DSL - is it worth it? One final question...

[thermodynamic]

I can't find much on DSL in terms of comparison with 56k.

It's supposed to be faster; I'd go for the 256k download speed (need to check upload speed, but I'd bet it'd be the same!)

Is it consistently that fast? Or does it fluctuate?

It's silly to go DSL and pay $26/mo if it won't perform better than my $10 Compuserve account...

Thx much!!!

[La_Serpiente]

1. I had DSL

and Cable serves me better.

[EstimatedProphet]

2. Agreed, cable is sweet

I have DSL at work though, and don't see much difference. Both blow phone modems out of the water.

[thermodynamic]

7. In my area, cable is $...

$78/month.

Compared to $26, how much worse is DSL?

I know cable is the holy grail, but there's no competition (the whole damn system is a bunch of cordoned off monopolies based on municipality; with price controls in favor of the service providers. DSL is similar, but there's less monopolistic control...) And $78 is asinine...

[BlueJazz]

9. God!...78 bucks a month?

Here (St.Petersburg) it's 28.99

[thermodynamic]

11. Breakdown

$42.95/mo - if you're a comcast cable subscriber, $55 if you're not.

Remember, cable modem service includes basic access (local and public service channels) by default, and basic access is $12.

Add in $20/month fee just to use a cable modem on their line. (they didn't mention that little fee until the last page...)

Add in $3/mo to lease their modem or $0 if you have a modem THEY approve of...

There was another fee involved, but the net cost is definitely $78/month.

Screw 'em.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

3. I have cable modem and am moving to DSL because it's cheaper

Cable Modem: $45.95/mo. from Comcast
DSL: $29.99 from Verizon

If you can afford DSL I would get it. The speed is great and if you frequently deal with large files, DSL or cable modem are god sends.

[Kamika]

4. We have 512 dsl

It's a billion times better then normal modem. The speed doesn't fluctuate or anything

[Nite Owl]

5. I had DSL and it was much

better than dial up. I was a little too far from the station so when the line became corrupted Verizon wouldn't fix it and we switched to cable which is better yet.

[demsrule4life]

6. I have never lived anywhere that had DSL

Was thinking about getting the satellite INTERNET thing with direct TV, anybody have any thoughts on this?

[Sentath]

8. Very Asymmetric

Thats my thought.

You are getting your downloads from space by way of spare bandwidth in the satellite TV provider's spectrum.

But

Your requests and all other outgoing traffic goes through a phone line. Modem.

(That is if they still work the way they did a few years ago when I convinced my parents to look into it.)

[procopia]

13. It looks fairly expensive...

from the website:

DIRECWAY
Let DIRECWAY work with your budget. That’s why we’ve given you two ways to pay. You can choose the up-front option, where you pay $599.98 now, and then $59.99 per month for 15 months.

Maybe you prefer to spread your payments out. That’s why we’ve created our $99.99 plan, just for you. Simply pay $99.99 up front, and then $99.99 per month for the first 15 months. This $99.99 per month covers installation, equipment cost, and monthly fee, in easy payments. After the 15th month, your monthly fee will drop down to the regular rate (currently $59.99 per month).

Choose either option. Your satellite dish and modems will be delivered and installed by a certified professional.

[demsrule4life]

15. I understand that

I have the money for the initial outlay, and was also planning on going wireless. I would be saving money getting rid of the landline and paying the monthly direcway payments. Thanks for you input.

[MercutioATC]

10. DSL has a wider range of throughput speeds, but isn't dependant

on low usage for great speed.

Cable modems can be faster than DSL. However, cable connections are, effectively, one big LAN. The more users, the slower the network moves information. DSL doesn't suffer from this problem.

Either is WAY better than dial-up.

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. DSL is always fast

Doens't fluctuate at all (with the caveat that I'm talking about something electrical, so obviously there will be/must be periods when it won't work, goes slow, etc., but in the four years I've had it, apart from a couple days it's been down, i've had consistently screaming speeds, mostly always above what I'm paying for).

I would never go back to a modem.

believe me, you'll notice the difference.

[private_ryan]

14. that's what I like about it

speed is always the same. Cable might be faster a few times but much slower when everyone signs up.

[pstokely]

16. if you're cable goes out a lot, get DSL

nt

[Blue-Jay]

17. In terms of "bang for your buck"

DSL is superior without a doubt. I'm saving $20 every month, surfing is quick & easy, and who really cares if downloading a song takes an extra 20 seconds?

Of course it depends on your DSL provider, but I have no complaints.