This document discusses the history and development of videotex services, using the UK's Prestel system as a case study. It describes how Prestel aimed to provide consumers and businesses access to online information through television sets and keyboards. However, Prestel saw slow adoption rates and was eventually wound down, while France's Minitel service saw much greater success through different design choices and strong government support. The document examines lessons learned about forecasting new technologies and designing innovative services that meet user needs.

1. Service Innovation - Case Studies 1 Videotex and the Design of Services Ian Miles [email_address] 

4. Trajectory of Hype Technology Trigger Peak of . Inflated .. Expectations Trough of Disillusionment Source: Gartner Group , who placed various Technologies on this Plateau of Productivity Slope of Enlightenment Time Hopes

5. Fax versus email - a Forecast of Business Communications Terminals (millions) 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 1978 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 source: Mackintosh report cited in the Economist 4/8/1979 US fax Europe fax US email text US email graphics+ Europe email text Europe email graphics+

14. Teletext: a source of competition? Free; Broadcast services; bundled with TV (remote control taking off) & manufacturers enthused; feels “interactive” in providing access to screens of remote information.

16. Not just a UK story: Many Other Countries introduced Videotex New service markets for PTOs Videotex: a new MASS market Support for consumer electronics/ telecomms/IT industries – and perhaps media and publishing Move into information society = better-informed, more competitive society – with advanced services (for export?)

17. Videotex adoption – not always the UK path France Germany UK 1999: France c10m; Germany - - - - and UK c0

18. Minitel try it at http://www.minitelfr.com/Uk/home/index.html

19. Minitel Design French videotex service. Terminal provided free. TV/phone not tied up. Payment hourly. Use prompted by withdrawal of phone book – critical mass – tens of millions of users by ‘90s (many purchases of superior terminals) Much scope in system to innovate and plug in private services; messagerie and minitel rose very popular, a cultural phenomenon

23. Several US versions AT&T Sceptre videotex - terminal introduced in Miami, October 1983. Wireless keyboard, with modem attached to an ordinary TV - delivered news, weather, sports, stock reports, banking, shopping, email, etc. The Sceptre initially sold for $900 with a monthly fee of $12; the service plan was changed to $39.95 a month with free rental of the box. Marketed in about a dozen cities. Very low adoption rate. Withdrawn in 1986. http://www.cedmagic.com/history/sceptre.jpg

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33. World Wide Web NUA’s "educated guess “ as to how many are online worldwide (May 2002): World Total - 580.78 m Africa - 6.31 m Asia/Pacific - 167.86 m Europe -185.83 m Middle East - 5.12 m Canada/USA - 182.67 m Latin America - 32.99 m Compiled by: Nua Internet Surveys Number of Web Hosts 