HELP: cable vs DSL internet in Toronto??

[ariell]

So I've finally decided that I've had enough with Bell. Stayed with them for much longer than I should have because I didn't want to be bothered changing my sympatico email. But I've had ongoing speed problems and their tech support (once I finally manage to get through) consists of telling me to unplug and then replug the modem which is completely frustrating.

I've always had DSL but now that I'm making the switch from Bell I/\'m wondering which you would recommend -- cable or DSL? (Sorry if my questions seem dumb BTW but I'm really not a tech person!)

I'd like to try cable but am worried about slow speeds. I don't need it to be super fast (I just have 6MB service now--or in theory that's what it should be) but I do want to be able to stream a movie without it stopping and starting.

The downside for DSL is the extra cost for dry DSL. I have a dry loop through Bell that I'm not paying for though. I assume that when I cancel Bell I also lose the dry loop right? Also I figure if I'm getting choppy service with Bell, I'll also get choppy service with another provider.

Does the fact that I live in downtown TO in a condo factor into the equation of whether to pick cable over DSL? Right now I'm leaning towards cable but any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[mulambo187]

teksavvy cable and freephoneline

[willdacanucker]

I was with robbers for cable internet. I dropped them, paid my ecf, and went with Teksavvy's 25/7 dsl. Could not be happier. It is almost the same price as robbers BUT I am actually getting the speeds I was promised (most of the time) On cable, the speeds would tank every evening around 5pm or so and stay frustratingly slow for the whole weekend, once everyone came home and started logging on. I also live downtown.

[ariell]

Thanks for the responses. Mulambo, curious why you're suggesting cable over DSL. I'm tempted to try cable but the problem that willdacanucker describes (ie. your service tanking once everyone goes online) is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.

Willdacanucker: how do you find teksavy for customer service? Also wondering if you have a wired or wireless connection? I have wireless and bell blames my crappy speeds lately on the fact that I'm using wireless but I'm not convinced.

[encinc]

I'm in much the same boat. We're in Guelph, so not right in the city, but having much the same experience. Have stuck with Bell for far too long because we didn't want to change e-mail addresses and have one of the old grandfathered unlimited plans. But, I'm sick of the lousy customer service and constantly rising bills. We are using the internet as our main source for TV watching, so something that is good for streaming is especially important to us. Bell's DSL has been fairly reliable, but there are times when the signal drops or has to "play catch-up." It gets particularly annoying during sports events. Would cable be better for us? Or would we find too much congestion over cable?

[willdacanucker]

Willdacanucker: how do you find teksavy for customer service? Also wondering if you have a wired or wireless connection? I have wireless and bell blames my crappy speeds lately on the fact that I'm using wireless but I'm not convinced.
I find their customer service to be fine. I mean, come on compared to any of the "customer service" reps for robellus, anything is an improvement. I also had garbage speeds with Rogers over my wireless router. Bell is a slight improvement but, not dramatic. (that said the only wireless pc I have atm, is my wifes older laptop, so it may just be a hardware limitation on her computer. I find on my ps3 that the download speeds for things are vastly inproved) I did find that the 25/7mbs speeds, that my wired connections have skyrocketed in the speed department. Sure Bell will throttle it during peak times, but there are ways around that. Also, the option is there with teksavvy to have an unlimited bandwith cap as well, something that none of the other main companies can provide.