Broadband wars at Lake Tahoe

Cable is trumping DSL (digital subscriber line) in broadband penetration, but in Lake Tahoe, Calif., DSL is getting out in front in many neighborhoods. Despite awesome demographics--serious telecommuters and second homeowners from Silicon Valley who want high-speed access at 6,200-feet high in the Sierra--the local cable guys, Cebridge Connections, still don't provide broadband access on the lake's west shore, where lakefront homes go for millions of dollars.

("Clueless" actress Alicia Silverstone was married here last week, and Gil Amelio, the former CEO at both Apple Computer and National Semiconductor, sold "Stonewood," his lakefront home, for a record $15 million in 2002.)

"Soon," the cable guys keep promising west shore residents, blaming the long delay on permitting. In the meantime, residents are snapping up SBC's latest offer for DSL at just $14.95 a month--cheaper than most local dial-up plans. SBC-Yahoo DSL starter kits are popping up in ZIP code 96141 post office boxes and homeowners are getting connected. Some residents are even dropping cable TV altogether and going with a satellite TV-DSL combo. Better hurry up, cable guys. "Don't be clueless," as Alicia would put it.