AT&T Corp has finally come out with an Internet strategy, the last of the big three US carriers to do so. It has formed three business units to handle different aspects of its proposed Internet service. AT&T WorldNet Services will provide different access options, including both dial-up and dedicated access; Hosting & Transaction Services will assist users in publishing electronic catalogues and handling secure sales transactions; and a content services business will work with content owners to provide tailored information and entertainment services to consumers, professionals and businesses. The company has already signed up several partners to help it develop its proposed services. For the user interface, it has turned to Netscape Communications Corp, which will provide a preconfigured AT&T-branded browser and other Internet client-server software. Harley Hahn – best known as the publisher of the Internet Yellow Pages – will develop exclusive Internet exploration capabilities for the service, while navigational tools will be provided by McKinley Inc. Verity Corp is contributing its Verity Topic technology, which is designed to provide full-text search and personalised information agent capabilities, while Adobe Systems Inc’s Acrobat will be used for viewing, navigating and printing Internet text and images. AT&T is planning to start technical trials of its dial-up service within the next 60 days, with more extensive customer trials starting quickly afterwards. The leased line service is being offered through AT&T’s existing deal with BBN Planet Corp (CI No 2,705). For the future, AT&T is planning to integrate its NetWare Connect Service, developed with Novell Inc (CI No 2,407), into WorldNet, to enable Connect subscribers to use WorldNet as a common Internet access vehicle.
