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To test the competitive waters firsthand, CableFAX Daily conducted an informal test by ordering 2 phones lines, a cable modem and digital cable in our fledgling NY office (aka, 1st week sr ed Joshua Cho's 2-bdr flat in Jersey City). Conclusion: cable wins hands down on all counts. Comcast (CMCSA) needed 1 phone call and 2 techs to get its digital cable and @Home service hooked up. Both techs were highly personable pros who made it within 2 hours of the 4-hour service window, did their jobs in a minimal amount of time and did not leave until the service was functional. Also, both did a great job of running the cable throughout the flat in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Downside: it took two separate truck rolls and billing isn't integrated. Also, the techs illegibly scribbled their names and disptach couldn't tell us who they were late Fri afternoon to give 'em some credit. Bell Atlantic (BEL) required a full week, 5 separate service appointments and 6 techs to wire and light 1 jack with 2 lines. In fairness to BA's men, the biggest problem (and our case wasn't unique, according to one flustered BA installer) was gaining access to basement wire boxes due to the absence of the building's superintendent. A couple of techs were clearly overjoyed when they found they didn't have to complete the job. One even told us to wait 2.5 hours before calling the Central Office. "Give them a little attitude," he suggested. Further, BA saved the best tech for last, a contractor who showed up unexpectedly and without any BA credentials, save for a work-order form. But he got dialtone and even cleaned up a noisy line caused by the jack installers' shoddy workmanship. So when is Comcast going to offer phone service?!