The world's biggest computer maker is teaming up with the world's biggest local phone company to wire new homes so that owners can digitally control a variety of devices, from VCRs and the thermostat to coffee makers and security systems.

Armonk, N.Y.-based International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) will supply the research and technology to New York-based Bell Atlantic Corp. (NYSE:BEL) which will put it to use in wiring homes.

The companies said that initially they plan to wire a relatively small number of new houses being built in Bell Atlantic's Maine-to-Virginia service region.

The technology will enable customers to make any digital product respond to programmed commands, and will have applications for home-based businesses, communications and entertainment.

Richard Doherty, research director for Envisioneering Group, a technology assessment firm, said home builders in Bell Atlantic's service area plan to wire more than half of their upscale homes with the new service.

IBM already has a home-management application that coordinates systems such as heat, air conditioning, lighting, video and security. It can turn on lights or lower heat to save energy when the homeowner is not home.

IBM spokesman Andrew Hayden said his firm is working out the kinks of providing security to users wishing to dial up their home system from outside.

The main drawback to the new system is that currently, there are few ovens, coffee makers or washing machines that can be linked into such networks. But IBM believes such products aren't far off.

New-home installation will start at $1,000, Bell Atlantic spokesman Mark Marchand said, but will go up as capability is added.

Later this year the service will be available for existing homes, although it will be more expensive to add wiring to them than to a house under construction, Envisioneering's Doherty said.

Published: February 15, 1999

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