Are all Mbps all the same?

[^glen^magnific^ ^mufflerdent^]

If so, how does dsl compete?

example

Att - advertises .... the "extreme" @ 6.0 Mbps
Cable companies - advertise "up to 30 Mbps

both claim similar capabilities.

[Greywolf]

All Mbps are the same. But cable is not available everywhere. If you don't have cable in your area, your only choice is ADSL over telephone line (theoretical max 8 Mbps, which you can only get if you are next door to the telephone exchange - otherwise it is slower the further away you are)).

[kyle]

You want at least 20 Mbps. They advertise for a certain number; however you always get less than what they advertise. It's because the speed they're giving you is theoretical.