BT quenches surfers? thirst with Blockbuster bars

Video and software retailer Blockbuster is to pilot internet cafes in three of its outlets in a joint scheme with British Telecom.

The internet bars, initially located in Putney and Bayswater in London, and in Canterbury, Kent, will enable customers to access BT internet online services, use the telco?s Touchpoint multimedia information kiosk and play single-user CD-Rom titles and multi-user games on BT Wireplay.

The introduction of online gaming and Web surfing is in line with Blockbuster?s aim to position itself as a ?total entertainment provider?. But the cafes will also provide business facilities, such as email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation and DTP software, photocopying, fax machines and printing.

Mike Keefe, Blockbuster operations director, said the outlets boast the most up-to-date computing equipment on the high street, and the service will appeal to everyone ?from local business people to parents, students and school children?.

All employees at the internet bars will receive special training so that they are able to deal with any customer queries or problems with the technology.

During the pilot, customers will be provided with free access to the Line One service, which BT operates in conjunction with Richard Murdoch?s News International group.