SONY, TOKYU TO FIGHT
AT&T, MICROSOFT

In an attempt to profit from Japan's rapidly growing Internet business, Sony and cable television operator Tokyu said on Friday they would develop a broadband network.

The move comes just days after U.S. giants AT&T and Microsoft said they would merge to infiltrate the country's fledgling cable Internet business.

The latest alliance includes plans to create a broadband Internet service using Tokyu's existing cable television infrastructure and would also tie up with other CATV operators.

To cement the alliance, Sony will buy a 10% stake, valued at 10 billion yen ($95.10 million), in Tokyu's cable television unit.