When determining which type of Internet service is best for you, it's essential to first consider where you live and whether DSL or Cable Internet can be installed in your area. So let's turn this mother out, and help you maximize your Internet experience.

DSL Availability
DSL is very much dependent on distance. The further away your residence is from the provider's central office, the less likely that DSL will be available. Contacting your local telephone company will determine if your lines are qualified to sufficiently transport DSL data. Not every telephone line is capable of carrying both phone and Internet data, so this step is essential before contacting a DSL provider. Of course, the benefit of having a dedicated line is that you do not share bandwidth with your entire neighborhood, so the guy next door downloading 120 hours of Abba concert videos won't interrupt your ability to download and surf.

Cable Internet Availability
Cable takes a much more "neighborly approach" to offering it's service in particular areas. Basically, cable companies generally offer Internet service in any area that they already have a cable TV footprint. However, cable is an RF newtwork—meaning that interference in cable TV will affect your Internet's performance. Cable Internet is also a shared media, meaning that several people in your immediate area may share TV lines, carrying a possible decline in performance as more people plug in.

In reality, the differences between cable and DSL are more prominent depending on where you live. Which service is best for you really depends on your downloading needs, whether you are running a business from home, etc. Companies offer different packages and prices in different areas, so you may find that researching companies that are available in your area first is the quickest way to determine your Internet needs.