The bottom line throughout this discussion is that neither the techies or the capacity planners really make the divisions. The economics of running cable is only a small factor. It goes to supply and demand. Scarcity creates higher pricing. Look at the recent bids on the new cable??? Everyone wants a piece and some carriers would like to monopolize as much bandwidth as possible to control the flow. The accountants and the marketing types look to optimize their return early in the game. What does that mean for the Internet? The overseas ISPs are building up their resources. The only ISPs that can really afford to stay in the game in a big way "over the long haul" are now the carriers themselves. The end result??? The marketing and pricing strategies of the ISP and market are being commercialized and in the overseas markets looking more like the pricing strategies of the typical telephone service offering.The cost for overseas cables are not going to be coming down in a big way over the next couple of years. They will more likely go up. At least for our foreseeable future. The next few years. The pent up demand is to great. My humble opinion. Mark T. Ansboury Virtual Resources Inc. Virtual Communications Inc. E-mail: mark.ansboury@yesvirtual.com