Telewest STB broadband install price announced

Telewest Broadband has today unveiled a new self-install option for customers wanting to sign-up to broadband internet with the company.

Customers who take the company's digital TV service can opt to buy a self-install kit for £12.50 to hook their computer up to the digital TV set-top-box (STB) via an ethernet interface. The STBs already contain a cable modem, which is utilised for two-way interactive services.

After asking for the pack, customers should receive it within forty-eight hours. Both 512kbps and 1Mbps service levels are available through the STB.

Telewest's director of internet services, Chad Raube, said: "This is no gimmick or short-term offer, we're breaking new barriers for customers who are considering broadband for the first time. It's fantastic value and requires no separate modem or external activation, so set-up is normally possible within 30 minutes.

"BT has finally got round to dropping some of its activation and hardware fees, but they're not playing in the same ball park. These packs combine our digital TV and broadband internet technology to offer the kind of value that other ISPs can only dream of."

The company is also planning to test a wireless self-install pack, presumably utilising two Pace products: the Gateway Expander, plugged into the ethernet port on the Telewest digital TV STB, and the pcConnect, which receives the signal from the Expander and transmits it to the PC via a USB connection. Digital Spy will bring you more details on this when available.

Customers will still be able to select an engineer visit if they desire, although this will be charged at the normal £50 rate from February 28 when a half-price offer expires.