Digital dividend: clearing the 800 MHz band | OfcomOfcom is planning ot clear the 800MHz band (also known as 790-862 MHz, channels 61 to 69 in UHF Bands IV and V) of existing and previously planned users and align the upper band of the UK’s digital dividend with the spectrum being identified for release by an increasing number of other European countries.
It also sets out the high level principles for how Ofcom intend to clear those existing and previously planned users – digital terrestrial television (DTT) and programme-making and special events (PMSE) – from channels 61, 62 and 69.
Ofcom is re-aligning the spectrum as other countries in Europe are clearing the spectrum for auction as the spectrum can be optimally used by wireless broadband operators.
The new use maximises the value to society as UK Plc.
Notice of Ofcom’s proposal to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Ultra-Wideband Equipment) (Exemption) Regulations 2009 | OfcomOfcom is consulting on introducing new legislation on the license exempt use for Ultra Wideband (UWB) in accordance with European Commission Decision of 21 April 2009 (2009/343/EC) (the “UWB Amendment Decision”).
Ofcom will overturn previous legislation and introduce a new Statutory Instrument.
The consultation closes on 04/08/09.
Vodafone to buy T-Mobile?
Vodafone has 25% of the UK market, T-Mobile only has 15% but a combined company would have 40% of the market which is way ahead of O2 the current leader with 27%.
This would still require regulatory approval and the other networks would no doubt cry foul play, though Vodafone would be unlikely be considered a monopoly unless their market share rose considerably.
Though this could be seen as a bad thing for the market as competition would be reduced, it would give Vodafone economies of scale as they could improve coverage by merging physical networks and removing duplicate coverage while increasing coverage in areas that are poorly covered now. They could also increase capacity within the network allowing for high speed data services.
T-Mobile (Germany) may not wish to part with the UK arm at the moment as the valuation will be low in the current market conditions.
Labels: T-Mobile, Vodafone
Apple gets more of an Imagination
Apple has followed on Intel's heals and taken a 9.5% stake in UK graphics chip designer Imagination (Intel have a 14% stake).
Intel are keen on leading the Mobile Internet Device (MID) market and have recently made public announcements with Nokia. Apple meanwhile are utilising Imagination's PowerVR chips on the new i{Phone 3GS (they used their older chips in the iPhone 3G and iTouch models). This with their purchase of PA Semi means they could well be developing low power ARM chips and PowerVR cores for new ranges of iPhones/iTouch's coming out next year. They could also utilise the chips in their rumoured tablet which is also expected next year.
If Apple do release a tablet, it looks like they'll ignore the notebook market.
Labels: Apple, Imagination, Intel, PowerVR, tablet
Michael Jackson Flashmob at Liverpool St station
On Friday 26th of June 2009 there was a Michael Jackson Flashmob moonwalk.
It all started on
Twitter when
Milo Yiannopoulos picked up on a tweet where
Rob Manuel of b3ta mentioned that a Michael Jackson flashmob should happen. Milo took it upon himself to make it so.
The flashmob was meant to start at 6, but myself and the lovely
Gail Porter arrived at just after 5 to see if we could help out. Gail had retweeted the event to her 14,358 followers.
Though City of London Police weren't too bother, British Transport Police didn't seem to pleased at the thought of hundreds or thousands descending on Liverpool St station. They started taping off the top section of the station and speaking to Milo downstairs it soon became apparent that if any kind of crowd started to gather, they'd start arresting people.
Quick re-arrangements meant relocating outside to Liverpool St and the City of London Police being extremely co-operative (and so unlike earlier G20 events), it was a hot sunny day and many seemed to be "up for it". The sounds system was moved from outside MacDonald's (where a crowd of a couple of hundred people had started to gather) to the opposite side of the street in-front of a tanning salon.
It took a while getting all the kit across (Liverpool St was by now filling up, the Police had blocked access to cars) and suddenly it dawned on everyone that it was actually happening.
Though it's difficult to say how many people were there, it seemed like several thousand (Liverpool St was rammed from the Broadgate end to beyond the station). Milo introduced the event and managed to get 3 Jacko songs in before the Police called it a day. Though the event was meant to be a mass moonwalk, it was a bit packed for much to actually take place.
Everyone seemed to have a great time and special thanks must go to
London Speaker Hire for getting the sound system there.
Labels: Flashmob, Liverpool St station, Michael Jackson, moonwalk
The Europas: Best European / Real World Gadget (EMEA)Please vote for En-Twyn in the TechCrunch Europas. En-Twyn have designed a mains socket combined with Powerline electronics that is in the process of going to manufacture.
The initial version is based on a UK double gang socket with 2 Ethernet (switched) ports and an LCD display which is used to show the status of the system (i.e. sync, Ethernet activity, link state etc).
More information is available from their
TechCrunch entry".
Future versions will carry multiple media types (audio, video, etc) and have an embedded Linux controller allowing Quality of Service and a remotely controllable architechture (including being able to monitor socket power usage and being able to turn off power to the sockets).
Do please vote.
2.6GHz auction scrapped
Ofcom has decided to withdraw it's intent to auction the 2.6GHz band (part of the IMT-2000 spectrum). Various mobile operators had disputed Ofcom's right to auction the spectrum and had taken them to court (mainly as part of the 900MHz refarming arguments).
Ofcom changed made this decision based on the Government's Digital Britain report, which accepted the recommendations of the independent spectrum broker (ISB) which tied the 2.6GHz auction to the 800MHz auction (which becomes available after the digital switch-over).
This will delay the auction until after 2010.
Labels: 2.6GHz, 800MHz, ISB, Ofcom
T-Mobile to launch HTC MyTouch
T-Mobile are going to launch their second Android phone the HTC MyTouch which to everyone else is the HTC Magic (as sold by Vodafone).
In the US it will cost $199 with a 2 year contract.
Not too exciting really.
Labels: HTC Magic, HTC MyTouch, T-Mobile
Notification under Section 107(6) of the Communications Act 2003 - Airwave Solutions Limited | OfcomAirwave Solutions Ltd run the digital mobile network for the emergency services (and other organisations with a public safety remit. Anyone wishing to use Airwave's network must go through Ofcom and demonstrate their public safety element.
Ofcom now wish to amend this so that The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralmypic Games can utilise the network for the 2012 Olympics.
The consultation closes on 20th July 2009.
Stop hitting F5, iPhone OS 3.0 release still hours away?
Stop hitting F5, iPhone OS 3.0 release still hours away?Apple may release the iPhone OS v3 at 6pm today UK time, the update should also be available as a chargable item for the iPod Touch.
v3 (on the iPhone) should allow MMS, cut and paste, tethering and the background push notification service as well as many new API calls.
Time will tell if Apple have got it right and if sales will match previous iPhone hype and store rushes.
Labels: 3G iPhone, Apple, v3
Freedom4 application for licence variation | OfcomFreedom4 are a WiMAX operator in the UK who offer wireless broadband (they are owned by the Hong Kong giant PCCW).
Freedom4 operate in the bands 3.6 - 4.2 GHz and currently can only offer fixed services, they have applied to Ofcom to a) increase the power limits of their basestations (i.e. main transmitter hubs) and also allow mobile access (which removes the obligation to register end-user / low-power terminals).
Ofcom's view is that the in-band power level can increase from +14dBW/MHz to +23dBW/MHz (+53dBm/MHz) for central stations and to remove the absolute limit of 22dBW/MHz (EIRP).
For terminal stations coordination should not be necessary for those with a spectral density not exceeding 25dBm/MHz and total EIRP not exceeding 30dBm unless a proposed central station is within 100MHz and 2km of a point-to-point link.
These changes should be made as soon is possible.
Ofcom is holding a consultation for interested stakeholders which closes on 20|07|2009.
