Much more information can also be beamed via these digital signals - which allows broadcasters to increase the number of channels on offer. New services such as home shopping, Internet access and banking will also be introduced. These digital signals can be delivered in the same way as ordinary television - by cable, by satellite, or through an ordinary aerial. The computer signals then have to be decoded via a special box. Customers can either buy a stand alone box or one of the new generation of television sets which will have the decoders already built in.
Customers have to have a satellite dish.
Then they can simply plug in their set top box to their dish and receive pictures. However, to receive BSkyB's full service, including new interactive services, they also require a phone line which transfers data from the television screen. Via a normal television aerial ONdigital, a joint venture between ITV companies Granada and Carlton, was launched last December. Customers do not need a satellite dish - but can plug in the set top box to the TV aerial. Up to thirty channels are available via the service.