Harmonised European Numbers For Services Of Social Value : Proposed allocation and charging arrangements for 116 numbers in the UK | Ofcom

Harmonised European Numbers For Services Of Social Value : Proposed allocation and charging arrangements for 116 numbers in the UK | Ofcom

Ofcom is holding a consultation on the UK's implementation of Numbers for Services of Social Value which will begin with the 116 prefix. 116 number will be followed by another 3 digits i.e. 116xxx. This is a European harmonised number range and the same services will be available in all EU member countries on the same number.

Three numbers have already been allocated, these being: -

* 116000 hotline for missing children.

* 116111 child helplines.

* 116123 emotional support helplines.

The EU has stated these should be "free" numbers, but the meaning of free is not the same across all EU countries, so pricing needs to be determined.

Also there may be several organisations who offer services and would want to offer the particular 116 service and Ofcom need to decide how the allocation to a particular organisation should be made.

The consultation closes on 10|12|2008.

Statement on consumer protection test for telephone number allocation | Ofcom

Statement on consumer protection test for telephone number allocation | Ofcom

Ofcom is introducing further consumer protection by potentially restricting companies and individuals from allocations of premium rate numbers by maintaining lists of companies or individuals who have had complaints against them. These lists will be known as the CPT (consumer protection test) lists which will be maintained on Ofcom's website.

Anyone allocating PRS numbers should ensure their customers are not present on these lists and industry will self regulate.

The lists will be available from Jan 01 2009 or shortly after.

Managing the spectrum above 275 GHz | Ofcom

Managing the spectrum above 275 GHz | Ofcom

Ofcom is planning to make spectrum above 275 GHz (to 3000 GHz) licence exempt.

There will be constraints as these bands are used by radio astronomy, but due to atmospheric attenuation (which is severe in these bands) interference should be minimal.

Current power masks for short range devices in 244-246 GHz will be used as a proxy with adjustments made for the greater attenuation.

Ofcom are hoping innovitive applications will come out of these bands (short range comms/collision detection/etc).

The World Radiocommunication Conference 2011 has an agenda item about the 275 - 3000 GHz band and Ofcom may have to modify the Standard Instrument allowing licence exempt use based on the outcome of the conference.

BT withdraws Wi-Fi access to The Cloud • The Register

BT withdraws Wi-Fi access to The Cloud • The Register

BT Openzone has not renewed it's contract with The Cloud so Openzone users will not be able to use their WiFi hotspots.

The Cloud has lost a major user of minutes and must be struggling to compete with Openzone anyway. The Cloud have to maintain a cordial relationship as they buy most of their backhaul services from BT.

This could be a move by Openzone to kill the Cloud and then buy them in a firesale.