25 Mar Cable Modem vs. Dedicated Internet Access: What’s the Difference?
Having a reliable and high-speed internet connection is crucial for businesses today, but knowing which type of internet to select can be challenging.
When choosing between a cable modem and dedicated internet access (DIA) for your organization, it’s essential to understand the differences to make an informed decision.
What are the differences between cable modems and DIA? Here, we compare cable modem vs. dedicated internet access, focusing on upload speeds, availability, reliability, and cost.
Cable Modem: Limited Upload Speeds
One significant difference between cable modems and DIA is the upload speed. Cable modems typically offer upload speeds of 12 Mbps or less on a best-effort basis. For most everyday internet usage, this speed is adequate.
However, if you require higher upload speeds, such as for video conferencing or transferring large files—which many businesses do—a cable modem may not suffice. In such cases, the next viable step is a DIA connection, typically provided through fiber-optic or fixed wireless technology, which can offer significantly higher upload speeds equal to the download speed.
DIA: Consistent Reliability and Performance
Cable modems operate on a shared network infrastructure, meaning the performance and reliability are influenced by the number of users in the building or vicinity.
Performance won’t be impacted as much if there aren’t many users. However, heavy usage can cause a slow connection or even a complete internet outage. Think of an internet connection as a highway and cars as users. The more cars that share the road, the slower you can travel and at times, come to a complete stop.
In contrast, dedicated internet access, often provided through fiber optics and fixed wireless, allows you to have the entire highway, not shared with other businesses. This means you have exclusive access to the entire bandwidth, providing a consistently high level of performance and reliability with no fluctuations in speed that can occur with cable modem.
Cost Considerations for DIA and Cable Internet
What is the cost of not having a quality connection? While DIA can offer superior performance, it’s important to note that it can be more expensive compared to cable modem connections. This is primarily due to the investment in infrastructure required to provide dedicated access and the higher level of service and reliability it offers.
However, advancements in technology and increased availability have made DIA more affordable, especially in buildings that have already been wired for DIA service. In such cases, NewConnect provides an enterprise-grade solution at a significantly reduced cost compared to traditional deployments.
Explore Your Internet Options With NewConnect
NewConnect provides dedicated 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) symmetrical download and upload speeds as a standard. This internet is not shared and comes with a service level agreement (SLA) that guarantees uptime, low latency, consistent speeds, and overall performance. Contact us today to explore your internet options and get the fast, affordable, and reliable connection your business deserves!
