The growing popularity of the Internet, combined with increased consumer interest in television-based interactivity, significantly enhances the likelihood of success for Internet access products in 1997, said Louis E. Lenzi, Vice President, Multimedia Products & Services for Thomson Consumer Electronics.

"While a recent survey indicates that time spent on-line competes directly with TV viewing," said Lenzi, "the same research reveals that nearly half of those people already connected to the worldwide web would prefer to access the Internet via the family television."

Thomson has announced plans to introduce in the spring of 1997 an affordable set-top Internet access product that will enable consumers to use their TV's to surf the worldwide web, send and receive electronic mail, bank on-line, shop, and perform other interactive functions. The device will be based on Oracle Corp. subsidiary Network Computer, Inc.'s (NCI) reference design and will easily connect to a standard color TV for hassle-free operation.

"We need to encourage full industry participation to insure that this new mass media category wins the support of consumers," said Lenzi. "This begins with establishing an open hardware platform in order to prevent consumer confusion and hesitation often associated with multiple closed and proprietary solutions."

Lenzi emphasized that Thomson Internet access models will be entertainment-focused and available from the three company brands -- RCA, ProScan, and GE. Consumer ease of use will be assured by Thomson's relationship with Net Channel Inc., the program and services provider, available on a subscription fee basis. Concepts and demonstrations of the products are on display here this week at the annual Winter Consumer Electronics Show.

"There is a vast amount of content on the web that can complement existing TV programming," said Lenzi. "Reviews of upcoming movies, in-depth coverage of breaking news events, expert commentary on sports events, and links to related programming. The key will be navigating through the massive amounts of information on the Internet and locating the relevant content quickly and easily."

According to Lenzi, the Thomson approach will lead to lower manufacturing costs resulting in more affordable retail prices, "another key to consumer acceptance."

The need for an open solution was the primary factor that led Thomson to establish a relationship with NC, said Lenzi. The NC is described as a simple, low-cost information and communication terminal that receives data and software from a server over an existing network - the Internet.

"Because the software is managed from a central server," said Lenzi, "the consumer won't need to worry about upgrades, backing up files, or virus protection. This leaves our customers free to enjoy the experience of interactivity without the hassle associated with a general purpose computer."