DirecTv, AOL
Officials Discuss Deal
Apr. 19, 1999 (SATELLITE NEWS, Vol. 22, No. 16 via COMTEX) -- T
DirecTv [GMH] is in talks with America Online [AOL] (AOL) on a possible
Internet alliance, industry sources tell us. Eddy Hartenstein, DirecTv
president, did not dispell those reports when he told reporters at the recent
SkyForum conference in New York that his company expected to finalize Internet
access pacts within 30 days, although he stopped short of naming AOL. DirecTv
officials confirm they are in discussions with several companies.
Steve Blum, president of satellite broadcasting consultancy Tellus Venture
Associates, said, "DirecTv is aiming to bundle services that supplement TV
viewing. Potentially, DirecTv could provide "TV- centric" AOL content via
satellite." DirecTv already is offering WINK and DTN service. WINK is a
multimedia service that adds data to TV shows, while DTN provides a separate
data stream for agricultural and weather data services. Blum predicted DirecTv
would form an alliance most likely with AOL, but possibly with WebTV.
Echostar Communications Corp. [DISH] intends to offer Microsoft's [MFST]
WebTV.
Compaq, Hughes Bundle Computers With Satellite-Delivered Internet Service
Compaq [CPQ] and Hughes Network Systems [GMH] are teaming up for a new
Internet service. The companies last week announced the availability of new,
customized Presario Internet personal computers (PCs), featuring DirecPC high-
speed satellite Internet service. The service will be available in mid-May.
U.S. consumers will be able to buy a Compaq Presario Internet PC bundled with a
DirecPC package for $1, 899. The Presario/DirecPC system will be available
through more than 9, 000 Compaq in-store kiosks across the country.
The DirecPC package includes a DirecPC antenna and satellite modem, which
will allow consumers nationwide to surf the Web at up to 400 Kbps --
approximately 14 times faster than a traditional telephone modem. In addition,
Compaq customers who choose DirecPC will receive Turbo Webcast, Turbo Newscast
and newsgroup offerings from DirecPC. Since DirecPC works with Compaq's home
phoneline networking technology, many users within a home will be able to share
the high- speed satellite Internet connection using their existing phone
lines.
The alliance will provide high-speed Internet access nationwide. Broadband
cable modems and digital subscribe line services are available in limited
areas. |
