Breaking ground for cable

Internet access and digital content over cable systems got quite a boost lately with cable modem services merging and vendors releasing new hardware as the industry holds its annual Western Show. Time Warner's Road Runner and US West's MediaOne joined forces to eclipse competitor @Home, while Toshiba and Hayes unveiled set-top boxes and modems for the emerging market. In addition, a strategic shift is afoot toward content in cable modem services, and Intel launched an initiative for standardizing digital TV content.

Cable modem makers will cooperate
Big-name companies pledge that they will make cable modems that work together as reliably as today's dial-up devices.

Cable goods on display
At cable TV's Western Show, companies are announcing new technologies they promise will move the cable modem and set-top box industry forward.

Intel unveils digital TV plan
The chipmaker hopes to standardize the content format for digital TV and touts technology for viewing TV and the Web simultaneously.

Toshiba gets into cable business
update The electronics giant previews set-tops and cable modems at the Western Show, heralding new moves into the home market.

Hayes shows cable modems
The company demonstrates one-way and two-way devices based on the standard supervised by Multimedia Cable Network Systems.

Road Runner, MediaOne join forces
The two services announce they are combining their businesses to provide high-speed Net access through cable systems.

@Home teams with Microsoft
The cable-access company, which struck a deal two years ago with Netscape, joins forces with Microsoft to develop its broadband service.

Cable modem services look to content
Road Runner and @Home will unveil major redesigns to include beefed-up content and multimedia features, signaling a strategic shift in the nascent industry.