Yahoo, SBC to Create Multimedia Platform
PASADENA, Calif. — Internet giant Yahoo Inc. on Thursday said it has extended and expanded its partnership with SBC Communications Inc. to transform their Internet access service into a multimedia platform connecting Web, television and wireless phone services.
The company did not disclose terms of the multi-year extension, but said the first of new products developed under the expanded venture will be available next year.
Under the deal, the companies will offer services allowing customers to check e-mail, voice messages or faxes on several different devices such as a computer, home television or wireless phone.
Other features, including video on demand, streaming Internet radio and remote access to digital video recorders, will be available to its DSL and broadband subscribers, Yahoo said. Plans also include integrating SBC Yahoo Internet service with SBC’s Wi-Fi network, as well as developing a linked platform allowing Cingular Wireless subscribers to access content from Yahoo’s Web site and personal messages. SBC owns 60 percent of Cingular.
"This alliance advances the SBC strategy to evolve the ‘digital home’ into the ‘digital lifestyle,’" SBC chairman and chief executive Edward E. Whitacre Jr. said in a statement. "What you see on your SBC Yahoo Internet home page is coming to a TV set or wireless phone near you."
Yahoo and SBC first launched their alliance in November 2001 to offer DSL and dial-up Internet access.
Yahoo separately said its Overture Services Inc. extended a search distribution deal with Microsoft Corp. by one year until June 2006, under which Overture will provide sponsored search results to MSN.com Web sites.
In pre-market activity, shares of Yahoo rose almost 1 percent, or 35 cents, to $37.30.
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