Finally!

[zenda2]

Uh, yeah...testing the software the runs the autoswitching network backbone so they can quickly/easily install A-DSL broadband at the customer end is what I've been doing to earn my bread and wine for the past few years. So broadband, I know a leetle something about. A-DSL beats cable speed under good circumstances, that's assuming the user is close to the 'central office', a switching device installed by the local phone co...green metal boxes with 'stay away' signs out in the neighborhood. Distance from said switch affects speed, copper builds up resistance, blah blah blah. Cable is a 'pie' of users, you have access to a slice of the available speed depending on how many other users are using it at once. A-DSL isn't a pie, you get ALL the speed you're entitled to, but the 'last mile' or the connection from the network to your house...that's the rub. Closer is better, and there are some filters the DSL provider can use to slow down speed up and downstream (to keep themselves from being overwhelmed by 'napsterheads'). There is some work going on now to make that last mile cheaply available over the wireless web...when that happens, expect speed out the wahoo, hand-helds that can do amazing things, and of course...PCS towers everywhere you look.
The marketing wallahs have found that most...most...users don't really need all the speed that's available, and most don't have the $$$ to pay for speed they don't need. They're aiming DSL at small business and Work At Home folk right now, and expecting word-of-mouth to create demand for more pipeline. Cable, that's another story. If you're already wired for it, go for it and enjoy. Of course, users get used to speed pronto, and within a year or so Bucko will be on here complaining that it took 2 seconds to download a 2 hour movie last night, and when the heck will the people in charge do something to speed things up.
FWIW, I decided I didn't need broadband for myself...at least right now. I know some of the things it'll do in the near future...I'll want it then.

Final caveat...y'all A-DSL and cable users get some personal firewall software and get it NOW.