PREVIEW / Some of the Business and Economic Events Happening Today

Hot Telephony Topics: Computer Telephony Expo Spring ’99 runs today through Friday at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The trade show was once devoted to the relatively arcane exploits of call centers, information systems specialists and equipment vendors--but not anymore. These days, the show also taps into the exploding importance of advanced communications networks in general, as well as the hot topic of “IP telephony,” or Internet Protocol telephony, which uses standard data techniques borrowed from the computer world to carry voice traffic more efficiently.

Economic Status Report: Economic data to be released today are expected to provide further evidence of the U.S. economy steaming head. New home sales in January are expected to fall 0.8% to an annual rate of 970,000 after a 3.6% drop in December. Meanwhile, the Conference Board will issue its January index of leading economic indicators that will probably show a 0.3% increase after rising 0.3% in December.