If something works, my inclination is usually to leave well enough alone, so after several years with "Comcast High-Speed Internet" switching to SBC's DSL was not something I would do at the drop of a hat. Two factors, however, drew me to consider making the switch a few months ago. The first (and easiest to quantify) was the price. SBC's least expensive DSL package priced out considerably less expensive than the combined cost of Comcast's internet service and cable modem leasing charge. (Under the terms of the deal I accepted, the customer ends up owning SBC's DSL modem free after subtracting instant and mail-in rebates). I did request and receive a price break from Comcast at one point, but the price break they gave me was only for three months - They were unwilling to match the low-end DSL pricing on a permanent basis. (I did do a little research into wireless and satellite internet access as well, but they did not appear to be price-competitive in my area at this time).

The second factor was reliability. This was a more complex calculation. On the one hand, my cable modem was losing its connection quite frequently (sometimes more than once a day). Usually (but not always) powering down the modem and computer and then restarting a few minutes later would solve the problem promptly. I called Comcast's tech support a couple of times. They were happy to talk me through the powerdown/restart procedure (which I could already generally get to work on my own). When I suggested that the fact that the connection was going out as frequently as it was might indicate something that needed to be fixed, they said they could send a technician, but that if the technician determined that I or my equipment was at fault I would be billed for the visit. I felt reasonably confident that the problems were not my fault but not so confident that Comcast would end up seeing it that way, so I declined their offer.

On the other hand, some members of my family with SBC DSL were losing their connection once a day, every day (but never more than once a day that we could recall), so this was scarcely an option without hazzards either. The SBC people I spoke with ventured the opinion that such would not be a problem in my case as I was located "close to the hub". I took that with a grain of salt, coming as it was from people whose company stood to gain financially by my making the decision to switch. Lured by SBC's 30 day money back guarantee, however, and the thought that I would rather have even an internet connection that went out once a day (but no more than that) than one that sometimes went out multiple times in the same day, I decided to make the switch and see how the two services compared.

When the SBC modem arrived and the service was activated I was happy (and somewhat relieved) that everything worked without a hitch. I was also happy to note that in my case I did NOT lose my connection once a day with the DSL (indeed it is a rare month that I lose my connection at all). Despite the fast that this was the lowest end DSL, supposedly slower than cable, I did not notice any reduced speed either. Maybe the SBC people were right about the benefits of my being "near the hub". After waiting a couple of weeks to make sure that the DSL would meet my needs, I cancelled my Comcast account and returned their modem (making sure to get and file a receipt in case I needed to prove that I had indeed returned it).

The fine performance of SBC's service and equipment were marred somewhat for me, however, by my initial experience with SBC's billing department. The first bill I received indicated both a higher rate and a higher equipment charge than what I had been offered by my SBC salesperson. A call to the SBC billing department failed to correct the problem. (The person with whom I spoke insisted that I was wrong about the amounts and that the deal the salesperson had offered me was not even available in my state.)

Fortunately I was able to speak to my original SBC salesperson who apologized and acknowledged right away that I was correct about the billing error, both in regard to the equipment charge and the monthly rate. It turns out the modem SBC had sent me was a more expensive modem, so he sent me the correct one and gave me instructions on how to return the original to SBC once I received the replacement. He also entered the appropriate data into the SBC computers to credit my account for the overcharges and reduce my monthly rate to the amount originally promised. After a couple of bills (which I examined closely) all of the appropriate credits were applied and everything tallied correctly. I was not sure how well SBC would do with the mail-in rebate after the fiasco with billing, but happily the check arrived well within the promised time period.

So all in all, switching to DSL was not entirely without its pains, but it ended up ok. I now pay a lower rate than I had been paying for cable internet, and my DSL service has proved so far to be more reliable, with no speed degradation that I can notice. I do have a commitment to finish out my initial 12 month contract with SBC (or fork over an early termination fee). Comcast required a similar commitment when I signed up with them. At the end of the 12 month commitment I can either re-commit for another 12 months at whatever (presumably still low) rate SBC is offering at that point or I can go month to month at a higher rate (similar to shat I was paying with cable).

Obviously things may be different in your state or area. Pricing and terms might vary. You may have different high speed internet providers or the same providers with different reputations for reliability in the area where you live. Cable or DSL might not be offered in your area. Maybe your city provides free wireless access. Options will undoubtedly change as time goes by. The best advice I can offer is to look into all of your options, consider all of the details, and make the best decision for you. Good luck!