Broadband providers looking for sweeter deals?

BROADBAND PROVIDERS LOOKING FOR SWEETER DEALS?
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Marguerite Reardon]
A new kind of Internet portal war is brewing as broadband providers begin flexing their muscles to renegotiate more-favorable deals with large Internet brands such as Yahoo and Google. Last week rumors were flying that AT&T was unhappy with its existing broadband portal deal with Yahoo. And this week, The Wall Street Journal reported Comcast wants a bigger slice of the revenue pie in its deal with Internet search giant Google. AT&T and Yahoo have downplayed the rumors, saying they are actually expanding their relationship. Meanwhile Comcast and Google remain mum on their deal, but insiders say that Comcast is re-evaluating the Google partnership as part of a broader deal it's considering to add advertising to its Web site. Whether AT&T eventually splits from Yahoo, or Comcast ditches Google, one thing is clear: broadband penetration has changed the game, and new Internet power brokers are emerging, making it necessary for players to renegotiate deals made only a few years ago.
http://news.com.com/Broadband+providers+looking+for+sweeter+deals/2100-1...