Oracle chairman Larry Ellison said yesterday that the names of the telecom companies will be announced in 45 to 60 days, according to Bloomberg news service.
Ellison said the company has already held negotiations with British Telecom, France Telecom, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, and Bell Atlantic to provide service.
Worldwide telecom service is the missing link in Oracle's plan to introducem the Network Computer, its branded version of the relatively low-cost Internet boxes designed primarily for online access.
Oracle, IBM, Sun Microsystems, Netscape Communications, and Apple Computer have set reference specifications for Internet boxes and have licensed the design to more than 50 other makers. Systems are expected to ship later this year.
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Telcos eyeball Network Computers
