Wanadoo To Offer Customers TV Content On Demand
Internet service provider Wanadoo has announced plans to provide on demand television content to subscribers through its new Livebox wireless broadband product.
The company claims Livebox will be the UK’s first “broadband gateway product for the home”, giving customers phone services (VoIP), internet access and video on demand through their broadband connection and transmitted wirelessly to PCs around their homes.
The new product will be available from August, with wireless broadband the first service to go live. New services such as VoIP and TV on demand will be introduced by Wanadoo over the following months.
Commenting on the launch Eric Abensur, CEO of the internet stalwart, said: “The launch of Livebox marks the start of an exciting new phase in the UK Internet market. As our Broadband service continues to grow, Livebox’s secure Wireless solution brings users greater freedom to surf not only whenever they want, but from wherever they want, opening up a host of new uses. We look forward to announcing further uses and benefits of the Livebox over the coming months.”
Reports today suggest that the company is seeking partnerships with commercial broadcasters and Pay-TV operators to provide content for its planned TV on demand service, although a spokeswoman for Wanadoo stated that the plans were still in their infancy, refusing to comment on possible tie-ups.
She said: “As the broadband market expands the Livebox will accept new broadband services including voice and TV on demand. I am not aware of plans to work with broadcasters, that is further down the line.”
Last month saw Wanadoo publish research showing broadband internet access eating into TV’s viewing hours to become the second most popular entertainment medium in the UK. The Fishbowl 2 survey asked 1000 people to record their media consumption over a two week period and revealed media users switching off the television in favour of using the internet for more than two hours a week (see Broadband Internet Eating Into TV Consumption).
The service provider’s new products could be seen as an extension to existing broadband services, building on the popularity of the medium by bundling TV content as part of the package.
Wanadoo: 0870 872 0099 www.wanadoo.co.uk
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