Sources have indicated to Digital Spy that new ntl:home digital TV customers in "original" ntl areas will receive an uprated STB from January 7.

The new model from Pace, the Di4010, supersedes the 4001 series of models that have been deployed in original areas since the first digitalplus launch in May 2000. The 4010 includes an integrated aerial combiner - a further confirmation, if any was needed, that the days of analogue passthrough channels are indeed numbered. Later 4001 models already prevented the reception of these channels. The new STB also features a USB port, along with a faster processor to speed up interactive access.

More information on this development as we get it.