Speed Comparison: Cable Vs. Verizon Internet

Cable companies use a system of coaxial cables to transmit the Internet signal. Though there are different ways to do this that may offer faster speeds, the technology itself has some limitations. Verizon offers two kinds of Internet services. The first is DSL, which uses telephone lines to transmit Internet data. The speed can be severely limited, though it is quicker than dial-up. Verizon also offers FiOS, which uses fiber optic cables to transmit signals. Fiber optic cables are capable of transmitting high amounts of data per second.

When comparing most cable packages to the speed of DSL, cable packages will generally perform better. Whether it is Verizon or another company, the highest speed that DSL can offer is between 7 and 15 Mbps, which is under the most ideal circumstances. Standard DSL service offers speeds closer to 1.5 to 3 Mbps. Cable services such as Charter, Comcast and Time Warner Cable offer much quicker access, ranging from 8 Mbps on the slow end to as fast as 50 Mbps, depending on regional availability.

When compared to cable, FiOS is typically the quicker service. FiOS offers a range of speeds from 15 Mbps to more than 150 Mbps. Cable companies can only offer speeds about as high as 50 Mbps -- and that level isn't available everywhere. When similar packages are compared for speed, FiOS is twice as quick as Comcast and Time Warner, and three times as fast as Charter. FiOS technology has the ability to transfer data very quickly, but users pay a much higher monthly cost for the convenience. Verizon handles the installation and provides the needed equipment for homeowners who wish to convert to a FiOS plan.

Each Internet provider has different tiers of speed and pricing, which can also vary by location. As of the time of publication, Verizon DSL is about $30 a month. Cable providers vary widely; plans start around $30 a month and climb to $100 or more. Verizon FiOS starts around $50 a month and tops out at $200 a month; the lowest tier package offers comparable speeds to cable.