Melbourne Uni's IBES broadband research unit teams with TiVo distributor to test NBN applications

By Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 09 December 2009 07:28

IT Industry - Strategy

TiVo distributor, Hybrid Television Services has appointed the Institute for a Broadband Enabled Society (IBES) at the University of Melbourne as the research unit for its Hybrid SmartStreet Project that aims to facilitate greater awareness and understanding of the potential benefits of the NBN.

Hybrid TV and the Tasmanian Government announced in late November that Tasmanian homes connected to the TasCOLT fibre network would be provided with TiVos and would participate in the SmartStreet project to enable Hybrid to research users connected by fibre.  Hybrid TV also launched CASPA in late November, a service offering a range of video content by download on demand, accessed via the TiVo, which also provides access to Freeview channels and which will be the primary source of entertainment and services delivered into the homes of those involved in the Hybrid SmartStreet project.

IBES director, professor Rod Tucker, said: "With our clear mandate and specialist research team, IBES is well placed to undertake this research. We look forward to working with Hybrid TV and the Tasmanian Government on delivering research outcomes regarding the consumer benefits a national broadband network will bring through the Hybrid SmartStreet Project."

Research carried out by IBES will endeavour to reveal: What will drive uptake of new broadband services and what are the barriers to adoption? How might people use broadband-enabled technologies through their television – beyond entertainment alone? What role can the advertiser play in subsidising content and services?

Tasmanian Community Telco is also involved in the trial. The aims of its, the Government's and Hybrid TV's involvement are set out on the Hybrid SmartStreet web site www.hybridsmartstreet.com.au

This article first appeared in ExchangeDaily, iTWire's daily newsletter for telecommunications professionals. Register here for your free trial.