SBJ Buzz

AT&T launches multiple ISP trial

AT&T Broadband, parent of AT&T Cable Services, announced June 7 its plans to launch the first U.S. trial of multiple Internet service providers offering high-speed, always-on cable Internet service via a hybrid fiber-coaxial network

The six-month trial in Boulder, Colo., to be launched in November, will be known as "AT&T Broadband Choice," according to a release from AT&T.

The trial in the Denver-area city will be used to resolve technical and operational issues so consumers can have a choice of Internet service providers, the company said.

AT&T Broadband a business unit of AT&T and Excite@Home are collaborating on developing the technical solution. The trial will be open to a maximum of 500 consumers solicited by participating ISPs.

AT&T will create a special software package, known as the "service agent," that customers will install on their computers.

The service agent will allow trial participants to manage several aspects of their Internet connection, such as selecting one or more ISPs, specifying the connection speed they want, changing the connection speed later and adjusting speeds to match the capabilities of devices they own.

The service agent also will have diagnostic functions and will help customers identify where additional support is available.

AT&T Broadband sent letters to 10 national and regional ISPs seeking their participation, and is now awaiting their responses.

The ISPs contacted are AOL, Dell.net, Denver News (Denver Post-Tribune), Excite@Home, Juno, Mindspring, MSN, RMI.net, WorldNet and Yahoo!.

Industry continues robust growth

According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association's semiannual Wireless Industry Survey, in a one-year period, 1998-1999, subscribership rose 24.3 percent, from 69.2 million to 86 million; revenues rose 20.8 percent, from $33.1 million to $40 million; cumulative capital investment rose 17.7 percent, from $60.5 million to $71.3 million; and direct employment by wireless service providers rose 15.6 percent, from 134,754 to 155,817.

For more information on the CTIA study, go to the association's site at www.wow-com.com.

FCC delays PCS spectrum auction

The auction of licenses for the C and F Block Broadband Personal Communications Services spectrum, scheduled to begin July 26, has been postponed to Nov. 29 to provide additional time for bidder preparation and planning, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

Key dates related to the auction are now as follows: Filing deadline for FCC Form 175, 6 p.m. ET Oct. 16; upfront payment deadline, 6 p.m. ET Nov. 6; mock auction, Nov. 27; auction start date, Nov. 29.

Study eyes health effects of wireless

The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced June 7 a cooperative research and development agreement to study "Health Effects of RF Emissions from Wireless Phones."

Research, including laboratory studies and studies of wireless phone users, will determine whether radio frequency emissions from wireless phones pose a health risk to users.

"The wireless industry is committed to consumer safety and to addressing concerns the public might have about wireless phones," said Tom Wheeler, president and chief executive officer of the CTIA, in a release.

While scientific evidence indicates no adverse effects from use of wireless phones, the FDA research project "will complement research presently under way globally, as well as augment the wireless industry-funded research begun seven years ago," Wheeler added.