From: Lynn 
Subject: [workmom] Consolidated Responses on Cable vs. DSL internet 
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 14:23:02 -0500 

Thanks so much to everyone who responded!
-- Lynn Jordan

1) I absolutely recommend Comcast over Verizon.  You will always be
   connected with cable and we have had no issues with Comcast whereas
   we had a series of problems with our Verizon DSL connection.  We run
   a network (wireless and wired).

2) We use Comcast cable and for the most part think it's great.  Very
   fast.  We had some hiccups when Comcast switched email addresses from
   ".com" to ".net", but other than that I'm happy with it.  I've used
   the customer support site several times for issues regarding spam,
   etc. and they were very helpful.  I recommend it over the dsl for
   speed.  I don't know how they stack up pricewise though.

3) I've been a Comcast internet subscriber for 2 years -- after a bumpy
   start (they have upgraded their network since then) I really haven't
   had any problems.  my concern about dsl is that it's sold
   predominantly as a 'corporate' service and not a consumer product.
   so if there's a problem the corporate customers are going to be
   serviced first -- leaving me to fend for myself!

4) We have Comcast and are very happy with it.  We signed up on a 6
   month free promo so havent started paying for it yet.  They installed
   it for us (on just one computer) and we havent had any problems
   since.

5) We have speakeasy DSL- superfast and not that tricky setting up
   multiple computers...but that issue is really about the routers and
   if you could use wireless......
 
6) I have experience with both and never noticed the greatest difference
   between the two.  The only thing that makes a cable modem easier is
   that if you ever have to reboot your computer, you have to go through
   an extra step with a DSL line.  Go with whoever has the best deal.
   That is ultimately why I switched, Comcast had a very good deal.
   Either one is so much better than dial-up that you are going to love it.
 
7) hi!  in general I'm usually in favor of cable over dsl - but Comcast
   is a strange company.  we had so many problems for so many months -
   but now it is working like a dream - they finally fixed whatever was
   going wrong.  I never compared cost - but I think cable is generally
   a lot faster.  we've networked computers before which has worked
   pretty well. 
 
8) Ask your immediate neighbors if they have Comcast cable and see if
   they are satisfied with the speed of the connection. Depending on
   where you are on the "router" your street/section of neighborhood can
   vary your service.  I have a friend on Pine Terrace West that
   scrapped the cable modem as did most of her neighbors because of very
   slow service. They are all happy with the DSL service they now use.
     With cable modem the whole point is that you can run multiple
   computers off the same line and not see a blip in service (think
   offices).
     The only other thing to watch for on DSL is the age/quality of your
   existing phone lines. I might be mistaken, but I think you do not run
   a new phone line for the DSL modem.  Let me know how your decision
   pans out!
 
9) we've had trouble with Comcast cable & wireless networking between
   computer & laptop, but I'm not sure that the problem isn't w/our
   computer (I do know that when I had modem trouble (on multiple
   occasions because I had a defective modem), they tended to blame any
   problems on the existence of my network)-- but speed has been good
   when it works-
 
10) We like Comcast and our neighbor really likes dsl so I can't help
   you too much.
 
11) If you have Comcast cable for for your television, definitely go w/
    the online service as well.  cable is superior to dsl but dsl is
    more convenient if you don't have the cable service.
 
12) We have Comcast cable and are very happy with it. The pros are that
    it is faster and more reliable than DSL. We have two computers
    connected via a wireless network and it works very well for us. It
    enables me to bring my laptop all over the house and still have my
    internet connection.
 
13) We had DSL when it was first introduced in this area and got rid of
    it within a month.  It was often down and Verizon wasn't at all
    responsive.  I will concede that it was new technology around here
    when we had it and it has probably improved, but it was a terrible
    experience for us.
 
    We've been very happy with Comcast.  John says the speed is easily
    double that of DSL and it's been very reliable.  It's easy to set up
    multiple computers (John says you'll need a router) and I have a
    wireless card for my laptop, so I can bring it anywhere in my house
    or backyard and do my work.  John is a computer software programmer
    and he currently is writing software for an internet based company
    so he's the computer guy and he says there is no comparison between
    the two services.
 
14) We've always used Comcast Cable and we've been happy with it (only
    issue is if something goes wrong, their servicing can be slow).
    But, we've had no issues over the past year at least.
 
15) We use Earthlink.net and are quite pleased with the service.  We
    set it up as a wireless DSL network, which we installed ourselves.