especially if you are considering using VoIP as your telephony solution.
• Internet Availability: Both DSL service and Cable internet access services are not available everywhere. To see if you can get internet service from your desired DSL service or Cable internet provider usually you can navigate to the company website and enter your address or telephone number details. Once you have submitted this the website will return the answer to whether you can get internet service or not. (Some interesting statistics: Latest statistics show that close to 70% of the US population have internet access, with approx 60% of these users having a broadband connection. This is an increase of around 20% in the last year. This suggests that availability of high speed internet access is increasing.)
• Internet Reliability: Both DSL Service and Cable Internet Service have very high reliability, especially when compared with dial-up internet service. Some providers boast a 99% up time for their service. If you have been using dial-up internet service you know about slow connections and sudden disconnections happening in the middle of whatever you are doing. Very Annoying! This is something that you will only rarely experience with high speed internet access such as DSL service and Cable internet service.
• Internet Consumer Target: Traditionally, Cable internet has been targeted toward the residential user, whereas DSL Service is targeted at both residential and business. However, as Cable Internet Service becomes more available, it is being packaged for businesses also.
• VoIP (Broadband Phone): Broadband internet service is the only requirement for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also known as Broadband Phone Service, which is taking the telephony world by storm. VoIP can save the typical phone user an average of $500/year on their phone bill and can be used to replace your traditional phone line or just as your primary line so you can enjoy the abundance of features. VoIP technology uses a broadband internet connection to ‘carry’ your voice call, different to your normal telephone service that uses your dedicated phone line.