http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber_to_the_premises http://www22.verizon.com/content/ConsumerFios http://www22.verizon.com/content/con...s+vs+cable.htm
Probably won't have much bad impact. Just like everything else: it will start out expensive and become less expensive as more people have it. Then computers will need mass upgrades again and Microsoft, Dell, etc get more money.
Then we'll be paying out the butt for really really fast internet and look upon cable as the dialup of tomorrow. Our kid's kids will make fun of us for using cable; the dinosaur internet connection. Then they'll come out with programs and technology that will cancel out dial-up from existence.
Soon we'll be able to beam to each other's houses via broadband.
It'll be fine.