Bell Cablemedia Ltd said it plans to give its UK cable television customers access to the Internet. But instead of going head-to-head against the growing band of providers of raw Internet access, the company is teaming up with local councils, schools and the business community to provide local content and services. It has unveiled the first phase of its pilot service, in Redbridge, Essex. Seven schools have been networked and will be experimenting both with specialised distance learning projects, as well as more generalised access to the Internet. In the first half of 1996 the London Borough of Redbridge will become an information provider on Bell’s server. In the second half of the year the service will be extended to encompass local business. In an attempt to give the services a friendly front-end, Bell Cablemedia has teamed up with ICL Plc and is experimenting with the manufacturer’s PCTV combined personal computer and television. In addition, ICL is developing software to tailor the Canadian’s service for the consumer market. The strategy is modelled on developments in the US. Bell Cablemedia reckons that the the vast majority of Internet users in the UK rely on connections at work or college. Only 50,000 people actually pay for their own connection, according to the company. It contrasts this to the US and said it firmly believes that the difference is due to a current range of applications and content in the UK, which are not directly relevant to consumers, and their local community. Although the grand plan is well advanced, it still has to decide how it will offer the service. Gary McAree, group sales and marketing manager, said providing users with a raw Internet feed is an option, but it isn’t really interested in offering a basic commodity Internet service.
