Cable modems alleviate most of this problem, but again, if there is a lot of traffic at a particular time of day, the bandwidth capacity will be stretched and you will experience data delays. Again, you get what you pay for. Satellite broadcast is also another very efficient way to receive data. Most of the large data vendors can deliver quotes via satellite. While a quote system will get you the crucial information you need, your order entry system is just as important.
Lets review the options that most electronic day traders have a the their disposal.
There is a very significant difference between what is widely available on the internet via discount brokers and what professional trading firms offer. On-line firms have a number of ways that they can route your order to the exchanges. Some firms will take the order via E-mail and then trade it on their desk or route the order to a broker's broker. This is commonly referred to as payment for order flow. In the time it takes to enter your order, a trader using an EDAT system like SuperDOT, InstiNet or Island will have bought and sold their stock and are on to the next trade, probably at your expense.