While no one was watching, America Online Inc. has quietly become a force in the telephone business, piecing together a formidable collection of technologies and products that could one day make it the Ma Bell of the new millennium. Many people believe the company's text-chatting services will eventually add voice capability. A company spokeswoman says AOL isn't ready to talk about its Internet telephony strategy.
Acquisitions are one key.
Though that deal could still fall through, the two companies are already working to let users of AOL's two text-chatting services, ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger, make Internet phone calls to their online buddies using Net2Phone. AOL's vast directory of Instant Messenger and ICQ users could one day become something like an online phone book for setting up calls, analysts believe. In December, AOL acquired Tegic Communications, a small company whose software makes it easier for users to punch out messages from cell-phone keypads. AOL has also established a wireless division headed by Dennis Patrick, a former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and a former wireless-industry executive. AOL executives say they may even consider offering an AOL-branded wireless service if they determine there's consumer interest.