They (AT&T at least) did warn us, this is not exactly news to me... I have been getting email newsletters from AT&T regularly updating me on the progress of their negotiations with Excite for MONTHS...
The news did not exactly help me, as I have no other high speed option where I live, but they have been up-front and reassuring all along that they were doing everything they can to avoid a shutdown, but that there was a risk.... So I ride for as long as I can stay on, and eagerly wait for the clock to roll past midnight....
Not with Cox. AT&T has been up-front because they have an actual backup plan with their own network and have nothing to fear.