DSL has advantages in high-speed Internet service

By Shanen Hate

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The number one consideration when selecting Internet service is availability. If you're still not convinced you need high-speed service, read, "Why bother with high-speed Internet?" Once you're convinced, and assuming all forms of high speed Internet service are available – DSL, cable and satellite -- why should you choose DSL over the competition? First, DSL and cable are always preferable to satellite service. The only reason to use satellite is if neither DSL nor cable are available. That said, you might choose DSL over cable because of cost, speed and service. Check out our FAQ: Choosing between DSL and cable for High-Speed Internet service.

DSL prices start at $12.95 currently and go up from there. The specific incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) in your area will dictate the price to a degree, because in the end, the physical line and infrastructure is theirs.  Depending upon agreements between them and other Internet Service Providers (ISPs), you may have a choice.  Otherwise, you'll be cornered into using one of the “big guys” such as Verizon, Embarq, SBC, etc.  In any event, you can get very good, dependable speed from DSL at a price considerably lower than cable in many areas.

If your driving force to make the move from dial-up is speed, then your decision will be a little more difficult and will result in the need to do some research.  First, how much speed do you really need?  Before you say "the faster, the better," please reconsider.  If the primary usage will be for e-mail and recreational browsing, you do not need anything above a 512-768 kbps downstream connection to experience great comfort.  At those speed levels, DSL is still the solution. Cable service pricing will typically start at $40 per month with a minimum downstream speed around 4 – 6 Mbps.  Yes, it's much faster, but did you need that speed and the bill that goes with it?  The fact is, unless you're the individual that does a lot of heavy downloading of large files (software or music/media), the extra speed from cable isn't going to benefit you.

Notice that providers will stress downstream speeds.  Upstream speeds aren't typically considered to be as important by providers. However, if you use voice over IP (VOIP) phone service, the upstream side becomes more important.  Additionally, if you use a virtual private network (VPN) you'll find that the overhead on that protocol will typically require some more upstream speed.  What's the bottom line?  If you are using either or both of those services on your connection, a minimum of a 384 kbps upstream should be considered.  Depending upon your provider, that will definitely push the price of the DSL upward, but you'll get a faster downstream. (If you want to find out what downstream and upstream speeds you are currently running at, you can check your Internet connection at Digital Landing).

The only time I'd recommend running VoIP over a DSL connection is if you're able to get the DSL service without having to maintain a dial tone on the line, or if this is a business location in which you stand to save a lot of money by using VOIP services over what the telephone company will offer you for voice services.  That is possible in some areas.  The naked or dry line DSL areas are limited, mainly because the phone companies like making sure that they will be paid for a physical line to your location. 

Security used to be a compelling reason to go with DSL over cable at one time, but that argument has faded away.  When cable Internet first came onto the scene, the users on a node were often able to see each other from their individual computers. Today, cable has matured and this problem has disappeared in most, if not all, areas.

Stable speed was also a reason to choose DSL over cable at one time.  That too, is not as prevalent as it once was.  Basically, the argument was that a DSL user has a "dedicated" connection to their own port at the telco side. Therefore, that was expected to be faster than cable, because users shared the bandwidth on their node.  Due to current technologies and the ability to “shape traffic” to some extent cable users will rarely, if ever, be impacted by other cable users on their shared node.  It would require numerous users on a single node to be pulling their maximum bandwidth in order for others to notice a slowdown on cable.  With DSL, slowdowns are even more rare, as normally there is a "pipe" that will carry traffic for several thousand DSL users. Only if that pipe becomes overburdened would users notice slowdowns.

For some customers, support is most important factor. Consider prior experience with either the phone or cable (perhaps both) company in your area. In the end, that may weigh heavily on your decision. In some cases, you can completely avoid both the local phone and cable companies in order to use a local provider for DSL.  It's true that that local provider will have to interact with the ILEC for provisioning, but beyond that and some occasional support, all of your interaction will be with the local ISP.  It could mean the difference of having very good vs. extremely poor service.

In conclusion, DSL is your "bargain broadband" service.  You can get yourself substantially faster-than-dial-up speeds for prices that are comparable. Take a look at our video tutorial on DSL and cable devices for even more information. As long as it's available and extreme needs are not necessary, DSL is your best bet.