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Cable modems' fiercest competitor, router manufacturer Cisco {CSCO}, plans to acquire DSL technology supplier NetSpeed for $236 million in a deal that could accelerate DSL deployment. The announcement provides more momentum to the burgeoning DSL business, which got a jump-start in January with the creation of the ADSL working group to devise standards, says analyst John Hunter of TeleChoice. The key is Cisco now can offer a complete end-to-end solution, he says. In fact, U S West {USW} says the deal will hasten rollout of DSL services. The regional Bell operating company has several trials under way and plans to deploy in 40 cities by June, including Denver, using NetSpeed equipment. At the same time, TCI {TCOMA} says it could be the first to deliver high-speed access in Denver since the company is working at top-speed to roll out 2Home {ATHM}.