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The Big Nerd · #1 (**permalink**) 12-26-2002, 07:55 PM

Does anyone here have a broadband connection? Which one? What are your experiences with it (i.e. hacking, unexpected slowdown or downtime)? I might get BB soon (er,...someday), but I'm not very knowledgeable on the topic. Is it true that it can get slow when using Cable? What's the best value or what's the fastest and most reliable type? Also, what is the deal with the firewall? I spend a lot of time online (dial-up), like hours, usually waiting for something to download , am I vulnerable like broadband users are?

What the DSL companies want you to believe is that cable modems will slow down when more users come online and that DSL does not slow down because it is "dedicated", not shared. One DSL provider even built a series of marketing campaigns around this message. However, the DSL provider was instructed by a court of law to stop running the campaign because the message was not true. It is not true because a properly designed and managed cable modem system (such as Road Runner's) accommodates the popularity of the service.

There are two other things you should know about DSL and speed. The first is that DSL slows down the further you live from their facilities. The second is that DSL's "dedicated" connection is only for the short distance between your home and their facilities. From that point on, it is pooled with all other traffic. The truth is, ALL Internet technologies are shared, including DSL, and no one can guarantee or control speed, due to variables inherent to the Internet. However, it is one of Road Runner's major priorities to take all the appropriate steps regarding design, management and capacity that maintain a high-quality, high-speed online experience for our subscribers.

Thanks in advance.