Cable vs. ADSL
Both ADSL and Cables modems offer broadband internet access. Compared to the traditional 56 Kbps dial-up modems, these two technologies open a new world of possibilities over the internet. Applications such as video-conferencing, online-gaming and multimedia are examples of online services that weren't possible with 56k modems, but can function well with broadband modems.
While ADSL and Cable modems are similar in many aspects, they also differ in some ways:
Speed
When comparing maximal theoretical speed, cables clearly wins: ADSL provides maximum download speed of 8 Mbps, whereas cable modems provides 30 Mbps (using a 100 Mbps network interface card).
In practice, the speed difference between these two technologies is much smaller. In both technologies, traffic speeds rarely reach the theoretical maximal speed. The speed may change every minute, depending on the internet traffic congestion. In addition, ADSL connection is dedicated to the subscriber, whereas in cables modem all subscribers in a given neighborhood share the bandwidth. That means that the performance depends on the number of subscribers in the neighborhood.
Speed
Caps
Both cable and DSL service providers have commonly employed the controversial practice of bandwidth caps for their home customers. Bandwidth caps place an artificial limit on the maximum speed a customer can achieve by monitoring their current usage and throttling network packets if necessary. In Israel, for example, ADSL and cables companies give their customers the option to subscribe to a bandwidth of 750 Kbps, 1.5 Mbps or 2 Mbps. Upon subscribing to one of the options, the customer is limited to this bandwidth.
Cable vs. ADSL
Speed