Microsoft to buy into European cable.

Microsoft is to make its first investments in European cable, buying into UK operator NTL and pan-European United Philips Communications (UPC), which operates cable systems in 10 countries throughout Europe. Both NTL and UPC are fast approaching roll-out of digital interactive services. Microsoft investments should speed development of high-speed voice, video and data services over the cable networks. With both cable operators Microsoft will form a technology group to guide development of digital services which are widely seen to be `killer' applications that could finally lift U