August 19, 1998
Cable & Wireless Unit to Launch
Interactive-Television Service
An INTERACTIVE JOURNAL News Roundup
Cable & Wireless Communications PLC, the 53%-owned subsidiary of Cable & Wireless PLC, said Wednesday it is launching an interactive-television service.
The launch pits Cable & Wireless Communications against British Interactive Broadcasting, the venture part-owned by British Telecommunications PLC and British Sky Broadcasting, whose interactive-television launch was delayed by a European Union investigation. EU regulators gave preliminary approval to that venture in May, and a British Telecommunication spokesman said then that a launch is expected by year's end.
Cable & Wireless Communications' service, much like that of its rival, will allow customers to use their television to bank, shop, arrange home deliveries, find news and other information, and book vacation or concert tickets. Based on Internet technology, the "TV Mall" system will feature a wide range of services and will be available alongside a complete range of television channels.
British Interactive Broadcasting had originally planned to use a platform incompatible with Internet-based operating systems. But that would have made it more difficult for retailers to adapt their Internet applications to run on its service.
Cable & Wireless Communications said it was working closely with several companies to develop specific services on its platform. They include Barclays Bank PLC, British Airways PLC, Granada Group PLC and a range of retailers and leading consumer-services companies.
|
