TalkTalk plans to offer free Project Canvas set-top boxes

According to TalkTalk's senior director Max Alexander the internet service provider is planning to offer customers a free set-top box when Project Canvas gets up and running.

Alexander shared the plans at the Marketforce and Institute of Economic affairs annual Future of Broadcasting Conference in London where the joint internet-enabled TV venture between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva was a hot topic.

If you were to buy a Project Canvas-enabled set-top box outside of any bundled broadband and TV deal it's estimated to cost you around £200. However, if signing up to certain broadband bundles from TalkTalk this device will be included with the package.

Speculation is rising that once the service is up and running to the public and the working title of Project Canvas is ditched this venture is likely to be marketed as "Youview".

Using an internet-enabled set-top box viewers will be given the opportunity to stream video-on-demand direct to a television set without a computer.

According to The Inquirer, to avoid any disappointed customers, TalkTalk has said it will discourage customers from buying the new set-top box who "are not achieving sufficient line speeds". Presumably, this angle will give them the chance to promote some of their faster broadband options.

Those with slower broadband speeds or those that fall victim to throttling could find themselves unable to stream content during peak times.