Being connected through a cable, just like for cable television, has allowed many more residents of the United States to participate in the boom in broadband bandwidth. This is largely due to the fact that there is already an abundant network of coaxial cable spread across the continent, much more so than fiber optic lines. You could say that cable had a head start with very little competition. To be sure, many telecom operators are envious of the companies that once drove entertainment revenue. By using a cable modem, one can connect to the high-speed Internet, while other physical modems require landline telephone lines.

Advantages of cable Internet

1. The advantages of cable Internet start with the extreme speed of the connection. Speeds of up to 12 Mbps can be achieved within a home, allowing for faster video streaming, smoother online gaming, and faster downloads.

2. Since no cable landline is required, you can stay connected to the Internet continuously. No need to dial for the modem, which is often touted as the greatest convenience in our fast-paced society. Also, there are no phone bill costs associated with connecting to the Internet, which has been a problem for customers who have to call via Intralata long distance.

3. Other connections, like DSL, are substantially slower and can often cost twice as much to reach the speeds that cable Internet can achieve. The costs of this Internet connection can be offered at a substantially lower cost per Mbps, adding value to the end consumer due to this.

4. Cable Internet connections are not only always on, they tend to be more reliable than DSL or wireless Internet. Dropped connections are very rare and often only happen during major network updates, not during peak hours.

5. Plus, you can bundle your Internet with other services to add value and convenience to your monthly communications expenses. This can include phone service, broadband (of course), and cable TV entertainment packages.

Cons of cable internet

1. Although you may have requested the largest cable broadband bandwidth for your home, during peak times you may not receive all the bandwidth you originally requested. This can also happen when there are too many connected to the Internet in your home through your wireless router.

2. The cost per Megabit is a fair price, however, slow cable Internet connections are not sold. This leaves you open to paying more and having to buy more bandwidth than you need, resulting in higher monthly costs.

3. Sometimes you are required to purchase more than just Internet service. Many cable companies have taken advantage of their market place and will insist that you purchase a cable television package in order to receive Internet service. This can alter the value when it comes to cost savings.

4. Installation costs can be a bit high if you didn’t have coaxial cable in your facility originally. This can work at the high support of $100+.

5. Because the Internet connection will always be active, you will need to invest in a good antivirus program to ensure your computer is secure. Not only that, but viruses can be uploaded to your computer much more efficiently with cable Internet, so keep that in mind.