Cable internet and how it works

Cable Internet is a category of broadband Internet access that uses the infrastructure of the cable TV network provider to provide Internet services. Therefore, it is as easy to install as DSL, but with greater bandwidth and speed. Through the use of a cable modem you can have a broadband Internet connection that is designed to operate over cable TV lines making it highly reliable and allowing you to operate quickly and efficiently on the web.

Strengths

  • Substantially

    Faster than dial-up, satellite, and DSL (Speeds up to 940 MBPS)

  • Connection

    Connection disruptions are rare

  • Supports data

    Supports data heavy activities such as streaming and gaming due to lower latency compared to DSL, satellite connections

  • Availability

    Cable internet boasts of 89% coverage nationwide

Shortcomings

  • Connection

    May be weakened with an increased number of connected users

  • Pricing

    Expensive pricing by providers

  • Speed
    1. Lower speeds as compared to fiber internet.
    2. Speeds may vary and slow down during peak hours
  • Availability

    Cable internet has a limited availability compared to DSL when it comes to rural areas

Bottom Line Even though it requires a bit more investment, the substantially greater speeds and reliable connections make it a worthwhile expenditure.

Bundling: get some extra services

Cable companies tend to bundle cable internet with additional services such as telephone and television. This allows you to save up on those extra costs that would have been incurred on individually buying those services. It also gives the companies a stronger grip on the user since it makes switching costs fairly high. Use our search tools provided to compare the best bundles being offered in your zip and make a decision to equip yourself.

Installation

Simple equipment is required: a modem and a router. Most providers will visit your homes and install the equipment for you. The working is fairly simple which requires little to none after-installation service rendering from the user. Compare with alternatives in your zip and find the best fit for you. Use the search tool below.

What is the right speed for me?

Internet speeds are the most important feature to consider when it comes to choosing the right internet package. With cable internet, the speed ranges from 10 to 500 Mbps download speeds and 5 to 50 Mbps upload speeds, thus we have compiled the following table to help you decide which speed is right for you!

Speed Best for
10 Mbps• Basic Web Browsing
• Ideal for fewer than 3 devices that browse the internet
50 Mbps• Lightweight browsing
• Instantly Send & Receive Emails
• Ideal for 3 to 5 devices that occasionally receive emails and light internet users
100 Mbps• Ideal for 5 to 7 devices and internet users who are power web users and gamers
• Browsing
• Send and receive emails
• Gaming and streaming
500 Mbps• Ideal for 7 to 9 devices and advanced users who manage large files or stream videos
• Browsing
• Send and receive emails
• Gaming and streaming
• Video conferencing

Cable Internet Providers

Charter Spectrum is a renowned telecommunications company in America that provides super quality products and services relating to TV, internet, phone and wireless communications to its customers.

Why choose Spectrum

  • Unlimited data

    Spectrum allows its customers the liberty to use unlimited data with their cable internet services so that they do not have to worry about going over their allocated data limits or incurring extra fees if they do.

  • Hotspots

    Spectrum has installed Wi-Fi hotspots, which can be accessed and used by Spectrum customers, at thousands of locations across the country to make sure that customers stay connected no matter where they are.

  • No contracts

    Spectrum makes customers sign no contracts when they sign up for a cable internet service with them because they believe that the only thing holding customers to a company should be customer satisfaction with the service.

  • Spectrum contract buy out

    Spectrum has introduced an initiative where they pay up to $500 to cover customer’s switching costs if a customer wishes to join Spectrum and is already in contract with some other provider

Considerations

  • Customer service

    According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index ACSI, Spectrum scored 65 out of 100 in relation to its customer service which tells us that customers are not all that happy with the customer service being provided to them at the moment.

Should you get Spectrum?

Spectrum won’t tie you down to any contracts because they know you’ll love the service. You can also carry your spectrum connection in your pocket wherever you go thanks to quarter of a million hotspots across the country. Most providers monitor your usage, and when you exceed the cap they may charge an overage fee or lower your speed. You don’t have to worry a bit with Spectrum because they offer no Data caps

Founded in the 1960s, Cox is a telecommunications company that offers TV, internet, phone and home automation services to customers across America.

Why choose Cox?

  • 30 day money back guarantee

    To make sure that customers are satisfied with the service, Cox offers customers a 30 day money back guarantee for their internet services where if customers do not like the service, they can cancel the service and get their money refunded within the first 30 days of service.

  • Hotspots

    Cox keeps customers connected no matter where they are with the 3 million Wi-Fi hotspots they have installed nationwide. Cox customers are authorized full access and unlimited data usage on these hotspots so that they can access the internet from wherever they are.

  • Online security

    Internet plans by Cox come equipped by with a security suite powered by McAfee that makes sure that your privacy is protected while you are online.

Considerations

  • Price

    Cox has great starting prices for its low speed plans such as the 10 Mbps internet plan starting at $29.99 but all this changes when you come to consider the prices for its top tiered internet packages. The high speed internet plans with speeds of 500 Mbps and 1 Gig have prices up to $99.99 per month, which is quite high by industry standards.

Should you get Cox?

Cox, unlike other providers that take off some dollars off your monthly subscription if you commit to a contract, doesn’t do this and the price is as it is. Using Cox Connect – Wi-Fi hotspot app makes sure that as a Cox Internet Customer you’re always connected through the network of Hotspots around the nation. Cox, unlike most ISPs, has a data limit. However, the data limit is very high. Every Cox Internet Plan has a 1 TB monthly data limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cable internet offers higher speeds than DSL so if speed is what you are after then cable is the way to go. However, if price is a major concern then DSL is a better bet as it is considerably cheaper than a cable connection.

With 89% coverage nationwide, it is a safe bet that you would have cable internet available in your area. To find out which providers offer the service in your area, type in your zip code in our search tool and explore the different deals and promotions available!

The cost of a cable internet package depends on the provider you choose to avail the service from and the speed you choose to go along with it as plans are priced in ascending order to the download speeds. However, cable internet plans have a starting price for about $24.99 per month across most providers for 25 Mbps download speed.

The answer to which connection type is better depends on what you require out of your internet connection; fiber internet is ideal if speed is of the utmost importance to you and price is not that much of a factor; however, the downfall of fiber internet is that it is not widely available so you might not be avail the service and also that it is much more expensive compared to other connections, in which case cable is the way to go.

The two prominent satellite TV providers are DIRECTV and DISH network.

Since no wiring is involved with satellite TV, you can get it anywhere! As long as you have an open space for the satellite dish to be placed, you can get a signal wherever you may be.

Use our search tool below to compare between all the TV plans
being offered in your zip and make the best choice.