BT has decided to select Microsoft to provide it's software platform for it's TV over Broadband, which is scheduled to be operational next year.

Trials are planned for the start of the year using Microsoft's TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software which can provide standard and high-definition channels, on-demand programming, digital video recording and interactive program guides.

The set-top boxes will be able to receive terrestrial television via an aerial and use the broadband connection for providing IPTV. No details have been released on the technical details, for example what data rates will be needed for an acceptable picture quality, although it seems customers will have to wait for BT's 21CN, the proposed 21st century network based on internet protocols, to see the full advantages.