United Kingdom Videotex Service and the European Unified Videotex Standard

Videotex was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1971 with the Prestel public videotex service display standard finalized in 1976. Shortly afterwards, a slightly enhanced but unfortunately incompatible test standard (Antiope) was introduced by France. In CEPT (the European PTT harmonizing body) work has been successfully undertaken to produce a considerably enhanced alphamosaic standard that is upwards compatible to both the Prestel and Antiope systems, and also with the relevant CCITT videotex recommendations. A number of European countries, including the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom, have announced intentions to adopt the new standard. It permits the introduction of videotex services using low-cost alphamosaic terminals, and is structured to allow the further compatible enhancements of geometric and photographic picture creation, when these methods receive international standardization.