Telus ADSL is technically superior, because you establish a direct and unique connection between your computer's modem, or router, if you will. Your system has a direct line to a modem node on thier server. This allows the provider to add all kinds of protection schemes to each of thier subscribers on an individual basis. Also, the download bandwidth is 1.5 Mb for the standard service.
Cons:
-Can be difficult to setup if you have multiple users on a home network that need access.
-If you are more than 1.1 kms away from the nearest node, you are out of luck - no service available.
-your network card MAC adress is registered with the Telus (or spoofed through your router) in order to get access. Change computers, network cards, or wanna get access with your laptop? Have fun setting that up.
Cable internet works differently. The cable provider allows a block of users access through a network node. This means that you may have up to 25 subscribers sharing your node. Technically, this means a less secure connection (because you are on a network with a bunch of computers sending and receiving data packets through a common access node). However, cable is generally faster, especially during off peak times. The throughput speed you see is dependant on how manny people are running data (accessing the internet) on your node. Download speeds of 2.5 to 5.2 Mb are not uncommon.
Cons:
- potentially less secure
- everyone surfing after dinner time make your internet connection slower
OK, so here's my $.02
My business partner has had Telus ADSL service in North Van for 3 years now. He has had to endure several outages, some that have lasted 2 or more days. He gets about 10 times more e-mail spam than I do on my Delta Cable e-mail account. I set his home network up, as well as another friends network. Total pain in the butt. In both cases, I had to get a Telus representative on the line to physically connect to the network router in order to get internet access. We could not have done it from our access points, with or without thier software. Everyone tells me this has changed, but if you are a neophyte, be prepared to call Telus for help. Both of my close friends have had plenty of complaints about Telus.
My sister has Shaw high speed in Coquitlam. Because she has an internet business, and has a static IP address, we set up a Cisco Router/hardware firewall in her home. Setup was a total piece of cake, everything worked wonderful first time out, and she has had no problems whatsoever.
I am fortunate to be on DCCNET, which (a closely guarded secret, up until now) is the second fastest cable internet service in North America.
Download speeds are usually on the order of 4.7 to 5.2 Mb during off-peak periods, and around 2.2 to 2.7 Mb during peak times. I run a wireless network at home, and even the wireless computers have fast downloads.
In order to get the same speeds with Telus, I would have to get thier High speed server service, at 154.95/mo
Get cable, put in all the protection, and surf away.
