ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 7, 1993                   TAG: 9310070112
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: ST. PAUL, MINN.                                LENGTH: Short


SUPERCOMPUTER SERVICE COMING SOON VIA SPRINT

Minnesota Supercomputer Center and Sprint Corp. are teaming up to deliver high-speed computing services to the desktops of corporations via the much touted "electronic superhighway," the two companies said Wednesday.

By early 1994, customers will be able to tap into the sophisticated computers at MSCI via super-quick phone networks developed by Sprint.

Analysts expect such agreements to proliferate in coming months as telecommunications companies position themselves in a developing information market.

The rush also is sparked by a move by private companies to establish their claim on territory that some think should be controlled by the federal government.

Much is at stake, because many maintain that control over how information is delivered is the modern-day equivalent of who owns the railroads.

"This is really the first commercial offering that combines high-speed networking with high-speed computing," said John Sell, MSCI president.

Sell said the MSCI's status as a private venture put it in a strong position to participate in a commercial venture with Sprint. Other major super computing centers are public ventures closely tied to government research contracts. He said early customers will include groups of companies working together on projects.

- Knight-Ridder/Tribune



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