Cable and phone companies: foes or allies?

Article Abstract:

The recent federal court decision allowing local telephone companies to own the cable television programming they offer in their territories may paradoxically usher in a new era of cooperation, not competition, between them and cable television companies to build a national information superhighway. Phone companies have so far balked at spending the estimated $275 billion or $3,000 a household cost for replacing their outmoded copper-wire connections with a high-speed fiber-optic system. A combined telephone/cable-TV industry might have the financial resources and technical expertise needed to both fund and accomplish this feat. Such a network could offer interactive television, hundreds of cable channels and advanced telecommunications services. The Baby Bells command annual revenues of over $95 billion and are experts at switching two-way calls and keeping track of billions of customer transactions, while the $24 billion cable industry is experienced at building high-capacity networks.

Telephone communications, exc. radio, Cable and other pay TV services, Laws, regulations and rules, Internet services, Telephone companies, Investments, Cable television, Telecommunications systems, Market share, Capital investments, Forecasting, Telecommunication systems, Systems development, Telephone systems, System Development, Telephone System, Competition, Telephone Company, Capital Investment, Telecommunications Service, Cable Television/Data Services, Interactive Cable, Cooperation, Bell Regional Holding Companies

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Toting computers without tethers

Article Abstract:

Wireless data transfer technology, which uses radio waves instead of telephone lines to send data, is slowly descending on the telecommunications market. The $700 Nokia cellular modem, about to hit the market, can transform into a notebook computer and send data files over cellular phone networks. A format called cellular digital packet data is being proposed as an industry standard that will allow companies to develop devices for transmitting digital signals over the current cellular network. Upon the completion of the standard by the end of 1993, network services with nationwide coverage and a capacity of 19,200-bps are expected to emerge. Forrester Research Inc, a high-technology consulting firm, estimates that the market for wireless data transfer will reach 2.6 million users by 1997.

Innovations, Wireless LANs, Telecommunications, Product introduction, Data communications, Telecommunications transmission technologies, Cellular Radio, Communications Technology, New Technique, Wireless Network

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