Blog Archive - July 2010

Thursday, July 30th 2009

Has Virgin Media hit the back of the net by agreeing a deal with ESPN over Premier League coverage? It is looking very likely.

Since subscription channel Setanta's long and drawn-out demise, it was almost a certainty that another digital TV provider would benefit from the freeing up of some of the most coveted sports rights in the world.

ESPN took the rights and have now agreed a deal with Virgin Media that means the action will be available to its customers.

Best of all, subscribers get a month's worth of action for free during August as a taster of the new services, while those on the XL digital TV package also do not have to pay anything for the chance to watch the likes of Rooney, Torres, Arshavin and co.

Wednesday, July 29th 2009

Ofcom's latest research on how broadband providers are not delivering on their promises in terms of connection speed is just one of several knocks to come towards the industry in recent weeks.

However, while many would be forgiven for thinking internet firms are in disarray, another poll has suggested that they have upped their game in customer services.

According to figures from government advice service Consumer Direct, the number of complaints received by the body on internet providers fell by 16.18 per cent in the first half of 2009 compared to figures from 12 months ago.

Tuesday, July 28th 2009

The sight of research telling consumers that their broadband connections are not as fast as they should be is becomingly a regular one in the UK.

However, despite this, communications regulator Ofcom has chosen to add to the growing pile by analysing over 60 million performance tests which all suggest the same thing as the other reports - our internet is not as fast as providers would have us believe.

Monday, July 27th 2009

The city of Lincoln may be better known for its cathedral and heritage than being at the front of any major technological advances, but that may soon be about to change thanks to a new deal.

Under plans agreed by its university, local authorities and AB Internet, the area is to become one of the UK's first cities to offer full low-cost Wi-Fi access to both visitors and residents.

According to AB Internet, the plans also follow a sustainable business model that could be implemented across the UK in other cities and even in rural areas – which may be of interest to the government as it considers how exactly to make its promise of universal broadband a reality.

Thursday, July 23rd 2009

The government's plans to rollout universal broadband access in the UK have raised many eyebrows and caused much debate since they were announced last month.

However, one expert has suggested that the growing number of people that use web-connected services via mobile phones and over technology means it is wrong to suggest internet access can only be provided through laptops or PCs.

In a speech at the Westminster eForum keynote seminar: Broadband for All?, Professor Frank Webster, head of sociology at City University London, claimed a so-called Digital Britain could emerge away from the humble computer.

Wednesday, July 22nd 2009

While some parents probably believe they have enough to think about over the summer holidays, Ofcom has decided to give them something else to consider.

Fresh from publishing data on mobile broadband coverage in the UK, the communications regulator has unveiled new advice for guardians and carers who may be looking after little ones that want to browse the internet over the next few weeks.

According to research, over four-fifths of youngsters aged between 12 and 15 use the web regularly at home and while Ofcom claims it offers "a host of opportunities for fun and learning", they could stumble across content that may be inappropriate for them.

Tuesday, July 21st 2009

While some people may have a mental block as far as the digital switchover goes, a new project has shown that the age of a TV is no obstacle to joining what more enthusiastic folk would describe as "the revolution".

Digital UK – the body behind the UK's switchover – has discovered a 73-year-old TV as part of a nationwide search to find the country's oldest working set.

However, as if to once more drill home the point that people who have not already done so need to prepare for the end of analogue services, the body has taken the Marconiphone model and hooked it up with a set-top box.

Friday, July 17th 2009

As the UK's digital TV switchover rolls on across the south-west of England, it has emerged that the change may lead to more than just confusion for those who struggle with the concept of set-top boxes or Virgin Media subscriptions.

Experts across Europe have even predicted that the freeing up of radio frequencies previously used for analogue broadcasts could boost the quality of wireless services, particularly mobile broadband coverage.

In order to take advantage of the issue, the European Commission has launched a consultation into how countries can work together to get the most out of the opportunity that the switchover has raised.

Thursday, July 16th 2009

While the debate is likely to rage on about whether the government's plans to launch universal broadband offering speeds of 2Mbps, Virgin Media's recent announcement will act as fuel for those seeking more from MPs.

The completion of the company's – and Britain's – first next-generation broadband network, which offers speeds of up to 50Mbps to 12 million homes, appears to be a definite pointer to the future of web services in the UK.

A number of aspects are likely to make consumers increasingly interested in the offering, such as the trial of upload speeds of up 10Mbps and the launch of Virgin Media's first branded laptop which is optimised to cope with the power of the new service.

Wednesday, July 15th 2009

While concerns over swine flu appear to be rising in the UK, it appears that even the world of broadband could soon find itself struggling due to the illness.

In a rather unique twist on the concept of the computer virus, reports have emerged that an expert believes the internet infrastructure may not be able to cope if hundreds of thousands of people are forced to work from home due to the illness.

The call came from Lyndon Bird, a business continuity expert who was invited to a meeting in Whitehall with emergency services on how firms could manage with potential problems caused by the condition's status as a pandemic.

Tuesday, July 14th 2009

The new revelation that QI host Stephen Fry has tried his hand at illegal downloading may be surprising, but possibly not as truly eye-opening as news that young people have cut their file-sharing habits.

While the government's recent Digital Britain report included proposals to cut the illegal sharing of music and video, it appears that such behaviour has already fallen out of fashion with the youth of today.

The study by research agency The Leading Question found that the number of UK teens file-sharing has dropped by around a third in recent times, while the volume of pirated tracks to legal songs acquired by fans has halved in the past year.

Friday, July 10th 2009

Despite some criticism of the market in recent times, new research has revealed that the public's appetite for broadband continues to be large.

According to the figures from Futuresource Consulting, the total number of people subscribing to such web services across the globe is expected to break the 500 million mark next year.

However, perhaps one of the most surprising aspects of the research is not the figures on growth, but findings on the pace of connections in different countries.

In the US, the national average download speed available is just 2.7Mbps, which is even slower than the much-derided average of 4.2Mbps that uSwitch.com claims is available on this side of Atlantic.

Thursday, July 9th 2009

Mobile broadband subscribers soon may not have to worry about those irritating moments when their connections cut out at critical moments, as the industry's regulator is looking at ways to make the services better than ever.

Ofcom has published maps of 3G mobile network coverage in the UK for the first time, while it has also revealed its proposals for the future of the services.

Among the suggestions is more protection for consumers, with levels of competition between providers expected to be monitored alongside action against firms found guilty of mis-selling their packages.

Tuesday, July 7th 2009

A new benefit has emerged for broadband users who choose to migrate from one service provider - they get the chance to avoid cease charges.

This issue has been thrown into the spotlight recently by PC Pro, which revealed that a friend of one of its readers was hit by a £25 charge for simply asking to be disconnected from the company, despite being with the firm for longer than the minimum agreement.

However, anyone who does actually read the terms and conditions of the deal would not be surprised by the fee, as it is mentioned in there alongside details that it only applies when people are not choosing to move to another provider.

Friday, July 3rd 2009

Technically-challenged broadband customers and people who want to make sure they get the most from a service may be pleased to hear that O2 has launched a new chargeable tech support service.

Covering mobile broadband, home broadband and laptop related issues, the O2 Tech Support costs £7.34 a month or £14.69 on a pay-as-you-use service.

Jonathan Earle, head of pay monthly at O2, said: "We have listened to what our customers have asked for and believe that O2 Tech Support will differentiate us in this market. All our broadband customers will continue to get free advice for everything that relates to their O2 service, such as their router, modem or our network.