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Cable and DSL-A comparison

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5 replies

by mjd420nova 1 view

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I just dumped my cable hookup (Comcast) and switched it over to ADSL (AT&T). Speed wise, using speedtest, there's a big difference. From 18MB to 1.7MB download and 2.7MB to 400KB uplink is a big difference by the numbers but it is hardly noticeable. The homepage loads a bit quicker, that is evident and nothing much else different. It was an easy switch, unplug the CAT5 cable from the cable modem and plug it into the ADSL modem. Load the software and it was ready to go in under a half hour. All that was left was to do router reset from the control panel and the WIFI and wired units can't even tell I'd switched. Saved about $70 a month too. Can't think of anything else that would save me money and not have any effect on my hardware. Dumping the cable TV too, but it doesn't get installed until Saturday morning. That'll have the biggest effect on everyone else, having to learn all the new channel numbers. I only watch a few channels at specific times for my favorite shows. The new dish will get mounted on the eave outside the wall penetration into the family room. Not getting any premium cannels, just a sport package so I can watch the SJ Sharks when the NHL gets back in full season. Saved some bucks there to, about $40. a month there, now I can save for a new computer.

5 replies

by seanferd

$110/mo. cheaper is not bad at all.

Thing with download speeds is files aren't always served up at high speeds anyway. I find 768k quite tolerable, and in practice 400-650 is what I get.

Used to love it when I had satellite tv as well. Best service I ever had.

by andrenym00

So instead of dsl you went with adsl? I think I'm going to try your suggestion. The value seems good and I'm in need of saving some money for cheap Internet.

by dr dij

when don't have to sign yearly contract for adsl (or dish tv?)

Don't you have to commit for period?

I'm also curious, don't you have to pay for a regular phone line also to get adsl? I don't have ANY home phone.

You must have been in for alot of expensive channels as I'm paying about $50 for internet and would save only $20 by switching, and $50 for cable, might save $20

Just one other thing to consider - if power surge or lightning strikes your LNA you'll have to buy another I think.

you're right about download speeds. in the end the website you are going to is likely to be the bottleneck, and the 40mb is shard but the 1.7m is switch to a certain point before other traffic starts delaying it.

by seanferd

I was surprised to find, at least for AT&T in my area, that the will now sell you dsl without the phone service. Smart move, I think.

For that, I only had to commit for a certain period (12-18 months?). No commitment afterward.

I think its the same for dish network and directv - you're committed for a period, but free to run after it's over. It worked for me that way when I had directv a while back, and I do believe my neighbor who just yesterday had dish network installed has the same deal. They usually have a cancel-if-not-satisfied within 30-90 days clause type of thing as well.

by jdclyde

it doesn't change the speed of the connection at the other end of the Internet connecting that web server to the net.

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