IRVINE, Calif., July 30, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- IBC, Inc (www.ibc.tv) announced today that it believes its broad suite of financial services and solutions will contribute significantly to the evolution of broadband for financial institutions and investors. IBC.Tv offers some of the most comprehensive broadband financial information online today including streaming audio and video, featured company profiles, news, and analysis from sources including Morningstar, CNNFn and Bloomberg Television.
Additionally, IBC has taken a significant equity position in Usurf America (AMEX:UAX), the developer of Quick-Cell(TM), a broadband Fixed-Wireless Internet access system. Usurf announced today that it had begun construction of its first post-funding Quick-Cell System being built in San Angelo, Texas.
Quick-Cell systems for other cities throughout this South Texas region are currently undergoing engineering and planning efforts and are scheduled for beginning construction efforts during August 2001. Quick-Cell DSL is one of the most flexible Fixed-Wireless Internet access delivery solutions on the market, one which operates in unlicensed spectrum and can be deployed far less expensively than hard wire DSL. Quick-Cell's bandwidth speed is scalable. For more information about USURF America and Quick-Cell DSL, please visit its Web site at www.usurf.com.
Microsoft Corp (Nasdaq:MSFT) is focused on the future of broadband and announced today that it is determined to prevent AOL Time Warner (NYSE:AOL) acquiring or buying a stake in AT&T's (NYSE:T) cable business, the Financial Times reported on Monday. It quoted people close to Microsoft as saying the company was prepared to use its financial muscle to encourage alternative bids for the AT&T broadband division, rather than see AOL become the dominant player in the U.S. cable market.
Microsoft realized that combining AT&T's cable operations with those of AOL would create an industry giant with about 29 million subscribers, or approximately 40 percent of the U.S. market. The FT said this could place AOL in control of one of the most promising means of delivering advanced Internet services to U.S. consumers. It would also create a significant barrier to Microsoft's ambitions to reach beyond the personal computer screen with electronic commerce, information and entertainment services.