At Home picked by TCI for set-top software
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Cable giant Tele-Communications Inc [Nasdaq:LBTYA - news] said it selected the
At Home Network to develop software and support for the customers of TCI's next-generation digital set-top boxes.
Redwood City, Calif-based At Home, which develops a high-speed cable modem-based Internet access service, will be the
technology provider for e-mail accounts on all of TCI's next generation devices, estimated to be up to 11 million.
TCI also selected At Home as its primary contractor for software integration of the data services on TCI's advanced set-top
devices. Terms were not disclosed.
TCI is a majority stock holder in At Home.
A spokesman for At Home said the deal was important for the cable modem service company because it represents a move
for At Home in developing products with more interactivity.
''The first thing we are talking about is e-mail, it can go to advertising and hot links within advertising,'' said Matt Wolfrom, an
At Home spokesman. ''You click on it and you personalize them. Rather than just straight Web surfing, it's a step toward
interactivity.''
TCI has said it will be introducing its next generation digital set-top devices by the end of the year or early 1999.
''Cable television enhanced with digital video services will become the centerpiece for delivering interactive entertainment,
communication and commerce to the home,'' said TCI chairman and CEO John Malone, in a statement. ''At Home will be a
key partner as we create new products and features for our cable television customers.''
TCI is also working with Microsoft Corp (MSFT - news) and Sun Microsystems Inc (SUNW - news), and other companies,
who are each providing the operating systems for the 11 million advanced set-top devices TCI is developing.
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At Home Corp (Nasdaq:ATHM - news)
Microsoft Corp (Nasdaq:MSFT - news)
Sun Microsystems Inc (Nasdaq:SUNW - news)
Tele-Communications Inc (Nasdaq:LBTYA - news) |
