MSN, Cox in talks over possible cable pact
Reuters | at | by Mike
Microsoft is in talks to distribute its MSN Internet service over Cox Communications cable lines in a pact that could be more attractive for cable companies, a source close to the matter said. In the last couple of years, Internet service providers (ISPs) like MSN and rival America Online have been haggling to sell their services to customers who get their Internet access through high-speed cable lines.
But many of those talks bogged down over pricing and issues like how to brand the service and who would be responsible for customer service. Since cable companies have also made inroads selling high-speed access to their customers without the help of ISPs, the AOLs and MSNs of the world are now considering different models.