So, as more people in your neighborhood sign up for cable modem access, your performance will continue to deteriorate. On the other hand, DSL offers a dedicated connection that doesn't share any bandwidth. One drawback of DSL is that it requires special equipment you may be required to purchase. There's also usually some sort of installation fee to go along with all this. This is where it pays to shop around.
Phone companies are eager to offer DSL because they want a bigger piece of the Internet pie.
A couple of years ago, they had a chance with ISDN and blew it. Internet providers see DSL as their future. Over the next few years, high-speed Internet access will become the norm in American households instead of the exception. In other words, Internet providers who cling to dial-up access instead of embracing DSL may have a rocky road ahead. This all makes for a very competitive DSL market right now.