Bell Atlantic halts plan for video services; says the F.C.C. process hinders the technology

Article Abstract:

Bell Atlantic Corp has asked the FCC to suspend its application to offer video services, stopping its push into the television arena. The company says it wants to re-analyze its strategy for upgrading its telephone network, which services three million customers across Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore, the District of Columbia, northern New Jersey and parts of Virginia. The action has surprised many experts, who consider Bell Atlantic a leader for other regional Bells seeking to expand beyond their local telephone service offerings. The announcement is a reflection of the confusion telephone companies feel as they begin to adapt their voice networks to accommodate new services, including video programming and interactive services. Bell Atlantic wants to re-analyze its plans to employ both fiber optic and coaxial cable. Under the current FCC system, Bell Atlantic must stipulate the intended design of the network.

Cable Networks, Cable and other pay TV services, Interactive CATV, Laws, regulations and rules, Services, Company services, Interactive media, Interactive television, Interactive technology

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Bell Atlantic is revamping strategy to upgrade networks for video services

Article Abstract:

Bell Atlantic is planning to reorganize its video technology strategy but insists that the company is not going to abandon plans to distribute television programming. The company will withdraw applications at the FCC that would have sought permission to install the necessary equipment to provide video services in the Middle Atlantic region. Bell will instead file new applications that would ask for permission to convert the company's current network into a link that could carry voice, video and data. The most significant difference is that the company's copper wires will be replaced primarily with fiber optics, rather than with the fiber optics and coaxial combination that the company had been planning to install. The difference is important because the FCC requires companies to detail their plans during the design process and then stay with the plans.

Radio & TV communications equipment, Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing, Video Broadcast Transmitters, Licensing agreements, Company Operations, Television transmitters

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Now, Bell Atlantic plans to buy Nynex, not merge with it

Article Abstract:

Bell Atlantic and Nynex announce the restructuring of their $20.8 billion merger agreement, redefining the deal as a Bell acquisition in order to avoid the regulatory scrutiny of the US Congress and six affected states. Although the financial terms of the agreement are not materially altered by the redefinition, the companies no longer need obtain congressional approval to conduct business in Washington DC. The companies hope that the reduced number of regulatory bodies that must review the transaction will result in finalization of the agreement by the end of 1996. However, the acquisition still must receive approval from numerous regulatory agencies, including the FCC, the US Justice Dept and the New York State Public Service Commission.

Wired Telecommunications Carriers, Telephone Communication, Telephone Communications, Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Telephone services, NYNEX Corp., NYN, Company Acquisition/Merger

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