Tech Bytes: Belgacom's CyberTV To Have Home Banking

At the launch of its CyberTV service in September, the Belgian telecommunications carrier Belgacom announced that the service will include the world's first home banking system from a set-top box.

The underlying technology is the TV Navigator and Custom Connect Server software from Network Computer Inc., a joint venture of Oracle Corp. and Netscape Communications Corp.

CyberTV is currently in a 300-customer trial and is expected to be available to 4.8 million subscribers in January.

KBC Bank & Insurance will be the financial services provider through a telephone-television connection.

Secure customer access to home banking and digital commerce will be assured with smart cards inserted into the set-top boxes.

The announcement "solidifies Network Computers Inc.'s leadership in the European Internet-television market," said David Roux, chief executive officer of the California-based company.

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