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Subject:	Re: UKNM: Free ISPs Vs. Paying ISPs (Don't Mention Dixons)
From:	Peter Beech
Date:	Tue, 6 Oct 1998 18:10:41 +0100

>Sajid Mohammed wrote:
>>
>It appears ON Digital are not going be offering web access via their box
>...I think it's a bad move on ON Digital not to support the Web,
>which is established and has an audience. Something you can't really
>say about Digital TV yet.

TOO TRUE... but they don't believe that punters are going to buy into
'interactivity' and Net access - they just want more choice over TV viewing
- more of the same formulaic, repacked programming!

and

>Nick Suckley replied:

>You might be interested to know that as a digital terrestrial broadcaster,
>ONDigital are only be able to provide a one way broadcast service - I think
>I'm right in saying that web access isn't possible.

Not correct I'm afraid. They're taking a commercial decision to hold down
the cost of the box by not installing an integral modem. The modem would
provide the return path via the phone line. See above for the reasoning
behind this extraordinary decision!

>..the only digital
>broadcasters able to offer web access will be the cable people. Sky could in
>theory provide two way communication (as they could with analogue) but
>beyond pay per view they don't seem too interested.

Not completely true. Not interested enough to have it at launch, but
interested enough to support BIB and propose its use on their platform at a
later stage - modems in STB's are the hardware issue again, but more
intersting is the 'allegation' / rumour that BIB is in some state of
dysfunction.

What's the score BIB?
Who's signed-up as a PAYING commercial partner?

What about that darkhorse WebTV? Very quiet since their launch in the UK!

--
Peter Beech peter