A broadband-to-the-home trial is soon to get under way in Toronto, providing information services and entertainment to 1,300 purpose-built homes in the city’s Newmarket suburb. It is the first time that houses have been specially built for such a trial. The Newmarket test will follow on from a similar trial at Canada’s York University, giving around 500 students access to services. The trial is being run by CulTech Collaborative Research Services, together with IBM Canada Ltd, Apple Canada Inc and Bell Canada Ltd, along with several educational institutions. Instead of a set-top box that attaches to a television set, the Newmarket trial will use a multi-purpose device that will control television and computer services, smart appliances, and wireless communications within the home. They will be offering all the usual services, such as home banking, distance education, video teleconferencing, interactive television, information from government agencies, and video-on-demand. The aim is to evaluate demand.
