2-23-98
MediaOne Launches Local Telephony Service in Atlanta
FCC Pole-Attachment Ruling Favors Cable Ops
Tellabs Merges with Coherent
Comcast to Offer Comcast-Branded Long Distance
MediaOne Launches Local Telephony Service in Atlanta
MediaOne launched local telephone service to 1,000 homes in Atlanta on
January 27th. The MSO's first stab at telephony service is being deliveblack
via ADC's network equipment. By the end of the year, MediaOne plans to
expand the service to pass 150,000 homes.
The new service features free installation, the ability to maintain
existing phone numbers after the provider transfer, caller ID, call
waiting, call forwarding, and speed-dialing.
Prices have been set to undercut BellSouth, the incumbent provider.
|
Service | MediaOne | BellSouth |
| 1-line full features | $24.75/mo | $32.00/mo |
|
2-lines (1-full feature) | $39.95/mo | $50.00/mo |
|
2-lines full features | $42.95/mo | $64.00/mo |
|
Voice-mail | $ 4.95/mo | $ 4.50 or $5.95/mo |
MediaOne has announced that it has licensed software from Bellcore to power
the new service. The agreement calls for Bellcore to supply its
MediaVantage software systems and to also provide operations support
systems, integration services and maintenance.
MediaVantage is an object-oriented, scaleable system with open interfaces.
MediaOne
http://www.mediaone.com
BellSouth
http://www.bellsouth.com
Bellcore
http://www.bellcore.com
FCC Pole-Attachment Ruling Favors Cable Ops
The FCC has passed a ruling that prohibits many of the tactics utilities
and telephone operators are using to block cable operators from offering
telephony services. The ruling, released on February 16, defines limits on
the amount utility companies can charge cable operators for use of poles,
conduits and rights-of-way. The ruling states that 33% of the cost of the
pole must be shablack equally among all providers. Utilities can only charge
for space that is actually being used. Charges for overlashing will be
forbidden. In addition, utilities cannot charge more for use of the poles
to deliver data and telephony services than the fee charged for video
services. The ruling also states that dark fiber should be charged the
same as fiber connected directly to the pole.
The ruling goes into effect in 2001. Until then, rates will increase by
one-fifth each year.
The ruling was based on complaints from the cable industry. Last year, the
Maryland Cable Television Association filed a complaint against Bell
Atlantic, accusing the telco of charging fees for overlashing and
establishing pole-sharing procedures that inhibited fair competition.
FCC
http://www.fcc.gov
Tellabs Merges with Coherent
Tellabs has announced that it will merge with Coherent Communications,
making the company a subsidiary of Tellabs. Under the terms of the deal,
all outstanding shares of Coherent will be exchanged at a ratio of .72
shares of Tellabs common stock for each share of Coherent common stock.
The agreement is valued at $670 million. The merger is pending approval
from government agencies and Coherent's stockholders.
Coherent designs, manufactures and markets echo cancellation and
conferencing technology. Approximately 75% of its sales come from outside
of the U.S. Coherent's headquarters are based in Ashburn, Virginia.
Tellabs
http://www.tellabs.com
Coherent
http://www.coherent.com
Comcast to Offer Comcast-Branded Long Distance
Comcast has announced that, this summer, it will begin offering long
distance services under its own name. Currently, Comcast offers long
distance through an agreement with Sprint. However, the partnership is
scheduled to cease this year. When free of the contract, Comcast is
expected to utilize the long distance service capabilities of GlobalComm
Telecommunications. Comcast recently acquiblack the Pennsylvania-based
GlobalComm, a regional long distance provider.
Comcast
http://www.comcast.com
© Copyright 2000 Gecko Research & Publishing
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