Last Updated on July 25, 2026
High speed Internet or broadband Internet as it’s commonly referred to lets you surf the web and download files at much higher speeds than you could back when your only choice was a dial-up connection going through your analog phone line connection. Plus broadband Internet is always on so there is no need to dial a number and wait for it to connect. Modern fiber, cable, and DSL connections keep homes connected constantly without interruptions.
High speed Internet is becoming more popular and more available recently and almost everyone has an opinion on which is faster and more reliable. The days of dial-up are pretty much non existent and broadband prices are dropping as companies are competing for your business. But which type of Internet access should you choose? Both will offer you high-speed reliable Internet access but there are a few differences between the two. Another factor for internet speed is your web hosting company. Getting a top web hosting company can put a web site above the rest.
Internet Connection Features
1. DSL Connection Features
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) technology provides high speed, broadband Internet connections to homes and small businesses. DSL uses the same cabling used for telephones, but at higher data rates. DSL uses what is called digital modem technology and users share the same line for their digital and analog traffic. With DSL you can do voice and fax communication at the same time as data communication. DSL maxes out at about 3.5 miles from a telephone exchange. Signal strength drops over copper phone wires as distance increases. The further you live from your DSL service provider’s facilities, the lower the speed you will get. DSL service currently requires that you have a local telephone line.
2. Cable Connection Features
A cable modem is a device that attaches to your cable TV network connection and then to your computer. The use of a cable modem does not affect your cable TV reception and you do not need to subscribe to cable TV service in order to have cable Internet. One downside to cable modem service is that it involves locally shared bandwidth in neighborhood nodes. This means the realized performance of your Internet will depend on how many other customers in your local area subscribe to the same service. Local cable Internet providers have enough bandwidth in your area that can handle a lot of users. Unlike DSL, you receive the same rate of speed no matter what distance you are from your provider. Cable is generally more popular but DSL continues to serve millions of customers.
Comparing Speed, Security, and Price
1. Connection Speed
Generally cable has an advantage over DSL when it comes to speed. Modern cable providers deliver service with download speeds between 100 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps using coaxial lines. The speed of DSL ranges from 15 Mbps to 100 Mbps depending on equipment upgrades and proximity to the central office. DSL offers more than 100 times the network performance of traditional dial-up modems. Cable technology supports higher maximum bandwidth, whereas most forms of DSL cannot reach gigabit throughput. DSL and cable Internet providers often implement speed caps that limit the bandwidth of their services to create a fair distribution of bandwidth for customers.
2. Network Security
Essentially, all cable customers in the region belong to the same local network node and are more vulnerable to network attacks from users on that same network segment. Many providers avoid this problem today by bundling security features in the cable modem hardware. DSL on the other hand uses dedicated rather than shared cabling, and DSL customers in a given neighborhood do not appear as nodes on a shared network. Both DSL and cable connections are always on, meaning that if your computer is plugged into your modem then you are always online and exposed to web traffic. Installing firewall routers enhances basic modem functionality with security features such as packet filtering and hiding your computer from the outside world.
3. Monthly Pricing
DSL tends to be cheaper than cable and you can always find special introductory pricing on either one. Residential DSL runs between $30 and $50 per month, while business connections usually cost $60 and up a month. Cable Internet service generally costs between $40 and $70 per month depending on the speed tier you select. Both connection types usually have installation fees involved unless you do the installation yourself.
