[More on Hong Kong---From their Web Page]
Hi Pat,
Couldn't make the launch ceremony, eh? How would you like to be able to get up in the morning, get some coffee, and watch/bet the horse races from your kitchen table? Seems delightfully decadent to me. Wasn't NEC working on HK Tele's set top? sg
23 March 1998
HONGKONG TELECOM OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES THE WORLD'S FIRST INTERACTIVE TV
Hongkong Telecom today (23 March 1998) officially launches the world's first Interactive TV (iTV), making Hong Kong the first major city where truly interactive television services are commercially available.
With the historic launch of this innovative service, over 90 per cent of local households will be able to experience the future of information and entertainment today at their own homes. The wide variety of iTV services, made possible by an advanced broadband telecommunications network, will usher in a revolutionized way of living and provide unprecedented convenience to customers.
To celebrate the birth of this world-leading service which affirms Hong Kong's status as a leader in the Information Age, a launch ceremony was held today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the Honourable Tung Chee Hwa, Chief Executive of HKSAR, as the officiating guest, among hundreds of local dignitaries and celebrities invited.
Hongkong Telecom Chief Executive Linus W.L. Cheung said: "The launch of iTV represents a pioneering development in interactive multimedia services, making Hong Kong one of the world's prime cities where information technology is fully utilized to create new, enhanced patterns of lifestyle for the community in the century to come."
"Our vision for Hongkong Telecom is to lead Asia in integrated communications. In bringing about innovative iTV services in Hong Kong, we share with the SAR Government the same vision for enhancing Hong Kong's leading status in the information world of tomorrow," he said.
The full range of services made available to iTV subscribers aim at providing a "total lifestyle solution" that caters to their needs in entertainment, learning, shopping and banking. These include Video-On-Demand (VOD) on a pay-per-view basis, Music-On-Demand (MOD), Home Shopping and a free Racing-On-Demand (ROD) service; adding to the list this April and May will be Broadband Internet and Home Banking, and later on Network Games, infomercial and interactive educational programmes.
Hongkong Telecom, through its IMS subsidiary, has invested around HK$1.3 billion over the last three years in the development of these world-leading services. The company plans to invest another HK$10 billion in the next decade.
Dr William Lo, Managing Director of Hongkong Telecom IMS, said: "The encouraging results of our extensive research and trials over the last three years have demonstrated the potentials of iTV, and we are very excited and proud to bring about this epoch-making service to reality in Hong Kong today."
"To enjoy iTV services, subscribers will need only an iTV remote control and a Digital Smart Box (a digital decoder) connected to the TV set and telephone line. The interactive applications and cutting-edge technologies of iTV will allow subscribers complete freedom and control over what and when they want to watch, listen to or shop for fun -- with clicks on a few remote control buttons at the comfort of their own homes," he said.
Being rolled out in phases, iTV services are currently available in major districts on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon East and various parts of the New Territories including Shatin, Ma On Shan, Fanling and Tai Po. Major out-lying islands will be getting iTV services by early 1999.
- ENDS -
Note to the Editors:
Hongkong Telecom IMS is the largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Hong Kong |
