AT&T

Broadband's construction work replacing its

antiquated cable system with new fiber optics is

causing headaches for Fayette customers, company

officials admit, but they promise you're going to

like the results.

Once

construction is completed, the first improvement

will be that you'll go from about 50 channels to

75 or so, said company spokesman Reg Griffin.

And

you'll be able to get a new converter box that

will provide some new pay per view options, like

the ability to order a movie or sports event

using your remote control rather than making a

phone call.

Then,

once the company goes through about a three- to

six-week certification process to make sure its

system is capable of two-way traffic, still more

services will be available, said Griffin.

"Then

we'll introduce high-speed internet service over

a high-speed cable modem," said Griffin.

That'll run you $39.95 a month if you have cable

or $49.95 if you don't, plus a $10 rental fee on

the modem, unless you want to buy it.

Digital

TV also will be available, Griffin said, adding

that many customers find that they get more for

their money with digital rather than cable.

Up

to 200 channels will be available in a variety of

packages that make it possible to virtually pick

and choose what you want, he said. "This is

where the future is really heading," he

said.

The

price for all 200 channels will be $72.95, but

the average runs around $40 to $50, he said. That

would include basic I and II plus a package of

movie channels.

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