SBC brings AOL users up to speed

SBC Communications will become the second regional Bell operating company to offer high-speed access over digital subscriber line to America Online customers after agreeing to extend asymmetrical DSL to customers throughout its Pacific Bell and Southwestern Bell markets.

Under the deal, AOL will buy wholesale DSL service from SBC. Though pricing hasn't been announced, a similar agreement with Bell Atlantic in January adds about $20 to an AOL user's monthly cost.

"Our goal is to make DSL affordable and available, and AOL is a powerful distribution arm," said an SBC spokesman. "We have our own branded DSL Internet product, but some people want to stick with AOL. This alliance will drastically increase the number of DSL lines we can get out into the SBC market."

SBC has enough DSL equipment in place to serve 2 million homes and will increase that number to 8.4 million by the end of 1999. SBC also will offer the AOL package in all its markets and has started a trial in Connecticut with Southern New England Telecommunications.

"This is a step in the right direction to reach the residential market," said Laurie Falconer, a consultant with TeleChoice. "The only issue I have is making these announcements that really just announce the announcement. It's possible they're trying to hype the market; they're all very good at marketing. My official line is, 'Show us DSL now-or at least give us a date.'"

TIA ELECTS BOARD MEMBERS The Telecommunications Industry Association has elected six new board members. They are Leigh Belden, president of Verilink Corp; Van Cullens, communications sector president of Harris Corp.; Bill Doyle, president of Interdigital Communications Corp.; Olli Kallasvuo, president of Nokia Inc.; Shawn Osborne, president of DGM&S Telecom; and Jim Pentecost, president of Power & Telephone Supply.

SAMSUNG GOES NORTH Samsung Telecommunications America has signed one of the first-ever contracts to deliver Internet telephony cable modems to Le Groupe Videotron, a Canadian cable provider. This contract gives Samsung access to more than 2.3 million homes passed by Videotron.