PitViper

I have had cable internet service (TCI, AT&T, Comcast) almost since it’s been widely available. I have never used phone-line based high-speed (Verizon) internet.

Currently I pay $42.95 for Comcast 6Mbps/384Kbps (download/upload) service. Verizon is available for as little as $14.99 for 768Kbps/128Kbps and $29.99 for 3Mbps/768Kbps.

I use the internet mainly for web-browsing, usually having 10 windows (or more) open at a time, and downloading driver/software updates. I do little up-loading. I’m not into MMORPG’s or down-loading massive amounts of MP3’s.

It seems most sites’ driver/software update file transfer rates are well under 100Kbps, typically less than 50Kbps. So if I’m being restricted by their servers' output, what is the use having all the extra capacity? It’s like having a highway that can accommodate cars traveling at 6,000 miles per hours but the cars are typically traveling at 100 mph or less. Why not downgrade to a 3,000 mile per hour (or 768 mph) highway?

If I switched to either of the phone-line based high-speed services, would I notice ANY loss of speed? What would be real performance decrease if my teenagers decide to get into the MMORPG’s? Any other real-world advantages/disadvantages?

Thanks a lot for your input.

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johnnymk

How far are you from Verizon's terminal? I am three miles from Verizon and switched from the $32 service to the $22 service. I am getting approx. 780 kps. I notice absolutely no difference between the two. I can download music, large files and watch streaming video with no problems.

PitViper

Thanks for the info.

I chatted on-line with a Verizon CSR. He/she could not provide the distance to the terminal so further research is required. They did point out that the first 30 days is a free trial so I may just give it a try. They also pointed out that after one year the $14.99 plan increases to $23.99 and the $29.99 plan will be $33.99. Both still a bargain compared to cable.

I may look into the DSL/DirectTV/Phone Service bundle and dump cable all together.

redcolours

try it. you may not experience any slowdown.
ive always had cable myself, but when i go to my sister's house and use their DSL connection (768/128) its slow as $h!+. i cant stand it. they said its fine - theyre not heavy internet users, just email and news surfing.

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Prngr44

You may be able to swing your cable bill to go lower too when/if to call and cancel your plan.

If you're not in the service area for the fast DSL, their basic plans don't seem to give you the speeds they state. I've had much better success with cable and the multiple times I called to cancel when my rate jumped back up to 49.99 they usually extend the promotion offer for another 12 months at something like 29.99.

DarkFury

From my own personal experience... if you aren't a massive "downloader/uploader", and you don't require the faster upload ping like a gamer, then you are probably paying too much for internet services by going the Cable route.

For casual web surfing and moderate gaming, I've found that the 3Mbit connection speed with 768 up is plenty fast. The only time I do feel the strain is if I download a really big file (like a large game update patch... which can be several hundred megabytes.)and even then, the difference in price far outweighs the additional speed.

But some folks have a "gotta have it right now" mentality... and are willing to pay more to save a few seconds to a few minutes to get these commonly downloaded files. (of course if you are a filesharer, which it doesn't appear that you are, then you would definitely miss not having the addtional speed if you downgrade.)

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InfiniteNothing

I have ATT DSL and I get about 85% the advirtised speed. It's very very steady. I don't often see much below that. Latency is decent too. And you'll apreciate the up speed.

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Prngr44

I'm getting ready to call on my ATT DSL. I have the mid tier package I think (1.5MB) and I only get 300ishk down, 300ishk up. I "inherited" it when I moved into my wife's condo and could tell the difference in speed over my cable.

I ran speedtests over the wireless, plugged into the router, and plugged into the modem...all the same. 300 up, 300 down.

Jeffbx

DSL is definitely a picky technology. If you're too far from the switching station or if you have a bad connection to/from, you'll always get bad speeds. If you're within range & have good lines, then you're good to go.

For sure you should take advantage of the 30-day test period to run some speed tests & see what your actual throughput is.