The juggernaut of convergence rolls on, with bce announcing the development of a new technology that will integrate its Sympatico High Speed Edition DSL Internet access with its Bell ExpressVu satellite tv service. The union will allow the media giant to offer advanced programming features as well as serve up fresh interactive content from subsidiary Bell Globemedia, which operates 18 Web portals and owns ctv and The Globe and Mail.

bce is developing the new system in collaboration with Miami’s Nexland, which currently provides it with Internet sharing hardware solutions, and Denver’s Echostar Communications, the main designer of Bell ExpressVu receivers.

Once market-ready, the new technology will be packaged as a single service, code-named "ComboBox." It will be delivered via an Internet gateway connected through the dsl (digital subscriber lines) service and a special tv set-top box. The main benefits to Bell ExpressVu customers will be Web and e-mail access on their tvs, interactive program offerings, games, content downloading and customized programming capabilities.

These developments come more than two months after Rogers Cable added Web access and interactive features to its digital tv platform.

bce believes one of the most attractive features of its service is a "personal video recorder" with digital storage capabilities that enable viewers to record broadcast programs and use Web content to create customized news and entertainment shows ready to view at their discretion.

Tom Hope, Bell Canada’s chief technology officer, sees this as another step toward the arrival of the much-ballyhooed "smart appliances."

"This will eventually be the basis for a home network environment, enabling customers to connect many Internet appliances throughout their homes, such as personal computers, entertainment and home security systems," Hope commented in a statement. * -www.bce.ca