Selling cellular: a new European system seeks to ease problems of the itinerant user

Article Abstract:

The digital Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) will become the standard cellular telephone system under the unified European Economic Community, and the standard could expand further. The system was supposed to go into effect Jul 1, 1991, but equipment and service was not ready for the unified market of 300 million people. Several companies promise limited service by 1992, and GSM should begin eclipsing older cellular technology by 1994. Europe is three years ahead of the US and Japan in development of the digital technology; those two countries are working on their own digital standards. Europe, however, hopes to sell the standard in Asia. GSM allows travelling users to carry a plastic card to access cellular phones in more than 15 countries and be billed on a single account. Benefits to consumers will not be immediate, however, as new phones will initially be expensive, bulky and will have less geographic range than conventional cellular phones.

Radiotelephone communications, Telegraph & other communications, Radio & TV communications equipment, Standards, Usage, Europe, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Cellular telephones, Wireless telephones, Standard, Standardization, Telecommunications systems, Digital communications, GSM, Competition, Cellular Radio, Mobile Phones, Digital Communication, European Market, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)

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CD ventures are set by IBM, Blockbuster

Article Abstract:

Two joint ventures being formed by Blockbuster Entertainment Corp and IBM could fundamentally alter the economics of the music and other industries. NewLeaf Entertainment Corp and Fairway Technology Associates Inc will develop and market retail systems that manufacture and dispense audio compact disks on request. The technology could be adapted to sell video games, computer software and even videos of movies. Because the systems would access audio recordings on huge data bases, customers need never worry about a sought-after recording being out of stock. The success of the systems would require licensing agreements with major music publishers, who might be leery of the systems' theoretical ability to mix and match music from different artists, albums and labels. The two new joint ventures will be based near Blockbuster's Fort Lauderdale, FL, headquarters.

Electronic computers, Prepackaged software, Patent owners and lessors, Video tape rental, Publishing industry, Computer industry, Product development, Joint ventures, International Business Machines Corp., Music, Product introduction, Specialty stores, Blockbuster Inc., Music publishing, New Technique, Fairway Technology Associates Inc., NewLeaf Entertainment Corp.

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