High speed Internet connection question


sorry to stray from audio

wondering what are advantages/disadvantages to high speed cable internet service.

I do not have AT&T DSL available in my area and do not want to do use Uverse. Verison is not available to me. Direct TV would not work because I have trees in the way.

Someone mentioned wireless internet service (Sprint?) would this be better than cable?

thanks

Phil
128x128philjolet
Thought I'd recommend to everyone the following site as the best way to measure download and upload speeds. Click on the location nearest to you:

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

Kurt -- I suspect your numbers are in kiloBytes (or megaBytes) per second, abbreviated kB/sec or mB/sec. In case it's not clear to anyone, I want to clarify that the numbers in my earlier post are in kilobits or megabits per second (abbreviated kbps or mbps), which is how internet connection speeds are most commonly specified (multiply kB/sec or mB/sec by 8 to approximately convert to kbps or mbps).

Even making that assumption, your cable numbers are slowish compared to what is usually available these days. Try the Speakeasy test and see what it gives you -- you may be pleasantly surprised, especially if your numbers were determined by dividing file download times by file sizes (a methodology which underestimates connection speeds because server response times at the other end, and internet propagation delays in between, come into play). These should not be included when evaluating connection speed to your isp.

Regards,
-- Al
thanks everyone for the thoughtful replys!

I am getting Charter cable internet for 29.95/mo the first year.

I am lacking in choices but this will be good.
The speakeasy test results, Comcast cable Michigan ($45 a month):

5.5 mb download
1.5 mb upload

Dave
I use Astound cable service at www.astound.net. I use their 6 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream service and it is excellent. They offer five Astound Internet plans to find the right internet service level for you:

Low Speed $ 19.95 monthly
256 Kbps downstream/128 Kbps upstream

Mid Speed $ 34.95 monthly $ 25.00 monthly
(with Cable TV)
1.5 Mbps downstream/256 Kbps upstream

High Speed $ 44.95 monthly $ 35.00 monthly
(with Cable TV)
6 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream

Power User $ 54.95 monthly $ 45.00 monthly
(with Cable TV)
10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream

Power User Plus $ 64.95 monthly $ 55.00 monthly (with Cable TV)
10 Mbps downstream/1.5 Mbps upstream

I also use Astound for my TV and phone service. Please see their web site for the details.
does anyone know the best email to use with Charter? Should I just use what they offer or hook up my Outlook Express and use that instead?

thanks