The competition in the digital television market from free-to-air networks is set to intensify with Foxtel, partly-owned by News Corporation, ready to unveil its Foxtel Download service offering 400 hours of TV content, along with paid movie downloads.

The service, which will be expanded to 600 hours in a month's time post-launch, will enable Foxtel subscribers to access to 30 new pay-TV channels, taking the total number of channels up to
180. The new channels would include 10 new high-definition channels - of which three will be dedicated to sport and six to movies.

With the launch of the service, to be available free to pay-TV subscribers from November 15 onwards, the competition between pay-TV providers Foxtel and Austar, and the free-to-air networks is bound to increase. The free-for-customers online TV content will entail some extra data charges from the Internet service providers.

Foxtel CEO Kim Williams' move of dropping internet download limits for subscribers downloading movies clearly challenges Australia's leading telecommunications companies, including Telstra - which happens to be Foxtel's major shareholder.

Saying that the service plan includes the provision of Foxtel's iQ personal video recorder and set-top box to new customers, Williams, referring to the forthcoming service, remarked: "Foxtel is about enabling you to take control of your entertainment. Since the launch of digital in 2004, this is the most significant milestone in Foxtel's history."