The first time the terminal is switched on, it directs web surfers to a portal where they enter their billing information and choose which voice or data package they want.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

TV, NetChannel can turn a television set into an Internet terminal that enables users to send e-mail, interrogate the Web or share ideas with various interest groups around the world (eg, alt.nature.beehives).

ECONOMIST: Is it tellynet or netelly? | The