British Telecommunications Plc, in conjunction with the British Broadcasting Corp and manufacturer of digital receivers Pace Micro Technology Plc, is taking part in a field trial of digital terrestrial television this month. The company has drawn on expertise gained from its interactive television trials in Colchester and Ipswich to show how customers can access on-line services from their television set via the telephone. As well as providing more television channels, digital terrestrial television sets will be equipped with a modem to provide a telephone link from the home to the service provider. This opens up a range of innovative interactive capabilities, says Rupert Gavin, British Telecom’s Director of Multimedia Services. We are delighted to work with the BBC to show the possibilities that on-line services coupled with digital broadcasting can bring. Proposals for the introduction of digital terrestrial television in the UK were announced last year by the Department of National Heritage. Digital terrestrial broadcasting will enable up to 20 channels to be received. British Telecom is a member of the Digital TV Group, which comprises a number of communication, television and electronics companies and was set up to help introduce digital television in the UK.
