Extending the HbbTV standard for advanced services — Tackling the digital divide

The paper presents results from the SEE TV-WEB project, which is tackling the problem of the digital divide by extending the HbbTV standard solution for provisioning of advanced services. Excellent coverage of DTT networks compared to the broadband Internet access and a large number of users being accustomed to the TV as the main device enable tackling of the digital divide. Many benefits of such approach have already been proven by early testing during the SEE TV-WEB project as free or unused capacity of DTT networks is already available. The system architecture and implemented services have shown promising results (more than 85% of tested users would use service daily and more than 88% of tested users found service simple to use) that can be deployed to market in near future.