Leading international telecommunications supplier, Nortel Networks, has formed a strategic alliance with Dublin-based Interactive Enterprise, to market its Conexon Mediation system to the cable industry. Interactive Enterprise's Conexon software provides a bridge to high-speed Internet access, by providing applications for cable modems and digital set-top boxes which allow users to self-install cable technologies and self-subscribe to the cable operators' services.

According to Interactive Enterprise, Conexon will allow cable operators to reduce operating overheads by as much as 40 per cent per subscriber. The time required to install and provide cable modems in the home can be significantly reduced, in turn shortening the time for home users to gain fast access to the Internet and interactive services.