PC Freeview Service To Launch Next Year

Students at 109 universities in the UK are now able to watch Freeview on their PCs, following the launch of Freewire, a triple-play service set to be rolled out to all UK consumers next year.

The Freewire signal is delivered over the Janet IP network which means that the picture quality is superior to that experienced with regular web based video. All the students have to do is download free software onto their PCs to watch the majority of Freeview channels.

The Freewire electronic programme guide does not include Sky3 or Sky News, although Inuk, who provide the Freewire service, are adding specialist video-on-demand (VoD) programming.

An updated version of Freewire, which will allow PCs to be used as PVRs, is set to be launched next May.

BT Vision, the communications giant’s IPTV service, is set to be launched this month, apprently without a major marketing push, as the company waits until next spring to fully promote the offering (see BT Vision Launches Without Major Marketing Campaign).

Freewire: www.freewiretv.com