Southwestern Bell to end test of data 'gateway' offer

Article Abstract:

Southwestern Bell Corp will end a test offering of a 'public information gateway' that allows computer users to access various data bases from a single phone number. Such a gateway would be used with an electronic information service, sometimes called videotex, which is seen as a way to provide instant communications, shopping, banking or travel reservations from terminals located in homes. Southwestern Bell says its trial, done in Houston, TX, will conclude in Mar 1990, ending a one-year test period. The telephone company will then consider whether to offer the service elsewhere. A spokesman for Southwestern Bell says the company is pleased with consumers' response, but analysts estimate that the phone company lost about $8 million on the trial. Analysts say Southwestern Bell did not price the service competitively and negotiated poor terms with information providers.

Information retrieval services, Telecommunications industry, Testing, Information services, SBC, Regional Bell Operating Companies, Tests, Southwestern Bell Corp., Telephone systems, Videotex systems, Telephone System, Marketing Strategy, Videotex, Bell Regional Holding Companies, Gateways (Interface)

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A.T.&T. pact with MCI on sign-ups

Article Abstract:

AT and T and MCI Communications Corp agree to settle their marketing and advertising disputes out of court, asking that the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) impose mandatory rules on marketing in the telephone industry. The nation's two-largest long-distance carriers end an 11-month battle over signing on residential customers out of court; the two companies also settle Oct 1989 lawsuits in which each company accused the other of false and misleading advertising. AT and T and MCI request that the FCC impose rules that would prevent 'slamming,' which refers to the practice of deliberately changing consumers' designated long-distance carriers without permission.

Regulation, admin. of utilities, Cases, United States. Federal Communications Commission, T, Science and technology policy, Advertising, Long-distance telephone service, American Telephone and Telegraph Co., MCI Communications Corp., MCIC, Lawsuits, Advertising (Industry)

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