If you have been looking into your options for high speed Internet access, then you have no doubt heard about cable broadband. It doesn't seem like too long ago that cable TV was introduced into Australia, and now it is possible to get the Internet over cable. Let's take a look at cable Internet to see if it's right for you.

How Cable Broadband Works

Cable Internet uses the already existing wires that are used to transfer television signals to your home. You can even use your cable wire for Internet access at the same time that you are using it for television. You may think that this is impossible; but there is a lot of unused bandwidth in your existing cable wires, so there is room for both.

Availability

Cable Internet is available anywhere that cable television is available. If you haven't yet had a cable line installed in your home from the main line, then you may need to pay an additional set up charge. On the other hand, if you've already had a cable wire installed, then you can skip this process. Unfortunately, if you live in a rural area and there are no cable wires, then you probably won't qualify for this service. It's always a good idea to call BigPond and Optus to find out if they can get a cable wire into your home.

Pros of Cable Internet

1. Reliable Speed and Quality: Internet services that depend on your phone line suffer from quality issues. Basically, the farther you are from your Internet service provider, the less reliable your quality will be and the slower your connection will be. This can result in a bad Internet experience, with a lot of lost connections - depending on how far you are from the origin of the signal. This isn't an issue with cable Internet. The speed and quality of your service is consistent no matter where you are on the network.
2. No Telephone Interference: With traditional Internet connections, your telephone line is typically interfered with. Your callers may hear a busy signal or you might hear strange noises when you try to place a call. These concerns are eliminated with cable Internet. Your phone line will no longer be associated with your Internet service whatsoever.

Cons of Cable Internet

1. Busy Networks: Since you'll be sharing the cable wire system with thousands of other Australians, you may find that your Internet slows down at certain times during the day. This is typically during the evenings and weekends, when many other people are on the Internet. As more people try to use the same resources, the result is a slower Internet speed for everyone. You can steer clear from this problem by avoiding the use of the Internet during the busiest hours.
2. Special Modem: Although data can be sent around the cable wires, you will need a special modem in order to translate that data into a language that your computer can understand. You will either need to buy one of these upfront or rent one from your cable provider for a nominal charge.
3. Limits: There is often a limit on the amount of data you can upload or download every month. It is important to correctly estimate how much bandwidth you will need, and then to stay within those limits so that you avoid getting overcharged.
4. Installation: This is less of a concern if you already have cable television. If you don't, then you can expect a significant initial installation fee to get up and running.

Why Should I Choose Cable?

Cable Internet isn't for everyone; however, if it's available in your area, then it is an option you should strongly consider. The high download speeds are among the best you'll be able to find amongst any of the broadband technologies, and it's nice to not worry about how far you are located from the data center.