The copper telephone line that ran to every house was regulated as a common carrier.

ECONOMIST: Economics focus

Efficient makes modems used to transmit digital subscriber line (DSL) signals over copper telephone wires, and the DSL market isn't looking good these days.

FORBES: Above the fray

Casino operators including Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands derive a big chunk of their revenues from the operations in Macau, while major commodity players like Freeport McMoran depend on strong Chinese demand for copper and other metals to drive top-line growth.

FORBES: Caterpillar's $580M Headache And The Perils Of Chinese Accounting

Chart Analysis : The weekly chart of the high-grade copper futures shows an uptrend from the October lows, line b.

FORBES: 2 Ways to Play Copper's Seasonal Strength

Both byproduct metals have risen in price since the second quarter of 2009 (copper has gained 25% and zinc 19%.) Stronger copper and zinc prices will reduce cash cost per ounce and go directly toward the bottom line for companies with significant byproduct credits, like Barrick Gold, Newmont Mining, Goldcorp, Agnico-Eagle and Yamana Gold.

FORBES: Magazine Article

As the inventor of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) it delivers the Internet at high speed over copper wires and an emeritus Stanford professor, Cioffi believes that frequent comments about the demise of DSL are premature.

FORBES: AT&T's $14 Billion U-Verse Investment boosts ASSIA, Tweaks Verizon