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Telecom and Tech Industry Developments: Key Takeaways and Insights

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The telecom and tech industry saw significant developments last week, with Telefonica de Espana planning a new alliance with MCI Communications and Worldcom, bypassing its original partner AT&T. Microsoft's William H. Gates testifies on Capitol Hill to defend the company against monopoly allegations, successfully avoiding mentioning the M-word. Texas Instruments' focus on specialized chips may position the company to resist industry afflictions. Banner ads will now be able to change instantly across all World Wide Web sites.

Key Takeaways:

  • Telefonica de Espana's new alliance with MCI Communications and Worldcom marks a shift in its focus, indicating that the company was initially interested in dealing with MCI.
  • Microsoft's William H. Gates testified on Capitol Hill, successfully avoiding the term "monopoly" in his four-hour appearance before the Judiciary Committee.
  • Texas Instruments' focus on specialized chips, such as those used in cellular telephones and talking dolls, may position the company to resist the industry's afflictions.
  • The banner ad initiative launched by New York media giants will allow for instantaneous changes in ads across all World Wide Web sites.
  • The new design of The Washington Post, featuring $250 million worth of new presses, marked a significant change in the paper's appearance after two decades.
  • The resignation of the top executive of Americast, a TV venture between Disney and local phone companies, weakened the convergence of television and telephone.
  • 3Com plans to introduce an enhanced version of its Palm Pilot hand-held electronic organizer, aiming to compete with Microsoft's product, due in May.
  • President Clinton intends to nominate Arthur Levitt Jr. to another term as the top United States securities regulator.

Statistics:

  • The Dow Industrials rose 23.67 points to 8,569.39.
  • The 30-year Treasury yield increased by 0.10% to 6.02%.
  • The dollar appreciated by 1.83 yen to 127.93 yen.

Sources:

  • "Telefonica de Espana Planning New U.S. Alliance" (Page D3)
  • "Mr. Gates Goes to Washington" (Page D3)
  • "Chip Maker Looks Away From PC's" (Page D2)
  • "Banner Ad Initiative for Web Sites" (Page D8)
  • "Technology Becomes an Alibi" by Edward Rothstein (Page D3)
  • "New Look at The Washington Post" (Page D7)
  • "TV-Phone Link Weakened Further" (Page D7)
  • "3Com to Offer New Palm Pilot" (Page D2)
  • "Another Term for Levitt" (Page D4)

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