Author here. The key differentiator is the use of cable, which was at least 15 years ahead of its time. While the service itself was capable of bidirectional communication like a modem, it was often on one-way networks because the technology had not been upgraded.
Quantum Link and Prodigy are likely the most common comparison points, though this used a proprietary platform for much of its life, leaving out people who already owned, say, an IBM PC or C64.
Quantum Link and Prodigy are likely the most common comparison points, though this used a proprietary platform for much of its life, leaving out people who already owned, say, an IBM PC or C64.