High-speed connections are key to fulfilling the Web's promise of becoming a several trillion dollar a year industry by 2010 or so. Two main technologies will boost high-speed access to the Web. They will speed up the flow of information and increase productivity. By 2005, one or the other will be in half of the homes that are already online. The Bells want lawmakers to exempt them from rules forcing them to share the wires they own with competitors for payments they say are too low.
Bells insist applying old rules to new technology stifles investment.
Lawmakers will forge a compromise but probably not until '03. It will protect the Baby Bells' investment in high-speed infrastructure while also guaranteeing competitors more access to Bell facilities. Settling the issue will hasten hookup of high-speed connections and cut costs to consumers enough to lure them to the faster service. Some cities and towns aren't waiting for Internet firms to act. Local government in Chicago plus towns in the Northwest and elsewhere are installing high-speed fiber optic cable for residences, businesses.