Traffic on the Highway -- the information one that is

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

CABLE SYSTEM TO OFFER PHONE SERVICE
        Time Warner will offer telephone service via its cable system in
Rochester, NY. State regulators okayed the deal in exchange for giving
Rochester Telephone Corp. greater freedom to retain profits it earns from
operating more efficiently.  Since Time Warner's cable network in Rochester
has already been upgraded with fiber optic lines, the company just needs to
add switching equipment to offer two-way voice communications. (New York
Times 5/18/94 A1)


SLOW MOVEMENT ON THE SUPERHIGHWAY
        In last year's burst of enthusiasm for building the information
superhighway, potential obstacles tended to be downplayed. IBM's general
manager of multimedia systems expects delays to start this summer as
companies realize the equipment cost reductions factored into major rollout
plans have not materialized to the extent expected. Meanwhile, an AT&T
official warns that the new networks may need more than twice as much
equipment to handle just double the customers. (Wall Street Journal 5/18/94
B1)


LOW-PRICED WIRELESS DATA NETWORK
        Metricom Inc. thinks it can install a nationwide wireless data
communications system for about $100 million, a fraction of what others
plan to spend. The company's plan calls for data to be broadcast via small
radio transmitters, using frequency-hopping, spread-spectrum technology
that supports both one- and two-way communications. Several computer
companies, including Apple, Compaq, Lotus and Microsoft, are working with
Metricom to develop portable radio modems for laptops. Metricom anticipates
providing wireless e-mail service for a flat fee of $10 to $20 a month.
(Investor's Business Daily 5/19/94 A4)


INTEL HOOKS UP WITH CABLE
        Intel and General Instruments announced deals with two cable
companies to provide data services via cable connections at speeds more
than 1,000 times the rate of most telephone modems. Tele-Communications
Inc. and Rogers Cablesystems Ltd. of Canada will work with the chipmaker to
develop the equipment and services necessary to make the PC the primary
interactive household device. (Wall Street Journal 5/19/94 B9)