In this article, we examine the open access debate in the context of cable services and broadband Internet services from an antitrust framework. Our analysis is prompted by the recent AT&T-MediaOne and AOL-Time Warner mergers, which raise issues concerning the impact of integrated cable content...

To date, most residential customers to the Internet have used dial-up modems with a top speed of about 56.6 kbps [kilobits per second]. In the past two years broadband access has become available via cable modems offered by the local unregulated cable provider and via digital subscriber lines...

This chapter analyzes the potential benefits of municipal-owned broadband in terms of stimulating local economic activity. Some economists posit that muni broadband might discourage investment by privately owned Internet service providers, thereby offsetting any incremental investment from local...