IT AIN'T OVER

AT&T did a remarkable job of quickly moving the majority of its high-speed data subscribers from the imploded Excite@Home network onto a “contingent” network it just happened to be building as an insurance policy. The timing of the move was especially relevant in a holiday season where cable’s always-on high-speed data connections could combine with economic and emotional factors to drive a breakthrough e-commerce opportunity.

While some AT&T subs are disappointed with their new service--slower speeds being the loudest complaint--they should keep in mind that there was nothing in cable’s track record to portend such a quick turnaround. Since customer service is generally a cable afterthought, it was expected that the industry would move slowly and arrogantly in dealing with its high-speed dilemma. It didn’t, but the game’s not over.

Excite@Home officially expires February 28, by which time its remaining customers-- Comcast and Cox being the two biggest--must emulate AT&T and move their customers to new networks. Comcast e-mailed a promise to its subscribers that they would be moving to a “new network [that] is 100% managed by Comcast” so they could “rest assured that you will never again worry about the strength or stability of your Internet provider.”

AT&T’s recent performance notwithstanding, there’s nothing in cable’s past to suggest any Excite@Home subscriber should rest assured of anything until March 1.