Realistic speed of Cable vs. DSL?

[Staren]

I currently have cable access that is ‘technically’ supposed to run ‘up to’ 6 Mbps. Well I’m in a college town where everyone and their dog has net access, so it of course does not get that fast. I just did a broadband speed test and my speed listed at 1.353 Mbps. That is pretty high from what I’ve seen the last few days.

I’m seriously considering switching over to DSL because I can cut my monthly bill almost in half with a local service. If I get a 1.5 Mbps DSL connection, does anyone know if I will really get around that speed? If I still got the same speed I have now I’d switch in a minute, but I upload large PHP scripts on a regular basis so I don’t want to take a speed hit if I do this. Thanks in advance.

[Panama Red]

I checked speeds on some of my customers' dsl machines that are rated for 1500. I see speeds ranging from 950 - 1300. If I have my facts straight, broadband cable is slowed by the number of users on at one time while dsl is unaffected. Dsl, on the other hand, loses speed the farther you are from the node (connection/distribution point). But it will now slow down when more users are on the node. If you're thinking of changing, it might be a good idea to ask how far you are from the node and what your anticipated speed might be.

edit: I should add I have one friend from work who uses Dsl and he is at the very end of the line. His speed tests at just under 400! That really sticks for a "high speed" connection.

[Staren]

Thanks Panama Red. I guess that's what I need to do. I'll give the local DSL ISP a call next week. Ya, wouldn't want to make the switch if I'm on the outskirts of service.

[glc]

When you have PPPoE ADSL (most common) you will get the sync speed minus 15% for PPPoE and TCP overhead. My 1536/384 DSL is a solid consistent 1290/320. Depending on your distance from the DSLAM, you may or may not be able to maintain sync at 1.5.

You will never get the same upload speed as download on a residential cable OR DSL account - you need a commercial SDSL account on a dedicated (dry) line or a T1 to get symmetric speeds. Even commercial cable is asymmetric, but the upload cap is a lot higher than with a residential account.