With the withdrawal of US subsidies to Internet access providers this spring existing providers are joining forces to establish their commercial clout, and smaller outfits face being squeezed out. Performance System International Inc, an Internet access provider in Reston, Virginia has acquired The Pipeline Network Inc, a New York-based service provider known for its graphics interface to the Internet, US PC Week tells us. Access providers are also upgrading their networks to handle Asynchronous Transfer Mode traffic. The feeling is that faster transmission speeds coupled with the commoditisation of Internet connections will all point to a faster cheaper service to users.
