TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Cable Modem Standards Set: A group of cable and technology companies are expected to announce plans Thursday to ensure that cable modems will work across franchise boundaries, a step which would likely make the new devices more viable for both consumers and cable operators. Details of the plan to set an industry standard are scheduled to be unveiled at the Western Cable Show in Anaheim. Among the participants are Tele-Communications Inc., Time Warner Cable, Intel Corp. and General Instrument Corp. Cable modems, which allow access to the Internet at far greater speeds than standard modems, are expected to become available to consumers in several cable franchises next year.