By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@TheCitizenNews.com

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.