BT and Freeview have inked a joint marketing agreement along the lines of a similar deal between the telco and Sky.
Both deals are intended to combat the "bundled" services offered by cable operators, companies capable of providing so-called "triple-play" services to customers - broadband Internet, telephony and digital television. While BT is able to provide Internet and regular phone services, the deals with Sky and Freeview allow it to also promote a digital TV service.
Freeview boxes are now being sold through BT's website, marketed under the "BT Digital TV" slogan. One box at £89.99 is a basic DTT receiver, while a more advanced model priced at £129 supports a BT Openworld Internet connection. Also, BT phone subscribers who also take the caller display service will see callers' numbers displayed on the TV via the set-top-box.
The news comes shortly after reports surfaced in the Financial Times that BT was planning to offer pay-per-view TV content to set-top-boxes over the Internet. News wires service Reuters reports that BT has not denied the story, but said "...any such product would not be ready in the near future."
Both deals are intended to combat the "bundled" services offered by cable operators, companies capable of providing so-called "triple-play" services to customers - broadband Internet, telephony and digital television. While BT is able to provide Internet and regular phone services, the deals with Sky and Freeview allow it to also promote a digital TV service.
Freeview boxes are now being sold through BT's website, marketed under the "BT Digital TV" slogan. One box at £89.99 is a basic DTT receiver, while a more advanced model priced at £129 supports a BT Openworld Internet connection. Also, BT phone subscribers who also take the caller display service will see callers' numbers displayed on the TV via the set-top-box.
The news comes shortly after reports surfaced in the Financial Times that BT was planning to offer pay-per-view TV content to set-top-boxes over the Internet. News wires service Reuters reports that BT has not denied the story, but said "...any such product would not be ready in the near future."
