BT, Freeview ink joint marketing agreement

BT and Freeview have inked a joint marketing agreement along the lines of a similar deal between the telco and Sky.

Both deals are intended to combat the "bundled" services offered by cable operators, companies capable of providing so-called "triple-play" services to customers - broadband Internet, telephony and digital television. While BT is able to provide Internet and regular phone services, the deals with Sky and Freeview allow it to also promote a digital TV service.

Freeview boxes are now being sold through BT's website, marketed under the "BT Digital TV" slogan. One box at £89.99 is a basic DTT receiver, while a more advanced model priced at £129 supports a BT Openworld Internet connection. Also, BT phone subscribers who also take the caller display service will see callers' numbers displayed on the TV via the set-top-box.

The news comes shortly after reports surfaced in the Financial Times that BT was planning to offer pay-per-view TV content to set-top-boxes over the Internet. News wires service Reuters reports that BT has not denied the story, but said "...any such product would not be ready in the near future."