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Net quandary for Bells

Telcos and print companies increasingly are seeking to expand into cyberspace. Alliances already have materialized, and more are expected.

CNET News staff
"Shall we dance?" Internet companies can expect to hear that proposition increasingly from telcos and print media corporations seeking to expand in cyberspace. Today's report of AT&T tentatively bidding for America Online is just one case in point, and more are expected.

Telcos hit snags in Net efforts
news analysis Deregulation was supposed to make it easier for telcos to jump onto the Net, but they have had difficulty connecting on the promise.

AOL affirms its independence
update America Online's top executives tell employees that it is committed to remaining independent and is not merging with AT&T.

EarthLink woos Bell customers
The national ISP is again trying to lure Net users dissatisfied with price increases away from competitors.

Telco speculation fuels Net stocks
Internet stocks surge on renewed speculation that they may become the prey of telecommunications firms and "old media" companies.

AOL up after AT&T report
update America Online rises in preopening trade after a report the online service had declined a tentative buyout offer from AT&T.

Excite, AT&T service launches
The search engine company and the telco giant launch their joint Web-based online service in hopes of attracting new users with a package of services.

NBC buys stake in CNET, Snap
update The network purchases a 19 percent stake in CNET's Snap Internet portal service, which it will operate as a joint venture.