Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.telcom From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: telcom Tue, Mar 31 1992 Date: Tue, 31 Mar 92 05:49:46 EST Message-ID: 03-31 0000 DECISIONLINE: Telecommunications USA TODAY Update March 31, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network HOUSE CONSIDERS CABLE BILL: One of the provisions in the cable bill now being considered by the House of Representatives would require communities to form committees that would gather complaints about cable service. The Senate version passed earlier this year did not include such a provision. The House is expected to act quickly, but President Bush is expected to veto the legislation. (For more, see special Cable package below.) DOW JONES, NYNEX TEAM UP: Dow Jones & Company Inc. and NYNEX Corporation have agreed to jointly develop and test a prototype video service that would enable Dow Jones to transmit video programming and information over the NYNEX telephone network, the companies said Monday. The video service would be designed to serve the corporate market and would integrate video into existing information and data services. NYNEX TO DEVELOP ACCESS SYSTEM: As part of the deal to develop a video service with Dow Jones & Company Inc., NYNEX will develop a variety of access and transport technologies. NYNEX will also provide centralized storage capability for the video information. NYNEX provides wireline and wireless telecommunications services to approximately 12 million customers in the Northeastern USA. SHIVA SERVER DUE OUT: Shiva Corp. Monday introduced LanRover:L, a second-generation dial-in server for the new Apple PowerBook. Compatible with AppleTalk Remote Access (Apple's dial-in software), LanRover:L is a compact hardware device that connects directly to the network. Remote users dial in and are able to access any of the network's services. It will be available in May for a retail price of $699. IBM PROTESTS CONTRACT: IBM Federal Systems Co. Monday filed its second protest of the Treasury Multiuser Acquisition Contract claiming the Internal Revenue Service has again failed to justify awarding the contract to AT&T. AT&T's $1.4 billion bid won the contract. IBM said its proposal met all of the IRS' requirements at half the price. AT&T CHAIRMAN WANTS FLEXIBILITY: AT&T Board Chairman Robert E. Allen Monday urged forging an agreement that gives "the people of AT&T a much greater voice in the decisions that affect them and a contract that gives the company more flexibility to organize its work in order to stay competitive." AT&T is negotiating with the Communications Workers of America. Their existing three-year contract expires on May 30. INTERACTIVE SYSTEM PLANNED: Pacific Bell, Sutter Bay Associates and South Sutter Cable Inc. Monday unveiled plans to link a fiber-optic telecommunications network and a cable television system to provide the Sutter Bay, Calif., community such services as telecommuting, two-way educational programs and videoconferencing. The plans must be approved by state and federal authorities. PACIFIC TO GET $24.4 MILLION: Pacific Telecom Inc. said Monday it will receive $24.4 million on the sale of all of its shares of Catalina Marketing Corp. PTI had a minority ownership interest in Catalina, a company that develops, markets, installs and maintains electronic scanner software and equipment for point of sale coupon distribution. The proceeds will be used to reduce Pacific Telecom's short-term debt. ONLINE TIME OFFERED: Microsoft Corp. said Monday purchasers of certain Microsoft Works products will get a free America Online starter kit. Additionally, users will receive five free hours of America Online use. Microsoft Works is an integrated software package containing word processing, spreadsheet, charting and database capabilities that work seamlessly together. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON CABLE: MOONEY SAYS CHANGES ARE NEEDED: James Mooney, president of the National Cable Television Association, admits that some changes in the cable law is needed. "Up on (Capitol) Hill there is a very real sense that the consumer aspects of cable regulation need some adjustment and even I would agree with that," he says. Mooney's hope for legislation is simple: "Control cable, don't dismantle it." BILL COULD INCREASE COSTS: Mooney says if retransmission consent becomes law, subscribers will see rate increases. Retransmission consent would force cable systems to pay network affiliates to carry their programming. It is part of a bill now being considered by the House or Representatives. "You can't make a significant contribution to the cost base of any business and then simply absorb it," he says. CONSUMERS LEFT IN DARK: Mooney says he can't condone some cable price hikes. Local systems were upgraded to give viewers more choices, but the rate increases were never explained adequately to consumers. "The economics and the service aspects of the business have been subject to rapid changes ... out of those things have come rate controversies and customer service controversies." (End of package.) Telecommunications Editor: Ed Kelleher. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM