27 November 2000
BSKYB to use ADSL
BSKYB, the satellite broadcaster, is planning a big push into ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) technology according to a recent article in The Times (see article)
22 November 2000
Video-on-demand vs. habit
It appears according to an article in the FT.com that many subscribers of Video Network's HomeChoice video on demand service want to watch some programmes when they are live rather than at any time as is possible with video on demand. (see article)
21 November 2000
Housing association to connect its tenants to Internet via TV
The Swan Housing Group, an English housing association, is looking to connect between 250 and 5000 homes of their tenants to the Internet through their TVs. (see article)
NTL slashes cable modem prices
According to a recent article NTL have cut the price of their high speed cable modems in the UK from £40 to £19.99 a month. (see article)
Interactive TV catches on in Britain
An article in the "New York Times on the web" describes how interactive TV has taken off more rapidly in Britain than in the United States (see article)
16 November 2000
Autonomy plans move into digital TV
Autonomy, the Cambridge software firm, plans to move its technology into digital television. According to an article in Guardian Unlimited, Mike Lynch, Autonomy's chief executive, said the company's new applications would link on-screen action with background information on products. For example, if a viewer is watching X Files and Mulder is drinking a beer, the viewer will be able to click on the beer and buy one. (see article) However, the company has yet to make any official announcements.
13 November 2000
Free TV Set-Top Boxes to be provided to two million UK households
The PowerChannel set-top box allows customers to surf the Web via their television, using the Planetweb browser. PowerChannel has chosen the Planetweb suite of embedded Internet connectivity software to web enable its set-top box solution, offering the consumer a complete Internet solution, including the ability to shop, e-mail and chat.
PowerChannel Europe, through its strategic partnership with Granada Media Group, plans to offer free Internet access to consumers through a TV set-top box. The set-top box is provided at no charge in exchange for subscribers agreeing to complete regular electronic consumer lifestyle surveys and permit PowerChannel to deliver interactive marketing communications to households. (see press release)
Oftel boosts unmetered internet access for consumers
Oftel intends to require BT to provide other operators with a new wholesale flat rate Internet access product from 1 February 2001(see press release)
Yes plans video on demand in Australia
Yes Television, has signed an agreement with CommVergence company CableandTelecoms (CaT) to form a new company, Total Television Australia. The company plans to be the first to roll out interactive digital television services - including true video on demand (VOD) and Internet to the television - across Australia and New Zealand. (see press release)
According to an article in The Times online Steve Garvey, Yes’s marketing director, said that it would in future focus on projects outside the UK, which, he said, was less attractive for investment because of delays in the unbundling of BT’s local network monopoly. “It doesn’t mean we are abandoning the UK,” he said. “It just means it is not the same priority that it was six months ago.” (see article)
6 November 2000
Freebox broadband to home
Freebox is now planning to offer broadband multimedia and high speed internet access via satellite with Internet surfing and download speeds up to 4Mbits/second with the ability to control how much bandwidth the users wants - paying extra for higher bandwidth. (see press release)
3 November 2000
BSkyB on target for seven million
BskyB is on course to achieve their target of 7 million subscribers by the end of 2003 according to their recent quarterly report. As at 2 November 2000 sales to date were 4,953,000. This means that Sky will achieve its year end target of 5 million subscribers almost two months ahead of schedule. (see press release)
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Last updated 30 April 2004
