The main difference between ADSL and cable is that ADSL uses your existing phone lines, while cable uses dedicated cables laid by a cable company Ð the same ones you can use to receive cable television transmissions. The download speed ADSL provides is variable, depending on your distance to the central office or to a remote router. The maximum download speed of eight mbps is only possible if you live within one mile of the office. The typical ADSL subscriber can expect download speeds of up to four mbps. | 
