By Tiffany Kary
Special to ZDNet News
October 24, 2001 4:26 AM PT

EarthLink plans to nudge its broadband customers toward cable Internet access instead of digital subscriber line services in a move that could boost its future profit margins.

But there's a catch. In an ironic twist, EarthLink is going head-to-head with its chief Internet service provider rival, America Online, on its home turf--AOL Time Warner's cable networks.

"You will see a significant percent of new subscribers on cable," said EarthLink Chief Executive Garry Betty on the company's third-quarter conference call Tuesday. "If a customer calls and is not specific, we will lead with cable where it's available because of its economic benefit to us."

ZDNet has the full story.