Is broadband the way? Did Excite@Home <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(Nasdaq: ATHM)") else Response.Write("(Nasdaq: ATHM)") end if %> get lost along the way? This week we take a closer look at the pioneer in high-speed Internet access that went on to swallow a portal whole.

Not all Fools agree on this once-vibrant Rule Breaker. LouAnn Lofton (TMF Lou2) thinks the future belongs to the company, while Jeff Fischer (TMF Jeff) longs for yesterday.

After you have read the bout and voted for your favorite argument, check out our Duel Flashback feature. This week, we take a look back at our NOW 50 v. Dow 30 debate.

The Bull Argument... The company is the absolute first-mover when it comes to broadband Internet access. It has about twice the subscriber base than its nearest competitor, Time Warner <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE: TWX)") else Response.Write("(NYSE: TWX)") end if %>. Other broadband access technologies, like digital subscriber lines (DSL) and wireless broadband access, are just beginning to be rolled out, and they have their own issues. Continue »

The Bear Argument... Excite@Home is not a stronger company -- not one with more direction -- than were the two companies when independent. It is too early to judge the merger conclusively, but whatever the ultimate outcome, the merged company has clearly floundered during the past critical year. Continue »

The Bull Argument »

 This Week's Duel