AT&T; Unit to Offer Interactive TV Services

AT&T;’s cable arm said it will deploy interactive television services in three cities in conjunction with enhanced TV services provider WorldGate Communications. AT&T; Broadband’s digital cable customers in Cedar Falls and Waterloo in Iowa and Tacoma, Wash., will be able to jump directly from a TV program to a related Web site and to customize local and national interactive content, the companies said. Standard Internet and electronic mail services also will be made available. Feedback from early users will help New York-based AT&T; determine which services, packages and prices to offer to its 16 million U.S. customers, the company said. The interactive services will require Motorola DCT-2000 set-top boxes, remote controls and optional wireless keyboards and won’t require any in-home installation, according to the companies. WorldGate has already struck deals with cable providers Adelphia Communications, Charter Communications, Comcast Cable Communications and Cox Communications. Trevose, Pa.-based WorldGate fell 38 cents to close at $17.25 on Nasdaq, while AT&T; closed off 50 cents at $21.94 on the New York Stock Exchange.