Patricia Fusco

Leading technology companies Tuesday launched a new coalition whose single mission in life is to resolve instant messaging interoperability standards. Dubbed IMUnified, founding members include AT&T Corp., Excite@Home, iCAST Corp., MSN Internet, Phone.com Inc., Prodigy Communications Corp., Tribal Voice and Yahoo! Inc. The coalition’s goal is to break through the barriers of creating a seamless […]

The forthcoming Democratic and Republican national conventions are not the only gatherings bracing for massive protests. The Consumer Project on Technology plans to rally a massive protest at the Federal Communications Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday. The Green Party’s presidential nominee, Ralph Nader, founded the CPT in 1995. Dubbed the “Protect the Internet” protest, the […]

International research firm, ATLANTIC-ACM, Monday released a report slamming the customer service record of many of the nation’s top DSL providers. In its xDSL Market Sizing: Provider Report Card, ATLANTIC-ACM said while most DSL do an adequate job at customer service, their efforts fall far short of the level customers expect. However, Judy Reed Smith, […]

GoTo.com Inc. Monday landed a deal to provide CompuServe Interactive Services Inc. with integrated search results across its branded Web services. CompuServe will have the ability to leverage GoTo’s search results, while maintaining the look, feel of each of its various Web properties. Ted Meisel, GoTo chief executive officer, said it was glad to bring […]

Deutsche Telekom AG Monday moved to acquire one of the last independent U.S. wireless companies, VoiceStream Wireless Corp., in a deal estimated to be worth $50.7 billion. Both boards have approved the merger, which awards VoiceStream shareholders 3.2 Deutsche Telekom shares and $30 in cash for each share of common stock, subject to certain adjustments. […]

America Online Inc. and Time Warner Inc. have chosen Columbus, Ohio, as the first test site for their upcoming open-access trials. The two firms signed an agreement in February, which set the framework for Time Warner to offer consumers a choice of rival Internet service providers, including America Online and Road Runner access, over its […]

AT&T Corp. Thursday introduced its AT&T WorldNet Service reduced rate limited Internet access plan. The telecom giant is offering advertising subsidized Internet services for less than $5 a month. Ed Chatlos, AT&T WorldNet vice president and general manager, said the move gives consumers a greater choice of service plans. “Consumers today essentially have two choices […]

The heart of SBC Communications Inc. positive second quarter performance beats through its expanding data communications and wireless operations. SBC Thursday reported second-quarter revenues grew 9.8 percent to $13.2 billion. Diluted earnings per share before one-time items were 56 cents, compared with 55 cents a year ago. SBC highlights of its otherwise flat second quarter […]

Attempts to overcome privacy concerns forced several major Internet players to increase their efforts to give Netizens more control over their online privacy. This week Microsoft Corp. introduced enhance “cookie” management tools as part of its Internet Explorer 5.5 update. Yahoo! Inc. launched a new privacy center where Web visitors can get information about its […]

Verizon Communications Friday launched its Verizon Wireless Web portal featuring InfoSpace Inc. content and shopping services. Integrating InfoSpace’s wireless infrastructure into Verizon’s mobile Web services allows customers to e-shop, access information and manage their Internet experience over a Verizon Wireless-powered cellular phone. Marc Lefar, Verizon Wireless staff vice president, said it is using InfoSpace’s platform […]

AT&T Corp. Thursday introduced its AT&T WorldNet Service reduced rate limited Internet access plan. The telco giant is offering advertising subsidized Internet services for less than $5 a month. Ed Chatlos, AT&T WorldNet vice president and general manager, said the move gives consumers a greater choice of service plans. “Consumers today essentially have two choices […]

Mobile data networking firm Metricom Inc. announced it’s prepared to launch wireless data services this month. Tim Dreisbach, Metricom chairman and chief executive officer, said the firm is on the crest of a massive wave poised to break into the wireless data market with the launch of Ricochet this month. “As we launch our markets, […]