Ten percent say it's the cost of equipment that discourages them from buying broadband at home.

BellSouth is fighting the requirements, in part on the ground that one of its competitive advantages is that it enables consumers to buy phone and broadband in one place.

As more chips are bought by cellphone and PC makers - as well as broadband and wireless network builders - the chip makers that can expand output are poised to profit from their investments in plants and equipment, some analysts say.

In November, after a long, controversial, and very political fight over whether to apply UBB to independent ISPs that buy wholesale broadband from Bell, the CRTC opted for something of a middle course.

First, the bulk of its customers are mainstream family users who have not been the first in line to buy broadband, especially at the $40 to $50 per month charged today.

Both mayors had to backtrack: free wasn't entirely practical given their budgets, and a quick backlash arose about taxpayer dollars being devoted to a purpose that might benefit those who could already afford to buy broadband.

Why on earth would you buy broadband from BT?