BT Fleshes Out Plans For IPTV Service
BT has expanded on its plans to launch a pay TV service, delivered via broadband, announcing the specifications of its forthcoming set-top-box equipment with integrated PVR functionality.
The telecoms giant has selected electronics firm Philips to manufacture the new equipment, which will be high definition-ready, and feature a PVR capable of storing up to 80 hours of programming.
BT’s new service will combine a Freeview receiver with IPTV technology to offer an extensive video on-demand library, “catch-up” TV and a range of interactive services.
Nation-wide trials of the service will begin next spring, with BT planning to offer the service to existing telephone customers without the need for subscription.
Amongst the features planned from launch are on-demand TV and movies; Catch-up TV, offering programmes from the previous seven days broadcast schedule; pay-per-view options; instant messaging, chat and video telephony on TV; interactive services, including online games and retail opportunities and community services.
The telecoms giant is believed to be preparing community based television channels, enabling clubs, societies, groups of friends and families to generate their own content for easy viewing by each other (see BT Plans To Revolutionise TV With Personal Channels).
Explaining the new services’ appeal, Ian Livingston, chief executive of BT Retail said: “Our services will be a world first and will place power in the hands of the viewer. No longer will BT customers be reliant on TV schedules. From next year, they will be able to watch what they like when they like. This is all about giving our customers choice, convenience and control.”
The new service will plunge feet first into a hugely competitive multi-channel TV market, with existing operators already offering many of BT’s planned services.
On-demand TV is now the norm for many cable customers, following the roll out of Telewest’s Teleport service and NTL On Demand (see Cable Giants Launch On-Demand TV And Movie Services). Those living in London and parts of the south east have also had access to IPTV and broadband provider, HomeChoice, for several years, offering combined voice, TV and internet access via a standard phone line.
BSkyB also looks set to launch an on-demand service, with the company’s recent purchase of internet service provider EasyNet lining up opportunities in both broadband and IPTV (see Sky Nets ISP For Triple Play Services).
BT: 0207 469 2337 www.btplc.com