Optus ITV

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Optus ITV is a cable television system in Australia. Unlike Foxtel digital, a rival system, Optus ITV was designed to use the cable that feeds the TV signal as the return path for any interactive services a customer wanted to access.

Foxtel's system allowed access uniformity for both cable and satellite customers (that is, their system uses a "Phone Back to Base" system). This meant that Fox's "Brand New Digital Service" used older (1990s) technology. Fox's system is semi-interactive, with the phone call allowing access by the cable box's Access Card. This system meant that Fox could not provide true video on demand. Instead, it ran multiple channels for each 'on demand' service to give customers movie start times of every 30 min.

Optus ITV used newer technology. The Box they used was full-interactive, allowing 'garden walled' Internet access. It provided e-mail direct to TV and allowed full video on demand. This was a true interactive service.

It has been suggested that the new Optus digital service will be a combination of Fox digital boxes for satellite and basic cable customers and Optus ITV-style service for premium customers.