BellSouth today launched a 6 megabit per second DSL service, priced at $46.95, that positions its service more directly against cable modems.

The new service joints a DSL portfolio that already included a 3 Mbps service, priced at $42.95 a month, a 1.5 Mbps and a DSL lite service at 256 Kbps.

The new DSL services more directly compete with what cable MSOs have been offering. While the telcos have concentrated this year on lowering the price of DSL service -- Verizon and SBC Communications have gone as low as $14.95 -- the cable industry has, instead, offered faster service. Last week, Cablevision said it will offer a cable modem service at 10 Mbps. Cable modem prices continue to be $40 a month or more.

The new services are aimed at customers who want to download large files, such as movies, or compete more effectively in on-line gaming, the company said.