But Bell expects to extend its DSL network to within 12,000 feet of virtually all its urban customers by the end of 2002. But Bell isn't the only game in town. Sprint Corp. and Qwest Communications International also offer DSL service in Austin, as do some startups, including Dallas-based IP Communications. Qwest and IP Communications are seeking business customers. Sprint has packaged its ION broadband and telephone services for both residential customers and businesses.
Analysts say the phone industry giants are likely to prevail.
The folks with the most capital are going to do this, not the folks who have small startups. It will be done by the big established telephone companies. For broadband customers such as Sidoric, Internet-based communications are simply too important to be largely unregulated. The Internet is more fragile than people thought. We need to make sure that that fragile link is not broken, especially on a whim and without notice.