Presently, I am a Comcast broadband user and not greatly satisfied. SBC has some fantastic prices for DSL, but I am wondering if this service would be a lot slower than Comcast. Is it worth the switch?

Cable is generally at least twice as fast as DSL.

To add to what Jack says, DSL is also dependent on how far you are from a switching point, the quality of phone lines between that point and your home, and the lines within your house. Some areas are great, but if you are in an area like mine where the lines are ancient, it stinks. Techs finally gave up on getting a signal for me.

Jack is correct in that Cable has more bandwidth than DSL, but DSL may be fast enough for what you need. If all you are going to be doing is web surfing and email, DSL speeds are more than good enough.

Besides you have to remember this, your internet connection is only as fast as the slowest link in the chain. Your connection could be 12 Mb, but if your connecting to a server that's only hooked up to a T1 line at 1.5 Mb, that's all the speed you're going to get (and most likely slower).

So... bottom line. If DSL is cheaper, avaiable and is fast enough for what you want, go with DSL. If you are going to be downloading large files and want more speed for the price, go with Cable.

-Paul

I currently use Comcast and have had pretty good service - at least where I live. I would stay with a cable connection for the internet if you want the fastest. I have never seen/experienced DSL speeds over friends houses that come close to cable. Of course Comcast charges the most for that fastest speed............

The biggest single reason for NOT choosing cable over DSL is the absence of Cable TV usage at a location. I don't want Cable TV and won't pay a surcharge for Cable internet access without Cable TV.

My DSL service has been rock solid for almost five years. (except when SBC cuts my line)

You need to do a cost/benefit analysis for at least a one year service period. Then pick the least undesirable choice.

I started out with DSL 2 years ago after using AOL dialup for the previous 7 years. I switched to Cable about 5 months ago and cannot see any reason for going back to DSL. Yes... SBC is offering cheap rates currently, but those rates are for DSL service that is only 2-3 times faster than dialup. Faster DSL will be more expensive.

We use DSL at my AM job and I can see vast difference in speed. If you aren't downloading large files, than DSL could be right for you. If you have better things to do with your time or prefer to be more efficient, than Cable makes more sense. I like being Thrifty (sometimes just cheap!) but consider the saying "Pennywise but Pound Foolish".

Although I am satisfied with Comcast's service in my area ( other than paying top dollar ) - many in Metro Detroit do NOT give Comcast very good marks....

The Cable-vs-DSL battle has been going on since the start but one thing hasn't changed. Service and quality can vary greatly from area to area and ISP to ISP. We have Brighthouse Bignet cable at my office and a friend has Earthlink DSL 2 blocks down the street. There is no visible difference in speed. Tech support is a different matter. Earthlink has been terrific. Brighthouse commercial service - I can't even change an email address. They have to do it. I can delete but not set up. Stupid!

I tried getting Earthlink DSL before we had RoadRunner available, and the local techs who tried to set it up were an absolute joke, not that the RoadRunner techs have been much better. Fortunately, I don't need them often. Check to see what your neighbors have and if they've had problems. That's the best way to know. Everything varies from area to area.

I use Comcast at the office and SBC DSL at home. I've had to call Comcast numerous times about various issues...bad modems...speed issues...loss of signal, never once had to call SBC. The speed I get at the office, it's worth it.

SBC dsl has one feature I'm reluctant to do without....wireless connections through Freedom Link. For 1.98 a month I'm not reliant on free hotspots, I get access through the Freedom Link network. For me, this is the best of both worlds.

I'm a Dot Mac user, I've been playing the money game between Comcast and SBC for years, I pay $14.95 for my DSL. I'm lucky I have choices, not everyone does....if only Wide Open West would come into the 'hood.

Linda

What exactly is WideOpenWest? - we got an email from jrpetrie there and the subject was "New email address"which I didn't open because I thought it was spam

Thanks

WideOpenWest is another cable TV / Internet provider. They offer their services in some cities in Metro Detroit ( too bad...not in my area )

Here is Wide Open West's web site

Thanks - I opened the email and it was from someone who had subscribed to them, but my name was included in his list from another organization ...at least it won't bring me spam.

thanks again.