Computer Modems Comparisons

Looking for a better connection to the Internet? Looking at the available computer modems? Not to sound like a commercial, but if you are getting tired of the slower speeds of dial up, or tired of waiting for a download that takes forever, then you are in the right place. If you are looking to upgrade your Internet connection, there are a few different options available to you. The main choices out there for broadband are cable, DSL, and fiber optic. There are similarities between all of them as well as some differences that you should know about in order to make an informed decision.

The next few pages will look at the different types of service and discuss the similarities and differences between the three. The main properties I will cover are:

1. Speed - Cable modems used to be the king of speed for home users, but now the fiber optic modem is starting to become more widely used. We'll compare the average speeds of all three to see which provides the best bandwidth.
   DSL, Fiber Optic and Cable Speeds


2. Availability - Not all services may be available in your area. You may have multiple choices, or you may have no choice. We'll look at nationwide availability.
   Cable, Fiber Optic, and DSL Service Availability and Cost


3. Cost - Costs will vary depending on the level of service you subscribe to, as well as your provider. Most providers will even offer different tiers of services that can provide higher bandwidths.
   Cable, Fiber Optic, and DSL Service Availability and Cost


4. Conclusion - So which is the best? Which should you choose? It is dependent on several factors that we'll cover here.
   Conclusion

Aside from speed, availability and cost, some of the other differences lie not only with the technology for the different modems but with the service providers themselves. The quality of customer service for installation, troubleshooting, and setup will vary from provider to provider. These are things that you will want to take into consideration when making a decision on an ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Next Page - DSL, Fiber Optic and Cable Modem Speeds

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