Both Cable and DSL will lose... (Score 1)

I have neither had a cable modem nor DSL (they aren't offered where I live yet), but having dealt with both cable companies and telcos over time, I think both will lose out. They both have horrible reputations for customer service--as most monopolies do. I gave up cable years ago for DirecTV and have never looked back. And I'm only hanging onto my land line because it provides dial up service (at a measly 40KBS if I'm lucky.)

We're seeing the winner, however--wireless (but not cellular). Using unlicensed airspace, startup companies are starting to offer service to households at rates that are extremely competitive with what I've heard for cable/DSL. There are few barriers to entry, and lots of companies appear to be getting into the fray here in Northern Colorado. These companies will compete against each other, the winners will be those that provide the best customer service. And of course once they win against each other, the cable / telcos won't have a chance, except in perhaps the most densely populated areas where unlicensed wireless just can't go.

Soon I'll try one of these wireless companies, and from what I've heard so far I'll have pretty good success. Then I can drop my monopolistic telco (QWest) just like I dropped my monopolistic cable company.

Then the only monopoly I'll have to deal with (at least for now)....is Microsoft.