The joint venture will be based in Detroit, Michigan, and plans to begin operations in the fall of 2012.

The venture, called Avantel, plans to spend $600 million over three years.

The venture also plans to license consumer products.

The venture plans to invest more than $1.5 billion to develop the field over three to five years.

The venture, called Smartcash, plans to issue what are called "stored value" or "electronic purse" cards.

In five years, the venture plans to employ 2,200 carriers.

The venture is planning to begin production of a color screen next spring.

It said the venture plans to have 100 minimarkets, which sell food and gasoline, by the end of the year.

The venture planned to market a package of local, long-distance and wireless services in competition with the Bells and others.

Unlike other such services, his venture plans to carry local television stations, which makes it the first genuine threat to cable TV.