The latest quest by the idea man of communications: MCI's founder envisions an office in the sky for flying executives

Article Abstract:

Jack Goeken, founder of MCI, is considered by many to be a brilliant if somewhat frumpy entrepreneur, possessed of vision and determination. This is curious because neither MCI nor Airfone, which is an air-to-ground telephone company, were profitable when they were led by Goeken. Now, Goeken is involved in yet another deal, which some analysts say might be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. What Goeken has in mind with his new In-Flight Phone Corp is an office in the sky for business executives. By combining computer and communications capabilities, Goeken would provide a capability to send and receive faxes or transmit data from an airplane's seat to any location in the world. Such a system might consist of a keyboard mounted in the arm rest of an airliner's seat and a display screen mounted on the seat back. The system is still in prototype stage but American Airlines, Northwest and US Air have agreed to test it.

Radio & TV communications equipment, Air transportation, scheduled, Innovations, Airlines, Telecommunications systems, Product introduction, Telecommunications, Entrepreneur, Mobile Phones, New Technique, Airline Industry, Airfone Inc., Goeken, Jack, In-Flight Phone Corp.

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Ameritech to acquire Cybertel

Article Abstract:

Ameritech Corp, the Bell company, will pay $512 million to acquire Cybertel, a cellular telephone service based in St. Louis, MI. The acquisition should mean an increased growth potential for Ameritech, which provides local telephone services in five Midwestern states. Ameritech's main business - local phone services - are seen as 'slow growth' by the investment community. This acquisition is evidence that prices in the cellular phone business are stabilizing: prices peaked in 1990 when McCaw Cellular Communications acquired Lin Broadcasting, paying more than $350 per cellular customer. Ameritech's agreement is for $195 per customer, which is in line with prices paid in other recent transactions. Ameritech's acquisition will also mean an infusion of cash for Cybertel.

Radiotelephone communications, Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Cellular telephones, Wireless telephones, Regional Bell Operating Companies, Cellular Radio, Acquisition, Merger, Bell Regional Holding Companies, Ameritech Corp., Cybertel Cellular Telephone Co.

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William McGowan is dead at 64; led MCIs challenge to A.T.&T

Article Abstract:

William G. McGowan, chairman of MCI Communications Corp, died of a heart attack on Jun 8, 1992. McGowan, who challenged AT&T's monopoly and helped bring about AT&T's breakup, brought increased competition into the telecommunications industry. He is credited with making low-cost long-distance services widely available. McGowan was born in Ashley, PA, on Dec 10, 1927. Details about his life and about his creation of MCI are provided. His struggle to compete with AT&T to offer long-distance telephone services is recounted.

Obituary, History, Long distance telephone services, Death, Chief executive officers, Biographies, Long-distance telephone service, Biography, McGowan, William G.

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