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Tiscali to launch broadband,TV and Telephone

Tiscali is to launch a new TV service with its broadband packages to include broadband TV and telephone.

Following it’s acquisition of IPTV provider Homechoice, Tiscali will rebrand the current TV service as Tiscali TV from March 1 2007. Over 40,000 Homechoice subscribers will automatically become Tiscali TV customers. However, coverage is initially limited to London and Stevenage, but will become available in mainstream cities in the following months. The TV service is delivered through the broadband connection.

Tiscali TV will also available be free to customers living in enabled areas who take out a 2Mb broadband package and as standard includes all of the free to air digital channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, including E4, BBC Three, fiveUS and ITV2. Further channels are available at an additional cost.

A new triple-play package will also be available, to include 2Mb broadband, broadband TV, line rental and free weekend telephone calls for £19.99 per month.

Refreshingly, Tiscali is marketing the triple-play package to offer “Free TV” rather than the usual “Free broadband” line employed by its competitors. However, as with all these types of deals, consumers must be sure to read the small print and ensure that it is the best deal for their requirements.

Mary Turner, Chief Executive of Tiscali UK said in the announcement: “Tiscali TV will give our subscribers real value for money, choice and flexibility – things that are core to our brand values. We believe there is a real gap in the market for our TV product. The success of Freeview has shown that customers want more than five channels but don’t necessarily want to pay a high monthly subscription. Our TV service gives customers broadband plus the channel choice they want and free on-demand programming, all for the price you would pay for a standard broadband connection”.

Frankly, if you have a digital set-top box, the Tiscali TV pack may not add much more to your current set-up, however you do get a ‘Replay or Catch-up’ service for with for popular BBC programmes plus on-demand TV and movie content.

The company is also launching a new Hi-Definition compatible personal video recorder (PVR) later in the year allowing subscribers to record and watch in Hi-Definition if they have an HD TV.