[Talk] Re: DSL and cable providers

[Kwan Lowe]

> I'm moving to a new place in the Fort Lauderdale area and need to
> decide about internet connectivity.  Right now I'm using Speakeasy DSL
> because Bellsouth had lots of problems several years ago.
>
> I'll probably sign up for basic cable from Comcast, so perhaps there
> is a bundled package with their cable modem.
>
> I'll probably sign up for basic phone service from Bellsouth, so
> perhaps there is a bundled package with their DSL.
>
> One important item is that I will want to run a small web and e-mail
> server on whatever internet connection I get.  Fixed IP address isn't
> too important since there is DynDNS, but I need to be sure the
> necessary ports (including those for SSH) are not blocked.
>
> Another goal is to have as low a bill as possible while not getting
> sucky service, and Speakeasy isn't exactly cheap.
>
>
> Does anybody know good reasons to go with, or to avoid, any of these services?
>

I've had DSL for years with snappydsl.net. Reliability is very good and tech support
is probably the best I've used (you call them, they call back within an hour if they
can't speak immediately). They're small but I do recommend them. Service with static
IP is $60/month. I run web/mail and other services fine.

Two months ago I added Comcast cable.  It's $20/month for 6 months, then $42/month
after that. I have cable TV service for about $50/month but don't know what the
package is called. Cable is noticeably faster than DSL for me, but I am on the
fringes of the CO (??? the word they use when they explain why it's not faster).
Since adding cable for two months, it's gone down twice. The first time required a
call to support since rebooting the modem didn't reconnect. The tech was sort of an
ass though. The second time just a reboot was needed. I've also noticed that though
the cable service doesn't drop, at times during the day it's extremely slow and even
slower than DSL. However, when it's fast, which is the majority of time, it's maybe
5 to 8 times faster than DSL. I have not tried web/mail but SSH/VNC work fine.

In short, DSL is more reliable but slower. Cable is faster but less consistent.


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* Unix and Linux Solutions   kwan@digitalhermit.com