Cable / DSL / Wireless Question

[Buffy Summers]

So I was finally looking at getting some sort of high speed internet, and after looking at the speeds they promise (like 3 MBPS or something for DSL) I was wondering -

When I let my wireless internet card connect to available networks, sometimes it will get a good connection of 11 or (rarely but sometimes) like 50 mbps. Does anyone know what these people are using that I am connecting to that is giving them those speeds? I know my parents' cable internet only does 10 Mbps.

🙂 Thanks

 

[StuckinTraffic]

Mine is usually in the 50 mbps range, I have cable. I've never tried DSL, but it's not available where I live anyway, so don't guess I will be. I've always been happy with cable access. I have the standard setup; cable modem, router, and either built in wireless cards, or wireless adapters on my computers. Setting up that router gave me h*ll, tho, I hope I never have to do that again!

 

[killerdwarf]

I have DSL and I get 100mbps on the new desktop. I have a wireless router that gives me 54mbps on the laptop, and from all accounts if I bought a better router, I could get all 100 on the laptop. I'm not sure how much faster "high speed" is than that...I mean, all the computers here at work are on an ethernet with some massive server and we only get 100mbps...so, I'd def. suggest you look into the DSL, and the high speed and see what the differences are. DSL is cheaper, and if you are at the periphery of a high-speed "cell", you might not get much more than you'd get with DSL. The high speed network is laid out like a honeycomb...you can be right in the middle of the city and be at the edge of the service area! That's what happened here...I was at the edge, and my high-speed modem kept crapping out. I went to the DSL, which was supposedly slower, and found the difference was so small that you couldn't even tell, and because it was DSL, the connection became 100% more stable. And it was about $15/month less...so, let's see: cheaper, just as fast and more stable...I went to DSL right away!

 

[StuckinTraffic]

and from all accounts if I bought a better router, I could get all 100 on the laptop.

What constitutes a "better" router? I've been wondering about this for a while....I have a Linksys, which is ok, but one of my desktops seems to have a problem staying connected to it. I'm not sure if it's the router's fault, tho, could be the wireless adapter. Anyway, I've been thinking of going to the new wireless g when it becomes standard some time next summer, I hope.......

 

[killerdwarf]

By better I meant one that would handle a 100mbps signal...the one I have will only do 54mbps, so it's running at capacity. The G-routers are available up to 108mbps, but I was too cheap to buy it...😉 They've come down in price since then, so my excuses are drying up...

 

[Buffy Summers]

If I could just find some place that's reasonably priced for month to month, cause I can't commit to a year long contract lol

 

[StuckinTraffic]

By better I meant one that would handle a 100mbps signal...the one I have will only do 54mbps, so it's running at capacity. The G-routers are available up to 108mbps, but I was too cheap to buy it...😉 They've come down in price since then, so my excuses are drying up...

Which ones advertise they have that high a transfer rate? I bought the Linksys for the reliability, but I wouldn't mind blazing fast! I want the page to load while I'm still thinking about clicking on a link!

 

[StuckinTraffic]

killerdwarf agrees: The new N-band routers are wicked fast (I think it's N...) and widely available now, but pricey. You may need a card in your laptop to get connected to, as it is newer than most laptops...

Ahhh, yes it is N.....I get so confused, LOL! I've heard they were super fast, but I'm hoping when they come out in standard next year that they'll be backwards compatible with B and G wireless adapters and cards. Will the speed suffer, tho?

 

[killerdwarf]

If the manufacturers are on the ball, they may be reverse-compatible...and a bit slower for it, but I'm sure they'll be faster than the G-band ones out now. I can't go much faster than a 100mbps G-band anyway, since that's the max speed for DSL on my ISP. But...if they make DSL faster...look out!😉