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How does cable internet work?
Cable internet, much like cable TV service, uses coaxial cables to deliver electrical signals. A cable internet modem receives these signals and converts them into internet service, similar to how a cable TV box receives a signal and displays an image.
A coaxial cable supports higher bandwidth than telephone lines, which gives cable internet a significant speed advantage over DSL internet. Additionally, coaxial cables are more common and less expensive than fiber-optic cables. This makes cable internet more widely-available and sometimes lower-priced than fiber-optic internet service.
Cable internet provider details
| Provider | Monthly starting price* | Starting download speeds | Max download speeds | Data cap | Contract |
 Atlantic Broadband | $39.99 | 50 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | None | None |
 Buckeye Broadband | $19.99 | 25 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | 250 GB/mo. or unlimited | None |
 Cox Communications | $29.99 | 10 Mbps | 940 Mbps | 1 TB/mo. | One year |
 Mediacom | $19.99 | 60 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | Varies by plan, up to 6 TB/mo. | One year |
 Optimum | $29.99 | 20 Mbps | 940 Mbps | None | One year |
 Shentel | $40.00 | 50 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | Varies by plan, unlimited options available | One year |
 Sparklight | $39.00 | 100 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | Varies by plan, up to 1.2 TB/mo. | None |
 Spectrum | $49.99 | 60 Mbps | 940 Mbps | None | None |
 Suddenlink | $34.99 | 100 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | None | One year |
 Xfinity | $29.99 | 15 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | 1 TB/mo., unlimited options available | None required |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Last updated 06/12/20.
Pros and cons of cable internet
Cable internet is a common choice for home internet as it is widely available and delivers fast download speeds, but it may not be for everyone.
Advantages of cable internet
- No home phone line is required to get cable internet
- Cable internet offers speeds up to 10x faster or higher than DSL internet
- Available to about 89% of U.S. residents
Disadvantages of cable internet
- Lower internet speeds during peak usage times because you’ll share a connection with users in your area
- Select cable internet providers have data caps and may throttle your internet speed or charge additional fees when you go over
Best cable internet customer satisfaction ratings
While some cable internet providers — such as Xfinity, Cox and Optimum — managed to improve their American Customer Satisfaction Index scores over the years, others, including Spectrum and Suddenlink, experienced continued declines.
Source: ACSI
David joined the Allconnect team in 2017, specializing in broadband and TV providers. He is our transactional content lead and responsible for the most popular post in our Resource Center… Read more
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Cable internet frequently asked questions
Is ADSL or cable internet faster?
Is ADSL or cable internet faster?
Cable internet supports higher bandwidth and faster speeds than ADSL internet. Cable internet plans vary by location, but cable internet can deliver more than 10x the speeds of DSL in select areas.
What kind of cable is used for internet?
What kind of cable is used for internet?
Cable internet uses a coaxial cable, the same as cable TV service. Within the coaxial cable is a copper or copper-plated steel line which carries internet signals from a provider to a residence. Other cables used for internet include telephone lines and fiber-optic cables.
Do you need a phone line for cable internet?
Do you need a phone line for cable internet?
No. Unlike DSL and dial-up internet, which require a phone line for service, cable internet uses a coaxial cable. Home phone services are available from most cable internet providers, but one is not required for internet service.
What is a good cable internet speed?
What is a good cable internet speed?
Cable internet is capable of delivering a wide speed spectrum. A good cable internet speed for most homes is 100 Mbps or higher, but a “good” speed depends on your needs.
Last updated 06/12/20.
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