MCI and Microsoft will now be building networks together, MCI ditching
Netscape and starting to sell Microsoft network access tools & pushing
MSN...
From the local rag news paper:
"MCI, Microsoft to jointly market on-line services
WASHINGTON -- MCI Communications Corp., switching its Internet Strategy,
said it will team up with Microsoft Corp. to jointly market and develop
services for the burgeoning on-line industry"
The story later goes on to say:
"MCI will promote Microsoft Network, the No. 4 U.S. on-line service, and
sell Microsoft's Internet software through its SHL Systemhouse unit"
Interesting considering: MCI and News Corp. have an agreement to jointly
develop/promote InternetMCI and Delphi. And UUNET and Microsoft have an
agreement to provide Internet access/MSN dialup.
Wonder if this sort of thing is anything like the cable/telco/media
"interactive TV" alliances of a year or two ago?
Yes, especially given that now after taking a new order for an additional
T-1 line to the MCI backbone they are all of a sudden "reevaluating" their
position with regard to selling to resellers and not processing the order...