DSL vs Cable - Broadband Internet Speed Comparison

Both DSL and cable speeds exceed those of competing Internet services. Are DSL or cable any faster than each other? More importantly, are you getting all of the performance you should from your Internet connection? Follow along as we explain the speed difference between DSL and cable and offer tips for maximizing your performance.

DSL and Cable Speed - Bottom Line

Cable modem Internet services on average promise higher levels of bandwidth than DSL Internet services, and this bandwidth roughly translates to raw speed. However, while cable Internet will theoretically run faster than DSL, several technical and business reasons can reduce or even eliminate this advantage.

DSL vs Cable Raw Speed - Advantage Cable

In terms of theoretical peak performance, cable modem runs faster than DSL. Cable technology supports approximately 30 Mbps of bandwidth, whereas most forms of DSL cannot reach 10 Mbps.