DSL vs. High-Speed Internet

Cable broadband service runs over standard coaxial cables, the same cable and outlet you use for your television cable. DSL service, on the other hand, is delivered through copper telephone wires. DSL can also run on fiber optic cable, but most existing housing is not wired with fiber optics. While any home with a connection to the cable company can get broadband service, not all homes or businesses with telephone lines can get DSL because line quality is too poor if the home or business is too far from the nearest hub.

The upload speed of any Internet provider refers to how much bandwidth is available for uploading, which includes publishing web sites, file transfers and sending e-mail. Although this speed varies from provider to provider, it typically falls within a specific range of bandwidths. Both DSL and cable broadband upload speeds fall within the same range of between 128 and 384 Kbps.

Download speed is the bandwidth available for viewing web sites, downloading files and receiving e-mails. Most people spend more time downloading from the Internet than they do uploading, so the download speeds are always higher than the upload speeds. The maximum download speed of cable broadband is 2 Mbps. DSL's maximum download speed is 1.5 Mbps. It is important to keep in mind that these speeds are the maximum you'll get. If many of your neighbors are surfing and downloading at the same time, speeds will be lower.

Both DSL and cable broadband services charge a monthly service fee, and most providers of both services offer service with lower download speeds for a reduced fee. Both services require a modem, which can normally be purchased or rented. The main cost difference is in the installation. DSL installation typically costs more.