[VoIP] Cable questions

[john jones]

Don wrote:

Although the theoretical data rates are lower than
with cable, the speed and latency are very
predictable, since DSL does not share the access media
with anyone. 

This typically only applies to the link from the DSLAM in the CO to the DSL modem at your end.  Out of the DSLAM, there is a shared IP uplink to where ever the provider aggregates traffic to the Internet.  This is the same basic architecture as the CMTS at the cable headend to your cable modem (although you are right that timeslots are shared between subscribers in the cable modem ) In my experience, the providers  have the most expense and therefore the lowest incentive to ensure that the uplinks are  properly sized.  


Also, I shudder to think of dealing with Comcast
customer service on a data or telephony service issue.

Boy is that true!

John