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Originally Posted by steve_smith
Probably going to sign up for ADSL tomorrow. I'm on the 750k NTL cable modem service. Thinking of going 512k down/256k up on ADSL. So far as I can see, if I don't mind dropping the download speed a bit, I actually get twice as much upload as NTL. Any other negatives or positives associated with changing from cable modem to ADSL?
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Yeah, 256 up on 512 is a big bonus. So much cheaper than paying £38 for 1.5mbps with NTL just to get 256 up !!!
Downsides are contention at peak times (though there are often slow-down times with NTL too), limits due to line length or quality, and that you have to buy your own modem (though with NTL you are paying for it in rental effectively, even long after you've basically paid for it).
On the plus-side... flexibility, better package with some ISPs (static IPs, web space with PHP/CGI/MySQL support, unlimited download options, no transparent proxies etc), price, speed (if you have a good line, but especially the upstream), choice, and above all else
customer service.
Potentially you also have reliability as far as the line itself goes. Once BT have okayed it, you shouldn't really have any signal level issues, at least not on the scale you get with NTL, and one complaint to BT and they'll be out almost next day and fix it (especially if you say your phone isn't working).
The major problem with NTL (beyond CS) is they don't test the lines they install. I would be happier if they just tested it and admitted they can't deliver cable to my house, in the same way that BT do. At least then I could have looked elsewhere instead of suffer problems all the time I've had it.
Also, ADSL is evolving. There's ADSL2/2+ round the corner, and even NTL are expanding their coverage by using ADSL rather than rolling out new cable networks (the latter of which they admit is more expensive). Cable is stagnant.