There is some confusion in the marketplace because at the same time it launched DSL service, US West launched an Internet Service Provider (ISP) business called uswest.net. As a result, there are some people who believe that they can get DSL lines and ISP services only from US West.

That is not the case.

You do have to purchase the physical DSL circuit from US West at this point in time. However, you can purchase the ISP portion that you need to connect to the net from others, such as StarNet.

We're not delighted about being in the position of both working with US West on one hand and competing with US West's ISP division on the other.

We would prefer that US West concentrate solely on doing a good job at providing lines and leave the competitive ISP market to do what it does best, provide internet services.

The ISPs of America were the ones that created the Internet industry while the phone companies of America frequently just complained about the bother of Internet usage.

Again, the important thing for people to understand is that you need to buy only the physical DSL circuit from US West. But the DSL circuit by itself doesn't do anything. You have to connect to a service provider.

Thus you need ISP services and you can get those from us or others.

We believe it's best for people -- anywhere in the nation -- to purchase their ISP services, whether they are DSL or dial-up, from an independent Internet Service Provider rather than a telco.

There are several good reasons for this. ISPs are part of the Internet culture and understand its issues. ISPs also work to protect the interest of Internet users.

On the other hand, the Baby Bells across the country have initiated several efforts to charge Internet users on a usage basis -- in other words no more flat rates for Internet service. If the Baby Bells had their way, they would have created massive price increases for consumer Internet usage.

It was ISPs like StarNet that fought these efforts and won on behalf of the consumer.

In a world where the telephone company controls a large portion of Internet usage, consumers will have no choice but to accept price increases.

The only way to prevent that is to make sure the phone companies don't end up running the Internet. ISPs are accustomed to competing with each other -- in fact we like it -- and a competitive marketplace keeps costs down for consumers.

In addition, while the ISP division within US West is an unregulated entity, if people buy ISP services from the telco they will effectively extend the control of a near monopoly in the market.

In other words, if you believe in choice in the marketplace and consumer options/protection, buy your DSL circuit from US West and your ISP services from an independent ISP.

And by that we mean any ISP than will invest in the needed infrastructure to support DSL. We happen to think that we're the best, but if you don't want service from us, another independent ISP is still a great choice.