RegenTV - Exploiting broadband TV to tackle social exclusion and deliver effective online services

Regen TV is an open-source, broadband digital TV system that enables residents of flatted accommodation to use their TV as a PC and view truly interactive local content alongside mainstream TV channels.

Once the network infrastructure is installed, all a resident needs is a simple and cheap set top box, a standard TV remote and a wireless keyboard to access:

· Free-to-air digital and foreign TV channels
· A local Video on Demand television channel showing locally produced videos
· National and local information services
· A local web portal
· Email and internet access (filtered and/or unfiltered)
· PC on TV including the Open Office suite of programs.

As part of its testing, the new system is being installed on an estate managed by the East Thames Housing Group in Tower Hamlets and a Council Estate managed by the Carpenters Tenant Management Organisation in Newham.

“Having the Home to Home channel now on this estate has made us all want to be more involved in the community than before. We were able to watch the television and see what was going on and say, ‘Hey, we want to be part of that!’”

Carmen Grimes (Carpenter's Estate resident)