John, the equipment required is very similar. Either way will need a
network card installed in the computer and an external box with a power
cord. Depending on who does the installation, DSL can either use an
existing line (assuming there's one convenient to the computer) and 'traps'
in-line with all the other phones, or the phone company will usually install
a 'master trap' at the phone entrance and a new line to the computer. AFAIK
no cable company offers self installation, so they always go with a
'splitter' and a new line to the computer.
While people will argue all day over the performance differences, the truth
is that it depends more on your ISP and the site you are accessing than on
the access method itself. In theory the cable modem is faster, but you
share that bandwidth with others in your neighborhood, so at least
potentially your split of the bandwidth could be smaller than the dedicated
bandwidth you get with DSL.
Another issue is that DSL has a limited range, and even though it is offered
in your neighborhood, your house may be too far from the 'central office'
(meaning where the switching equipment is located, not the business office)
for DSL to work. In my case, it took my ISP and phone company over 6 months
to figure out why it wouldn't work for me ... but the cable modem was up and
running in less than a week from placing the order.
Randall
> I'm considering joining the high speed internet world...
>
> I see ads for cable access and for bellsouth DSL...
>
> what's the difference in speed, connectivity, necessary equipment ?
>
> I understand the cable needs a new service to the computer and a cable
> modem
> I assume that DSL need similar or a net work card...
>
> is one actually faster or better than the other... or should
> price drive my
> decision
/// unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net or try
/// http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive/shop-talk
|