CBS MarketWatch Columns
Updated:
5/16/99 11:50:30 AM ET
But the big opportunity, dubbed the next wave for the Web, is high-speed access, and
AOL executives will likely be grilled by the investment community on just when
customers will be able to sign up for these services.
At the moment, AOL has agreements with SBC Communications (SBC: news, msgs)
and Bell Atlantic (BEL: news, msgs) to provide broadband access to AOL customers
over DSL, or digital subscriber lines. These services, which are expected to make
connections 20 times faster than 28K modem links, start rolling out this summer.
Taking services one step farther -- in other words, adding interactivity -- AOL earlier
this week announced plans to deliver such services through the TV by striking
partnerships, including alliances with two Hughes Electronics (GMH: news, msgs) units,
DirecTV and Hughes Network Systems. The services will be delivered via DSL.
AOL TV is expected to be available in 2000, but the price is yet to be determined.
That announcement may have just a mere appetizer. According to a BusinessWeek
article, AOL may invest as much as $1 billion in Hughes Network Systems, which is
developing a two-way satellite service called Spaceway.
Executives from neither company would offer comment.
On Tuesday, however, an AOL spokesperson said the partnership deal was the first in a series of announcements.
Hmmm, I wonder if N2P will be next? What do you think Hawaii?
Regards,
Tom
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