TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Verizon to Opt for Microsoft TV Tech

Verizon to Opt for Microsoft TV Tech

Monty Solomon (monty@roscom.com)
Fri, 28 Jan 2005 23:34:23 -0500

By BRUCE MEYERSON AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Verizon Communications Inc. plans to use Microsoft
Corp. technology for its rollout of television service over a new
fiber-optic network, becoming the third major telephone company to
help fulfill Microsoft's long-stymied bid to barge into the TV
business.

The software maker's platform initially will be used to provide an
interactive program guide, high-definition television, digital video
recording and video-on-demand for Verizon's FiOS TV service, which is
due to launch in undisclosed markets around mid-year.

Verizon, which is spending billions to replace its copper phone lines
with speedy fiberglass cables, also expects to exploit the
technology's Internet-based capabilities to roll out more advanced
interactive services down the road, the companies planned to announce
Monday.

The deal with Verizon comes on the heels of a contract from SBC
Communications Inc. to use Microsoft's platform to launch that
telephone company's planned TV service and an agreement with BellSouth
Corp. to conduct trials with the technology.

- http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=46513957

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