In DVB-T pilot operation, broadband proved to be a driver of new technologies, innovative interactive networks and new business models. The final consumer can use various forms of communication – from interactive services to conventional telephony – flexibly and efficiently with the same broadband connection. In the course of the pilot project in Graz, Telekom Austria also demonstrated an alternative means of transmitting television: Broadband TV. In this context, the usual TV content is complemented by interactive services such as video on demand and infotainment pages. An EPG (electronic program guide) will also be integrated in the future.

Two portals were developed as examples:

In the development of the NGM portal, the main focus was on usability and menu navigation. The objective was to enable test users to familiarize themselves with menu navigation quickly and to use the portal purely intuitively. In this case as well, broadband turned out to be a suitable medium for interactive applications.
The pilot tests were also centered around evaluating the various encoding algorithms with a view to ensuring high picture quality at low bit rates. Low bandwidth usage combined with high picture quality is a requirement which is affecting more and more transmission technologies. In light of the need to satisfy the customers‘ demands and offer a wide variety of channels, trends in encoder development are a crucial topic for the future.