With the aim to provide a set-top box that will finally be proficient of delivering internet services on its cable television screens, TelstraClear has contracted Digisoft and Verimatrix. 

Under the deal, nearly 90,000 TelstraClear cable customers in Kapiti, Wellington and Christchurch would be covered.

It has been learnt that TVNZ is looking more than one ISP partners for its TiVo service that will unveil before Christmas and will require a broadband connection for its programming guide and pay-per-view content.

It was informed by a spokesman for TelstraClear that negotiations between TVNZ on the subject are still pending.

Digisoft is based in Ireland and is an internet protocol televisions (IPTV) solutions provider. Veromatrix on the other hand is a content security specialist.

A hybrid definition digital video broadcasting-cable (HD DVB-C) set-top box would be developed by the companies for the New Zealand market. It is believed that this box would have both personal video recorder and IPTV services but TelstraClear is not yet detailing what they will be.

Steve Jackson, head of consumer markets for TelstraClea said, "The result will take our customers beyond present one-way broadcast methods to a solution that will allow us to move towards the new modes of delivering content and services that add value to our customers and enhance their experience."

There is a possibility that the product might initially be similar the SkyTV's MySky product.