The Year in Preview

Technology:

Internet: Small Web site design firms will be merging to gain the bulk necessary to challenge dominant franchises such as USWeb/CKS and iXL. A wave of consolidation also is expected among small Internet service providers. Internet advertising deals will be replaced by “strategic marketing partnerships,” but the real money to be made on the Net will come from electronic-commerce transactions. Local phone companies will offer Internet access with high-speed digital subscriber lines.