Wednesday, January 05, 2005
SBC to sell Web-enabled home entertainment system
SBC to sell Web-enabled home entertainment system | CNET News.com: "SBC to sell Web-enabled home entertainment system
Published: January 3, 2005, 12:34 PM PST By Reuters
SBC Communications said on Monday it would offer a television set-top box that can handle music, photos and Internet downloads, as part of the company's efforts to expand into home entertainment.
SBC, the No. 2 U.S. telecommunications company, plans to spend about $5 billion over the next three years to build and connect customers to a high-speed data network designed to handle video, voice and Internet access over one line.
The set-top box, which SBC will build in a joint venture with privately owned equipment maker 2Wire, will be sold starting in mid-2005 as an add-on to SBC's current high-speed Internet services as well as to SBC customers who buy Echostar Communications DISH satellite service.
SBC said the 2Wire-designed box will record and save TV programs, and can access music and photos stored on home computers. Owners will be able to control the box remotely over an Internet connection, which will also provide access to streaming music and video downloads through SBC's deal with Yahoo.
SBC said future enhancements will allow the box to be controlled through a Cingular wireless phone, and allow SBC's local phone customers to see caller ID and call logs on their TV sets.
The company did not release detailed pricing for the box. SBC spokesman Michael Coe said customers would be charged a one-time leasing fee, with additional fees for some services.
SBC and other large telephone companies have committed billions of dollars toward launching video services to offset growing competition in telephone services from cable companies such as Comcast."
Published: January 3, 2005, 12:34 PM PST By Reuters
SBC Communications said on Monday it would offer a television set-top box that can handle music, photos and Internet downloads, as part of the company's efforts to expand into home entertainment.
SBC, the No. 2 U.S. telecommunications company, plans to spend about $5 billion over the next three years to build and connect customers to a high-speed data network designed to handle video, voice and Internet access over one line.
The set-top box, which SBC will build in a joint venture with privately owned equipment maker 2Wire, will be sold starting in mid-2005 as an add-on to SBC's current high-speed Internet services as well as to SBC customers who buy Echostar Communications DISH satellite service.
SBC said the 2Wire-designed box will record and save TV programs, and can access music and photos stored on home computers. Owners will be able to control the box remotely over an Internet connection, which will also provide access to streaming music and video downloads through SBC's deal with Yahoo.
SBC said future enhancements will allow the box to be controlled through a Cingular wireless phone, and allow SBC's local phone customers to see caller ID and call logs on their TV sets.
The company did not release detailed pricing for the box. SBC spokesman Michael Coe said customers would be charged a one-time leasing fee, with additional fees for some services.
SBC and other large telephone companies have committed billions of dollars toward launching video services to offset growing competition in telephone services from cable companies such as Comcast."
