German infobahn trials for the residential customer: technological and conceptual analysis

Abstract No other area of the upcoming Information Superhighway promises providers of technology and content as many business opportunities as Interactive Television (ITV). In Germany, one of the technologically most advanced countries in Europe with a high quality telecommunication network, six pilot projects are underway. Each has a different approach and varying participants, although all pilots are dominated by the Deutsche Telekom as network monopolist. These technology-driven trials lack an application-oriented point of view which is necessary to explore the consumers' acceptance under real everyday conditions. In addition, the political funding based on the “multimedia” hype adds to the current uncertain situation.