Interactive TV goes live

The UK's first full interactive television service will start full operation within days.

British Interactive Broadcasting (BIB) will this month begin selling keyboards to the 200,000 customers of its Open TV service, two months later than promised.

Open can already be partly operated using the remote control supplied with Sky Digital satellite receivers. However, a full keyboard is necessary to fully use the email, online shopping, banking and information services offered by organisations such as Dixons, Argos, HSBC, WH Smith and Woolworths.

"The keypad will give people the opportunity to communicate with friends and family without having to use a PC," said James Ackerman, chief executive of Open.

Ironically, customers first have to struggle with the keypads on their remote controls to place an order for a keyboard, which costs £35. The keyboard will also be on sale in shops next month.

BIB has attracted relatively few subscribers to its Open service, which is available free to Sky Digital's two million customers, provided they have a working phone line to connect to their satellite receiver. Some 10 per cent of Sky Digital customers have signed up for the service since it became available eight months ago.

BIB has declined to release figures of the number of ecommerce transactions made through the service.

Sky Digital's major rival, OnDigital, a joint venture between Granada and Carlton, has yet to say when it will launch its interactive service, although it is expected this year. Cable operator NTL already operates a service transmitting websites reworked to suit television screens.

Open users pay no subscription fee, but are charged a dialup telephone fee equal to the local rate plus one pence per minute while logged on.