Masterpoint, in conjunction with the University of Glasgow's Accommodation Office, has launched a 30-day free trial delivering TV and radio services direct to Student's PCs and laptops in their rooms.

The service, known as Masterpoint IPTV, will provide students with a wide selection of channels, full-screen TV and broadcast quality. The principle of the service is to deliver multi-media services across the data network.

The trial will initially cover the Kelvinhaugh Residences, with a view to extending the services to other selected sites, depending on trial results.

Mick Everett of Masterpoint said "The University of Glasgow is pioneering IPTV with Masterpoint and we want to work with the University and the students to make the trial a great success for all interested parties and hopefully extend the services into the other residences. This is leading-edge technology and a ground-breaking project."

Once fully operational it is possible to enhance the IPTV service in a variety of ways including foreign-language channels and Video On Demand (VOD). A facility, which would allow the delivery of educational, teaching and learning content, is also being examined.

Masterpoint currently provide around 80% of the residence portfolio with data and telephone services to each bedroom. At the end of the trial, Masterpoint, in conjunction with the Accommodation Office, will ask students for their views and comments.

Lesley MacInnes (L.MacInnes@admin.gla.ac.uk)

First published: 13 October 2005