Telewest Taps Liberate for Interactive DTV

Telewest Communications – one of the UK's largest cable operators – has chosen Liberate Technologies (San Carlos, CA) to deliver interactive services through its broadband network.

London-based Telewest will deploy the Liberate TV platform over its fiber channel network, and make it available to its digital cable customers within the next several months. Telewest has 1.5 million cable customers in the UK and counts Microsoft as one of its largest investors.

Telewest will use the Liberate TV Navigator client and Liberate Connect server software to enable its new interactive television system. Liberate TV Navigator lets network operators deliver applications to set-tops that integrate Web's interactivity with TV-based content. Liberate Connect offers a services management platform to deploy applications that support the network operator's distinct services and brand identities.

"The Liberate platform allows us to provide a wide range of applications and services to our subscriber base," says Peter Hall, director of product development for Telewest. "This includes e-mail, banking and e-commerce solutions that will enable our customers to harness the power of enhanced TV. By deploying a solution based on open standards, we can customize our service to incorporate our brand qualities and adapt quickly to changing market developments."

Edited by Tom Butts