The inside skinny on cable
Cable companies deliver the Internet via the same coaxial cable that brings The Osbournes and 500 channels of quality programming to your TV set. As with DSL, you'll need a special modem and an Ethernet network card. Because cable modem access has been around longer than DSL, it boasts more users--about 10.4 million, vs. about 5.5 million for DSL, per Instat-MDR. And yet, misconceptions, including the following, abound.
Myth: Cable connections are blazingly fast--until everyone else in your neighborhood logs on.
Reality: It's true that most cable connections offer a maximum download speed of 2Mbps (still a bit higher than ADSL's 1.5Mbps) and that you'll be sharing this bandwidth with other subscribers in your neighborhood. But so many other conditions can slow down your connection speed--from overloaded Web servers to overall Net congestion--that regular old e-mail-checking neighbors shouldn't make a big difference. Sure, cable isn't any more blazingly fast than DSL, but neighbors aren't necessarily the problem.
The exceptions? If you're an online gamer, you might notice a bit more lag during peak periods, which could be a matter of (virtual) life and death. And if somebody in your 'hood is uploading a large amount of data--say, her entire collection of pirated Star Wars movies--she can max out the entire connection and bring everyone's browser to a crawl. For a good explanation of why this happens, see John Navas's Cable Modem/DSL Tuning Guide.
Myth: You can use your cable connection as you please.
Reality: Better read your service contract, pal. Most cable agreements prohibit running a Web server from your end of your high-speed line. That way, one or two users won't hog all the bandwidth in the aforementioned neighborhood. The same is true for many DSL service agreements. Major cable providers have also started to limit the amount of data you can download; some will even charge you for exceeding it, impeding your ability to swap Eminem MP3s with your online buddies. But you're not supposed to be doing that anyway, are you?
Myth: Signing up for cable access means that your local cable carrier is your ISP.
Reality: Depending on where you live, you can order cable Internet service or DSL from America Online, MSN, and EarthLink, as well as a handful of other ISPs. In most cases, the cable companies are partnering with an ISP subsidiary, such as AOL Time-Warner's Roadrunner, that delivers the actual connection and handles tech support.
Cable companies deliver the Internet via the same coaxial cable that brings The Osbournes and 500 channels of quality programming to your TV set. As with DSL, you'll need a special modem and an Ethernet network card. Because cable modem access has been around longer than DSL, it boasts more users--about 10.4 million, vs. about 5.5 million for DSL, per Instat-MDR. And yet, misconceptions, including the following, abound.
Myth: Cable connections are blazingly fast--until everyone else in your neighborhood logs on.
Reality: It's true that most cable connections offer a maximum download speed of 2Mbps (still a bit higher than ADSL's 1.5Mbps) and that you'll be sharing this bandwidth with other subscribers in your neighborhood. But so many other conditions can slow down your connection speed--from overloaded Web servers to overall Net congestion--that regular old e-mail-checking neighbors shouldn't make a big difference. Sure, cable isn't any more blazingly fast than DSL, but neighbors aren't necessarily the problem.
The exceptions? If you're an online gamer, you might notice a bit more lag during peak periods, which could be a matter of (virtual) life and death. And if somebody in your 'hood is uploading a large amount of data--say, her entire collection of pirated Star Wars movies--she can max out the entire connection and bring everyone's browser to a crawl. For a good explanation of why this happens, see John Navas's Cable Modem/DSL Tuning Guide.
Myth: You can use your cable connection as you please.
Reality: Better read your service contract, pal. Most cable agreements prohibit running a Web server from your end of your high-speed line. That way, one or two users won't hog all the bandwidth in the aforementioned neighborhood. The same is true for many DSL service agreements. Major cable providers have also started to limit the amount of data you can download; some will even charge you for exceeding it, impeding your ability to swap Eminem MP3s with your online buddies. But you're not supposed to be doing that anyway, are you?
Myth: Signing up for cable access means that your local cable carrier is your ISP.
Reality: Depending on where you live, you can order cable Internet service or DSL from America Online, MSN, and EarthLink, as well as a handful of other ISPs. In most cases, the cable companies are partnering with an ISP subsidiary, such as AOL Time-Warner's Roadrunner, that delivers the actual connection and handles tech support.
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 Stick with a proprietary cable modem. |
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Myth: You can save money by using a cheap Ethernet card and a cable modem.
Reality: While any standard network card and DOCSIS-compatible cable modem should work with your service, you'll probably have fewer problems if you use the equipment recommended by your provider. These devices can be quite finicky; the downtime waiting for your Net connection to be restored probably wouldn't be worth the dollars you'd save. In addition, your ISP's tech support will probably be more helpful if they're familiar with the equipment you're using.
Myth: If you sign up for cable Net access, you can get cable TV for free.
Reality: You've been reading too many spam ads for cable descramblers. Cable companies long ago figured out how to block the TV signal from coming down the wire along with your Internet service. However, if you sign up for both TV and Internet service, you might get them to knock off $10 from your monthly Net bill.
Let's see a little broadband smackdown, shall we?
Reality: While any standard network card and DOCSIS-compatible cable modem should work with your service, you'll probably have fewer problems if you use the equipment recommended by your provider. These devices can be quite finicky; the downtime waiting for your Net connection to be restored probably wouldn't be worth the dollars you'd save. In addition, your ISP's tech support will probably be more helpful if they're familiar with the equipment you're using.
Myth: If you sign up for cable Net access, you can get cable TV for free.
Reality: You've been reading too many spam ads for cable descramblers. Cable companies long ago figured out how to block the TV signal from coming down the wire along with your Internet service. However, if you sign up for both TV and Internet service, you might get them to knock off $10 from your monthly Net bill.
{Intro} {The lowdown on DSL} {The inside skinny on cable} {DSL vs. cable: the death match} {Vital statistics}
