Table of contents
- What is DSL internet?
- What is cable internet?
- Pros and cons of DSL internet
- Pros and cons of cable internet
- Final word
Different types of usages require different internet types. For example, if you want to download heavy games or game patches very frequently, you will need a lot of internet data and good internet speed as well. Similarly, binge watching or sharing heavy files also have different requirements. Not only this, but the number of devices connected to the internet is also a huge factor in determining the best internet type, speed tier, and provider for you.
There is still a lot of unresolved debate about whether DSL internet is better or cable internet. There is no one definite answer, but there are many considerations and factors you can look through to decide which connection type is best for you.
Here is a quick guide on how the two are different from one another and who they are suitable for.
The major difference between the two lies in the connection type and the kind of infrastructure each uses for delivering internet signals to users. There are also key differences in their pricings and internet speed tiers.
What Is DSL Internet?
DSL stands for Direct Subscriber Line. This kind of internet connection utilizes standard telephone copper cables networks for delivering internet signals. Most of our houses are already equipped with landline telephones, although the need for these is becoming slowly unnecessary. These landlines are commonly available all across the country, allowing DSL internet connections to have a wider coverage. There are a bunch of DSL internet providers in the countries, including CenturyLink and Frontier, as well as Rise Broadband Internet. Rise Broadband reviews tell us that it has a wide coverage in over 16 states, thanks to DSL connections.
When it comes to speeds, DSL internet can average up t0 200 mbps, with minimum of over 3-4 mbps. These speeds are ideal for casual web browsing, emailing, casual streaming and light load games. However, many people still argue that instead of DSL, cable and fiber optic are better for gaming.
Ideally, DSL is suitable for those who have to play single-player games, and is not entirely useless for high res games. Moreover, for family homes with 2-3 users, DSL is sufficient.
DSL pricing is directly proportionate to the speed tier. The more your plan’s speed is, the higher the cost will be. It is, however, cheaper than cable. Although, cable remains the cheapest internet connection type because it provides faster speeds at cheaper prices than more advanced options like fiber.
What Is Cable Internet?
Just like DSL relies on telephone lines, cable internet relies on television cables to transmit internet signals. While both are wired connections using basic cables, the two surely have a different type of transmission medium. Cable internet is extremely popular amongst office workers, gamers, binge watchers etc. This kind of internet connection works through cable modems and coaxial cables. The issue with cable internet is that since it is piggybacking on TV cables, its bandwidth is used up and shared by all users in your area. This is a reason why cable inert might have restrictive bandwidth, while DSL is a dedicated line and does not face this issue.
You can find some of the best cable internet providers at buytvinternetphone, including AT&T, Frontier and Mediacom. CenturyLink also offers cable internet alongside DSL.
While DSL speeds start from 3 mbps up to 200, cable internet can take a start from 20 mbps up to almost 1 gig of generous internet speed. Of course, these speeds are just theoretical, but providers like AT&T and Verizon do offer speeds that are extremely close to the theoretical ones.
As speed increases, so does price. However, cable internet’s starting price (almost $30 to $40) is the same as DSL’s. While you get 25 mbps with cable, you get only 3 mbps with DSL at the same price. With just a small increase in the price, cable internet can get you higher speeds and accommodate heavy usage like media sharing and binge watching.
Pros And Cons Of DSL Internet
Pros
- Lots of ISPs are offering good DSL plans
- Wider availability due to landline telephones usage in every home
- Bandwidth is not shared with neighbors
- Ideal for basic internet usage
Cons
- Not enough speeds for some higher level usage
- Not recommended for multi-player games
- Not recommended for 4K streaming
- Slowly becoming outdated with emerging technology like fiber optic and 5G
Pros And Cons Of Cable Internet
- More cost efficient as more mbps in the same price as low DSL speed
- Won’t require a landline phone
- Guaranteed low latency, ideal for streaming and gaming
Cons
- Not for big family households due to bandwidth limits
- Does not match fiber optic internet speeds
- Speed issues during peak hours due to shared connection lines
Final Word
All in all, it is safe to say that both types of internet connections have their own set of pros and cons to offer. However, the final decision about which connection is better than the other will depend on your usage, number of devices connected to the internet, area availability and budget.
