Rivals race to sell DSL early next year.(digital subscriber line)

The race to provide competitive high-speed data services through common copper wires is prepping for a sprint to market in the early months of 1999.

The first half of next year promises to bring a host of new entrants to the metro area offering speedy Internet and data service with the emerging DSL, or digital subscriber line, technology.

Hybrid telecommunications companies will arrive with an array of strategies to divvy up the Mile High market, vowing to deliver competition for one of the technologies' pioneers, U S West Inc.

ICG Communications, NorthPoint Communications, Rhythms NetConnections and Covad Communications are all working through strategies to sell some form of DSL service. While the crush of competition holds ample promise for consumers, the ability to back up the pledges remains uncertain.

The emerging technology, though limited by …