20 November 2021

Cable vs DSL | Difference between Cable and DSL

Cable internet is a broadband internet connection that uses your TV's local cable to connect to a modem. DSL is a modulation scheme that uses an existing two-wire copper telephone line to provide high-speed internet without clogging the line. So here this article gives the difference between cable vs DSL to better understand this topic.

What is DSL?

DSL is an abbreviation for digital subscriber line. DSL uses a sophisticated modulation scheme to pack internet data into the same pair of copper wires that carry your phone service. DSL is sometimes referred to as a last-mile technology because it is used to connect a telephone switching station to a home or office rather than between switching stations.

What is Cable?

A cable internet is a broadband internet connection that uses a modem to connect to the internet via your TV local cable. Cable internet works by transmitting data over TV channel space, with certain channels used for downstream transmission and others for upstream transmission. A cable modem can be used to achieve extremely fast web access because the coaxial cable used by cable TV provides significantly more bandwidth than telephone lines.

Cable vs DSL | Difference between Cable and DSL:

  • Cable speed is 30 Mbps but is reduced to 20-25 Mbps when sharing bandwidth, while the DSL is from 128kbps to over 100Mbps.
  • The bandwidth of cable shared speed varies depending on the number of subscribers on the network, while the DSL does not share constant speed.
  • Both have home networking possible.
  • Monthly fees of cable in average $40 to $50, while the DSL average $20 to $35.
  • A one-time set-up fee for cable is average $50 to $100, while the DSL is approximately $150.
  • Equipment required for cable is cable box and remote, while the DSL required phone jack.
  • In cable Installation visit from a technician, while the DSL can be done by yourself, but a technician is always available in case you need help with installation.
  • Cable has need security software, while the DSL needs security software from ISP.
  • Cable costs around the same as DSL, but gives a better speed to cost ratio making it efficacity cheaper than DSL, While the DSL costs the same as cable, but is significantly slower compared to cable, making it more expensive in effect.
  • Both have contracts month to month.