As digital cable and interactive TV become more prevalent, they are requiring cable companies to develop more advanced technology, and Gates and company are competing mightily for that business.

FORBES: Gates Invests Again In Cable

The U.S. market may one day open up for Narayan if the cable industry settles on a standard for interactive TV, which regulators have said must happen by 2005.

FORBES: Cruz Control

Bill Gates has a long history of making investments in cable companies with the hopes that it will secure Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people) software a significant role in the technology used for high-speed Internet access and for cable set-top boxes that deliver interactive TV.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its interactive Digital TV service and its broadband network, which supports high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable television, and other services.

ENGADGET: Videotron's 120Mbps broadband is Canada's fastest, now available in Quebec City