Cable TV and the Internet, too; battling the bells, but with some high-speed whistles
Article Abstract:
Cable television, online services and telephone services are converging in the sense that all three can be delivered over cable. It is this awareness that is driving mergers of telecommunications companies, among them, the $53 billion merger of Comcast Corp. with Mediaone Group Inc. The companies are primarily cable television services but, in announcing the combination which will retain the Comcast name, chairmen Ralph J. Roberts and Charles M. Lillis and Chief Executive Brian L. Roberts indicated they expect their main future competitors to be phone companies, like Bell Atlantic, and Internet services to be the competitive arena. At present the two companies and soon-to-be-acquired Jones Intercable deliver Internet services to only about 135,000 customers out of their total base of 10.6 million. Still, this is the largest number of Internet customers serviced by any cable company, including AT&T's Tele-Communications Inc.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1999
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Now that you're on line, check for the bottom line
Article Abstract:
America Online (AOL) offers a toll-free number subscribers can use to obtain Internet access, but users of the number are subject to a surcharge of 10 cents a minute. Users that find out about the toll-free service from the company and read through quite a few computer screens of information are informed of the $6-an-hour charge. Many users informed of the service by friends were frequently not informed of the extra charge above their $19.95- a-month flat rate. Compounding the problem is the thousands of Packard Bell NEC computers which were shipped with AOL software that automatically routes users to the toll-free number, without a warning of the surcharge. These customers will be receiving refunds, but others who learned of the service by a friend may not be entitled to one.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1997
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Two may aid Comcast bid for Mediaone; America Online joins Microsoft in new talks
Article Abstract:
Comcast is in talks with Microsoft and AOL to strengthen its $53 bil stock bid for Mediaone Group. AT&T since offered $58 bil in stock and cash for the cable co. With its recent Tele-Communications Inc. purchase, AT&T would control about 60% of the US cable market. Under current telecom law, cable operators aren't required to open their networks to competitors, unlike telephone cos. This would enable AT&T to build a franchise of high speed data and low cost Internet voice services. AOL is likely to fight for access to cable bandwidth, but lacks the cash to go against AT&T's financing. Microsoft has more cash, but no compelling reason to join with Comcast in a fight against AT&T.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1999
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