Telecommunications Companies Converge on Melbourne to Establish Information Highway Standards

Strategic Insights -

Telecommunications companies from around the world are meeting in Melbourne to develop standards for the information superhighway. The TINA consortium plans to create an open architecture that converges computer and telecommunications networks, enabling households to access telephone services, video conferencing, and movies through a single network and user interface device. Telstra's Bob James predicts that the TINA network may be used by private organizations to outsource their networking needs. Meanwhile, Microsoft is gearing up for the rollout of its Microsoft Network online information service, which promises to undercut CompuServe on price.

Key Takeaways:

  • The TINA consortium plans to develop an open architecture for the information superhighway, converging computer and telecommunications networks into a single platform.
  • Telstra's Bob James predicts that the TINA network may be used by private organizations to outsource their networking needs, potentially saving them a "small fortune" on implementation and maintenance costs.
  • Microsoft is preparing to launch its Microsoft Network online information service, which will offer a range of consumer services from companies like Time Warner and Sony, as well as local content from banks and educational institutions.
  • Several companies, including Lotus, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Borland, are signing up to use the Microsoft Network to deliver product marketing and support to customers.
  • Internet browsing is becoming increasingly popular, with companies like Lotus and Netcomm integrating Internet-friendly software into their product lines.
  • The next manifestation of multimedia is being pushed into the mass market by companies like Microsoft, Intel, and Apple Computer, which are working to include video and data conferencing standards into their PC hardware and software.
  • IBM Australia has announced a reduction in access charges for Australian Internet connections through its Global Network Services, with prices dropping by up to $1.50 an hour.

Statistics:

  • There are currently 40 organizations, including software and hardware companies, that are members of the TINA consortium.
  • Microsoft promises that its Microsoft Network online information service will undercut CompuServe on price.
  • The number of hosts worldwide on the Internet has grown from 2,476,641 in January 1994 to 4,851,873 in January 1995, representing a growth rate of 24% for the fourth quarter of 1994.
  • The number of Australian hosts on the Internet has grown from 134,839 in January 1994 to 161,166 in January 1995, representing a growth rate of 20% for the fourth quarter of 1994.
  • China's semiconductor market is estimated to be $3.2 billion, with projected growth to $5.52 billion by 1997.
  • Intel's ProShare videoconferencing software will process digital signals on Intel chips, potentially reducing the need for video capture cards.

Sources:

  • "Telecommunications Integrated Network Architecture" consortium
  • Telstra's Bob James
  • Microsoft
  • IBM Australia's IT services venture
  • US Semiconductor Industry Assocation
  • Law firm Dewey Ballantine
  • Network Wizards
  • Internet Society
  • Mark Lottor of Network Wizards
  • ftp://ftp.isoc.org/ isoc/charts/hosts3.ppt