In the on-going rumpus which surrounds the main contenders in the run up to the launch of digital television, Cable & Wireless Communications today announced that it will be launching its own interactive platform.
CWC, the British cable TV and telephony subsidiary of Cable & Wireless, is basing the platform on Internet technology, and it is to be called ‘TV Mall’. Customers will be able to shop, arrange home deliveries, check their bank accounts, book tickets, concerts and holidays and look up news and information on the system.
The project is being supported by Barclays Bank, British Airways, Littlewoods Home Shopping Group/ Granada Media Group, ITN and Associated News and Media. TV Mall will be in direct competition to British interactive Broadcasting (BiB), a service being funded by BSkyB, British Telecom and Midland Bank, amongst others.
The service is due to be launched for subscribers in the second half of next year and CWC is also deploying set-top boxes which will deliver the interactive service as well as digital television(see Newsline).
Graham Wallace, chief executive of CWC said today:”The success in recent years of remote retailing,from phone banking and teletext to mail order and home delivery services, is clear evidence of the consumer appetite for greater flexibility in the purchasing of services and products, and for accessing information.”
He continued:” Consumers will get real-time high-speed interactivity via the broadband network without the need to pay for an additional standard telephone line. And our secure electronic commerce platform provides the reassurance and confidence which retailers and customers want. We believe this cost and quality proposition for both sides of the retail relationship is an irresistible combination.”
Cable & Wireless Communications: 0171 674 5442
