Newsclip Service
May 2002
These news-clips have been collated from various news sources because they are considered possibly relevant to Interactive TV learning developments.
May 2002 UK
Report – UK Digital television by New Media Markets
New Media Markets' UK Digital Television is aimed at everybody within the digital TV arena worldwide. The report provides forecasts to 2010 on cable, DTH, DSL, DTT, PVR penetration and advertising revenues, and insights into interactive TV, t-commerce and personal TV. There is also an analysis of all delivery platforms, an examination of technology coverage including set-top boxes, middleware and personal video recorders. and an evaluation of content and programming issues. (Source: Informa Media) (see summary)31 May 2002 Ireland
New Licensing for Ireland’s Broadband Roll-out
The Irish Telecoms Regulator, Etain
Doyle is introducing new licencing regimes for fixed wireless access (FWA) to
stimulate broadband rollout. One will provide a simplified system for local
and regional licensing in the 10.5GHz band. A second initiative will involve
additional spectrum being made available for licence-exempt W-LANs in the
5.8GHz band. Both of these initiatives are aimed at enabling fast and flexible
rollout of wireless access to encourage increased availability of broadband
services. Telecom operators will
now be able to offer tailored localised services competitively. (Source: ODTR)
(see press release)
28 May 2002 UK
ITC project to explore Digital TV’s potential for the visually impaired
The potential for digital television to benefit the visually impaired is being explored by the VISTA (Virtual Interface for a Set-Top box Agent) project. Led by the ITC, it will look at the potential use of technologies to allow the viewer to 'speak' commands to the TV and have the set 'talk back'. The ITC are looking at a way for the Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs) used in digital television navigation to be adapted for the visually impaired. (Source: ITC) (see press release)
20 May 2002 USA
Video On Demand Via Satellite
PrediWave have successfully developed video on demand (VOD) over satellite that can be utilized to provide interactive entertainment and educational programming through satellite directly to residents and can provide a cost-effective way to bridge the “digital divide” that separates rural areas from wired urban centers. (Source: Digital Broadcasting) (see article)
7 May 2002 USA
Net Video not up to scratch
Microsoft, RealNetworks and Apple Computer have all announced improvements to their streaming media systems in the last few months. They all aim to end the cutouts and congestion in Net delivery of audio and video. But these advances are reliant on high-speed connections, which only conceal underlying delivery problems without fixing them. Even with these enhancements, analysts say, Internet video has a long way to go to match TV quality. (Source: Zdnet) (see article)
7 May 2002 USA
Interactive TV trade group officially launched
The Interactive Television Alliance was officially launching on May 7th at the NCTA Convention. With over 200 companies and individuals committed to the advancement of Interactive Television and the development of next-generation programming, it will provide much needed support for the iTV industry in the US. They have set an ambitious agenda ranging from education to advocacy but they have some of the largest iTV companies behind them. (Source: iTV Alliance)(see website)
6 May 2002 Worldwide
Call for Papers to establish open standards for PDRs
The TV-Anytime Forum has released a call for contributions to its Phase 2 Specifications to establish open standards for Personal Digital Recorders (PDRs). This new Call focuses on New Content Types - digital media other than linear audio/video programs, Targeting - the ability to deliver personalized to individual PDRs and Redistribution - peer-to-peer sharing, home networking and the use of removable media with stored content on users' PDRs.
The Call queries the digital media industry at large for requirements, technologies and participation in these emerging areas of PDR development. (Source: TV –Anytime Forum) (see press release)
6 May 2002 UK
TiVo & Sky + signal the end of VCR
Charles Arthur of The Independent highlights the many advantages of PVR’s and predicts that once tried “nothing short of a siege and a hostage negotiator will get you to go back to videotape.” He also predicts that the World Cup could be the big event needed to encourage people to buy PVR’s. (Source: The Independent)(see article)
6 May 2002 USA
Cable TV is losing subscribers to Satellite
According to Forrester Research, satellite is rapidly luring in cable TV's best, highest-paying subscribers. In order for cable to win back these subscribers, the report urges cable operators to expand their video-on-demand (VOD) content, improve programming interfaces, and offer entertainment gateways that deliver entertainment throughout the home. (Source: Media Daily News)(see article)
6 May 2002 Canada
PVR impact less than predicted
Despite positive projections that more than 3 million homes would have PVRs in 2001, the reality is that less than 350,000 set-top PVRs were sold in 2001 according to the Yankee Group, however the yearend household penetration of PVRs hovered around 1 million. With 30 million digitally-enabled households in the U.S., cable and satellite TV providers hope to speed up the rollout of PVR services. (Source: AdAge.com)(see article)
3 May 2002 Finland
Finnish DTT problems
The shortage of MHP-integrated set top boxes and digital built-in TV-sets is being blamed for the weak performance of Digital Terrestrial (DTT) TV in Finland. Another multiplex is going to be added to the existing three, which many think should be focused on interactive services. (Source: advanced-television.com) (see article)
2 May 2002 Germany
High Speed Internet launched for Germany
Deutsche Telekom launched SES Astra's T-DSL satellite delivered Internet service on May 1st. Following the successful completion of a six-month pilot phase. A survey of the 500 trial participants was reported by the company to have shown high satisfaction with T-DSL via satellite's high-speed page set-up and record download speeds as well as the quality of the video and music content. (Source: SES Astra) (see press release)
UK has over 500,000 high-speed Internet connections UK
In an announcement for Oftel, David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said "Over 500,000 customers now have high-speed Internet access using a broadband connection, according to current published figures from the network operators. The 500,000 doesn’t take into account the cable operators’ connections for March and April, so the actual figure is significantly more". (Source: Oftel) (see press release)
1 May 2002 UK
UK Govt to give away set top boxes
With ITV Digital's demise and an
analogue switch-off by 2010 looking unrealistic, the UK Government has formed
partnerships with Pace, Nokia and other manufacturers to give away thousands
of set-top boxes to boost digital take-up and the use of public services
online. There are plans to pilot the distribution of set-top boxes from Nokia,
Pace or French company Netgem by councils to selected local citizens.
(Sources: Net Imperative)(see
article)
1 May 2002 Europe
44% of European Homes to have iDTV by 2007
Forrester Research predicts that iDTV penetration will reach 44 percent of European households by 2007, up from only 11 percent today. Four countries will drive iDTV's growth, the UK will take 45 percent of Europe's iDTV penetration, France, Spain, and Italy will share 44 percent; the rest of Western Europe will account for only 11 percent. Satellite is also expected to be the main delivery mechanism. (Source: Forrester)(see press release)