Abstract: A memory encoding a data scheme is described. The data scheme is used for describing one or more associated data elements and comprises a plurality of pre-agreed data fields for data of pre-agreed types describing one or more pre-agreed aspects of the data element(s) and one or more extension fields. The extension fields each include an identifier identifying the field as an extension field and non-pre-agreed data describing one or more aspects of the data element(s).

Abstract: A broadband system (20) provides access to content to a number of user terminals (30, 35, 40). The system stores the content and has a database (22) of information, at least some of which information concerns the content. The system (20) allows access by user terminals (30, 35, 40) to the content in dependence on the information. The system (20) receives new or updated content with associated metadata, the metadata containing data on the new or updated content, the system (20) being arranged to store information derived from the metadata in the database (22) for the received new or updated content, thereby allowing access to the content by user terminals (30, 35, 40).

Abstract: A broadband system (20) provides access to remote services to a number of user terminals (30, 35, 40, 45, 46) over a broadband network, the system (20) storing data about the services and data about users, wherein the system is arranged to receive requests from user terminals for access to the services and to authorise access to the services in dependence on the stored data, wherein upon authorising access to a service for a user at a user terminal, the system is arranged to use the data stored about the service to redirect the user terminal to access the service and to record subsequent events occurring between the user terminal and the service.