by Felix Bopp
July 3, 2000
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It will allow viewers to click straight from programming or advertisements to the Internet, while the TV picture remains in a corner of their screen. It will use technical Internet development provided by top e-business consultants Rubus and with a new portal designed by BBC Resources.
The ONdigital Internet boxes that will make this happen are the size of a large paperback book and need only be connected to the ONdigital box and a telephone line to give instant surfing and interactivity through millions of websites.
ONdigital has selected BBC Resources to design the look and feel of the Internet portal for its new service. BBC Resources has already worked with ONdigital on the on-air look and feel, the branding and the website of its ONrequest joint venture Pay per View service. BBC Resources has also been responsible for the on-air look and feel of BBC2 and its interactive arm was responsible for developing an interactive service for HSBC.
ONdigital has also selected Rubus as its appointed technical internet e-business consultancy, advising on the design of, and developing a blueprint for, the build of the portal infrastructure, and providing input in related portal areas.
Stuart Prebble, ONdigital Chief Executive, says: "ONdigital will offer the easiest and most cost effective way of getting onto the Internet: no dish, no cable, no computer. Simply a television and an ONdigital subscription.
"We are delighted to have two more of the world's cutting edge organisations as our partners in developing this service. BBC Resources and Rubus are working with us to offer our customers the simplest way by far to get onto the Internet, while still being able to watch TV.
The box will initially connect to a conventional telephone line through a 56k modem, but will also be capable of connection to ADSL technology. The full specification of the box and brand name for the service will be made public later. The box will at first be available only to those who subscribe to ONdigital.
Jonathan Wilson, BBC Resources Account Director for Interactive says: "We are delighted to be part of this ground-breaking venture, combining the true interactivity of the whole Internet with the comfort and familiarity of television. We believe our unique combination of broadcast and interactive designers will provide an outstanding partnership with ONdigital in this project."
