ScottC is right (as usual - but not always ). It really depends on your particular providers and in rare cases your particular application. One is not intrinsically "better" or more reliable than the other. Cable here on Long Island is mostly fiber from what I understand and very fast. At least under some conditions it will run at something like 10 mbs from what I have seen. In other areas it may not be as fast. Ours has been very reliable and pretty good customer service. Also reasonably priced. However, I think another difference is that DSL will allow you to have a static IP address which at least with our cable service is not possible. For me that doesnt matter. However, I have a friend/co-worker that has written several computer and internet books for O'Reilly and some other publishers and he does some hosting relating to this that requires DSL. For just surfing either will work. I would ask around in your area and find how satisfied people are with the service and value with each provider. Unfortunately, I dont think those of us not in your local area can help too much.