>>
>> Microsoft in satellite ISP deal
>> By Margaret Kane, ZDNet News
>> 02/16/2000 07:00
>>
>>
>> Microsoft Corp. has teamed up with an
>> Israeli company to develop a satellite-based
>> Internet service for consumers.
>>
>> Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) will invest $50 million
>> in Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.�s (Nasdaq:
>> GILTF) new company, Gilat-to-Home, and will
>> own 26 percent of the joint venture.
>>
>> The new company will be based in McLean, Va.,
>> and will be run by Zur Feldman, who formerly
>> served as executive vice president of operations
>> at Packard Bell Electronics Inc.
>>
>> The new service, which is currently in trials, will
>> allow consumers to access the Internet via a
>> two-way satellite hookup. The service is typically
>> around 10 times faster than traditional modems.
>>
>> MSN Internet access via satellite will be available
>> directly from Microsoft and through retailers. It will
>> launch first at Tandy Corp.'s Radio Shack stores,
>> in the Microsoft "store-within-a-store," later this
>> year.
>>
>> In a separate release, Gilat said it expected the
>> service to grow to a base of 2.7 million
>> subscribers by 2005.
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