ating about, I believe that we could see the end for the need for wired technologies in the next 50 years." The old-line regional Bell operating companies (RBOCS), which until recently enjoyed steady revenue growth, are entering a period of increased market competition from wireless services, cable operators, and IP Telephony. For U.S. carriers, as a whole, their continued financial health will rely heavily on cost management. In face of declining service revenues, U.S. carriers will need to control both their capital and operational costs if they are to remain profitable. Carriers also need to develop strategies that will help them to con- tinue to grow their data services, thereby offsetting losses in voice. Even with strong data growth, it remains to be seen whether service revenue levels will ever return to those of 2001, reports In-Stat/MDR. As the number of plain old telephone service (POTS) lines dwindle, digital subscriber line (DSL) technology will become increasingly important for U.S. carriers. DSL remains the primary method of broadband service for U.S. car- riers. According to In-Stat/MDR research, SBC and Verizon account for over half of all DSL lines in use. For U.S. carriers, business data services will be a major growth area, as busi- ness needs for these services are continuing to expand. Data services include both the old private line standard and newer Internet access services. The outlook for traditional voice services is bleak, however. According to In- THE BROADBAND WORLD Stat/MDR, the total long-distance voice market is on a downward spiral, with double-digit decreases in 2003 and 2004. The local market, although overall not as competitive as long distance, will see revenue declines of 4 to 6 percent over the next several years. 1.2 THE BROADBAND WORLD As wirelines decline, the need for secure, speedy, and on-demand video, voice, and data services is rising. This "triple play" is propelling cable multiple service operators (MSOs), traditional phone carriers, and the consumer electronics in