A local firm said today it would launch Asia's first interactive television network offering Internet, multimedia messaging, banking and other services by end of July.

The home-grown eTV system, which will be rolled out on July 30, offers broadcast, Internet and telecommunication services on the television screen, said developer Enhanced TV Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd.

It allows users to surf the Internet, send and receive e-mails and mobile phone text messages, chat online, make international phone calls, pay bills and carry out banking transactions, the company said.

Enhanced TV Technologies operations director Rannie Tay said the eTV device was a "personal computer inside a TV" and would help bridge the digital divide in Malaysia.

Research showed that 98 percent of Malaysian households own at least one television set but less than 3.0 percent of the country's 23 million population have a computer, he said.

"You can watch and participate in your favourite TV game show real-time, catch the latest breaking news and order a pizza almost simultaneously. You can also e-mail a friend and pay a few bills, all from the comfort of your couch with the help of a remote control."

28 percent penetration

Ronny Tan, chief executive of parent firm CSE Multimedia Technology, said the company had invested more than RM10 million in developing the system since 1992.

He said it planned to export the technology to New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand within the next two years.

"We expect 35,000 retail and corporate subscribers by the end of this year and are optimistic of reaching 150,000 by the third quarter of 2003," he told a news briefing.

"We target to penetrate 28 percent of households in Malaysia with 1.2 million subscribers and 3.6 million eTV users by 2005... we are expecting a turnover of 300 million ringgit by end 2003."

Trials were under way in New Zealand in a joint venture with a local telecom provider and if successful, the system would be introduced there late next year, he added.

Users will pay a joining fee and a fixed monthly subscription in return for a media player set with a remote control and wireless keyboard, e-mail account, a cash credit line of RM2,000 for online shopping and bill payments as well as an international phone account.

Tay declined to reveal the fees but said they would be "competitive".

The Malaysian technology is similar to interactive TV services in Europe and the United States but offers new features such as allowing users to read and send text and picture messages from mobile phones, the firm said. — AFP