According to the Sunday Telegraph, BSkyB is to join forces with BT, Midland Bank and Matsushita, the Japanese electronics company, in a venture which will produce the first set-top boxes needed to receive digital television transmissions.
The secret venture, worth around £500m, involves BT and BSkyB having a 30% stake each while the other partners have around 20% each. The plans have apparently already been sent to the Department of Trade and Industry and Oftel.
It is thought that the boxes will allow access to all digital broadcasts, both terrestrial and satellite, as well as offering Internet, e-mail and home banking facilities. Matsushita, which would undertake the manufacture of the boxes, says that they would normally have a retail price of around £500 though BT and BSkyB would probably subsidise this, bringing the price down to £200.
The venture will most likely be formally announced if and when the DTI and Oftel formally agree to the plans.
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