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Microsoft Partners with Southwestern Bell for Interactive Video Trial

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Southwestern Bell, a regional Bell operating company, is gearing up to launch an interactive video trial in Richardson, Tex, with Microsoft providing the necessary software. The service, set to begin in the fourth quarter of 1995, promises to deliver movies on demand, home shopping, and regular phone service to 47,000 homes. This ambitious project will be the first to utilize Microsoft's new "broadband" operating system, which is still in development, and will run video servers with the "Tiger" software. Lockheed Corp. has been appointed as the systems integrator, and the trial will initially test the system with 3,500 customers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Southwestern Bell video project aims to deliver a range of services, including movies on demand, home shopping, and regular phone service, to 47,000 homes.
  • Microsoft's new "broadband" operating system, still in development, will be utilized for the project, with video servers running on the "Tiger" software.
  • The project will be tested with an initial 3,500 customers, with the possibility of licensing the broadband system to other companies.
  • Lockheed Corp. has been appointed as the systems integrator, overseeing the integration of the system components.
  • Other applications, such as an electronic guide to programming and a network operator for billing and service information, are under development.
  • Microsoft has expressed interest in testing the same software with cable company Tele-Communications Inc. in the Seattle area next year.

Statistics:

  • The project aims to deliver services to 47,000 homes.
  • The initial test group will consist of 3,500 customers.
  • The project is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 1995.
  • The commercial service target date is 1996.

Sources:

  • [Source: Microsoft Corp. learns to deliver a bit. The New York Times]
  • [Source: Southwestern Bell will test an interactive video system. Los Angeles Times]
  • [Source: Regional Bell companies test interactive video systems. The Seattle Times]

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