DSL vs. Cable

Security
Vulnerable to hacker attacks in both cases.  Sharing cables with others in your area makes it easy for a neighbor to break into your computer.  DSL has better security than cable but it also opens your computer to similar security risks without any firewall.

Cost
Higher speed DSL service can be expensive--- cost starts at $80 or more per month, with some flavors of DSL for small businesses costing several hundred dollars per month.  Cable Internet service is often a bit cheaper than DSL: $39.95 per month or less.

Availability
DSL service are provided by several local ISP.  Cable modem availability depend on whether your local cable company offers Internet access or not. However, neither DSL nor cable may be available in rural areas.

The Comparison
The following tables summarizes DSL & cable service high points.

Table 1.  Cable vs DSL Summary

Service

Installation Fee

Monthly Rates

Connection Speeds

Advantages

Disadvantages

DSL

$100 to $200.

$40 to $80 for home users.

ADSL: 384-kbps to 9-mbps download/128-kbps upload.

Always on.

Difficult Setup.

$80 to $320 for business users.

SDSL: 1.5-mbps download/upload.

Far faster than 56-kbps dial-up modem.

Performance depends on location.

ISDL: Up to 144-kbps download/upload

Better security.

Expensive at higher speed.

Cable

$75 to $200.

$39.95 to $49.95.

1- to 2-mbps download/128- to 384-kbps upload.

More widespread than DSL.

Less secure than DSL.

Potentially faster than DSL.

Line shared with others.  Speeds vary accordingly.

Price break if purchased with cable TV service.