Describing itself as a new type of telecommunications company, San Francisco-based Communications Broadband Multimedia Inc has been demonstrating the capability to use Asynchronous Transfer Mode to provide true multimedia services to telephone subscribers. The company aims to provide interactive video and information services using the 155Mbps capability of Asynchronous Transfer, combining its technical expertise with services with products provided by other firms to provide unique services to its customers. Its first offering is a low-cost telephone service to businesses using the new fibre-optic Metropolitan Area Network installed and operated by Metropolitan Fiber Systems Inc of San Francisco. Communications Broadcast Multimedia says it plans to install a high-speed switching system from L M Ericsson Telefon AB and, enlisting the help of NCR Corp, offer businesses services such as the ability to hold full-motion two-way video conferences from desktop to desktop using conventional personal computers, to access extensive databases and to transmit full motion video and complex graphics like Yellow Pages, Multiple Listing Services and other video-based information services.
