Why is ATT spending 20 million for an open access trial? Possibly to prove that today's ISP is just tomorrow's portal?
biz.yahoo.com
AT&T Broadband kicks of multiple ISP trials
BOULDER, Colo., Nov 1 (Reuters) - AT&T Broadband, a unit of AT&T Corp. (NYSE:T - news), said
Wednesday it kicked off its trial of multiple Internet service providers over its high-speed network in
Boulder, Colorado.
The trial, known as AT&T Broadband Choice, will offer up to 500 customers a choice of eight Internet
service providers (ISPs) for high-speed, always-on cable Internet service over the hybrid fiber-coaxial
network.
ExciteAtHome Corp.(NasdaqNM:ATHM - news) will join the trial along with EarthLink Network
Inc.(NasdaqNM:ELNK - news), Juno Online Services Inc. (NasdaqNM:JWEB - news), WorldNet.
FriendlyWorks, an ISP specifically designed for seniors, Denver-based regional RMI.net will also be part of the trial while Winfire and
Flashcom will join the trial as digital subscriberline (DSL) Internet service providers.
AT&T Broadband has invested $20 million in developing technology that will allow customers a choice of Internet service providers on the
AT&T Broadband network.
Cable providers are aggressively trying to build out the infrastructure for high-speed data access, laying the foundation for the speedy delivery
of streaming video, music and interactive television.
Time Warner Inc., the No. 2 U.S. cable provider still awaiting U.S. regulatory clearance for its merger with Internet services giant America
Online Inc. (NYSE:AOL - news), is also running a broadband trial with multiple ISPs in Columbus, Ohio.
The ability for third party ISPs to access Time Warner's cable pipeline after the merger has been one of the most closely-scrutinised areas of
the merger.
In July, Time Warner Cable said it would allow Juno Online to offer access over its cable lines, but terms were not released and a date for
service had not yet been reached because of Time Warner's exclusivity pact with joint venture Road Runner. |
