---

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, January 17, 1992                   TAG: 9201170153
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

---

2-WAY TV GIVEN SPACE ON AIRWAVES

The Federal Communications Commission cleared space on the airwaves Thursday for two-way television.

Soon, you should be able to shop, bank, pay bills, take classes and answer surveys through your TV set, no telephone necessary.

The FCC says it will start taking applications in three to six months from companies who can build these systems for each broadcast area. As early as next year, some consumers could be signing up.

The action taken by the FCC stems from a petition by TV Answer Inc., of Reston, Va., which has a two-way system ready for market.

The concept has been used minimally by some cable companies. The FCC's action will make it available to more people.

---