For an outlay of pounds 200 on a set-top box, consumers willnot only be able to tune into dozens more channels but have accessto an array of interactive services, writes Paul McCann.
Potentially the most popular service could be home-shopping. Sofar Sainsbury has signed up with British Interactive Broadcasting(BIB) to sell groceries off the screen and HMV to do likewise withCDs and tapes.
BIB is also in talks with clothes shops, chemists, electricalgoods stores, DIY superstores and drinks companies so consumersshould be able to buy most mainstream goods. Retailers using theservice will be able to offer a store guide of all the differentdepartments available, broadcast in high-quality digital images andsound overlaid with text.Once a particular department has been accessed, viewers will beable to browse through lists or images of goods by moving anelectronic arrow around the screen. To make a purchase will entailselecting a product number and an order will be made via theset-top box and a high-speed modem.Besides shopping, viewers will be able to access individual bankaccounts to check balances, transfer money or pay bills.BIB claims that bank information and payment details for goodswill all be encrypted so that no one can hack into them.In addition, Thomas Cook has signed up to supply flight, holidayand hotel information. Travellers cheques and foreign currencywill also be available electronically.The set-top box will also link televisions to the Internet,eventually giving access to billions of pages of text information.At first this will be limited to a "best of the Internet" service.
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