Earthlink is deploying their ADSL2 and line-powered voice bundles in three new markets: Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Diego. Line-powered voice needs no consumer side hardware, works through every jack in the home, and receives its power from the jack just like regular phone service. The service functions much like typical POTS until it hits Covad/Samsung DSLAMs, with traffic routed over Covad's nationwide UNE-L network, avoiding bell infrastructure.

The early kinks in the technology were worked out between Covad technicians and our users in our forums. The Earthlink website notes that the $50 bundle includes 1.5Mbps ADSL2 and 500 minutes per month of local and long-distance calling. To get the tastier 8Mbps & unlimited VoIP bundle ($70), you need to be within 5,000 feet from your central office.

"We don't offer TV," Earthlink's Stepehn Howe tells the Chicago Tribune. "But someone who takes our $50 phone and DSL service can get satellite TV for another $45, and pay about the same as the Comcast offer. But this is our standard rate, not a promotional rate that goes up later."