Microsoft, RadioShack Link Up

Microsoft Corp., the third-largest provider of Internet access, said Wednesday that it will begin selling a high-speed online service at RadioShack Corp.’s stores.

The MSN HighSpeed service will be available on telephone lines from NorthPoint Communications Group Inc. and by satellite from a unit of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. beginning in November. The cost will be $39.95 a month for a phone-line connection and $59.95 for a satellite link.

Microsoft is pursuing America Online Inc., the biggest Internet-service provider. America Online has more than 24 million customers; Microsoft has 3 million. High-speed Internet access has expanded more slowly than many analysts and companies expected, although research firm IDC has projected that almost a third of Internet-connected U.S. homes will have a high-speed link by 2003.

“There are people who think the battle is over, but it’s not,” said Bob Visse, lead product manager at Microsoft’s MSN unit. “We’re on track to beat AOL at its own game.”

America Online declined to comment.