Taking Aim With ADSL At The Internet Service Provider Market

We've certainly spilled plenty of ink over digital subscriber line (xDSL) technologies. In the last year we've covered new DSL access multiplexers, modem price wars, CAP vs. DMT, trials, hurdles, promises and of course, more chip sets than you could shake a copper pair at.

Now, a few brave Internet service providers are finally stepping forward, building networks and offering commercial services. In true pioneer spirit, they've taken a few arrows, but it now appears they have turned the tables and are doing some of their own shooting at the local telephone companies.

Two ISPs, Signet Partners Inc., Austin, Texas, and InterAccess Co. Chicago, have taken the tack of reselling copper lines from the local telephone company, slapping Asymmetric DSL (ADSL) equipment on either end and charging for Net access.

And this is where it gets really good.

These ADSL prices are all over the map-from about $180 to about $1,300 per month depending on the access speed. Despite all the market testing in...