DSL vs. Cable Modem

[socalgal]

Hi All

Starting to research the fastest/most reliable for connection, transmission, bandwidth, downloading, etc. Speed is critical for online trading purposes.

Links and/or info appreciated! Thanks.

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 07-28-99).]

[Roy]

ADSL makes the best of regular phone lines and requires there be no more than three miles of copper between the modem and the telco office.

Cable is capable of much greater bandwidth and speed, but is not yet available as broadly as ASDL.

[Comtech]

Cable is like a BIG LAN. Everyone shares the bandwidth and modem pool. The more users, the slower the system.
ADSL uses unique DNS. Each user gets their own connection and full bandwidth is available at all times.
ADSL is (can be) much faster than cable.
ADSL also uses your existing phone lines. No need for a second number, as it runs your phone and internet on the same lines. No rewiring, and is fully SVD (Simultaneous Voice and Data) capable.

[a Bill]

I use cable at home but if my job were on the line, I'd go with DSL. Cable kicks **** however phone lines have a better track record for up time.

[AuraEdge]

If i lived in alaska, id pick cable. Since I live in a REAL crowded metro area, I know if cable net ever peered its head here, everyone would be getting it..I dont want my connection to depend on how many other people have it. WHo knows..one day nieghbors will be plotting to off me to speed up connections...sad sad world.
So since im in a crowded area Id pick XSDL over cable.

[socalgal]

Thank you all for the input and prompt responses =)

Thanks, Edge, for the online trading info!

There's loads of info on this, one of the more informative sites was http://www.adsl.com/adsl_forum.html

http://www.earthlink.net/home/highspeed/dsl/socal_info.html

Looks like good pricing startup too.
EarthLink Sprint DSL is now available for only $14.95 a month (regularly $49.95 per month) with NO SET-UP FEE. This special pricing is available through Oct. 31, 1999, if you live in the greater Los Angeles area in a region served by Pacific Bell. You must sign up by Sept. 17, 1999.

ELN was rated No. 1 by June Inverse Network Technology Inc. Internet BenchMark tests of Internet service providers.

http://www.earthlink.net/about/pr/natldsl.html
The use of UUNET's DSL network allows EarthLink to offer the broadest DSL coverage in the industry. EarthLink has pursued DSL opportunities aggressively, announcing three DSL network deals since April. In addition to UUNET, EarthLink has existing DSL agreements in place with Sprint and Pacific Bell.

If anyone in the L.A. area knows of a better deal, please let me know!

[Bleeding Edge]

$14.95 a month!?! I say to everyone over there, "Jump on it!"

[Bleeding Edge]

The industry is leaning toward ADSL over cable modems. Any of the search engines will come up loads of info on ADSL and Cable. The sites from the ADSL providers (Bell, GTE, etc.) are informative.

More importantly...

With online trading, connection speed is not the most important issue. The service offerings and the speed of which the trade executes from the online broker is more important.

As an example, Accutrade offers online web trading, trades by fax, automated touch-tone (the use of the phone buttons as a keyboard), direct broker contact, and lastly, the best and fastest method is the direct connection made to their computers through their text base BBS type system. This connection requires only a 28.8 modem speed to perform immediate transactions.

If serious independent equity trading is what you want, you got to cover your back with a online broker that provides multiple ways to get your order in. You will pay more per trade than the deep-discount outfits but if your trading every day...

[ufo]

hey dont everyone say that adsl is more dependable and all this.. I got news for u. My adsl isp (bell (sympatcio)) is the biggest ****test ahole of a provider.. I lock up in quake and have so many problems becuase I guess they dont know how to work the tech.. also I get pl lots of the time.. and am plagued with they having service problems

[800XL]

I have DSL through USWest and the only problems I have are related to my choice of ISP, which is a local provider in my area. Their router goes off the map every few days, but other than that, the service is quite good. I have used a TCI@Home cable modem and it is a bit faster on downloads, but the upload speed is not that great. Their terms of service also turned me off with limitations and restrictions on use. With DSL I can run a web server, email server, or anything else I decide without fighting slow upstream speeds and/or violating the terms of service agreement.

[socalgal]

I should mention (in case the ELN link wasn't read) that ELN's special pricing extends through 10/31/99, then the price goes to the normal $50.00 per month. Still good IMO!

Local (smaller) providers seem to have more glitches than the nationals/globals. I would feel more comfortable suggesting the larger, more consistently dependable ISP. With DSL, prices seem to average $50/month for the service. For a one-line household it's also very convenient.

[800XL]

I agree with socal on the choice of ISP with regards to DSL. USWest offers the choice of several local ISP's and USWest.net. I initially chose USWest's ISP service, but after a month of a non-functional connection, they finally discovered that the ISP service was not offered in my area. Whatever you do, keep track of every phone extension and number you are given by any provider and use them as soon as you sense any problems. Don't expect anyone to call you about a problem, call them.

I actually experienced the first long term downtime in my connection this morning since I got the service in February. It was due to a problem with USWest and not my local ISP. Other than the router drop outs (less than a hour a week) my local ISP does fairly well. USWest was not aware of the problem when I called 3-4 hours after I noticed, but my ISP knew something was wrong with USWest's equipment hours before I did. Local ISPs have the advantage of actually being in the area compared to large nationals that might not even have a dedicated technician in your town. Both sides have advantages.

[socalgal]

Hi 800XL

I think ELN is the ticket. After comparing a couple others in the area, and knowing first hand of ELN's service, this is what I have suggested. I want it myself!

Thanks for the advice!