Cable Internet is a way to access high-speed Internet – the infrastructure being similar to cable television. To benefit from this broadband Internet variety, a buyer would connect his cable modem to the coaxial output he uses for his television, at times, using a splitter. The connection’s other end is some form of CMTS or cable modem termination system that can offer connectivity to as many as 150,000 subscribers falling within a 160-kilometer or 100-mile radius. Often, a cable connection provides massive downstream and upstream bandwidth, though there could be limitations if several users are hooked on to the connection simultaneously.

A major part of broadband services are offered via current telephone or cable line infrastructures. Both the broadband varieties come with their inherent negatives and positives, and many other options, like broadband and WiMAX. The cable broadband option is there for the taking in any location that has cable television network systems, though a few remote destinations may not have the needed CMTS. Though the CMTS and cable modem-provided cable network service is referred to as “last mile infrastructure”, the real distance could be more than 160 kilometers or 100 miles, and bigger networks invariably featuring multiple hubs.

Like other broadband Internet services, cable Internet relies on shared bandwidth subscriber pool in the exact local destination. Cable Internet setups generally share access network’s bandwidth – the infrastructure connecting CMTS and modem. This could result in service degradation during heavy-traffic access periods, which could lead to sluggish transfer speeds and a fluctuating Internet connection.

The Internet service providers usually take multiple precautions to avert service problems during peak consumption time. Every subscriber’s bandwidth usage could be overseen so that each consumer could be offered a fair share of what’s available. Bandwidth caps could be, at times, instituted if a specific user is consuming excessive downstream or upstream throughput, or has excessively transferred data in a particular billing phase. These caps could be officially in place only if the particular network is stressed. Otherwise, they could be left as they are for additional time periods.

ISPs or Internet Service Providers that provide access through cable network systems are usually local cable firms. The firm that offers voice and television services would also be in charge of cable television termination setup and other infrastructure’s operations. A television service subscription isn’t mandatory for getting cable Internet – though the existence of the same will bring down subscription costs.

Differences with DSL

The first point of disparity being DSL delivers broadband connection over a regular telephone connection. A DSL subscriber must be located within a specific geography or close to the telephone hub to receive stable DSL service. This makes DSL availability not as widespread as cable Internet. A DSL service provider can tell if your area is eligible for a DSL connection, by just looking at your telephone number.

Cable and DSL packages offer different speeds for different prices. DSL has a much lower starting point at 768 kilobits, whereas cable plans begin at 1.5 mbps. DSL is inexpensive compared to cable in the low- and mid-range. The lower initial price is typically reserved for fresh connections, requiring an annual contract, but it’s a valuable proposition for people coming from dial-up connections. For high-speed or bigger plans, cable becomes a cheaper offering. However, the actual quotes may vary based on regions.

A big DSL connection advantage is that the speed stays the same, regardless of the network traffic at any given time. This is unlike cable connections, for the aforementioned reasons.