Patricia Fusco

Broadband equipment maker Redback Networks Inc. Monday acquired Siara Systems for $4.3 billion in stock. Under the terms of the agreement, which was approved by each company’s board of directors, Redback (RBAK) will issue 31.3 million shares for all-outstanding shares, options and arrants of Siara Systems. Based on Friday’s closing price of $136.50, the transaction […]

International technologies research firm Arthur D. Little Inc. reported Tuesday that online consumers’ prefer cable access when it comes to meeting their need for speed. The research firm reported consumer demand for cable modem Internet access is favored by a 2:1 margin over Digital Subscriber Line services. The cable-connected consumer preference means that many subscribers […]

SBC Communications Inc. and Prodigy Communications Corp. agreed Monday to merge their consumer and small business Internet operations. To implement the agreement, Prodigy will contribute its assets and liabilities to a new limited partnership, to be operated under the existing Prodigy brand name. Under the new operating partnership, Prodigy will own a 57 percent stake […]

Excite@Home Monday announced that its board of directors has authorized the cable access provider to establish a tracking stock for the media assets of its business. The move reflects Excite@Home’s (ATHM) efforts to develop both its broadband subscription base and media businesses. By splitting their financial reporting structure, Excite@Home enables their media business to operate […]

Internet service providers have greater opportunities to provide Digital Subscriber Line access courtesy of a new Federal Communication Commission order. The Advanced Services Third Report and Order adopted Thursday permits competitive carriers to obtain access to the high-frequency portion of the local loop from the incumbent carriers, like the regional Bells and GTE Corp. (GTE) […]

US WEST Wednesday launched a new advanced wireless network designed to deliver Internet-based wireless services to millions more U.S. customers. The mini-tower technology was developed in partnership with Alcatel (ALA), Ericsson (SEK), Nortel Networks (NT), and Tekelec Inc. (TKLC). It features an open-network architecture that enables U S WEST to quickly deploy advanced Web-based wireless […]

IBM Corp. and SBC Communications Inc. are looking to feed the need for speed in the small and home office marketplace. IBM (IBM) and SBC (SBC) Wednesday joined forces to deliver one of the industry’s first ADSL-ready personal computers systems. The expanded relationship between the IBM and SBC will make it possible for millions of […]

Free Internet provider NetZero Tuesday made a move to shake up the Internet advertising industry with the acquisition of AimTV. AimTV has developed technology that will allow NetZero (NZRO) to deliver advertisers full-motion broadcast quality Internet commercials to its subscriber base of more than 2 million. NetZero will acquire AimTV for approximately 1 million shares […]

BellSouth this week successfully deployed digital subscribe line (DSL) services to 30 Southeast U.S. cities. By the end of the year, BellSouth (BLS) said it will be able to serve seven million DSL-capable telephone lines. As a part of its broadband deployment plan, the company plans to be capable of serving more than 11.5 million […]

Demand for broadband services has reportedly forced AT&T to pressure Excite@Home to accelerate its deployment of cable modem services in key U.S. markets. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, AT&T (T) executives said Excite@Home’s (ATHM) poor performance was the subject of a recent meeting of Excite@tHome and ts cable partners. AT&T accused […]

In an attempt to gain open access to cable networks, a group of Los Angeles consumers has filed a nationwide class action lawsuit against AT&T Corp., Time Warner Cable and other leading cable companies seeking injunctive relief and damages. The lawsuit alleges the defendants have harmed more than 500,000 consumers by depriving them of the […]

Internet service providers are attempting to persuade Congress to let them carry local television station signals over their networks. According to the Wall Street Journal, America Online Inc. (AOL) and iBEAM Broadcasting are two of the companies asking congressional representatives to revise their wording on the Satellite Television Act of 1999. The bill originally stated […]