December 30, 2007
T-Mobile International has selected Huawei Technologies to provide Packet Switched Core Networks across five key European countries. This important collaboration by the two companies will serve Germany, the UK, Austria, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Under the terms of the contract, Huawei, a leader in providing next generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, will replace existing networks ...
Huawei to build PS-CN in Europe for T-Mobile
by Lin FreestoneT-Mobile International has selected Huawei Technologies to provide Packet Switched Core Networks across five key European countries. This important collaboration by the two companies will serve Germany, the UK, Austria, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Under the terms of the contract, Huawei, a leader in providing next generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, will replace existing networks ...
December 21, 2007
3 has launched the first true pay-as-you-go mobile broadband plan, allowing customers to benefit from mobile connectivity without being tied to a contract. The plan allows customers to top up a PAYG USB Modem, in the same way that they would top up a mobile phone. The USB modem is available for a one-off payment of £99.99 and comes ...
PAYG mobile broadband plan launched by 3
by Jan Harris3 has launched the first true pay-as-you-go mobile broadband plan, allowing customers to benefit from mobile connectivity without being tied to a contract. The plan allows customers to top up a PAYG USB Modem, in the same way that they would top up a mobile phone. The USB modem is available for a one-off payment of £99.99 and comes ...
Milton Keynes first WiMax internet city
by Jan HarrisMilton Keynes is to become the first WiMax-powered wireless internet city, through a partnership between wireless broadband provider Freedom4 and ConnectMK, a private company formed by Milton Keynes Council. Freedom4 has successfully trialled WiMax in Milton Keynes and expects the joint venture to help it reach the wider community. Areas where traditional ADSL access is unavailable will be able to ...
December 19, 2007
Ofcom could introduce new guidelines on the selling of broadband early next year. The regulations would help ensure that advertising gives consumers accurate information about broadband speeds. At the moment broadband providers tend to advertise an 'up to' speed, which few people actually receive in practice. Under the new regulations, broadband providers could be subject to formal action if they ...
Ofcom considers guidelines on broadband advertising
by Jan HarrisOfcom could introduce new guidelines on the selling of broadband early next year. The regulations would help ensure that advertising gives consumers accurate information about broadband speeds. At the moment broadband providers tend to advertise an 'up to' speed, which few people actually receive in practice. Under the new regulations, broadband providers could be subject to formal action if they ...
December 18, 2007
T-Mobile and rival operator, 3, are planning to share phone masts in order to extend high-speed wireless broadband further across the country. The mast-sharing agreement, which is believed to cover 3G access networks, would significantly reduce the costs involved for both companies, in providing comprehensive network coverage. The deal would bring 3G services to all the UK population by the ...
T-Mobile and 3 in mast-sharing agreement
by Jan HarrisT-Mobile and rival operator, 3, are planning to share phone masts in order to extend high-speed wireless broadband further across the country. The mast-sharing agreement, which is believed to cover 3G access networks, would significantly reduce the costs involved for both companies, in providing comprehensive network coverage. The deal would bring 3G services to all the UK population by the ...
December 15, 2007
Vodafone Germany is to deploy Ericsson's new Base Transceiver Station (BTS) Power Savings feature across its base stations by the end of 2007. The feature is aimed at reducing energy consumption in mobile networks. Installing this software is expected to reduce energy usage and corresponding carbon-dioxide emissions. During periods of low network traffic, the feature effectively puts those parts of the ...
Ericsson’s energy-saving feature launched by Vodafone Germany
by Lin FreestoneVodafone Germany is to deploy Ericsson's new Base Transceiver Station (BTS) Power Savings feature across its base stations by the end of 2007. The feature is aimed at reducing energy consumption in mobile networks. Installing this software is expected to reduce energy usage and corresponding carbon-dioxide emissions. During periods of low network traffic, the feature effectively puts those parts of the ...
December 13, 2007
Ofcom has launched a multi-billion pound auction of radio spectrum, in preparation for the expected introduction of new digital services. The switchover from analogue to digital TV, which started in Whitehaven, Cumbria, in October, will free up spectrum for alternative uses such as digital TV channels or ultra-fast wireless broadband. Ofcom wants the market to decide how the spectrum should ...
Ofcom launches spectrum auction for digital services
by Jan HarrisOfcom has launched a multi-billion pound auction of radio spectrum, in preparation for the expected introduction of new digital services. The switchover from analogue to digital TV, which started in Whitehaven, Cumbria, in October, will free up spectrum for alternative uses such as digital TV channels or ultra-fast wireless broadband. Ofcom wants the market to decide how the spectrum should ...
December 12, 2007
Orange has published its second Digital Media Index which shows how its customers are using their mobile phones. The index, which covers a three-month period to the end of August 2007, shows that the use of mobile data is booming, with growth in picture messaging, texting and mobile internet usage, among other activities. According to Orange's research there was a ...
Mobile data usage soars according to Orange index
by Jan HarrisOrange has published its second Digital Media Index which shows how its customers are using their mobile phones. The index, which covers a three-month period to the end of August 2007, shows that the use of mobile data is booming, with growth in picture messaging, texting and mobile internet usage, among other activities. According to Orange's research there was a ...
December 11, 2007
Under new rules proposed by Ofcom, BT Openreach must compensate its wholesale customers if its service falls below performance targets. Openreach was spun out of BT in an effort to increase competitiveness in the broadband market. It was created to provide transparent and equal access to BTs infrastructure for third party ISPs. While Ofcom acknowledges that BT has made good ...
Ofcom pushes Openreach on performance targets
by Jan HarrisUnder new rules proposed by Ofcom, BT Openreach must compensate its wholesale customers if its service falls below performance targets. Openreach was spun out of BT in an effort to increase competitiveness in the broadband market. It was created to provide transparent and equal access to BTs infrastructure for third party ISPs. While Ofcom acknowledges that BT has made good ...
December 10, 2007
UTStarcom, Inc., a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, has secured its first IPTV contract in Latin America for its RollingStream end-to-end IPTV solution with the launch of Brasil Telecom's Videon IPTV service. This is the first video offering to its customers from Brasil Telecom, one of Brazil's leading wireless and fixed-line communications providers. UTStarcom's RollingStream solution is ...
Brasil Telecom launches first IPTV service
by Lin FreestoneUTStarcom, Inc., a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, has secured its first IPTV contract in Latin America for its RollingStream end-to-end IPTV solution with the launch of Brasil Telecom's Videon IPTV service. This is the first video offering to its customers from Brasil Telecom, one of Brazil's leading wireless and fixed-line communications providers. UTStarcom's RollingStream solution is ...
DS2 adds remote management to AITANATM chip
by Jan HarrisDS2 has announced an integrated TR-069 solution embedded in its DSS9101 powerline communications SoC (System-on-Chip). The DSS9101 SoC, which is part of DS2's AITANATM chipset, is a UPA-compliant 200 Mbps powerline communication product. It is the first powerline communications SoC to integrate a full TR-069 stack on-chip. This eliminates the need for an external processor. TR-069 is a suite ...
December 8, 2007
The Vodafone Portugal Foundation and the Portuguese Blood Transfusion Service have signed a co-operation agreement to encourage blood donations in Portugal. Blood donors registered in the database of the Blood Transfusion Service will be notified of the arrival of a blood collection team in their neighbourhood. They will receive this message on their mobile phone via SMS, rather than the ...
SMS blood donor initiative in Portugal
by Lin FreestoneThe Vodafone Portugal Foundation and the Portuguese Blood Transfusion Service have signed a co-operation agreement to encourage blood donations in Portugal. Blood donors registered in the database of the Blood Transfusion Service will be notified of the arrival of a blood collection team in their neighbourhood. They will receive this message on their mobile phone via SMS, rather than the ...
Indestructible mobile phone launched in Europe
by Lin FreestoneSonim Technologies, a US-based mobile company, has announced the European launch of the new Sonim XP1, an IP-54 certified, mil-spec approved, bluetooth and Push-to-talk-enabled GSM phone. The Sonim XP1 is certified to withstand shock, water, wind, dust, dirt and extreme temperatures. It is reportedly the only certified phone designed specifically for people who work and play in demanding conditions and ...
December 7, 2007
Nokia is investing approximately $75m towards its manufacturing plant in Sriperumbudur, Chennai, India, in 2008. The investment is geared towards enhancing the capacity of the manufacturing plant to cater to the burgeoning need of the Indian and other emerging markets. Nokia started manufacturing in Chennai in January 2006 and the plant is Nokia’s fastest-growing factory worldwide. With 6,000 employees, the ...
Nokia invests $75m in Indian manufacturing plant
by Lin FreestoneNokia is investing approximately $75m towards its manufacturing plant in Sriperumbudur, Chennai, India, in 2008. The investment is geared towards enhancing the capacity of the manufacturing plant to cater to the burgeoning need of the Indian and other emerging markets. Nokia started manufacturing in Chennai in January 2006 and the plant is Nokia’s fastest-growing factory worldwide. With 6,000 employees, the ...
Satisfaction falling among Broadband customers
by Jan HarrisBroadband customers in the UK are becoming less satisfied with their service, according to a new study by market research firm JD Power. The study found that customer complaints now outnumber service-related enquiries by 52% to 48%. Getting a response to a complaint or query is also becoming more difficult, with people having to wait 17 minutes, on average, for ...
December 5, 2007
A survey conducted by Broadbandchoices.co.uk found that most people ranked the ability to download DVD-quality films quickly, as the service they most want from next-generation broadband. Sixty-one percent of those surveyed chose downloading DVD quality film in five minutes as their top requirement. Downloading high definition TV programmes on demand was in second place, with 48 percent of respondents choosing ...
Fast film downloads top next-gen broadband wish list
by Jan HarrisA survey conducted by Broadbandchoices.co.uk found that most people ranked the ability to download DVD-quality films quickly, as the service they most want from next-generation broadband. Sixty-one percent of those surveyed chose downloading DVD quality film in five minutes as their top requirement. Downloading high definition TV programmes on demand was in second place, with 48 percent of respondents choosing ...
Broadband reliability and service more important than speed
by Lin FreestoneA study conducted by UK Online has revealed that broadband service and reliability are more important to small businesses than the speed of supply. When choosing a broadband supplier, reliability is considered to be the most important factor. Respondents to a survey of sole traders and small business owners were also influenced by value and price, followed by security. Approximately three-quarters of ...
December 4, 2007
A recent Panorama report, which claimed that Wi-Fi creates three times as much radiation as mobile phone masts, has been found to be misleading by the BBC's editorial complaints unit (ECU). The ECU found that the programme gave a "misleading impression of the state of scientific opinion". Following the programme, two viewers complained to the BBC that Panorama had exaggerated ...
BBC finds Panorama Wi-Fi report ‘misleading’
by Jan HarrisA recent Panorama report, which claimed that Wi-Fi creates three times as much radiation as mobile phone masts, has been found to be misleading by the BBC's editorial complaints unit (ECU). The ECU found that the programme gave a "misleading impression of the state of scientific opinion". Following the programme, two viewers complained to the BBC that Panorama had exaggerated ...
New funding enables Wikipedia to pay illustrators
by Lin FreestoneThe foundation that runs the online encyclopedia Wikipedia has finally agreed to pay contributors a modest fee for their work. A project called Greenspun Illustration Project will fund contributors to develop illustrations for the site. The funding for the project has come from the $20,000 donation of Philip Greenspun, specifically for the purpose of creating and improving illustrations on Wikipedia. Philip ...
More than half of European households are online
by Lin FreestoneNew statistics show that 54% of households in the European Union now have an Internet connection. This figure compares with 49% at the same time last year. The Nordic countries have the most Internet connections, with 83% of households. Sweden and Denmark follow closely behind. In the UK, 67% of households have an Internet connection, which has increased by 4% ...
