Cox Communications Inc. said it has agreed to test the high-speed 'AOL Plus'
Internet service when the MSO begins a technical open-access trial in El Dorado,
Ark. That six-month trial is set to launch in the third quarter of this
year.
America Online Inc. marks the second Internet-service provider to sign up for
Cox's forthcoming trial. EarthLink Network Inc. was the first.
In April, Cox noted that part of the reason behind its decision to test open
access in El Dorado was because it was a system where the MSO uses a homegrown
ISP, rather than affiliates such as Excite@Home Corp. or Road Runner.
Cox officials have maintained that a mix of regional and national ISPs will
be asked to participate in the open-access trial.
Like it said with EarthLink's involvement in the pilot, Cox said the trial
would give it a chance to test the AOL high-speed service and to perhaps
negotiate a more definitive open-access agreement.
'We look forward to adding high-speed cable to the list of ways in which AOL
members can access their accounts,' recently appointed AOL senior vice president
for broadband Lou Borrelli said in a press release.
