The challenge of DSL -vs- Cable -vs- satellite Internet access is primarily in the residential and telecommuter markets. Within the past few years, Internet access via a cable modem has become available in many residential areas. When configured properly and under optimal conditions, cable has the capacity to transmit data twice the speed of DSL, and in some locations, even faster. Satellite allows you to escape the confines of the cable/wire but at much lower speeds and much higher price. Satellite may not work at all in the rain.
 
Cable Broadband Internet
Cable Internet access has drastically improved over the years and has become a very reliable means of surfing the Internet. One of the main benefits of a cable broadband connection is that fiber optics can handle a very large amount of bandwidth which translates into very fast access potential, perhaps double DSL speed. Also performance of cable Internet. does not depend on distance from the provider's network exchange or offices like it does with DSL. Cable Internet is perfect for streaming audio/video, videoconferencing, on-line gaming, application programs, telephone calling and other high-bandwidth services.
 
There can be some limitations for residential Cable services however. Cable Internet. is not a dedicated service to your home and in most cases, is provided through a shared network by your cable TV provider. When too many users in a neighborhood try to share the same cable, performance speeds can be reduced 50% or more as users compete for available bandwidth. Also there may be a slight security risks which can make users more vulnerable to data interception, unauthorized monitoring or hacking from an extreme hacker in the neighborhood since it is a shared line*.

When buying Cable Internet, check the upload and download speed. Many cable companies will throttle back the upload speed by as much as 75%. Also, If you purchase Cable Internet. at a certain speed, make sure your Cable Modem will operate at that speed. Otherwise, you may be paying for speed that you cannot use.
 
DSL (ADSL) Broadband Internet
DSL (AKA Digital Subscriber Line or ADSL- Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), is a digital Internet. connection that uses your existing copper telephone wiring to deliver high-speed data services to homes and businesses (2-wire). DSL provides a dedicated line to each Internet. user and is an \"always on\" high-speed connection. DSL not only provides high-speed access to the Internet, but it can also do streaming audio/video, videoconferencing, on-line gaming, application programs, telephone calling and other high-bandwidth services (same as cable modem). DSL generally connects to your PC via a DSL modem and it does not interfere with your telephone service.
 
There can be some limitations for DSL services as well... The maximum speed of DSL is determined by the distance between the customer's location and the Central Office (CO). Unlike cable Internet. which is not hindered by distance, DSL speeds tend to be slower the further away from the central office you are. It is extremely rare, but DSL can be hacked where the wire leaves the house and at the main connection boxes * Also, like Cable, DSL carriers tend to throttle the upload speed by as much as 75%.

Satellite Internet
Sustained download speeds typically have a maximum of 500k (roughly 1/6 of DSL and 1/10th of cable modem potential). Whilst Satellite carriers boast of upload and download speeds of 10 gigs or better, actual sustained performance has proven to be much much lower. Our &!@#$ service advertised 10 gigs download and 1 gig upload speed. Our actual speed averages 800k download and about 128k upload.

The biggest pit fall of satellite connections is that they often have \"lag-time\" when requesting information to and from the satellite. As a result, normal browsing may seem sluggish,  but large file downloads are generally much improved over traditional Dial-up connections. Often the upload transmissions on satellite connections run over a traditional dial-up modem at 56k baud or less.

Satellite is not fast enough for most streaming audio/video, videoconferencing, on-line gaming, application programs, telephone calling and other high-bandwidth services.

And on a cloudy or rainy day - you may have no Internet. access at all.

Another issue is the fact that bandwidth is limited or purchased in batches. When you exceed your bandwidth allotment, you might be shocked when you receive your bill.

Satellite connections require the installation of a dish and satellite transceiver at the user's location which may be purchased outright or leased. The dish then sends and receives data with an orbiting satellite, the distance of the transmission and weather can negatively affect performance (forget satellite Internet. in the rain).

Satellite Internet. does really shine in two areas:
1.    Rural areas beyond the reach of the cable/wire
2.    In a motorhome, airplane or such vehicle where satellite can provide Internet. access any place, anytime when you have line-of-site to the satellite (even whilst on the move). (except when it rains).

Being a point to point technology, satellite connections are less exposed than cable access.

Dedicated T1 Internet Service
T1s are large pipes used to transport digital voice and data signals from a business location to the Internet. or dedicated destination. This service can handle a great deal of bandwidth, both voice and data, and has 24 fixed channels to send information over. Unlike Cable, DSL, and Satellite, T1 bandwidth is guaranteed to remain constant.

Businesses can now lease a full T1 that will provide 1.54 Gigs of connectivity (guaranteed upload and download speed) with the flexibility to assign the available channels to voice or data. This is guaranteed throughput that can support up to 50 users comfortably, with each user having their own bandwidth so as not to slow down other users.

From a pricing standpoint the T1 used to be a great deal more expensive than DSL. Now, companies like Earthlink, Windstream, and Spirit are offering 4 telephone lines and a T1 for about $300.00 per month. With the guaranteed bandwidth and associated features, the service is well worth the price.

 * Please note: In all cases, whether you choose DSL, Cable, T1, or Satellite Internet., it would be wise to use some type of a firewall protection