NN makes WSJ's Interactive edition:
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The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition -- August 26, 1998
Technology Briefs
MSNBC Hits New Traffic Record
MSNBC on the Internet averaged more than one million unique users daily during the week of Aug. 17. MSNBC said the daily average for the week of Aug. 17 broke its traffic records. MSNBC said Web ratings service Media Matrix ranked it as the No. 1 general news Web site for reach in July, for both home and work usage. Also, MSNBC had 1.1 million unique users on Aug. 17, exceeding its previous one-day record of 800,000. MSNBC on the Internet is a partnership between General Electric Co.'s NBC network and software giant Microsoft Corp. MSNBC is also in a content-sharing pact with The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition.
Microsoft to Expand TechNet
Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash., will invest $40 million in new technical resources for the information technology market. The company said its investment focuses on expanding the TechNet CD-ROM subscription to include more than 1,000 free technical quarterly briefings world-wide and the TechNet Web site. TechNet provides how-to information, tools and resources to help users take advantage of Microsoft technology investments and plan for future deployments.
ICG Netcom Sets Internet Long-Distance Service
ICG Netcom, Englewood, Colo., launched an Internet Protocol long-distance service in 31 cities, priced at 5.9 cents a minute rate. The integrated communications provider said the launch is the first stage of a phased rollout of its IP telephony service, which is expected to include 166 cities by the end of the year. The service is priced at 5.9 cents a minute for calls that originate and terminate on ICG Netcom's IP network. Calls made that terminate outside of the network will cost 8.9 cents a minute. ICG Netcom is the brand name for the products and services of ICG Communications Inc.
Dynamic Imaging Acquires Atlantic Broadcasting
Dynamic Imaging Systems Corp., Philadelphia, acquired Atlantic Broadcasting System Inc. for an undisclosed number of shares. Atlantic Broadcasting System of New York provides live financial market news and commentary over the Internet. Dynamic Imaging said Atlantic Broadcasting streams audio through its ABS Live service. Atlantic Broadcasting will provide financial market updates to the Business section of the A/V DailyNews Web site, which will be launched Sept. 9. Dynamic Imaging is a holding company with units that produce advanced computer and real-time imaging.
Sapient Acquires Studio Archetype
Sapient Corp., Cambridge, Mass., acquired Studio Archetype Inc., a provider of interactive technology, for stock and cash. Sapient said in the deal it issued 498,314 common shares and paid $250,000 to Studio Archetype's shareholders in exchange for the entire equity interest in the company. Sapient expects the transaction to be nondilutive. Studio Archetype will retain its name and operate as a unit of Sapient. Studio's headquarters will remain in San Francisco. Clement Mok, Studio Archetype's founder, was named to the newly created position of chief creative officer of Sapient.
U.K.'s Vodafone to Buy BellSouth New Zealand Unit
Vodafone Group PLC, London, agreed to acquire wireless carrier BellSouth New Zealand for about $375 million. Atlanta-based BellSouth Corp., a 65% owner of the company, said it expects proceeds from the sale of $244 million. The sale, which follows BellSouth's recent divestiture of its stake in Australia's Optus Communications, underscores the Baby Bell's strategy of focusing on its South American wireless properties. Shares of BellSouth closed at $68, down 31.25 cents, in New York Stock Exchange composite trading Tuesday.
Dii Group to Pay $44 Million for Greatsino
Dii Group Inc., Niwot, Colo., said it purchased Greatsino Electronic Technology, a unit of Universal Appliances Ltd., Hong Kong, for $44 million. The electronics design and manufacturing service provider may pay as much as an additional $40 million, depending on the unit's profitability next year. Dii said the purchase will add to earnings immediately. Greatsino, a printed circuit board and contract-electronics maker, has operations in China, a strategic advantage for Dii, the company said. Under terms of the deal, if the facility earns 100 million Hong Kong dollars (US$12.9 million) or more in 1999, Dii agreed to pay an additional $40 million, the company said. The amount is less if the facility earns less, Dii said.
e.spire to Expand Service to New York, Philadelphia
e.spire Communications Inc., Annapolis Junction, Md., will connect its Baltimore-Washington network with new facilities in New York and Philadelphia. The company said it will provide data and Internet services in the new areas in the fourth quarter, adding its Platinum integrated voice/data/Internet service by the second quarter of 1999. e.spire will develop the networks through leases with Metromedia Fiber Network Inc. and expand its ATM backbone with a broadband fiber network between New York and the Baltimore-Washington area. Metromedia signed a $29 million agreement to lease fiber infrastructure to e.spire. e.spire provides communications, Internet and networking services.
Newbridge Gets Contract to Supply SBC
Newbridge Networks Corp., Kanata, Ont., said it has signed a three-year pact worth about $300 million to supply goods and services to U.S. telephone company SBC Communications Inc. In a conference call, Alan Lutz, Newbridge's president and chief operating officer, said Newbridge is currently working out details about planned SBC purchases under the master services pact. As a result, Lutz couldn't provide further details about when revenues will be realized under the pact. However, sales will likely be centered on Newbridge's 36170 Multiservices switch and augmented by sales of its time division multiplexing, or TDM, equipment, Mr. Lutz said.
WHO'S NEWS
Lam Research Corp., Fremont, Calif. -- This maker of semiconductor-manufacturing equipment, Tuesday said Chairman Roger Emerick plans to retire Sept. 1. The company said Chief Executive Officer James W. Bagley will assume the additional role of chairman. Emerick will continue as a director.
Telephone & Data Systems Inc., Chicago -- Sandra L. Helton, formerly vice president and corporate controller at Compaq Computer Corp., was named executive vice president and chief financial officer of this telecommunications concern. She succeeds Murray L. Swanson who resigned last month.>>>>
In another section of the same edition:
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In other blue-chip trading, the stock of networking firm Northern Telecom gained 50 cents to C$85, and competitor Newbridge Networks gained 80 cents to C$37.10. After the market closed Tuesday, Newbridge said it signed a big supply contract with U.S. telephone company SBC Communications Inc.>>>> |
