Earlier in this guide we examined both ADSL and cable broadband – however, which
is right for you, and are there any alternatives?
Which is better – ADSL or cable?
There is no definitive answer as to which is best between an ADSL and a cable
internet connection – it’s all about which is right for you, the individual.
The first consideration is availability. Whereas ADSL is available using BT
phone lines, and is accessible for more than 99% of the UK population, cable
is less readily available and you must be in a cable-enabled area to gain
access. For many therefore, the choice is taken out of their hands.
If you do have the choice, then think about how you plan to use the internet.
If you use the internet in a passive manner then ADSL may prove to be a better
option as slightly lower download and upload speeds won’t affect you. However,
if you are a real internet enthusiast, perhaps with your own website or business
to run, then the faster speeds available through a cable modem usually make it
the better choice.
Nevertheless, cable broadband does have its downside too as it can often have
speed bursts. While this won’t cause any problems for general downloading and
browsing, it can be frustrating for online gamers who are reliant on a consistent
connection speed.
The other factor of course, is price. Cable broadband is usually tied into TV
and phone deals as part of a bundled service from a cable provider. As a result
you will be making a larger monthly payment to cover all of these costs. However,
this usually works out as a cost-effective method of payment – as long as you plan
to have a TV and phone service anyway. Broadband only deals through cable providers
often work out more expensive than ADSL.
To gain some perspective of what’s available in your area, and at what price,
use the
broadband comparison tool.
What are the alternatives?
There are some alternatives if ADSL and cable broadband aren’t right for you:
-
Wireless internet – Now being offered in remote and rural areas where ADSL
and cable are not available. Small internet providers offer local coverage
using wireless technology and by fitting an antenna on the outside of a home,
which can receive the connection. No telephone line is needed.
-
Satellite broadband – Available throughout the UK but generally only seen as
a last resort, satellite broadband works in two forms. The first is a one-way
connection where you can receive data, but can only send data (such as an email)
with a dial-up connection. The second is a two-way connection but this is usually
very expensive to install and includes a monthly subscription.
-
SDSL – Standing for symmetric digital subscriber line, this is basically the
same as ADSL but with uploads and downloads at the same speed. It is generally
considered a specialist option for large businesses because it requires an extra telephone line.
So now you know all of the options, we hope you can make an informed choice about the right type of internet connection for you.
