Blog Archive - November 2010

Monday, November 30th 2009

When TalkTalk revealed last month that up to seven million broadband connections could be susceptible to wireless broadband hijacking, a notable conclusion was that this did not mean people actually are taking advantage of such poor security.

However, another study released this week by a rival comparison website has revealed that broadband users across the UK are maybe not the honest bunch that you would presume.

It found that over four million Brits have piggybacked on another broadband user's wireless connection without their knowledge, meaning they can enjoy free access to the web and could even steal identity information.

Friday, November 27th 2009

Earlier this year, the government probably thought they would win lots of backing for committing to make broadband universally available. In addition, it was likely MPs felt plans to introduce fibre optic services would be even more popular.

However, they appear to have hit another wall of criticism in their efforts to bring the world of the internet to the masses.

The rollout of such services was never going to be free, but reports have suggested that the government's proposed broadband tax could have a bigger impact on the public's wallets than originally thought.

It was originally revealed that the levy would be 50p a month on fixed phone lines.

Tuesday, November 24th 2009

Fresh from announced plans to launch new content on its digital TV services, Virgin Media is now seemingly looking to make the packages more accessible to a variety of customers.

For the first time, the company is now offering its M+, L and XL services as standalone deals which do not require a Virgin phone line.

Each of the deals includes access to on-demand and catch-up services from a range of top broadcasters, while the M+ specifically offers 65 channels for £11.50 a month.

In contrast, the L package and XL package include a wider range of content for £16 and £27.50 a month.

Monday, November 23rd 2009

Fresh from launching new on-demand content on its digital TV platform, Virgin Media has revealed it is to showcase two US series from the start of next year.

Trauma and Warehouse 13 will be shown on the company's Virgin 1 channel, thanks to a new deal with NBC. So, what do fans of US TV have to look forward to from the programmes?

Created by producers behind series such as Monk, Dresden Files and Rescue Me, Warehouse 13 stars Saul Rubinek and Eddie McClintock.

Shown on the Syfy channel, the series focuses on the relationship between two chalk-and-cheese agents as they look to get their hands on supernatural items to take back to a government storage facility.

Friday, November 20th 2009

With the cold, long winter nights drawing in, it is likely that many of us will be spending more time in front of the TV. Virgin Media has looked to help its subscribers while away the hours by unveiling a new batch of on-demand content.

Available through its TV Choice service, season three of The Wire is arguably the most notable addition, alongside a new show – Generation kill – from the same creator behind the acclaimed police drama.

If that was not enough, Six Feet Under fans can get a clear look at the action as the show's fourth season is available in both standard and high definition.

Thursday, November 19th 2009

They may have their disagreements from time to time, but it seems that Virgin Media and Sky could not resist the chance to join forces to challenge a new platform that could threaten their digital TV monopoly.

At separate sessions held as part of the C21Media's Future Media conference last week, representatives of both companies raised some concerns about Project Canvas – an open IPTV platform created by firms including the BBC, Five and BT.

According to paidContent:UK, Sky's main issue with the concept was that there is no market failure which the launch of the system would address.

Tuesday, November 17th 2009

While the likes of Virgin Media are making fibre optic broadband available to consumers across the UK, they aren't the only ones looking to meet demand for the high-speed technology.

Events over the past seven days have highlighted how many councils have seemingly made it a priority to introduce the super-fast broadband services in their areas, particularly to boost their local economies.

Last week, Gateshead Council became the first in England to launch open access fibre optic broadband services across the 21-hectare site of the Baltic Business Quarter.

Councillor Mick Henry, leader of the authority, said the move would help the area "compete on a global level and at the speed of light".

Monday, November 16th 2009

When it comes to legally downloading music online, it is safe to say that iTunes has a major influence. However, broadband provider Sky has shown its intentions to break Apple's monopoly with its own new service.

While Sky Songs was originally launched last month, the company has today commenced its first promotional push for the download and streaming platform by offer readers of The Sun the chance to get hold of an album or ten individual songs for no charge.

People who buy the newspaper this week need to collect three special codes to take advantage of the offer, which could be a 'make or break' moment for the service.

Friday, November 13th 2009

A new dimension is coming to digital TV, but it may not be coming from the company you were expecting.

While Sky was the first major provider to announce plans to launch 3D TV in the UK, Virgin Media has nudged ahead in the race to bring the new service to consumers. From November 17th, the company is to showcase a season of 3D content through its on-demand platform.

Broadband TV News reports that a range of shows are to be broadcast in proprietary anaglyph, a complicated sounding format which allows users to enjoy the content when wearing special glasses that will be available from Virgin Media stores and Sainsbury's.

Thursday, November 12th 2009

New research could prove to be music to the ears of Virgin Media, as it found that fibre optic broadband services offer better value for money than rival forms of internet technology.

Point Topic's study has compared the three main types of broadband technology – cable, DSL and fibre – in terms of the price of entry level packages and the bandwidth they offer.

It was found that while fibre optic broadband is the most expensive, it also offers the best service for the money.

In contrast, DSL prices are the cheapest but do not meet the bandwidth of its rivals, while cable lurks somewhere in between.

Wednesday, November 11th 2009

For a while now it has seemed that the likes of BT, Virgin Media and Sky have a monopoly on arguments over advertising claims, what with their recent quarrels over marketing.

However, another two broadband providers have now decided to square up to each other in relation to the issue.

This time it is 3 and Orange, with the former choosing to complain to the Advertising Standards Authority over the latter's suggestion that it owns the UK's biggest mobile broadband network.

According to the Times, 3 believes it has the largest and has stated the claims in Orange's promotions could potentially mislead customers.

Monday, November 9th 2009

If you believe the range of property shows on TV, moving house is all about three words: Location, location, location. However, a new study has suggested that the well-known mantra could soon become broadband, broadband, broadband.

The poll by news provider ISPreview.co.uk found that 75.1 per cent of people would turn down a move to their perfect home if they could only gain access to broadband of up to 1Mbps, with a number of respondents stating that connections of 4Mbps or higher are their minimum requirement.

Friday, November 6th 2009

While it is common to see broadband providers offer the odd deal here and there, Virgin Media seems to have really gone to town with its latest batch.

Two months of free service are available on its three web exclusive bundles featuring digital TV, fibre optic broadband and home phone, with prices on those starting from £19.50 a month.

If that wasn't enough, the online-only deals also include free installation, which means new subscribers could also save up to £35 depending on which packages they choose to sign up.

However, the offers don't even stop there, as the company's so-called Double Deals featuring digital TV and home phone services are also available with two months' free.

Tuesday, November 3rd 2009

It is hard to believe that the government has anything other than good intentions with its plans to tackle illegal filesharing, but could it actually end up harming the music industry rather than helping it?

Research by think-tank Demos seems to think so, as 42 per cent of illegal downloaders prefer to sample albums or songs before parting with their hard-earned cash for them.

It was also found that such people spend over £30 more on music annually than those who do not download illegally - which suggests that by stopping people from trialling albums, broadband providers could also cut the income available to the music industry.

Monday, November 2nd 2009

The government has come under fire for several broadband-related policies recently, but the latest to capture the most attention is its proposed tax on fixed phone lines.

Charles Dunstone, the chief executive of internet provider TalkTalk, has claimed the 50p-a-month rate on fixed phone lines - which would be used to fund the creation of a nationwide fibre optic broadband network – could have a negative impact on the market.

He suggested that such a move would make broadband services too expensive for many low-income households, meaning many may have to give up their connection to the web.