Blog Archive - September 2010

Wednesday, September 30th 2009

With all the recent talk over illegal filesharing and who should foot the bill for tackling the problem, it seems that one major broadband provider has inadvertently revealed its stance on the issue.

Carphone Warehouse chief executive officer Charles Dunstone has revealed that its TalkTalk subsidiary is developing a new range of parental control systems that will allow adults to give certain websites an age rating similar to those seen in cinemas.

The certification process is likely to see sites rated from universal to 18, he told the Financial Times, while he suggested that the process could even help in the fight against the use illegal filesharing technology in the UK.

Monday, September 28th 2009

While settling down to watch Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, you may have had your view of the sequins and glitter blocked by a reminder that you need to retune digital TV equipment later this week.

However, if you're receiving all the channels you need – and let's be fair, how many people really need QVC – what is the point in digging out the manual for your set-top box or BT Vision just to rejig your settings?

Well, it has been claimed that, from the afternoon of September 30th, coverage of Five across the UK will be boosted to ensure over 500,000 Freeview households have the channel for the first time.

Friday, September 25th 2009

Three strikes and you are out! That's the message from artists including Radiohead and Keane to broadband users that take part in illegal filesharing.

It has been announced this week that the Featured Artists Coalition, which also includes members such as George Michael and Patrick Wolf, is backing plans for a new series of sanctions that would give web users three chances to stop distributing music illegally.

Under the plans, broadband providers will send two warning letters urging persistent filesharers to stop participating in the activity, while a final sanction would see companies cut the bandwidth available to offenders.

Thursday, September 24th 2009

It is very rare that we get anything for free these days and it looks like super-fast broadband is no exception. The announcement that a new broadband tax is to be introduced to fund a UK-wide high speed network is likely to be met with concern from web users.

Under plans, every household with a fixed telephone line will pay the 50 pence a month tax and it is hoped the move will create a fund of £175 million a year which can be used to provide fibre optic broadband nationwide by 2017.

The legislation, which was featured in a white paper published by the government in June, could even be passed before the next general election.

Wednesday, September 23rd 2009

While hearing people in Starbucks asking for a cappuccino and a web connection may not necessarily be a new thing in the UK, it is likely to become more common thanks to the chain's latest announcement.

In fact, the offer of free access to BT Openzone's Wi-Fi services to Starbucks' loyalty cardholders exemplifies how we are becoming increasingly tied to web-enabled devices and now expect to be able to use them wherever we go.

A quick search on the BT website to see where else its Openzone services are available also highlights this.

Last month, the company revealed that it is operating over half a million Wi-Fi hotspots in the UK and Ireland.

Tuesday, September 22nd 2009

Recent events have shown that the digital TV arena can be a lonely place sometimes.

Sky must have thought that its challenge against Ofcom's proposals to set prices at which it should supply premium channels to third-party platforms would get some support from somewhere. However, it is so far unforthcoming.

Indeed, rather than showing solidarity to a digital TV brother, both BT and Virgin Media have sided with the regulator over the intervention that Sky described as "extreme and unprecedented".

While Sky has accused Ofcom of going "beyond competition law", both of its rivals have said the body's proposals do nothing of the sort.

Friday, September 18th 2009

Virgin Media's new digital TV agreement with Disney may not sound so major, but underneath the obvious issues there is more to the deal than just Hannah Montana and High School Musical.

Somewhat overshadowing the appointment of Virgin's new chief financial officer, the fibre optic broadband firm's plans to broadcast content from the entertainment giant on-demand via its TV platform, online and through mobile devices exemplifies changing trends that are hitting our viewing habits.

People are no longer concerned about missing the chance to sit in front of their TV to watch their favourite shows, as the flexibility that providers are offering gives them a chance to see programmes whenever it suits them.

Thursday, September 17th 2009

BT means business in the broadband market at the moment, it seems. Fresh from beginning trials for a service which could boost internet services in so-called not-spots, it is now looking to dethrone Virgin Media in the fibre optic broadband world.

Bill Murphy, managing director of BT Business, recently let slip in an interview with CBR that it is intending to implement high-speed services across its network from the start of next year.

Around 15,000 customers are already taking part in trials in both London and Cardiff, he revealed, so preparations are in place to make the service a permanent fixture.

Wednesday, September 16th 2009

While many issues cause conflict in the world broadband, one which has created more than most is the quality of internet services available in rural locations.

Bodies such as the Country and Land Association have often enjoyed bringing the topic up and have repeatedly called for the government to sort out some solution to the problem of living in so-called "not-spots".

Well, it seems that BT may have just gone and come up with one.

Tuesday, September 15th 2009

It's better to bundle! That appears to be the message from Virgin Media, as it has decided to cut the cost of its combined fibre optic broadband, digital TV and home phone packages recently.

A recent money-saving column in the Daily Mail stated that homeowners can often reduce their outgoings by buying up such services in a single package and Virgin seems to be keen on catching hold of those interested in the move.

Last week, it announced that its L broadband, M+ TV and M phone deals are available in a bundle for a monthly contract of £19.50, with two months of free service.

Friday, September 11th 2009

Who would have thought that the humble pigeon could cause such a flutter in the broadband world?

News that a company in South Africa has used a carrier pigeon to deliver a USB stick with 4GB of content to a destination 60 miles away, as it was quicker than their broadband, has raised many eyebrows.

The bird took just over an hour to deliver the contents, while it took an hour to upload the information onto a compatible system.

In the same just four per cent of the package had arrived over the web.

Wednesday, September 9th 2009

The announcement of Orange and T-Mobile's imminent merger caused a stir when announced yesterday. Indeed, in a week which has seen the UK's interest in the Beatles rise once again, it seems rather apt that we also get to see two major firms come together.

However, what impact will the deal have on those currently looking to buy either a home or mobile broadband package?

Well, the answer at the moment appears to be none. In a column for Reuters, Which? telecoms expert Ceri Stanaway has claimed that no "big changes" to services are likely to appear in the short-term.

Tuesday, September 8th 2009

As young people become increasingly web-savvy and have greater access to broadband connections via their mobile phones and game consoles, it is important that they are provided with information about how to stay safe when surfing the web.

Recent research by telecom watchdog Ofcom highlighted that over half of 11 to 16 year olds say that young people need more advice about how to protect their online privacy.

Just over a fifth want more information on how to avoid inappropriate content, while a similar number are concerned about cyber bullying.

Thursday, September 3rd 2009

For many who are heading to university, the thought of all-day partying is often more higher on the agenda than utility bills.

However, more and more broadband providers are looking to tap into the market, which means students need to be aware of what is available to them and what deals will best suit their needs.

Be Broadband has even made an early move in the market, offering nine-month deals that are tailored to fit the needs of those heading into shared housing.

However, communications regulator Ofcom has moved to stop the subject from getting too confusing for students by publishing new advice on the topic.

Wednesday, September 2nd 2009

Just how important is the widespread introduction of fibre optic broadband in the UK? It is safe to say that opinions are well and truly divided.

Last week, Mark Seemann, product strategy and development director at Outsourcery, stated its introduction was essentially vital to the future of the economy, as it could limit the ability of small businesses to compete in the current economic climate.

In a column for Computer Weekly, he added the government's current universal broadband plans do not go "anywhere near far enough" to meet demand.