cable internet ? speeds? 768KB - is this SLOW? help please

Was about to purchase earthlink DSL, until the chat man said I would have to keep my ATT land phone line (want to dump that land line) ... then he offered "Cable Internet Service" with "speeds up to 768Kb download and 128kb upload" (see below). Is this slow? Will I be able to see you tube videos with this? Is this similiar to dial up speed? Is this any good? Anyone know? Any comment appreciated (speed illiterate) , then we can offer you our Cable Internet Service. Thomas B.: You do not need any phone line or cable to get this service. C: : cost? Thomas B.: This is a best effort technology with speeds up to 768kb on the download and up to 128kb on the upload. Thomas B.: There is no charge for the standard professional installation, and it is only $29.95/ mo. Thomas B.: No installation cost. Thomas B.: No upfront charge. Thomas B.: No contract. Thomas B.: No cancellation or penalty charge. Thomas B.: Lets get you started, alright?

as an example, and it is all I can offer for info. right now: I just this second conducted a "speed test" with software on the DSL package which I selected from my provider (they offer 3 speeds for different prices, and I chose the 1.5 mega download byte speed) speed test result: 1.4 mb download speed .58 mb upload speed we stream full feature length movies over the net with this speed and have good video and audio. Youtube videos you ask about can be accessed easily with the speed nos. you cite above.

Edited by hiker, 26 August 2008 - 11:55 AM.

Dialup is usually around 56k. So cable 750k would be (up to) 15x faster. DSL typically 1000-1300k for lite versions. =1meg+ Better DSL and most cable runs 3megs. Fiber (FIOS) runs MUCH faster ... for streaming TV.

I would avoid having your phone service and internet connection over that same cable if you trade with margin on ST.... dark forces....

Edited by jjc, 26 August 2008 - 11:57 AM.

ps - Earthlink DSL is just a reseller of your local landline. DSL MUST run off your landline. Earthlink is NOT a facilities based operator like SBC/AT&T. You might want to contact SBC/T to see if they can better the EL offer. Its their network anyway.

hackers are more prevalent on Cable nodes than DSL nodes in my experience. Do NOT use a cable provider for your high speed internet service unless you are willing to purchase and learn a security software to keep hackers from accessing a port on your computer.

this is old article I just found on the net, but explains in first few para's the security difference between DSL and cable -
http://brneurosci.or...cablemodem.html

Edited by hiker, 26 August 2008 - 12:01 PM.

Thanks everyone. Appreciate it.

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Today, 3MBs download ant 768K upload speeds are sufficient in most cases. I would used this as a minimal case, assuming you are on-line more than 1 hour each day. 3 MBs will handle streaming videos without interruption execpt in HD format. The upload number is important because it is information your computer sends out. 768K will likely not be sufficent if you are uploading lots of pictures or videos, or accessing other machines in a graphical format and displaying back to your computer. Many ISPs are now offering 5 - 8 MBs download and a 1.5 MBs upload. Best Regards, Barry

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