Apple hints at major iPod revamp - Network IT Week
Apple are going to launch something new or an update to the existing iPod. It happens on the 7th.
Speculations are: -
* Music videos for current iPods.
* New iPod Shuffle type device.
* The Motorola iPod phone.
* Apple will become an MVNO and offer a phone service (mobile).
They could also launch a bigger video iPod to compete with the new Media systems being offered by Microsoft licensees.
2005/08/30
DSL plugs into 70 per cent subscriber growth - Network IT Week
DSL plugs into 70 per cent subscriber growth - Network IT Week
70% subscriber growth, options of VDSL2 and ADSL2+, nice if you can get it. In the UK ADSL2+ is still not ANFP compliant (though the ANFP will be changed to allow it), however VDSL and derivatives are unlikely to ever be allowed since it causes interference between cable pairs in the telephony network.
VDSL works well where there's fiber to buildings or street cabinets and then VDSL within the building or from the street cab to the house.
Unfortunately the UK isn't fibered and installing VDSL in the exchanges wont give the performance (it's a very short haul service).
70% subscriber growth, options of VDSL2 and ADSL2+, nice if you can get it. In the UK ADSL2+ is still not ANFP compliant (though the ANFP will be changed to allow it), however VDSL and derivatives are unlikely to ever be allowed since it causes interference between cable pairs in the telephony network.
VDSL works well where there's fiber to buildings or street cabinets and then VDSL within the building or from the street cab to the house.
Unfortunately the UK isn't fibered and installing VDSL in the exchanges wont give the performance (it's a very short haul service).
Digit Online news - Roxio launches Toast 7
Digit Online news - Roxio launches Toast 7
Toast the Roxio CD and DVD burning package for Macs is being upgraded.
The main features are slide shows, DivX (6) support and support for spanning multiple DVDs. The slide show features allows for producing multiple transition effects etc.
Toast 7 will also compress video content so that content from dual layer (9GB) DVD's will fit on to standard single layer disks. Presumably this will only work with unencrypted content, though there are programs that will rip the (encrypted) DVDs to standard (unecrypted) VOB files, which Toast will then handle.
Toast the Roxio CD and DVD burning package for Macs is being upgraded.
The main features are slide shows, DivX (6) support and support for spanning multiple DVDs. The slide show features allows for producing multiple transition effects etc.
Toast 7 will also compress video content so that content from dual layer (9GB) DVD's will fit on to standard single layer disks. Presumably this will only work with unencrypted content, though there are programs that will rip the (encrypted) DVDs to standard (unecrypted) VOB files, which Toast will then handle.
2005/08/26
Telewest/NTL Merger Delayed?
Telewest/NTL Merger Delayed?
The merger may not be delayed just on price, there are tax implications and the possibility the merged company will have SMP (significant market power). If it's deemed they do have SMP, then they can be regulated like BT and they'll have to open the network to 3rd parties, which brings on a completely new set of issues.
The merger may not be delayed just on price, there are tax implications and the possibility the merged company will have SMP (significant market power). If it's deemed they do have SMP, then they can be regulated like BT and they'll have to open the network to 3rd parties, which brings on a completely new set of issues.
Intel rediscovers networking over powerlines - vnunet.com
Intel rediscovers networking over powerlines - vnunet.com
Intel are jumping on to as many networking technologies as they can. They've been hyping WiMAX like there's nothing else out there, but then they build chips and they build WiMAX chips.
They pulled out of Homeplug in 2000, but now have rejoined what's become the HomePlug and Powerline Alliance.
Though broadband speeds are increasing, the real jumps are going to be made in home networks both in wired and wireless technologies so people can distribute music and high-definition (HD) TV around their homes.
Though wireless is useful is doesn't penetrate thicks or metal walls. Most houses already have wires going everywhere, supplying electricity. The HPA is promoting technology and standards to utilise the existing electricity cabling to be a network within the home, as well as using the powerlines coming into the home for supplying the broadband itself.
It's only another chip off the block for Intel of course.
Intel are jumping on to as many networking technologies as they can. They've been hyping WiMAX like there's nothing else out there, but then they build chips and they build WiMAX chips.
They pulled out of Homeplug in 2000, but now have rejoined what's become the HomePlug and Powerline Alliance.
Though broadband speeds are increasing, the real jumps are going to be made in home networks both in wired and wireless technologies so people can distribute music and high-definition (HD) TV around their homes.
Though wireless is useful is doesn't penetrate thicks or metal walls. Most houses already have wires going everywhere, supplying electricity. The HPA is promoting technology and standards to utilise the existing electricity cabling to be a network within the home, as well as using the powerlines coming into the home for supplying the broadband itself.
It's only another chip off the block for Intel of course.
PlusNet's ADSL Auto-Disconnects
PlusNet's ADSL Auto-Disconnects
This is probably the first of a tranch of ISPs to implement idle time-outs. It's nothing to do with congestion really, but session limits on the IPStream service.
IPStream is the BT Wholesale service that many UK ISPs resell. When BT introduced capacity based charging the price to the ISP for the end user connection was fixed (about £8) and was no longer related to connection speed. The price of the backhaul increase by a magnitude from about £30,000pa to £300,000pa.
For larger ISPs that doesn't matter as the backhaul is shared between lots of users, so the cost becomes less significant. ISPs can over contend the service whereby they add more users sharing the same bandwidth. This is why ISPs tend to give away DSL modems rather than routers, so when the user shuts-down the PC the connection stops.
It's similar to the old modem days when ISPs knew people would disconnect after surfing because the call charges were prohibitive, so they could have more users than modems.
Unfortunately in the broadband world, connections don't have to close and people keep their PCs on all the time, and that's problematic for the ISP, not due to the contention as when the connection isn't being used as there's little or no traffic being generated, but because there are session limits i.e. the total number of users connecting to the ISP simulaneously.
It's all to do with L2TP (layer 2 tunneling protocol) which IPStream uses, and for a 255Mb/s pipe (backhaul) the session limit was about 12,000 i.e. 12,000 connected customers per pipe.
That's OK if all your customers are 2Mb/s (about 6000 sessions used), but at 512Kb/s the pipe should support upto 25,000 users.
This is probably the first of a tranch of ISPs to implement idle time-outs. It's nothing to do with congestion really, but session limits on the IPStream service.
IPStream is the BT Wholesale service that many UK ISPs resell. When BT introduced capacity based charging the price to the ISP for the end user connection was fixed (about £8) and was no longer related to connection speed. The price of the backhaul increase by a magnitude from about £30,000pa to £300,000pa.
For larger ISPs that doesn't matter as the backhaul is shared between lots of users, so the cost becomes less significant. ISPs can over contend the service whereby they add more users sharing the same bandwidth. This is why ISPs tend to give away DSL modems rather than routers, so when the user shuts-down the PC the connection stops.
It's similar to the old modem days when ISPs knew people would disconnect after surfing because the call charges were prohibitive, so they could have more users than modems.
Unfortunately in the broadband world, connections don't have to close and people keep their PCs on all the time, and that's problematic for the ISP, not due to the contention as when the connection isn't being used as there's little or no traffic being generated, but because there are session limits i.e. the total number of users connecting to the ISP simulaneously.
It's all to do with L2TP (layer 2 tunneling protocol) which IPStream uses, and for a 255Mb/s pipe (backhaul) the session limit was about 12,000 i.e. 12,000 connected customers per pipe.
That's OK if all your customers are 2Mb/s (about 6000 sessions used), but at 512Kb/s the pipe should support upto 25,000 users.
Companies splash out millions on IP networks - LANs - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
Companies splash out millions on IP networks - LANs - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
3 large companies migrating to a converged IP network. They're spending a fair bit of money, but they are all multi-site companies. That's where VoIP can make real savings (no inter site telephony charges) and there's only a single infrastructure to manage.
VoIP doesn't make sense for a lot of companies, converging networks is expensive and just migrating away from BT to an alternative supplier using IDA (indirect access) or CPS (carrier preselect) can reduce bills significantly.
When migrating to VoIP and/or converged networks work out the economics out first and only if they stack-up consider the change. Changing just for technology sake is likely to be expensive and generate severe headaches.
3 large companies migrating to a converged IP network. They're spending a fair bit of money, but they are all multi-site companies. That's where VoIP can make real savings (no inter site telephony charges) and there's only a single infrastructure to manage.
VoIP doesn't make sense for a lot of companies, converging networks is expensive and just migrating away from BT to an alternative supplier using IDA (indirect access) or CPS (carrier preselect) can reduce bills significantly.
When migrating to VoIP and/or converged networks work out the economics out first and only if they stack-up consider the change. Changing just for technology sake is likely to be expensive and generate severe headaches.
2005/08/25
Digit Online news - PSP 2.0 firmware update: Ten days late
Digit Online news - PSP 2.0 firmware update: Ten days late
Japanese users have had the 2.0 firmware for a while, it adds new features such as a decent web browser (so no more having to utilise Wipeout Pure's browser and skewed DNS entries), new video codecs such as H.264, unprotected AAC and WAV audio. They've also added new security features which are designed to stop people installing software they've written and upgraded the WiFi side to support WPA-PSK.
Some US users are downloading the Japanese firmware and installing that, though Sony advises against that.
Japanese users have had the 2.0 firmware for a while, it adds new features such as a decent web browser (so no more having to utilise Wipeout Pure's browser and skewed DNS entries), new video codecs such as H.264, unprotected AAC and WAV audio. They've also added new security features which are designed to stop people installing software they've written and upgraded the WiFi side to support WPA-PSK.
Some US users are downloading the Japanese firmware and installing that, though Sony advises against that.
Digit Online news - Adobe, Macromedia takeover approved
Digit Online news - Adobe, Macromedia takeover approved
Adobe has won shareholder approval to takeover Macromedia. Though not expected to complete until later this year, it's already had an effect with Macromedia not including Freehand in their latest Studio offer.
The combination of Adobe and Macromedia in the digital media space will create a strong company. Adobe is known for Illustrator and Photoshop (and though they have web packages they are not strong in that area) while Macromedia are known for Flash, Dreamweaver and to some extent Contribute.
It's likely the converged company will contain the best bits of Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash and Dreamweaver with complete integration between all the packages (like Adobe have done with their own software). This will create a pretty indispensible set of software.
Adobe has won shareholder approval to takeover Macromedia. Though not expected to complete until later this year, it's already had an effect with Macromedia not including Freehand in their latest Studio offer.
The combination of Adobe and Macromedia in the digital media space will create a strong company. Adobe is known for Illustrator and Photoshop (and though they have web packages they are not strong in that area) while Macromedia are known for Flash, Dreamweaver and to some extent Contribute.
It's likely the converged company will contain the best bits of Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash and Dreamweaver with complete integration between all the packages (like Adobe have done with their own software). This will create a pretty indispensible set of software.
2005/08/24
BT reveals scale of business broadband failure - ZDNet UK News
BT reveals scale of business broadband failure - ZDNet UK News
It seems take-up of BT's SDSL service has been very low, with a high percentage of the 729 SDSL enabled exchanges having NO SDSL customers at all.
BT are cutting pricing for SDSL in November by 30%, but have stopped enabling new exchanges until the market picks up (they were meant to enable 800 in total) and will see how things progress by Jan 2006.
LLU operators are achieving better SDSL take-up, but their pricing is better suited to the market.
It seems take-up of BT's SDSL service has been very low, with a high percentage of the 729 SDSL enabled exchanges having NO SDSL customers at all.
BT are cutting pricing for SDSL in November by 30%, but have stopped enabling new exchanges until the market picks up (they were meant to enable 800 in total) and will see how things progress by Jan 2006.
LLU operators are achieving better SDSL take-up, but their pricing is better suited to the market.
Ofcom Website | Background and context to the report on Ultra Wide Band interference on Broadband Fixed Wireless Access
Ofcom Website | Background and context to the report on Ultra Wide Band interference on Broadband Fixed Wireless Access
UWB or ultra wideband is a technology that spreads the signals across a wide range of frequncies. Signals are duplicated and error correction is used which makes the system very resistant to interference and allows very high data rates (hundreds of Mb/s if not higher).
Currently UWB is illegal in the UK and Ofcom has commissioned various independent bodies to carry out economic studies on the benefits and UWB.
Initial costings look very positive with great benefit to the UK economy, however there is a downside in that it might interfere with fixed wireless access (FWA) licenses therefore producing some negative costings to them, however these can be mitigated by ensuring the UWB systems would "listen" and not transmit on those frequencies where they "heard" other transmissions taking place.
In the US the FCC has already allowed the use of (low power) UWB and it looks like Ofcom would like to do the same, however they'd use an ETSI (European Telecoms Standards Institute) spectrum mask instead of the FCC one.
This would require a harmonised European approach and Ofcom have submitted their findings and analysis to various EU regulatory bodies and will submit their proposals for UWB in the next few months.
UWB or ultra wideband is a technology that spreads the signals across a wide range of frequncies. Signals are duplicated and error correction is used which makes the system very resistant to interference and allows very high data rates (hundreds of Mb/s if not higher).
Currently UWB is illegal in the UK and Ofcom has commissioned various independent bodies to carry out economic studies on the benefits and UWB.
Initial costings look very positive with great benefit to the UK economy, however there is a downside in that it might interfere with fixed wireless access (FWA) licenses therefore producing some negative costings to them, however these can be mitigated by ensuring the UWB systems would "listen" and not transmit on those frequencies where they "heard" other transmissions taking place.
In the US the FCC has already allowed the use of (low power) UWB and it looks like Ofcom would like to do the same, however they'd use an ETSI (European Telecoms Standards Institute) spectrum mask instead of the FCC one.
This would require a harmonised European approach and Ofcom have submitted their findings and analysis to various EU regulatory bodies and will submit their proposals for UWB in the next few months.
Google Talk
Google Talk
Google have launched an IM (instant messaging) service based nn the XMPP protocol (also known as Jabber) which is also used by Apple's iChat and others. Since Google have only made a Windows client it's possible to use other clients with the Google server (though voice chat is currently only available with the Google client).
Google talk also links in with Google Mail (GMail) and shows when new mail arrives etc. It will also use your GMail contacts.
Google are seriously starting to make dents into other markets that are not traditionally Google (or search) related, their recent release of Google Desktop (beta) 2 which now has Outlook etc integration allowing searching directly within a Microsoft program (though not using MS search technology).
Google have launched an IM (instant messaging) service based nn the XMPP protocol (also known as Jabber) which is also used by Apple's iChat and others. Since Google have only made a Windows client it's possible to use other clients with the Google server (though voice chat is currently only available with the Google client).
Google talk also links in with Google Mail (GMail) and shows when new mail arrives etc. It will also use your GMail contacts.
Google are seriously starting to make dents into other markets that are not traditionally Google (or search) related, their recent release of Google Desktop (beta) 2 which now has Outlook etc integration allowing searching directly within a Microsoft program (though not using MS search technology).
2005/08/23
ElectricNews.net:News:Google uses Sidebar to sideline rivals
ElectricNews.net:News:Google uses Sidebar to sideline rivals
Google is taking another hit at the PC desktop, it's sidebar product (which incorporated Google Desktop) will automatically pull content that it "thinks" the user is interested in (though these features can be turned off for the privacy concerned).
Though it's a definate dig at Yahoo and other search companies, it also poses at least an annoyance to Microsoft as it doesn't require a browser and offers direct access to applications (when a search requires opening a document etc).
Google are getting everywhere and their technology works. They'll be buying Microsoft soon.
Google is taking another hit at the PC desktop, it's sidebar product (which incorporated Google Desktop) will automatically pull content that it "thinks" the user is interested in (though these features can be turned off for the privacy concerned).
Though it's a definate dig at Yahoo and other search companies, it also poses at least an annoyance to Microsoft as it doesn't require a browser and offers direct access to applications (when a search requires opening a document etc).
Google are getting everywhere and their technology works. They'll be buying Microsoft soon.
T-Mobile promises 'true mobile broadband' for UK - vnunet.com
T-Mobile promises 'true mobile broadband' for UK - vnunet.com
T-Mobile is rolling out HSDPA in the UK (Germany and the Netherlands) which will offer 2Mb/s downstream connections (i.e. from the network to the handset). This is what 3G should have offered in the first place, though data usage on 3G has been disappointing so far.
"3" though supporting data, only support a walled garden approach with no connectivity outside their services and targetted squarely at consumers.
The traditional (GSM) operators have tried to attack the business markets for 3G data services, but as yet take-up is low and they're not achieving nearly as much data traffic as they'd like. This is partly because data rates have never really matched what was promised, but HSDPA may resolve this.
T-Mobile is rolling out HSDPA in the UK (Germany and the Netherlands) which will offer 2Mb/s downstream connections (i.e. from the network to the handset). This is what 3G should have offered in the first place, though data usage on 3G has been disappointing so far.
"3" though supporting data, only support a walled garden approach with no connectivity outside their services and targetted squarely at consumers.
The traditional (GSM) operators have tried to attack the business markets for 3G data services, but as yet take-up is low and they're not achieving nearly as much data traffic as they'd like. This is partly because data rates have never really matched what was promised, but HSDPA may resolve this.
Pipex fires up UK WiMax trial - vnunet.com
Pipex fires up UK WiMax trial - vnunet.com
Pipex acquired a 3.5GHz national license through an acquisition it made a while back. So far it hasn't really done anything with the license as equipment has been expensive for both basestations and customer premises. However WiMAX changes that and prices are falling.
Whether Pipex actually utilise the spectrum themselves or, under the new spectrum trading regulations. sell it off is another matter, but making trial noises will increase its value.
It's rumoured that BT have already offered £5m for it, but Pipex said no and they've had to go back to the BT board to get some more.
However since wireless broadband isn't really Pipex's main business it's likely they'll want to sell it, but gaining as much value for themselves in doing so. Running a trial show's the spectrum has value.
Pipex acquired a 3.5GHz national license through an acquisition it made a while back. So far it hasn't really done anything with the license as equipment has been expensive for both basestations and customer premises. However WiMAX changes that and prices are falling.
Whether Pipex actually utilise the spectrum themselves or, under the new spectrum trading regulations. sell it off is another matter, but making trial noises will increase its value.
It's rumoured that BT have already offered £5m for it, but Pipex said no and they've had to go back to the BT board to get some more.
However since wireless broadband isn't really Pipex's main business it's likely they'll want to sell it, but gaining as much value for themselves in doing so. Running a trial show's the spectrum has value.
2005/08/22
Demon's Consumer Broadband all at 2M
Demon have dropped all consumer variants of broadband below 2Mb/s (and everyone who's on a service below 2M is being upgraded automatically). The pricing for the "Home" service is £19.99 inc VAT per month (no caps) and the "HomeOffice" (no caps, static IP and a few extra frills) £24.99 inc VAT per month.
When is BT going to offer 8Mb/s ADSL (MaxDSL)?
Microsoft makes a fortune out of Apple
Microsoft makes a fortune out of Apple
This isn;t really news at all. A while back Microsoft invested $250m in Apple to stop it going down the tubes. Why? Because
i) Microsoft didn't want to be the only OS for PC's (this is before Linux was but a techie toy) as they'd be hit with monopolistic problems.
ii) Mac software accounted for a considerable chunk of revenue and MS has the biggest Mac dev team outside of Apple.
There's somewhere in the region of 7m copies of Office for Mac out there, which is a LOT of dollars.
This isn;t really news at all. A while back Microsoft invested $250m in Apple to stop it going down the tubes. Why? Because
i) Microsoft didn't want to be the only OS for PC's (this is before Linux was but a techie toy) as they'd be hit with monopolistic problems.
ii) Mac software accounted for a considerable chunk of revenue and MS has the biggest Mac dev team outside of Apple.
There's somewhere in the region of 7m copies of Office for Mac out there, which is a LOT of dollars.
Techworld.com - Sun open sources digital rights technology
Techworld.com - Sun open sources digital rights technology
Sun open sourcing another technology (they've previously released Solaris as Open Solaris), well now there's the DReaM project.
DRM is extremely complicated and there are several competing standards (Apple uses one for iTunes, Microsoft another for Windows Media, Real another for their servers and music store) along with a multitude of others.
If Sun can get DReaM adopted by the Open Source movement, it might be an acceptable way forward (many people object to DRM as it limits what they can do with content they "own", however the media industry is never going to want to give their content away) and drive user support for DRM.
Sun open sourcing another technology (they've previously released Solaris as Open Solaris), well now there's the DReaM project.
DRM is extremely complicated and there are several competing standards (Apple uses one for iTunes, Microsoft another for Windows Media, Real another for their servers and music store) along with a multitude of others.
If Sun can get DReaM adopted by the Open Source movement, it might be an acceptable way forward (many people object to DRM as it limits what they can do with content they "own", however the media industry is never going to want to give their content away) and drive user support for DRM.
Vispa Internet Suffers DOS Attack
Vispa Internet Suffers DOS Attack
Stopping Denial of Service (DoS) or DDoS (Distributed DoS) attacks can be very difficult, especially for larger providers who have to check traffic at multiple entry points into their network and coordinate checks with other entry points to ensure that it really is a DoS attack, not just heavy traffic i.e. say there's a popular website (linked to a TV show) traffic may be negligable but when the show goes on air (or just after) traffic to the site increases by magnitudes. That can easily look like a DoS attack.
Once the DoS attack is detected, it can be even harder to stop as traffic will still be entering the network and even if it can be stopped at the edge (or upstream provider) the loading on the network boxes increases dramatically.
There are commercial systems out there which are designed specifically to monitor and sensibly block DoS attacks but they tend to be extremely expensive to implement. However many commercial sites who are prone to be the recipients are starting to demand DoS protection as part of their hosting services.
Stopping Denial of Service (DoS) or DDoS (Distributed DoS) attacks can be very difficult, especially for larger providers who have to check traffic at multiple entry points into their network and coordinate checks with other entry points to ensure that it really is a DoS attack, not just heavy traffic i.e. say there's a popular website (linked to a TV show) traffic may be negligable but when the show goes on air (or just after) traffic to the site increases by magnitudes. That can easily look like a DoS attack.
Once the DoS attack is detected, it can be even harder to stop as traffic will still be entering the network and even if it can be stopped at the edge (or upstream provider) the loading on the network boxes increases dramatically.
There are commercial systems out there which are designed specifically to monitor and sensibly block DoS attacks but they tend to be extremely expensive to implement. However many commercial sites who are prone to be the recipients are starting to demand DoS protection as part of their hosting services.
Cisco loosens grip on router market - vnunet.com
Cisco loosens grip on router market - vnunet.com
Cisco still dominates the core router market with a market share of around 78%, but Juniper have increased their share from 13% to 16%. It could be argued that Juniper make better equipment (in terms of technical features and performance), but they don't have the name Cisco which is their biggest problem (Juniper powered network just doesn't have the "clout" of Cisco powered network).
Cisco also have such a large footprint that they can leverage their installed base and channels for cross deals, so they can go to an infrastructure provider and get them to buy Cisco on the promise they pass infrastructure deals from Cisco customers to them. That makes a huge difference.
However when Huwai really hit the markets, both Cisco and Juniper will suffer.
Cisco still dominates the core router market with a market share of around 78%, but Juniper have increased their share from 13% to 16%. It could be argued that Juniper make better equipment (in terms of technical features and performance), but they don't have the name Cisco which is their biggest problem (Juniper powered network just doesn't have the "clout" of Cisco powered network).
Cisco also have such a large footprint that they can leverage their installed base and channels for cross deals, so they can go to an infrastructure provider and get them to buy Cisco on the promise they pass infrastructure deals from Cisco customers to them. That makes a huge difference.
However when Huwai really hit the markets, both Cisco and Juniper will suffer.
BBC NEWS | Business | Google $4bn share sale hits stock
BBC NEWS | Business | Google $4bn share sale hits stock
Google's share price fell slightly after it announced it was releasing shares to raise another $4bn.
It's likely they'll use the money to acquire companies in the international markets, though China companies are expected to be high on their list.
Google's going to be bigger than Microsoft soon, and their technology will be embedded in everyting from mobile phones/PDAs to the PC desktop and the first port of call for any Internet activity.
Google's share price fell slightly after it announced it was releasing shares to raise another $4bn.
It's likely they'll use the money to acquire companies in the international markets, though China companies are expected to be high on their list.
Google's going to be bigger than Microsoft soon, and their technology will be embedded in everyting from mobile phones/PDAs to the PC desktop and the first port of call for any Internet activity.
Net4Now :: v21 launch Telephone Service
Net4Now :: News Story
The ISP v21 has launched a FreeTalk service allowing customers to call each other for free and free local and national calls (not stated, but liley to be calls to 01/02/03) as well as cheap international calls.
The revenues for voice are decreasing by the day (i.e. approaching zero), will this force BT to offer unmetered calls when they launch their 21CN?
The ISP v21 has launched a FreeTalk service allowing customers to call each other for free and free local and national calls (not stated, but liley to be calls to 01/02/03) as well as cheap international calls.
The revenues for voice are decreasing by the day (i.e. approaching zero), will this force BT to offer unmetered calls when they launch their 21CN?
ADSLguide: BT SDSL roll-out enters a hold phase
ADSLguide: News Archive
BT is going to halt the roll-out of SDSL in Sept 2005, which means 93 exchanges wont be SDSL enabled this year. They might start rolling out again in 2006.
The take-up of SDSL has been slower than expected (probably due to BT's high pricing) and other technologies can offer better value for money especially in London such as leased lines or even LAN externsion services (LES) and of course there's competition from other LLU players.
Maybe BT will rethink their pricing (and Ofcom allowing) drop it to levels where it's a no brainer to utilise SDSL instead of another technologies.
BT is going to halt the roll-out of SDSL in Sept 2005, which means 93 exchanges wont be SDSL enabled this year. They might start rolling out again in 2006.
The take-up of SDSL has been slower than expected (probably due to BT's high pricing) and other technologies can offer better value for money especially in London such as leased lines or even LAN externsion services (LES) and of course there's competition from other LLU players.
Maybe BT will rethink their pricing (and Ofcom allowing) drop it to levels where it's a no brainer to utilise SDSL instead of another technologies.
Digit Online news - Sony launches 'jellybean' iPod Shuffle rival
Digit Online news - Sony launches 'jellybean' iPod Shuffle rival
Sony's new jellybean walkman is designed to attack the Apple iPod shuffle, but it's got advantages in having a single line OLED (organic light emitting diode) and the option of an FM radio. The 1GB version with radio costs about £100 and will be launched in October.
Apple's iPod is being attacked from all sides, they must have something coming out to knock out the competition again, unfortunately they are extremely tight-lipped about future products and wont discuss future product plans.
Sony's new jellybean walkman is designed to attack the Apple iPod shuffle, but it's got advantages in having a single line OLED (organic light emitting diode) and the option of an FM radio. The 1GB version with radio costs about £100 and will be launched in October.
Apple's iPod is being attacked from all sides, they must have something coming out to knock out the competition again, unfortunately they are extremely tight-lipped about future products and wont discuss future product plans.
Digit Online news - Microsoft demos RSS features in IE 7
Digit Online news - Microsoft demos RSS features in IE 7
Microsoft are catching up with Apple again. IE7 will feature an easy to use RSS subscription system (Apple's Safari browser already supports this). Unfortunately Apple only account for a small proportion of the market and IE's support of RSS will make it available to a much larger percentage of the population (IE accounts for over 80% of browsers in use today).
Maybe Apple's support of Intel will increase their market share, but it will take a while. MacOS X is a vast improvement over Windows XP, it will be interesting to see how Longhorn (now Vista compares) when it actually launches.
Microsoft are catching up with Apple again. IE7 will feature an easy to use RSS subscription system (Apple's Safari browser already supports this). Unfortunately Apple only account for a small proportion of the market and IE's support of RSS will make it available to a much larger percentage of the population (IE accounts for over 80% of browsers in use today).
Maybe Apple's support of Intel will increase their market share, but it will take a while. MacOS X is a vast improvement over Windows XP, it will be interesting to see how Longhorn (now Vista compares) when it actually launches.
Digit Online news - Canon launches 12.8mp SLR camera
Digit Online news - Canon launches 12.8mp SLR camera
Canon's new 12.8mp EOS5D has a full frame sensor (i.e. the same as a 35mm film camera) which means no adjustment on standard lenses (normally digital SLR camera users have to multiply the focal length by 1.6 so wider angle lenses lose their wide angle properties).
It can shoot at frames per second and store 60 images in internal memory before having to save to the external memory. It also features a 0.2s start-up time.
It also uses standard Canon EF lenses including the new 204-105mm lens announced at the same time as the camera.
Though a professional camera, it has pre-defined point and shoot modes so also fits the prosumer market.
It's not cheap at £2,159 for the body alone, but 12.8mp is approaching film, and electronic sensors generally have a better sensitivity range (i.e. iso setting) which allows them to be used in a greater range of light settings.
Since it uses the same DIGIC-II processor as in other cameras, these resolutions are bound to filter down to consumer variants very soon.
Canon's new 12.8mp EOS5D has a full frame sensor (i.e. the same as a 35mm film camera) which means no adjustment on standard lenses (normally digital SLR camera users have to multiply the focal length by 1.6 so wider angle lenses lose their wide angle properties).
It can shoot at frames per second and store 60 images in internal memory before having to save to the external memory. It also features a 0.2s start-up time.
It also uses standard Canon EF lenses including the new 204-105mm lens announced at the same time as the camera.
Though a professional camera, it has pre-defined point and shoot modes so also fits the prosumer market.
It's not cheap at £2,159 for the body alone, but 12.8mp is approaching film, and electronic sensors generally have a better sensitivity range (i.e. iso setting) which allows them to be used in a greater range of light settings.
Since it uses the same DIGIC-II processor as in other cameras, these resolutions are bound to filter down to consumer variants very soon.
2005/08/19
ISP�s Call For Greater LLU Focus
ISP�s Call For Greater LLU Focus
AOL doesn't want BT to lose focus on LLU (local loop unbundling) especially as Alison Ritchie has left BT (who headed up their broadband division).
All though BT have frozen ADSL pricing until 1.5m lines are unbundled, they are bound to be focussing on their 21CN efforts which could potentially scupper LLU efforts anyway as it's being rolled out to every exchange in the country and why use a competitor when BT's offering will be everywhere and they'll bundle all sorts of offerings with the basic line rental.
AOL doesn't want BT to lose focus on LLU (local loop unbundling) especially as Alison Ritchie has left BT (who headed up their broadband division).
All though BT have frozen ADSL pricing until 1.5m lines are unbundled, they are bound to be focussing on their 21CN efforts which could potentially scupper LLU efforts anyway as it's being rolled out to every exchange in the country and why use a competitor when BT's offering will be everywhere and they'll bundle all sorts of offerings with the basic line rental.
2005/08/18
San Francisco to get blanket Wi-Fi coverage? - Broadband & ISPs - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
San Francisco to get blanket Wi-Fi coverage? - Broadband & ISPs - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
It all sounds nice, blanket coverage of a city using WiFi, but it's not really been done before and WiFi was never designed for it. The 802.11 standards are really based on Ethernet (which is a wired protocol) and Ethernet relies on every station that's connected to a LAN (local area network) being able to "hear" the traffic on the LAN and detect whether collisions have occurred. In WiFi terms it's Ethernet mapped on to radio where as Ethernet uses CSMA/CD (carrier sense mulitple access/collision detect), 802.11 uses CSMA/CA (carrier sense mulitple access/collision avoidance). CSMA/CA requires that every node on the network is able to "see/hear" every other node.
This leads to hidden node problems which can cause network meltdowns and the bigger your WiFi network, the more chance you have of hidden nodes.
There's also the problem of mobile users who can act as hidden nodes and can moves between access points - requiring some kind of roaming protocol which 802.11 does not as yet support (though there are planned enhancements and proprietry solutions).
So though it's a good idea, the practicalities make it very complicated.
It all sounds nice, blanket coverage of a city using WiFi, but it's not really been done before and WiFi was never designed for it. The 802.11 standards are really based on Ethernet (which is a wired protocol) and Ethernet relies on every station that's connected to a LAN (local area network) being able to "hear" the traffic on the LAN and detect whether collisions have occurred. In WiFi terms it's Ethernet mapped on to radio where as Ethernet uses CSMA/CD (carrier sense mulitple access/collision detect), 802.11 uses CSMA/CA (carrier sense mulitple access/collision avoidance). CSMA/CA requires that every node on the network is able to "see/hear" every other node.
This leads to hidden node problems which can cause network meltdowns and the bigger your WiFi network, the more chance you have of hidden nodes.
There's also the problem of mobile users who can act as hidden nodes and can moves between access points - requiring some kind of roaming protocol which 802.11 does not as yet support (though there are planned enhancements and proprietry solutions).
So though it's a good idea, the practicalities make it very complicated.
Digit Online news - LaCie unveils 2TB hard drives
Digit Online news - LaCie unveils 2TB hard drives
The units support Firewire 400 and 800 and USB 2.0. Each drive can operate at 88Mb/s with a combined speed of up to 800Mb/s per bus. The units support between 160GB to 2TB and cost between US$179 to US$2299. So for 2TB that's about £1400 which works out about £0.7 per GB.
The price of storage is dropping rapidly putting multi-terrabyte arrays into consumer land i.e. into the home.
The units support Firewire 400 and 800 and USB 2.0. Each drive can operate at 88Mb/s with a combined speed of up to 800Mb/s per bus. The units support between 160GB to 2TB and cost between US$179 to US$2299. So for 2TB that's about £1400 which works out about £0.7 per GB.
The price of storage is dropping rapidly putting multi-terrabyte arrays into consumer land i.e. into the home.
Digit Online news - Apple update breaks 64-bit apps
Digit Online news - Apple update breaks 64-bit apps
Bit of a mistake there for Apple, though it has released a 2nd version of the update that now does work with 64bit apps and users should update (using system update).
Bit of a mistake there for Apple, though it has released a 2nd version of the update that now does work with 64bit apps and users should update (using system update).
Bloomberg.com: U.K. Energis prefer C&W to THUS
Bloomberg.com: U.K.
It seems THUS really did have a need for an M&A department. THUS bid £600m in cash and £200m in THUS shares. C&W's bid was undisclosed but they have cash in the bank.
If THUS had bought Energis, they'd have to have loaned the money, so paying off Energis loans with THUS loans, though the combined company would have been a potentially big threat to C&W. Now that Energis are going with C&W they'll get swallowed up.
It seems THUS really did have a need for an M&A department. THUS bid £600m in cash and £200m in THUS shares. C&W's bid was undisclosed but they have cash in the bank.
If THUS had bought Energis, they'd have to have loaned the money, so paying off Energis loans with THUS loans, though the combined company would have been a potentially big threat to C&W. Now that Energis are going with C&W they'll get swallowed up.
2005/08/12
Deadline set for C&W's Energis take-over | The Register
Deadline set for C&W's Energis take-over | The Register
C&W has put in an offer to buy Energis with a catch, it's only valid until Monday.
If they get 75% of shareholder agreement, then it's a done deal otherwise it dies. Two banks aren't happy and could kill it, but since Energis are losing most of the Wanadoo revenue, it may be a pre-fire sale.
C&W has put in an offer to buy Energis with a catch, it's only valid until Monday.
If they get 75% of shareholder agreement, then it's a done deal otherwise it dies. Two banks aren't happy and could kill it, but since Energis are losing most of the Wanadoo revenue, it may be a pre-fire sale.
2005/08/11
Digital speed cameras could be illegal
Digital speed cameras could be illegal
A court in Sidney heard that the Roads and Traffic Authority could not prove the authenticity of the pictures. Though they are signed using a digital signature, it's based on an MD5 hash, which has known flaws.
In the UK deplayments of speed cameras has been suspended since July. Full reasons haven't been given, but there is speculation that since they're meant to reduce accidents not just generate revenue and people tend to break to below the speed limit that in a lot of instances accidents actually increase.
A court in Sidney heard that the Roads and Traffic Authority could not prove the authenticity of the pictures. Though they are signed using a digital signature, it's based on an MD5 hash, which has known flaws.
In the UK deplayments of speed cameras has been suspended since July. Full reasons haven't been given, but there is speculation that since they're meant to reduce accidents not just generate revenue and people tend to break to below the speed limit that in a lot of instances accidents actually increase.
Google beats Microsoft�s top geeks
Google beats Microsoft�s top geeks
Google beating Microsoft, a vision into the future when Google's empire is bigger than MS's. Though MS are into many things, they main thrust is in the desktop and applications. Google works with MS and any other OS and is user agnostic, they just track what the user is doing.
Google is going to permeate into everything with their search technology getting into handlhelds, with location based services linked into Google maps etc.
MS beware.
Google beating Microsoft, a vision into the future when Google's empire is bigger than MS's. Though MS are into many things, they main thrust is in the desktop and applications. Google works with MS and any other OS and is user agnostic, they just track what the user is doing.
Google is going to permeate into everything with their search technology getting into handlhelds, with location based services linked into Google maps etc.
MS beware.
Rockstar throws cold water on 'Hot Coffee' | Tech News on ZDNet
Rockstar throws cold water on 'Hot Coffee' | Tech News on ZDNet
The PC version of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) seems to have had scenes of an adult nature hidden in it by Rockstar Games programmers (they aren't meant to be in console versions). There's a "Hot Coffee" patch on the Internet which makes them available to players.
Now Rockstar have released a patch which removes or at least blocks the content, even if the hot coffee patch is applied.
GTA has been hit badly by the original news as it's rating was changed from mature to adult and several retailers took it off shelves.
Other companies are now likely to be delving into their code to ensure no inappropriate content has been inadvertently left in.
The PC version of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) seems to have had scenes of an adult nature hidden in it by Rockstar Games programmers (they aren't meant to be in console versions). There's a "Hot Coffee" patch on the Internet which makes them available to players.
Now Rockstar have released a patch which removes or at least blocks the content, even if the hot coffee patch is applied.
GTA has been hit badly by the original news as it's rating was changed from mature to adult and several retailers took it off shelves.
Other companies are now likely to be delving into their code to ensure no inappropriate content has been inadvertently left in.
Net4Now :: ISP pays customers to stay
Net4Now :: News Story
Seriously Internet has introduced a scheme where customers get paid for staying with them, but only if they stay for 36 months and only £20. With the decreasing price of broadband that really isn't much of an incentive.
There's also the penalty of moving which is £60 if the customer moves in month 0 - 6, £40 in months 6 - 12, £20 months 12 - 18 and nothing if they move in months 18 - 24.
More of a gimmick to get their name in the press and poeple writing about it, seems to work :)
Seriously Internet has introduced a scheme where customers get paid for staying with them, but only if they stay for 36 months and only £20. With the decreasing price of broadband that really isn't much of an incentive.
There's also the penalty of moving which is £60 if the customer moves in month 0 - 6, £40 in months 6 - 12, £20 months 12 - 18 and nothing if they move in months 18 - 24.
More of a gimmick to get their name in the press and poeple writing about it, seems to work :)
Digit Online news - Sony sues firm over UK PSP sales
Digit Online news - Sony sues firm over UK PSP sales
Sony (Computer Entertainment International or SCEI) has been going for importers of PSPs, Nuplayer in the UK recently lost a high court battle to sell imported PSPs. Now Sony is going after a Hong Kong firm (who run the Lik-Sang.com site) who sell PSPs to the UK and rest of Europe. Though they are fighting the case and will continue to sell PSPs in the meantime, Sony has won the cases so far.
Japanese PSPs use a Sharp manufactured display which is brighter and sharper (sic) than the Samsung one that is used by US PSPs and will be on the UK versions. Japanese PSPs are also Region 2 (as in DVD region encoding) which is the same as the UK so Japanese games and videos on UMDs should always work in UK models (and vice versa) if Sony do implement region coding.
Sony (Computer Entertainment International or SCEI) has been going for importers of PSPs, Nuplayer in the UK recently lost a high court battle to sell imported PSPs. Now Sony is going after a Hong Kong firm (who run the Lik-Sang.com site) who sell PSPs to the UK and rest of Europe. Though they are fighting the case and will continue to sell PSPs in the meantime, Sony has won the cases so far.
Japanese PSPs use a Sharp manufactured display which is brighter and sharper (sic) than the Samsung one that is used by US PSPs and will be on the UK versions. Japanese PSPs are also Region 2 (as in DVD region encoding) which is the same as the UK so Japanese games and videos on UMDs should always work in UK models (and vice versa) if Sony do implement region coding.
2005/08/10
Macworld: News: Microsoft Messenger 5.0 for Mac released
Macworld: News: Microsoft Messenger 5.0 for Mac released
MSN Messenger for Mac always seems to be lagging behind MSN for Windows suprising given Office for Mac is generally now a step ahead of Office for Windows. Though mainly geared at enterprise users with support for Live Communications Server 2005 there are improvements for consumers too.
MSN Messenger for Mac always seems to be lagging behind MSN for Windows suprising given Office for Mac is generally now a step ahead of Office for Windows. Though mainly geared at enterprise users with support for Live Communications Server 2005 there are improvements for consumers too.
M$ shunned by British ISPs | The Register
M$ shunned by British ISPs | The Register
Microsoft are a content provide, though their content is software. A lot of people access Microsoft's sites. Joining LINX doesn't mean anybody actually transferring any packets with MS as LINX is completely neutral and generally allows anyone to join (as in connect to a LINX comms port). Anybody connecting to LINX becomes a LINX member.
Once the connection is in place, it's up to MS and others to agree to peering which is where they agree to allow traffic between their networks.
If LINX members don't let Microsoft join purely for political reasons it will actually be a sad day as they are then excerting some form of "censorship" which goes against what a neutral peering point should be.
Microsoft are a content provide, though their content is software. A lot of people access Microsoft's sites. Joining LINX doesn't mean anybody actually transferring any packets with MS as LINX is completely neutral and generally allows anyone to join (as in connect to a LINX comms port). Anybody connecting to LINX becomes a LINX member.
Once the connection is in place, it's up to MS and others to agree to peering which is where they agree to allow traffic between their networks.
If LINX members don't let Microsoft join purely for political reasons it will actually be a sad day as they are then excerting some form of "censorship" which goes against what a neutral peering point should be.
PlusNet Warns Heavy ADSL Users
PlusNet Warns Heavy ADSL Users
Though companies are offering 2Mb/s ADSL services and several with no usage caps, they really hope customers wont actually utilise the service to its full capacity. Margins are very low with ADSL and transit costs (i.e. costs to get off the ISP network) can escalate hugely if there are lots of high usage customers.
PlusNet are telling their customers they'll monitor their bandwidth for the next month (or more) and if usage goes above 50GB/month (avergaged upstream and downstream) then they'll be capped by contending them (which probably means moving all high usage customers to a different bit of the network). The other alternative is to leave the service (and PlusNet wont require the contract term to be completed) which is probably their preferrable option as it just moves the problem to another ISP.
Though companies are offering 2Mb/s ADSL services and several with no usage caps, they really hope customers wont actually utilise the service to its full capacity. Margins are very low with ADSL and transit costs (i.e. costs to get off the ISP network) can escalate hugely if there are lots of high usage customers.
PlusNet are telling their customers they'll monitor their bandwidth for the next month (or more) and if usage goes above 50GB/month (avergaged upstream and downstream) then they'll be capped by contending them (which probably means moving all high usage customers to a different bit of the network). The other alternative is to leave the service (and PlusNet wont require the contract term to be completed) which is probably their preferrable option as it just moves the problem to another ISP.
Wiretaps For VoIP
Wiretaps For VoIP:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expanding the reach of U.S. wiretapping laws to wireline broadband providers and Internet telephone companies.
In an order issued Friday, the FCC gave the providers 18 months to comply with the network wiretap accessibility rules of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA).
This could be a big problem as wiretapping VoIP can be hard if the calls stay VoIP all the way through the network. As soon as they hit the normal telephone network (i.e. PSTN) it's covered by standard wiretap protocols.
How this is going to affect players like Skype who operate in the US is as yet unknown.
Since the FCC have gone this route, it's likely Ofcom will follow suite and the UK will adopt a similar regime.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expanding the reach of U.S. wiretapping laws to wireline broadband providers and Internet telephone companies.
In an order issued Friday, the FCC gave the providers 18 months to comply with the network wiretap accessibility rules of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA).
This could be a big problem as wiretapping VoIP can be hard if the calls stay VoIP all the way through the network. As soon as they hit the normal telephone network (i.e. PSTN) it's covered by standard wiretap protocols.
How this is going to affect players like Skype who operate in the US is as yet unknown.
Since the FCC have gone this route, it's likely Ofcom will follow suite and the UK will adopt a similar regime.
Macromedia drops FreeHand from bundle | CNET News.com
Macromedia drops FreeHand from bundle | CNET News.com
MAcromedia has dropped Freehand from their Studio 8 bundle, not really a suprise since Adobe acquired them and their Illustrator product is generally the preferred product anyway.
What will be next to go Fireworks replaced by Photoshop? When Adobe really get everything under their wing it'll probably be Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Dreamweaver and maybe Contribute, the latter two being the only 2 Macromedia products that have major intrindic value and are better than their Adobe counterparts.
MAcromedia has dropped Freehand from their Studio 8 bundle, not really a suprise since Adobe acquired them and their Illustrator product is generally the preferred product anyway.
What will be next to go Fireworks replaced by Photoshop? When Adobe really get everything under their wing it'll probably be Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Dreamweaver and maybe Contribute, the latter two being the only 2 Macromedia products that have major intrindic value and are better than their Adobe counterparts.
2005/08/09
NTL to offer 10Mbps broadband as standard - Network IT Week
NTL to offer 10Mbps broadband as standard - Network IT Week
Though pricing hasn't been announced, what this actually means is a move from bandwidth based pricing to usage based pricing. Everyone gets 10Mb/s (eventually). Current 3Mb/s users will be first to be migtrated and will have an allowance of 75GB per month (up from 30GB).
Usage based billing makes sense for low users, but can rapidly escalate out of control for customers who move a lot of data around (espeicially in the p2p world), it also makes sense for NTL as bandwidth really isn't the issue but how much transit they have to purchase from elsewhere, which will also be usage based.
Though pricing hasn't been announced, what this actually means is a move from bandwidth based pricing to usage based pricing. Everyone gets 10Mb/s (eventually). Current 3Mb/s users will be first to be migtrated and will have an allowance of 75GB per month (up from 30GB).
Usage based billing makes sense for low users, but can rapidly escalate out of control for customers who move a lot of data around (espeicially in the p2p world), it also makes sense for NTL as bandwidth really isn't the issue but how much transit they have to purchase from elsewhere, which will also be usage based.
OneTel cuts off BT broadband - Network IT Week
OneTel cuts off BT broadband - Network IT Week
The article implies OneTel is transferring all its broadband customers on to Easynet's LLU offering. Unfortunately this is wishfull thinking as Easynet only cover about 2 - 300 exchanges (while BT cover several thousand). So OneTel will be migrating those customers that happen to be on an Easynet unbundled exchange.
It wont be plain sailing either as mass migrations are currently problematic as there are still major process issues with BT's systems.
Easynet are trying to make a big push into the wholesale broadband market, but there are still major hurdles to overcome. OneTel must be feeling quite brave to have been one of their first customers to take the plunge.
Easynet are currently offering speeds up to 8Mb/s, however their kit is (vendor financed by Marconi) is relatively featureless compared to other vendors and this may bite them in the future if service providers wish to offer triple-play solutions utilising Easynet's infrastructure.
Though Easynet may be looking at ADSL2+ support speeds of up to 24Mb/s, it's not quite legal yet as the Access Network Frequency Plan (ANFP) needs to be modified to support it.
The article implies OneTel is transferring all its broadband customers on to Easynet's LLU offering. Unfortunately this is wishfull thinking as Easynet only cover about 2 - 300 exchanges (while BT cover several thousand). So OneTel will be migrating those customers that happen to be on an Easynet unbundled exchange.
It wont be plain sailing either as mass migrations are currently problematic as there are still major process issues with BT's systems.
Easynet are trying to make a big push into the wholesale broadband market, but there are still major hurdles to overcome. OneTel must be feeling quite brave to have been one of their first customers to take the plunge.
Easynet are currently offering speeds up to 8Mb/s, however their kit is (vendor financed by Marconi) is relatively featureless compared to other vendors and this may bite them in the future if service providers wish to offer triple-play solutions utilising Easynet's infrastructure.
Though Easynet may be looking at ADSL2+ support speeds of up to 24Mb/s, it's not quite legal yet as the Access Network Frequency Plan (ANFP) needs to be modified to support it.
Technology News: Business : News Corp. Reportedly Had Takeover Talks With Skype
Technology News: Business : News Corp. Reportedly Had Takeover Talks With Skype
Would Skype make a good acquistion for News Corp? What wouldn't make a good acquisition for News Corp is more to the point. News Corp want consumers, they're moving into the Internet space rapidly and have ploughed money into various net ventures. It's estimated that they were going to spend $3bn. Skype has little revenue (though customers are purchasing add-ons such as SkypeIn/Out and Voicemail), but it's the 47m users that must attract News Corp.
Though talks have broken down, it's likely Skype will find a buyer.
Would Skype make a good acquistion for News Corp? What wouldn't make a good acquisition for News Corp is more to the point. News Corp want consumers, they're moving into the Internet space rapidly and have ploughed money into various net ventures. It's estimated that they were going to spend $3bn. Skype has little revenue (though customers are purchasing add-ons such as SkypeIn/Out and Voicemail), but it's the 47m users that must attract News Corp.
Though talks have broken down, it's likely Skype will find a buyer.
FT.com / By industry / Telecoms - Marconi lifted by news of takeover talks
FT.com / By industry / Telecoms - Marconi lifted by news of takeover talks
Marconi are in trouble which is well known and it's inevitable that they're looking for a buyer.
Though Huawei claim it's speculation, they would make a good fit with Marconi. They already sell each other's products and Marconi have a large maintenance group which Huawei could utilise to support their 21CN activities and other markets when they decide to aggressively attack them.
Marconi are in trouble which is well known and it's inevitable that they're looking for a buyer.
Though Huawei claim it's speculation, they would make a good fit with Marconi. They already sell each other's products and Marconi have a large maintenance group which Huawei could utilise to support their 21CN activities and other markets when they decide to aggressively attack them.
2005/08/05
Zen Vision From Creative Squares Up To Apple's iPod - Digital-Lifestyles.info
Zen Vision From Creative Squares Up To Apple's iPod - Digital-Lifestyles.info
Zen have launched another attack on the iPod, though maybe due to its size it's really an attack on the PSP which has the same media functionality (though no hard disk).
Creative seem to have got it right in terms of looks and even price though it's size might let it down.
We'll just have to wait and see what Apple have up their sleeves and what device they come out with (vPod?) which knocks the spots of the competition for a while.
Zen have launched another attack on the iPod, though maybe due to its size it's really an attack on the PSP which has the same media functionality (though no hard disk).
Creative seem to have got it right in terms of looks and even price though it's size might let it down.
We'll just have to wait and see what Apple have up their sleeves and what device they come out with (vPod?) which knocks the spots of the competition for a while.
Ofcom cracks down on phone bandits - vnunet.com
Ofcom cracks down on phone bandits - vnunet.com
Until recently it was easy for anyone to go to a telecoms provider, buy a PRS (premium rate service) i.e. 09 number and then run a service whereby they could generate very large revenues very quickly (it's possible to earn £5 per minute, or have drop charges whereby they get a sum just for calling the number even if you hang up immediately). Many telecoms providers weren't too fussy and would just pay the service a cut of the revenue and they could just take the money and run and find another telco to run the service again (generally under a different name).
Now telcos have to hold payment for 30 days giving Ofcom and ICSTIS (the PRS industry body) the chance to investigate scams and irregular services while they're going on with a much greater chance of catching the culprits. If they cant get paid, it's not worth them trying to scam people.
Until recently it was easy for anyone to go to a telecoms provider, buy a PRS (premium rate service) i.e. 09 number and then run a service whereby they could generate very large revenues very quickly (it's possible to earn £5 per minute, or have drop charges whereby they get a sum just for calling the number even if you hang up immediately). Many telecoms providers weren't too fussy and would just pay the service a cut of the revenue and they could just take the money and run and find another telco to run the service again (generally under a different name).
Now telcos have to hold payment for 30 days giving Ofcom and ICSTIS (the PRS industry body) the chance to investigate scams and irregular services while they're going on with a much greater chance of catching the culprits. If they cant get paid, it's not worth them trying to scam people.
AOL snaps up storage firm | The Register
AOL snaps up storage firm | The Register
Yahoo bought Flickr, now AOL buy Xdrive. The remote storage business seems to be the industry to be in.
With everything going digital (music, cameras etc) people want to be able to store and share their content and remote storage is a good way to do it. Google started the trend (though for Email) with their Google mail service allowing 1GB per customer.
Xdrive has been going for quite a while as a remote storage solution will it now change with AOL's influence to be more like the other services.
Apple of course have been doing this all along with their .Mac service, though catering for Mac users there is an XP set of drivers for it, unfortunately it's not free. It's probably one of the more integrated storage systems out there (for Mac users) and works with their iLife products supporting photo uploads, remote syncing, file storage, web space, Email etc.
Yahoo bought Flickr, now AOL buy Xdrive. The remote storage business seems to be the industry to be in.
With everything going digital (music, cameras etc) people want to be able to store and share their content and remote storage is a good way to do it. Google started the trend (though for Email) with their Google mail service allowing 1GB per customer.
Xdrive has been going for quite a while as a remote storage solution will it now change with AOL's influence to be more like the other services.
Apple of course have been doing this all along with their .Mac service, though catering for Mac users there is an XP set of drivers for it, unfortunately it's not free. It's probably one of the more integrated storage systems out there (for Mac users) and works with their iLife products supporting photo uploads, remote syncing, file storage, web space, Email etc.
BBC NEWS | Technology | Net providers loosen ties with BT
BBC NEWS | Technology | Net providers loosen ties with BT
Moving to LLU is still a double edged sword. There are still issues with migrating from BT to LLU operators and potential problems with faults (i.e. who is responsible for the fault, BT or the LLU operator).
There's also the problem that Ofcom have agreed with BT to keep wholesale prices fixed until there are 1.5m unbundled lines. At the moment LLU accounts for around 1% or all broadband, which means the majority of existing customers are on BT lines (via BT Wholesale) so BT resellers can cut pricing, but they're cutting into already very thin margins.
Wanadoo are trialling a service in Leeds, based on Alcatel and other vendors equipment and then plan to go into at least 200 exchanges (though they are rumoured to have plans to go into 1000). Even if they go into 1000 it's still less than 1/5 of the total number of exchanges in the UK, but that'll cover a reasonable amount of the UK population.
This still leaves the issues of the LLU operators going into the same exchanges (or at least some of them) while they could share infrastructure and go into a far greater number and compete with BT's 21CN.
Moving to LLU is still a double edged sword. There are still issues with migrating from BT to LLU operators and potential problems with faults (i.e. who is responsible for the fault, BT or the LLU operator).
There's also the problem that Ofcom have agreed with BT to keep wholesale prices fixed until there are 1.5m unbundled lines. At the moment LLU accounts for around 1% or all broadband, which means the majority of existing customers are on BT lines (via BT Wholesale) so BT resellers can cut pricing, but they're cutting into already very thin margins.
Wanadoo are trialling a service in Leeds, based on Alcatel and other vendors equipment and then plan to go into at least 200 exchanges (though they are rumoured to have plans to go into 1000). Even if they go into 1000 it's still less than 1/5 of the total number of exchanges in the UK, but that'll cover a reasonable amount of the UK population.
This still leaves the issues of the LLU operators going into the same exchanges (or at least some of them) while they could share infrastructure and go into a far greater number and compete with BT's 21CN.
2005/07/28
BBC NEWS | Technology | Wireless hijacking under scrutiny
BBC NEWS | Technology | Wireless hijacking under scrutiny
Probably the interesting part of this is that the party was charged under the Communications Act for dishonestly using an Electronic Communications Service. He could have been charged under the Computer Misuse Act for not having express permission to utilise resources of a remote computer (that would work just for the Access Point let alone any other kit along the way) and possibly for breaking the RIP (Regulation of Investigatory Powers) Act as by decoding WiFi beacon packets that you're not meant to (though that's hitting grey areas as beacon packets are what identify a WiFi network and most systems will list them automatically, but maybe if you join the network then you can be charged).
Unfortunately too many people run insecure networks without any protection turned on, or the defaults as the WiFi unit comes in the box. People need to change passwords, SSIDs (and if possible hide them) and turn on at least WEP and if possible WPA or something with strong encryption.
It's likely this may provoke further arrests and convictions.
Probably the interesting part of this is that the party was charged under the Communications Act for dishonestly using an Electronic Communications Service. He could have been charged under the Computer Misuse Act for not having express permission to utilise resources of a remote computer (that would work just for the Access Point let alone any other kit along the way) and possibly for breaking the RIP (Regulation of Investigatory Powers) Act as by decoding WiFi beacon packets that you're not meant to (though that's hitting grey areas as beacon packets are what identify a WiFi network and most systems will list them automatically, but maybe if you join the network then you can be charged).
Unfortunately too many people run insecure networks without any protection turned on, or the defaults as the WiFi unit comes in the box. People need to change passwords, SSIDs (and if possible hide them) and turn on at least WEP and if possible WPA or something with strong encryption.
It's likely this may provoke further arrests and convictions.
Ofcom Website | Award of available spectrum: 1781.7-1785 MHz paired with 1876.7-1880 MHz
Ofcom Website | Award of available spectrum: 1781.7-1785 MHz paired with 1876.7-1880 MHz
This covers two sections of spectrum (known as the GSM guard bands) and it seems Ofcom have wimped out, initially it looked like they might offer the spectrum on a license exempt basis but they've gone for the auction approach.
There will be between 5 and 10 national licenses (depending on how the bidding goes, and the consultation now in operation) with a reserve price of £50,000. Licensees will have to cooperate in terms of interfering with each other (there will be no protection against other licensees) but what a licensee does with the spectrum is up to them. There are limitations in terms of power (23 dB per carrier with a GSM mask).
It's likely that the existing GSM operators will bid, so that realistically only leaves between 1 and 6 licenses available to other parties, but since they're sealed bids, they could go to anyone. Ofcom will try to ensure there is no unfair bidding or collusion between bidders. Unfortunately £50,000+ puts bidding in the realm of larger players and smaller operations are likely to be scared away. Spectrum trading will be allowed, but only for reselling the license in total.
The technology is suitable for operating in-buiding (or localised) pico cells, but could be used for other purposes such as wireless broadband etc.
There will be possible interference in areas by the MoD, but licensees will have to live with it.
It's a shame Ofcom didn't make the bands license exempt (with strict licensing in terms of the radio parts i.e. specifying GSM only type equipment) as that would have allowed organisations to install their own GSM pico cells in their own buildings using kit from vendors such as IP.Access who make a self-contained pico cell for about £2,000 (there would be other GSM equipment required, but this could have been a shared resource).
This covers two sections of spectrum (known as the GSM guard bands) and it seems Ofcom have wimped out, initially it looked like they might offer the spectrum on a license exempt basis but they've gone for the auction approach.
There will be between 5 and 10 national licenses (depending on how the bidding goes, and the consultation now in operation) with a reserve price of £50,000. Licensees will have to cooperate in terms of interfering with each other (there will be no protection against other licensees) but what a licensee does with the spectrum is up to them. There are limitations in terms of power (23 dB per carrier with a GSM mask).
It's likely that the existing GSM operators will bid, so that realistically only leaves between 1 and 6 licenses available to other parties, but since they're sealed bids, they could go to anyone. Ofcom will try to ensure there is no unfair bidding or collusion between bidders. Unfortunately £50,000+ puts bidding in the realm of larger players and smaller operations are likely to be scared away. Spectrum trading will be allowed, but only for reselling the license in total.
The technology is suitable for operating in-buiding (or localised) pico cells, but could be used for other purposes such as wireless broadband etc.
There will be possible interference in areas by the MoD, but licensees will have to live with it.
It's a shame Ofcom didn't make the bands license exempt (with strict licensing in terms of the radio parts i.e. specifying GSM only type equipment) as that would have allowed organisations to install their own GSM pico cells in their own buildings using kit from vendors such as IP.Access who make a self-contained pico cell for about £2,000 (there would be other GSM equipment required, but this could have been a shared resource).
2005/07/27
57% of businesses apprehensive about adopting VoIP
Net4Now :: News Story
Switchvox are recommending that users find a reliable VoIP provider, know your bandwidth capabilities, get a static IP from your ISP, investigate QoS, get the right kit.
They recommend at least 100Kb/s for every call. Considering broadband in the UK is only 256Kb/s and contended - that doesn't look good.
Businesses should really look for SDSL or VoIP provided as a by product of another connectivity option such as LES (LAN Extension Services) or high bandwidth IP leased lines.
Until BT guarantee QoS on ADSL it's a losing battle.
Switchvox are recommending that users find a reliable VoIP provider, know your bandwidth capabilities, get a static IP from your ISP, investigate QoS, get the right kit.
They recommend at least 100Kb/s for every call. Considering broadband in the UK is only 256Kb/s and contended - that doesn't look good.
Businesses should really look for SDSL or VoIP provided as a by product of another connectivity option such as LES (LAN Extension Services) or high bandwidth IP leased lines.
Until BT guarantee QoS on ADSL it's a losing battle.
Child porn: ISP regulations set for Commons debate - Government & Law - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
Child porn: ISP regulations set for Commons debate - Government & Law - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
A labour MP want ISPs to declare whether they have taken steps to stop child porn.
Unfortunately as soon as child porn is mentioned everyone has "a moral obligation" to agree with the policy however dumb or look to be a supported of child porn.
This is one step down the road to censorship, not all ISPs can filter web traffic (if any traffic) and this would add huge costs, who should foot the bill?
There are already processes in place with organisations such as IWF and these generally work.
A labour MP want ISPs to declare whether they have taken steps to stop child porn.
Unfortunately as soon as child porn is mentioned everyone has "a moral obligation" to agree with the policy however dumb or look to be a supported of child porn.
This is one step down the road to censorship, not all ISPs can filter web traffic (if any traffic) and this would add huge costs, who should foot the bill?
There are already processes in place with organisations such as IWF and these generally work.
Ofcom Website | Notice of Ofcom�s proposal to make regulations to inspect and restrict the use of certain Wireless Telegraphy licence exempt apparatus
Ofcom Website | Notice of Ofcom�s proposal to make regulations to inspect and restrict the use of certain Wireless Telegraphy licence exempt apparatus
Err, Ofcom want to change the legal bits on how the can inspect and restrict usage of kit that is license exempt.
Try reading the page, it's not easy. But maybe that's just because it's late.
Err, Ofcom want to change the legal bits on how the can inspect and restrict usage of kit that is license exempt.
Try reading the page, it's not easy. But maybe that's just because it's late.
2005/07/22
Net4Now :: News Story
Net4Now :: News Story
Be giving a free router, not really that exciting news. It makes sense for an ISP to supply a known product as that simplifies support problems. Most customer issues are connecting up to the service.
Also the Speedtouch supports ADSL2+ (which is what Be will be using), WiFi and to analogue voice ports which will allow them to offer a VoIP service.
Be giving a free router, not really that exciting news. It makes sense for an ISP to supply a known product as that simplifies support problems. Most customer issues are connecting up to the service.
Also the Speedtouch supports ADSL2+ (which is what Be will be using), WiFi and to analogue voice ports which will allow them to offer a VoIP service.
2005/07/20
Google Earth - now Google Moon
Google have been fantastic things with first maps.google.com, then Google Earth (from Keyhole who they bought), now there's moon.google.com, which by default shows the landing sites of the Apollo missions (as pin-points) and you can zoom into them and move around.
No strange black monolith visible anywhere, but zoom in as close as you can ...
No strange black monolith visible anywhere, but zoom in as close as you can ...
4GB mobile phone just around the corner - ZDNet UK News
4GB mobile phone just around the corner - ZDNet UK News
Cornice has launched a 2.5cm (1") 4.0GB that costs about £37 (in 10,000 unit quantities).
This is a pretty good size in terms of storage and saize to fit in lots of mobile devices, including phones, MP3 players and GPS devices. Normally hard drives are pretty fragile and not good for being banged around, but Cornice have added Crash Guard II which includes Active Latch and Drop Safe to ensure they should survive normal use.
Cornice has launched a 2.5cm (1") 4.0GB that costs about £37 (in 10,000 unit quantities).
This is a pretty good size in terms of storage and saize to fit in lots of mobile devices, including phones, MP3 players and GPS devices. Normally hard drives are pretty fragile and not good for being banged around, but Cornice have added Crash Guard II which includes Active Latch and Drop Safe to ensure they should survive normal use.
BBC NEWS | Technology | UK prefers broadband to dial-up
BBC NEWS | Technology | UK prefers broadband to dial-up
50.7% of UK net users are on broadband. This is good news and shows that broadband is becoming commodity and pricing will continue to fall. New services will be launched based on ADSL2+ which will allow triple-play offerings.
However Ofcom are playing a balancing act, encourage LLU take-up by forcing BT to maintain wholesale DSL pricing until there are 1.5m unbundled lines, while BT (Wholesale) are the largest provider of broadband with 5.5m+ users.
So though Ofcom is allowing LLU to grow, BT are being restrained on what they can do with current customers i.e. the vast majority.
There is a second factor to this. It will take until the middle to end of 2006 before there are 1.5m unbundled lines, which gives BT a chance to roll-out 21CN, then massively change their wholesale pricing - which has the potential to put all the LLU operators out of business (or make them severely struggle) overnight.
50.7% of UK net users are on broadband. This is good news and shows that broadband is becoming commodity and pricing will continue to fall. New services will be launched based on ADSL2+ which will allow triple-play offerings.
However Ofcom are playing a balancing act, encourage LLU take-up by forcing BT to maintain wholesale DSL pricing until there are 1.5m unbundled lines, while BT (Wholesale) are the largest provider of broadband with 5.5m+ users.
So though Ofcom is allowing LLU to grow, BT are being restrained on what they can do with current customers i.e. the vast majority.
There is a second factor to this. It will take until the middle to end of 2006 before there are 1.5m unbundled lines, which gives BT a chance to roll-out 21CN, then massively change their wholesale pricing - which has the potential to put all the LLU operators out of business (or make them severely struggle) overnight.
More THUS rumours
The ADSL T&C's have changed where references to THUS/Demon have changed to "The Company" ...
More indications that THUS is going to sell off Demon or the broadband base?
More indications that THUS is going to sell off Demon or the broadband base?
2005/07/19
BBC NEWS | Business | News Corp in $580m internet buy
BBC NEWS | Business | News Corp in $580m internet buy
News Corp has purchased Intermix Media who own Myspace.com which is the fifth most-viewed internet domain in the US, and other sites for $580m.
This will be used to drive traffic to other News Corp sites (Fox TV sites). Tis initially seems to be to drive advertising revenue which is seeing big increases in the on-line world, while traditional media are losing out.
It looks a reasonable course of action, with News Corp owning large chunks of newspaper, television and now Internet advertising space.
News Corp has purchased Intermix Media who own Myspace.com which is the fifth most-viewed internet domain in the US, and other sites for $580m.
This will be used to drive traffic to other News Corp sites (Fox TV sites). Tis initially seems to be to drive advertising revenue which is seeing big increases in the on-line world, while traditional media are losing out.
It looks a reasonable course of action, with News Corp owning large chunks of newspaper, television and now Internet advertising space.
THUS gossip
It looks like THUS have sold a group with the operations side of the company which looked after some of the Internet systems to ComputaCenter and then outsourced to them.
It's also rumoured they've set-up an M&A group, who could possibly be looking for acquisitions. Last time they set-up a similar group they sold their Interactive division, so maybe they're grooming the company for a sale?
Only time will tell.
It's also rumoured they've set-up an M&A group, who could possibly be looking for acquisitions. Last time they set-up a similar group they sold their Interactive division, so maybe they're grooming the company for a sale?
Only time will tell.
Vodafone takes the fight to VoIP | The Register
Vodafone takes the fight to VoIP | The Register
Vodafone is going to launch a low cost 3G voice service "@Home", initially in Germany under the "ZuHause" name. This will be a flat rate service (up to 1,000 minutes per month) for local and national dialing (so flat rate unless you're a very heavy user!!!), mobile and international calls are on top of this (and only in your "home" cell).
They have already launched a 3G data service which again is limited to the home cell, but is flat rate for 5GB/month (and more if you go above or outside your home cell).
There is an overhead for delivering packet voice though. The GSM codec uses about 13Kb/s to digitise voice and over a traditional circuit switched network which is synchronous that's all it takes. Moving to packet occurs an additional overhead of about 20% so round up to 20Kb/s, however since the network is probably not synchronous it can actually take it up to 40+Kb/s (20Kb/s each way).
VoIP will eventually take-over, but the fixed and wireless operators will do their best to try and stem the flood and keep revenues flowing on their voice networks.
Vodafone is going to launch a low cost 3G voice service "@Home", initially in Germany under the "ZuHause" name. This will be a flat rate service (up to 1,000 minutes per month) for local and national dialing (so flat rate unless you're a very heavy user!!!), mobile and international calls are on top of this (and only in your "home" cell).
They have already launched a 3G data service which again is limited to the home cell, but is flat rate for 5GB/month (and more if you go above or outside your home cell).
There is an overhead for delivering packet voice though. The GSM codec uses about 13Kb/s to digitise voice and over a traditional circuit switched network which is synchronous that's all it takes. Moving to packet occurs an additional overhead of about 20% so round up to 20Kb/s, however since the network is probably not synchronous it can actually take it up to 40+Kb/s (20Kb/s each way).
VoIP will eventually take-over, but the fixed and wireless operators will do their best to try and stem the flood and keep revenues flowing on their voice networks.
Carriers talk up VoIP migration - Network IT Week
Carriers talk up VoIP migration - Network IT Week
It's a logical step for carriers to migrate to VoIP. Building a packet based network using IP (and specifically IP/MPLS to ensure QoS) costs about 40% that of legacy TDM (time division multiplexed) networks, so rather than upgrading TDM to cope with capacity demands it's cheaper to migrate to VoIP.
Once a carrier carries their own traffic over VoIP, they can interconnect using VoIP and as soon as they do that there's little difference offering VoIP to other 3rd parties too.
VoIP actually becomes an enabler such that carriers can then offer services to customers who normally would not work with carriers at all. The customer then can get better pricing, which then forces others to match i.e. overall pricing drops, more consolidation etc.
It's a logical step for carriers to migrate to VoIP. Building a packet based network using IP (and specifically IP/MPLS to ensure QoS) costs about 40% that of legacy TDM (time division multiplexed) networks, so rather than upgrading TDM to cope with capacity demands it's cheaper to migrate to VoIP.
Once a carrier carries their own traffic over VoIP, they can interconnect using VoIP and as soon as they do that there's little difference offering VoIP to other 3rd parties too.
VoIP actually becomes an enabler such that carriers can then offer services to customers who normally would not work with carriers at all. The customer then can get better pricing, which then forces others to match i.e. overall pricing drops, more consolidation etc.
Apple mobile phone rumours intensify - Network IT Week
Apple mobile phone rumours intensify - Network IT Week
Turning the iPod into a mobile phone makes sense, but becoming a cellular operator either directly or through the MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) seems a bit of a long shot. Yes they'd own the customer end-to-end, but a major effort in a very competetive market.
If they just stick to increasing the functionality of the iPod, integrating a video player (the iPod photo already displays images) make sense and the iTunes music store is rumoured to be talking to the studios re licensing films etc. That with a mobile phone makes sense.
Turning the iPod into a mobile phone makes sense, but becoming a cellular operator either directly or through the MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) seems a bit of a long shot. Yes they'd own the customer end-to-end, but a major effort in a very competetive market.
If they just stick to increasing the functionality of the iPod, integrating a video player (the iPod photo already displays images) make sense and the iTunes music store is rumoured to be talking to the studios re licensing films etc. That with a mobile phone makes sense.
2005/07/18
Murdoch's men form new internet unit - WebWatch - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
Murdoch's men form new internet unit - WebWatch - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
Another media giant is taking IPTV seriously, this time the Murdoch empire.
Fox Interactive Media will take in News Corp's current sports, news and entertainment websites as well as making strategic investments.
As broadband usage increases and high megabit services become a reality, eventually transmission of TV will become more economic over Internet than legacy broadcast networks. The broadcaster also gets a backchannel which allows sophisticated audience monitoring as well as interactive services.
Big Brother isn't watching you, it's your TV provider ...
Another media giant is taking IPTV seriously, this time the Murdoch empire.
Fox Interactive Media will take in News Corp's current sports, news and entertainment websites as well as making strategic investments.
As broadband usage increases and high megabit services become a reality, eventually transmission of TV will become more economic over Internet than legacy broadcast networks. The broadcaster also gets a backchannel which allows sophisticated audience monitoring as well as interactive services.
Big Brother isn't watching you, it's your TV provider ...
Ten year-old becomes Microsoft engineer - Personal Computer World
Ten year-old becomes Microsoft engineer - Personal Computer World
The old adage of "Microsoft software is so simple an idiot can use it" (well OK a 10year old) seems to be true, but not just for their software but their exams too and Arfa Karim Randhawa has become the youngest person to pass MS' Certified Professional examinations at age 10.
Hopefully that says good things about Arfa Karim Randhawa, rather than Microsoft's exams!!!
The old adage of "Microsoft software is so simple an idiot can use it" (well OK a 10year old) seems to be true, but not just for their software but their exams too and Arfa Karim Randhawa has become the youngest person to pass MS' Certified Professional examinations at age 10.
Hopefully that says good things about Arfa Karim Randhawa, rather than Microsoft's exams!!!
Net4Now :: News Story
Net4Now :: News Story
Skype offering free "SkypeOut" days. SkypeOut is Skype's breakout to PSTN service.
Unfortunately you have to look for the offer and download a gift certificate which then gives you 10 minutes SkypeOut credit.
Though Skype are by far the largest VoIP service on the Planet, there's new increased offerings from other providers trying to get into Skype market (Gizmo project from the Linspire/Sipphone outfit for one) and Skype want to maintain their customers.
Skype offering free "SkypeOut" days. SkypeOut is Skype's breakout to PSTN service.
Unfortunately you have to look for the offer and download a gift certificate which then gives you 10 minutes SkypeOut credit.
Though Skype are by far the largest VoIP service on the Planet, there's new increased offerings from other providers trying to get into Skype market (Gizmo project from the Linspire/Sipphone outfit for one) and Skype want to maintain their customers.
US can't dominate domain names, says UN - WebWatch - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
US can't dominate domain names, says UN - WebWatch - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
The UN once again makes a non-decision. What to do about the domain name system (DNS). ICANN (the body that looks after domain names etc) wanted to take control of the "root servers" i.e. the actual top-level infrastructure that holds the core of DNS i.e. "." or the root. However the US government refused to release control and will continue to manage it.
Now the UN has come out with 4 options, do nothing (i.e. stay as is), creation of a world body to address public policy issues (out the the work out ICANN), creation of a body to address wider range of public policy issues and create three bodies one to address policy, one for oversight and one for global coordination.
It'll probably take another few years to resolve which route to go down.
The UN once again makes a non-decision. What to do about the domain name system (DNS). ICANN (the body that looks after domain names etc) wanted to take control of the "root servers" i.e. the actual top-level infrastructure that holds the core of DNS i.e. "." or the root. However the US government refused to release control and will continue to manage it.
Now the UN has come out with 4 options, do nothing (i.e. stay as is), creation of a world body to address public policy issues (out the the work out ICANN), creation of a body to address wider range of public policy issues and create three bodies one to address policy, one for oversight and one for global coordination.
It'll probably take another few years to resolve which route to go down.
More C&W/Energis Merger Speculation
More C&W/Energis Merger Speculation
As posted previously, this could be a good move. Energis has not rebounded out of administration well, they are losing Wanadoo (sorry Orange) and the banks are likely to be keen to get Energis off their books.
C&W is still a big player (coming 2nd behind BT), both competing in the B2B market and combining efforts could be a good deal, even if just to remove the competetive threat.
As posted previously, this could be a good move. Energis has not rebounded out of administration well, they are losing Wanadoo (sorry Orange) and the banks are likely to be keen to get Energis off their books.
C&W is still a big player (coming 2nd behind BT), both competing in the B2B market and combining efforts could be a good deal, even if just to remove the competetive threat.
ADSLguide: News Archive
ADSLguide: News Archive
Zen supports Apple users. Not really a big deal as MacOS X is UN*X underneath and is generally pretty easy to set-up (MacOS does it all for you).
However they are also giving limited support for older versions, which really means "you've got a Mac, oh we'll do our best to support you if you're running MacOS, but fine if you're on MacOS X).
Maybe a bit of hype here?
Zen supports Apple users. Not really a big deal as MacOS X is UN*X underneath and is generally pretty easy to set-up (MacOS does it all for you).
However they are also giving limited support for older versions, which really means "you've got a Mac, oh we'll do our best to support you if you're running MacOS, but fine if you're on MacOS X).
Maybe a bit of hype here?
2005/07/14
Vonage calls for 'naked DSL' | The Register
Vonage calls for 'naked DSL' | The Register
Vonage want BT to offer broadband without consumers having to take phone services off them at all i.e. not paying line rental, as they can then utilise a VoIP service.
BT make a substantial ammount from line rental, and though they have been forced to offer services like CPS (carrier preselect) which allows the customer to choose another voice provider, and more recent WLR (wholesale line rental) you cant get rid of the line rental charges.
BT claim that line rental costs are needed to support the broadband infrastucture and have rubbished Vonage's claims.
It is a mockery of course as everything will disappear into VoIP anyway as BT roll-out their 21CN.
Vonage want BT to offer broadband without consumers having to take phone services off them at all i.e. not paying line rental, as they can then utilise a VoIP service.
BT make a substantial ammount from line rental, and though they have been forced to offer services like CPS (carrier preselect) which allows the customer to choose another voice provider, and more recent WLR (wholesale line rental) you cant get rid of the line rental charges.
BT claim that line rental costs are needed to support the broadband infrastucture and have rubbished Vonage's claims.
It is a mockery of course as everything will disappear into VoIP anyway as BT roll-out their 21CN.
2005/07/12
UK hacker - now where did he hack?
The case against the UK hacker GARY MCKINNON who broke into various US military, NASA etc computer systems has been published (he was convinced the US were covering up alien landings etc and wanted to find proof, unfortunately he didn't just peek around, but messed with the systems).
There's a PDF of the case at findalaw. The document has all the IP addresses of the hacked systems blacked out.
However open the document in Acrobat, select all, and copy into your favourite text editor .... lo and behold the black marks have disappeared revealing the orginal text (i.e. IP addresses).
No wonder the US government is worried about hackers ... doh
There's a PDF of the case at findalaw. The document has all the IP addresses of the hacked systems blacked out.
However open the document in Acrobat, select all, and copy into your favourite text editor .... lo and behold the black marks have disappeared revealing the orginal text (i.e. IP addresses).
No wonder the US government is worried about hackers ... doh
Industry giants get tough on spam - vnunet.com
Industry giants get tough on spam - vnunet.com
There's another anti-spam standard being submitted to the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) called Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM). It's been developed by Yahoo (who developed DomainKeys) and Cisco Systems' Identified Internet Mail, though other companies are contributing to the standard such as Alt-N Technologies, America Online, EarthLink, IBM, Microsoft and VeriSign.
If adopted by the IETF the technology will be available free of charge (and more probably free of license restrictions).
DKIM uses a public key infrastructure such that each Email is signed (usually by the ISP mailserver, though it can be done by the Email client) with a private key, and when it's received by the recipient (or more likely their ISP's mailserver) it can check the authenticity of signature by checking with the public key for that Email domain (which is made freely available).
SPAMmers wouldn't be able to forge the private key for another domain, so it would reduce the ammount of forged Email pertaining to come from real addresses. They could use their own domains, but these would rapidly be found to be SPAM sources and blocked by normal means.
Microsoft already has a technology that performs differently but would also reduce forgeries (caller ID for Email, now Sender ID) but they refused to drop licensing restrictions on it, though they are implementing on Hotmail and MSN (for outgoing Email) and any inbound Email without SenderID will be marked as SPAM sometime late this year.
Another technology, Sender Policy Framework is also availble and is freely licensed. Unfortunately it's not been widely adopted and has issues will mail forwarding services.
Maybe DKIM is the answer and will be adopted by tthe IETF.
There's another anti-spam standard being submitted to the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) called Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM). It's been developed by Yahoo (who developed DomainKeys) and Cisco Systems' Identified Internet Mail, though other companies are contributing to the standard such as Alt-N Technologies, America Online, EarthLink, IBM, Microsoft and VeriSign.
If adopted by the IETF the technology will be available free of charge (and more probably free of license restrictions).
DKIM uses a public key infrastructure such that each Email is signed (usually by the ISP mailserver, though it can be done by the Email client) with a private key, and when it's received by the recipient (or more likely their ISP's mailserver) it can check the authenticity of signature by checking with the public key for that Email domain (which is made freely available).
SPAMmers wouldn't be able to forge the private key for another domain, so it would reduce the ammount of forged Email pertaining to come from real addresses. They could use their own domains, but these would rapidly be found to be SPAM sources and blocked by normal means.
Microsoft already has a technology that performs differently but would also reduce forgeries (caller ID for Email, now Sender ID) but they refused to drop licensing restrictions on it, though they are implementing on Hotmail and MSN (for outgoing Email) and any inbound Email without SenderID will be marked as SPAM sometime late this year.
Another technology, Sender Policy Framework is also availble and is freely licensed. Unfortunately it's not been widely adopted and has issues will mail forwarding services.
Maybe DKIM is the answer and will be adopted by tthe IETF.
BBC NEWS | England | Mobiles 999 contact idea spreads
BBC NEWS | England | Mobiles 999 contact idea spreads
ICE or in case of Emergency was the idea of East Anglian Ambulance Service paramedic Bob Brotchie. Users are encouraged to store an entries called ICE. If one than one entry is required just start the entry with ICE followed by an name i.e. ICE mum, or ICE steve.
Hopefully most people will have lock codes on their phones, but these can be overridden if you know how. If the phone hasn't been turned off, generally the address book can still be accessed.
It's a reasonable idea as most people will carry a mobile with them wherever they are and it could help identify people or at least allow the Emergency services to contact someone to let them know how the person is, not just in the case of terrorist attacks.
ICE or in case of Emergency was the idea of East Anglian Ambulance Service paramedic Bob Brotchie. Users are encouraged to store an entries called ICE. If one than one entry is required just start the entry with ICE followed by an name i.e. ICE mum, or ICE steve.
Hopefully most people will have lock codes on their phones, but these can be overridden if you know how. If the phone hasn't been turned off, generally the address book can still be accessed.
It's a reasonable idea as most people will carry a mobile with them wherever they are and it could help identify people or at least allow the Emergency services to contact someone to let them know how the person is, not just in the case of terrorist attacks.
Net4Now :: News Story
Net4Now :: News Story
Be have chosen Alcatel for their new high speed ADSL2+ based LLU offering. This will allow them to offer a triple-play (voice, data and Internet where data can be any number of items such as TV), though initially only Internet services are being offered.
Be is unlikely to have the relationships to offer any kind of content at the moment anyway, and going the content route is a difficult game to play in, they'll probably have to partner with other companies who have content, but there'll be huge competition to get those relationships in place as all the LLU operators start offering content services.
Though the Alcatel kit has the ability to do sensible things with bandwidth reservation and quality of service, backhaul is still going to be difficult (and expensive), it accounts for a large ammount of the cost of running an LLU service.
Where current players have to worry about 2Mb/s or even 8Mb/s, offering 24Mb/s is pushing the requirements even higher. Since BT still own 85% of the infrastructure in the UK, it's likely Be will have to buy significant ammounts from them, and they definately aren't the cheapest supplier in the UK
Be have chosen Alcatel for their new high speed ADSL2+ based LLU offering. This will allow them to offer a triple-play (voice, data and Internet where data can be any number of items such as TV), though initially only Internet services are being offered.
Be is unlikely to have the relationships to offer any kind of content at the moment anyway, and going the content route is a difficult game to play in, they'll probably have to partner with other companies who have content, but there'll be huge competition to get those relationships in place as all the LLU operators start offering content services.
Though the Alcatel kit has the ability to do sensible things with bandwidth reservation and quality of service, backhaul is still going to be difficult (and expensive), it accounts for a large ammount of the cost of running an LLU service.
Where current players have to worry about 2Mb/s or even 8Mb/s, offering 24Mb/s is pushing the requirements even higher. Since BT still own 85% of the infrastructure in the UK, it's likely Be will have to buy significant ammounts from them, and they definately aren't the cheapest supplier in the UK
Net4Now :: News Story
Net4Now :: News Story
Sky have been trying to get this service off the ground for a while and now they've done a deal with Demon (THUS Plc) to make it available on the Demon web hosting platform.
Sky's SkyActive platform is based on WAP pages (slightly modified to allow for TV usage - so called WTVML or WAP TV markup language). This will allow anyone with a Sky box to hit the red button and have access to content from sites using the new content platform.
Skykeys are shortcodes, such that content providers can give access to pages in an efficient manner by just typing in a numeric number rather than having to remember the full URL. Demon have a SkyKey of "666".
Whether this takes off is another matter, but it will allow pretty much anyone to put content up for thr Sky platform in an easy to use manner.
Sky have been trying to get this service off the ground for a while and now they've done a deal with Demon (THUS Plc) to make it available on the Demon web hosting platform.
Sky's SkyActive platform is based on WAP pages (slightly modified to allow for TV usage - so called WTVML or WAP TV markup language). This will allow anyone with a Sky box to hit the red button and have access to content from sites using the new content platform.
Skykeys are shortcodes, such that content providers can give access to pages in an efficient manner by just typing in a numeric number rather than having to remember the full URL. Demon have a SkyKey of "666".
Whether this takes off is another matter, but it will allow pretty much anyone to put content up for thr Sky platform in an easy to use manner.
Digit Online news - Toshiba backs larger disc format
Digit Online news - Toshiba backs larger disc format
1TB per disk is the potential for this medium (HVD or holographic versatile disk), however initial products due in June 2006 will support 200GB writable disks and consumer read-only disks will be at the 100GB mark (hopefully launched in 2007).
Current single layer disks only support 4.7GB and even the new HD-DVD disks only support 15GB.
With the advances in optical storage it's likely >TB devices are going to start appearing everywhere.
1TB per disk is the potential for this medium (HVD or holographic versatile disk), however initial products due in June 2006 will support 200GB writable disks and consumer read-only disks will be at the 100GB mark (hopefully launched in 2007).
Current single layer disks only support 4.7GB and even the new HD-DVD disks only support 15GB.
With the advances in optical storage it's likely >TB devices are going to start appearing everywhere.
2005/07/08
When Microsoft's push comes to shove - vnunet.com
When Microsoft's push comes to shove - vnunet.com
Microsoft is adding "push Email" to Exchange 2003 and Windows Mobile 5.0 (though not until the end of the year). Depending on how Microsoft enable the push service it could be a boon for customers and a major dent to RIM (who make the Blackberry) who dominate the push email market with around 3 million units.
Many people don't know, but RIM actually make a large ammount of money from the GPRS traffic generated by push email. When a Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) is installed in a company it sends the (encrypted) push to RIM over the Internet who then send it out to the mobile networks via their APN (access point name), conversely when a user sends Email or whatever on the Blackberry it makes a connection with the RIM APN and it then connects to the BES again via the Internet.
Since there's a lot of traffic going across the APN, RIM have a deal with the operators and they get a cut of the data traffic charges.
If a (medium size) company or ISP were to get an APN and connect to the operators then utilise the MS solution (if MS don't do the same as RIM) then the company or ISP can reap the benefits themselves or at least get cheaper data charges for their mobile users.
Microsoft is adding "push Email" to Exchange 2003 and Windows Mobile 5.0 (though not until the end of the year). Depending on how Microsoft enable the push service it could be a boon for customers and a major dent to RIM (who make the Blackberry) who dominate the push email market with around 3 million units.
Many people don't know, but RIM actually make a large ammount of money from the GPRS traffic generated by push email. When a Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) is installed in a company it sends the (encrypted) push to RIM over the Internet who then send it out to the mobile networks via their APN (access point name), conversely when a user sends Email or whatever on the Blackberry it makes a connection with the RIM APN and it then connects to the BES again via the Internet.
Since there's a lot of traffic going across the APN, RIM have a deal with the operators and they get a cut of the data traffic charges.
If a (medium size) company or ISP were to get an APN and connect to the operators then utilise the MS solution (if MS don't do the same as RIM) then the company or ISP can reap the benefits themselves or at least get cheaper data charges for their mobile users.
Wireless: NewsFactor Network - - Man Charged with Using Somebody Else's Wi-Fi
Wireless: NewsFactor Network - - Man Charged with Using Somebody Else's Wi-Fi
It's suprising this hasn't happened earlier.
In the UK there are at least 2 laws which can be broken by unauthorised use of someone Wireless LAN (WLAN) or WiFi network.
The Computer Misuse Act can be used to prosecute as the perpertrator doesn;t have specfic authorisation to utilise resources on the WiFi network (or beyond). Resource is used just because the access point is having to process their connection.
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIP) Act covers unlawfull intercept of data, and any client connecting to a WiFi network has to decode beacon packets. Again if access isn't authorised the connecting user is potentiially illegally intercepting data.
The Police would need to have a pretty strong case against someone (at least in the UK) as computer expertise is severely limited in the forces and the resulting prosecution would not be trated as a high priority (unless access was gained for some other unlawfull purpose). Unfortunately a lot of this type of activity is probably just ignored as the police resources are much better spent catchng criminals where the payoffs are greater (sic) i.e. catch a WiFi user or catch someone trying to break into a bank. The Police have to decide which has a monetary better result for them.
It's suprising this hasn't happened earlier.
In the UK there are at least 2 laws which can be broken by unauthorised use of someone Wireless LAN (WLAN) or WiFi network.
The Computer Misuse Act can be used to prosecute as the perpertrator doesn;t have specfic authorisation to utilise resources on the WiFi network (or beyond). Resource is used just because the access point is having to process their connection.
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIP) Act covers unlawfull intercept of data, and any client connecting to a WiFi network has to decode beacon packets. Again if access isn't authorised the connecting user is potentiially illegally intercepting data.
The Police would need to have a pretty strong case against someone (at least in the UK) as computer expertise is severely limited in the forces and the resulting prosecution would not be trated as a high priority (unless access was gained for some other unlawfull purpose). Unfortunately a lot of this type of activity is probably just ignored as the police resources are much better spent catchng criminals where the payoffs are greater (sic) i.e. catch a WiFi user or catch someone trying to break into a bank. The Police have to decide which has a monetary better result for them.
Net4Now :: News Story
Net4Now :: News Story
Google investing in Powerline technology (PLT)? Why not? The main advantage of the technology is it uses existing infrastructure i.e. electricity powerlines. That means a lower entry cost as the broadband company only needs to overlay the broadband technology, not dig fibre or lay copper.
PLT can work very well, and trials have been launched in various areas of the UK. It unfortunately can lead to emissions in the electomagnetic spectrum which interfere with other radio services. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) can be reduced, but it has to be vary carefully controlled and only works in specific conditions.
The technology is much better suited to rural areas where single substations power many premises (the broadband equipment is installed at the substation). It tends not to work where multiple substations feed multiple premises such as in urban areas (cities).
Current trials have shown that using powerlines for backhaul is also difficult as the grid powerlines act as aerials and EMI becomes a major problem.
Google investing in Powerline technology (PLT)? Why not? The main advantage of the technology is it uses existing infrastructure i.e. electricity powerlines. That means a lower entry cost as the broadband company only needs to overlay the broadband technology, not dig fibre or lay copper.
PLT can work very well, and trials have been launched in various areas of the UK. It unfortunately can lead to emissions in the electomagnetic spectrum which interfere with other radio services. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) can be reduced, but it has to be vary carefully controlled and only works in specific conditions.
The technology is much better suited to rural areas where single substations power many premises (the broadband equipment is installed at the substation). It tends not to work where multiple substations feed multiple premises such as in urban areas (cities).
Current trials have shown that using powerlines for backhaul is also difficult as the grid powerlines act as aerials and EMI becomes a major problem.
BBC Preps Online TV Premier
BBC Preps Online TV Premier
The BBC is premiering content through its broadband portal (only available to UK). Though only a very limited ammount of TV is available at the moment, much of the radio programming is available through the BBC Radio Player (a branded Real player) which allows radio programmes to be listened to for up to a week after they've been broadcast. They are going to follow suit with TV.
Currently most of the UK is on 2Mb/s broadband (and contended at 50:1) but local loop unbundlers (LLU) are now starting to offer 8Mbs/ and one player has announced they will be launching 18Mb/s ADS:2+ services in the near future though only to 45 exchanges initially.
In France 18-22Mb/s is now the norm, with prices starting at 15 Euros per month including Internet, TV and voice packages. This will happen in the UK, especially when BT's 21CN is rolled-out.
Internet Protocol (TV (IPTV) is the way of the future, and currently Ofcom is sitting on the bench with respect to regulation as theyll have great difficulty policing out of UK content.
However for IPTV to succeed, local caching of content needs to occur near theexchanges or backhaul becomes a major headache (and financial nightmare) which means it will have to be stored. Maybe Ofcom can regulate at that level.
The BBC knows traditional broadcasting is going to (at least eventually) give way to IPTV and you can be sure they'll be there ready for it.
The BBC is premiering content through its broadband portal (only available to UK). Though only a very limited ammount of TV is available at the moment, much of the radio programming is available through the BBC Radio Player (a branded Real player) which allows radio programmes to be listened to for up to a week after they've been broadcast. They are going to follow suit with TV.
Currently most of the UK is on 2Mb/s broadband (and contended at 50:1) but local loop unbundlers (LLU) are now starting to offer 8Mbs/ and one player has announced they will be launching 18Mb/s ADS:2+ services in the near future though only to 45 exchanges initially.
In France 18-22Mb/s is now the norm, with prices starting at 15 Euros per month including Internet, TV and voice packages. This will happen in the UK, especially when BT's 21CN is rolled-out.
Internet Protocol (TV (IPTV) is the way of the future, and currently Ofcom is sitting on the bench with respect to regulation as theyll have great difficulty policing out of UK content.
However for IPTV to succeed, local caching of content needs to occur near theexchanges or backhaul becomes a major headache (and financial nightmare) which means it will have to be stored. Maybe Ofcom can regulate at that level.
The BBC knows traditional broadcasting is going to (at least eventually) give way to IPTV and you can be sure they'll be there ready for it.
BBC NEWS | Technology | Mobile networks bear blast strain
BBC NEWS | Technology | Mobile networks bear blast strain
The mobile networks went into overload as people in London tried calling yesterday.
It's likely the operators put the networks into a mode where "operator overload class" went into action. This is a system whereby voice channels are prioritised for Emergency services, government, spooks etc. There are rumoured to be 15 levels and the operators set the operating level and anyone below this level (i.e. normal users) will not be able to make or receive calls or get dropped from an existing call if anyone with a higher level is trying to make a call.
On O2 up until about 2pm though the network was available it didn't seem to allow calls at all, maybe that's because of the vicinity of a hospital which was on "Emergency Status" and was receiving walking wounded.
After 2pm the network was congested by calls did get through.
The mobile networks went into overload as people in London tried calling yesterday.
It's likely the operators put the networks into a mode where "operator overload class" went into action. This is a system whereby voice channels are prioritised for Emergency services, government, spooks etc. There are rumoured to be 15 levels and the operators set the operating level and anyone below this level (i.e. normal users) will not be able to make or receive calls or get dropped from an existing call if anyone with a higher level is trying to make a call.
On O2 up until about 2pm though the network was available it didn't seem to allow calls at all, maybe that's because of the vicinity of a hospital which was on "Emergency Status" and was receiving walking wounded.
After 2pm the network was congested by calls did get through.
2005/07/06
BBC NEWS | Technology | Software patent bill thrown out
BBC NEWS | Technology | Software patent bill thrown out
The bill to unify patents across Europe and more importantly allow software patents has failed to get through the European Parliament even though another version has gone through.
Patents will be handled by the individual patent offices in the 25 member states as they have done.
The bill to unify patents across Europe and more importantly allow software patents has failed to get through the European Parliament even though another version has gone through.
Patents will be handled by the individual patent offices in the 25 member states as they have done.
2005/07/05
BBC NEWS | Wales | Phone users switch to new service
BBC NEWS | Wales | Phone users switch to new service
This is the first concrete announcement of BT 21 Century Network (21CN) plans. BT are rolling out the network in Cardiff, Pontypridd and Bridgend in 2006 with other areas following and the PSTN switched off by the end of the decade.
Though it's a 3-4 year roll-out period BT are likely to rapidly install 21CN into metro areas then move into more rural areas, so large proportions of the UK's population will actually be migrated in the initial phase of the roll-out. BT have also stated they are bringing out new Ethernet based services which will rely on at least some of the technology needed for 21CN (IP/MPLS for national and city backhaul).
21CN is a revolution for BT, and though they are under fierce pressure to seperate their access and retail arms, in some ways 21CN blurs the distinction and being all IP, Ofcom have less regulatory hold over them (without taking a tough stance over IP services with everyone).
Without very careful regulation and industry cooperation, everyone (i.e. traditional telcos) will all just be BT resellers once again.
This is the first concrete announcement of BT 21 Century Network (21CN) plans. BT are rolling out the network in Cardiff, Pontypridd and Bridgend in 2006 with other areas following and the PSTN switched off by the end of the decade.
Though it's a 3-4 year roll-out period BT are likely to rapidly install 21CN into metro areas then move into more rural areas, so large proportions of the UK's population will actually be migrated in the initial phase of the roll-out. BT have also stated they are bringing out new Ethernet based services which will rely on at least some of the technology needed for 21CN (IP/MPLS for national and city backhaul).
21CN is a revolution for BT, and though they are under fierce pressure to seperate their access and retail arms, in some ways 21CN blurs the distinction and being all IP, Ofcom have less regulatory hold over them (without taking a tough stance over IP services with everyone).
Without very careful regulation and industry cooperation, everyone (i.e. traditional telcos) will all just be BT resellers once again.
BBC NEWS | Technology | Man convicted for chipping Xbox
BBC NEWS | Technology | Man convicted for chipping Xbox
Well there's some truth to the story. The article actually says "The man had been selling modified Xbox consoles which he fitted with a big hard drive containing 80 games".
Though Sony won a case against chipping PlayStation2's, there's been no cases against chipping Xboxes. The crime here was more than likely the 80 games on the hard disk.
Well there's some truth to the story. The article actually says "The man had been selling modified Xbox consoles which he fitted with a big hard drive containing 80 games".
Though Sony won a case against chipping PlayStation2's, there's been no cases against chipping Xboxes. The crime here was more than likely the 80 games on the hard disk.
2005/07/04
Apple takes podcasting mainstream - vnunet.com
Apple takes podcasting mainstream - vnunet.com
Though Apple have made it easy to search and download podcasts, it's suprising they haven't actually made the tools to make a podcast. Maybe that'll be the reason to upgrade to iTunes 5?
They've in some ways knocked out the competition (except on Linux).
Sorry Mr Lacey, but iTunes is much nicer ...
Though Apple have made it easy to search and download podcasts, it's suprising they haven't actually made the tools to make a podcast. Maybe that'll be the reason to upgrade to iTunes 5?
They've in some ways knocked out the competition (except on Linux).
Sorry Mr Lacey, but iTunes is much nicer ...
24Mbps broadband comes to London - Broadband & ISPs - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
24Mbps broadband comes to London - Broadband & ISPs - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
It seems ADSL2+ is now here, well almost. Avatar Broadband has signed up to 45 exchanges in London and it can take 6 months from order to actually putting equipment in.
It seems Avatar have also joined RIPE (so they can get IP allocations).
Why want 24Mbs ADSL? triple-plays of Internet, voice and TV. 24Mb/s is ample for even HDTV.
Ofcom have obiviously changed the Access Network Frequency Plan (ANFP) to allow ADSL2+, anything to do with BT rolling out their 21CN?
Unfortunately it's unlikely VDSL(2) can now be used as that will interfere.
It seems ADSL2+ is now here, well almost. Avatar Broadband has signed up to 45 exchanges in London and it can take 6 months from order to actually putting equipment in.
It seems Avatar have also joined RIPE (so they can get IP allocations).
Why want 24Mbs ADSL? triple-plays of Internet, voice and TV. 24Mb/s is ample for even HDTV.
Ofcom have obiviously changed the Access Network Frequency Plan (ANFP) to allow ADSL2+, anything to do with BT rolling out their 21CN?
Unfortunately it's unlikely VDSL(2) can now be used as that will interfere.
2005/06/30
FT.com / Companies / Europe - F Telecom plans to phase out Wanadoo
FT.com / Companies / Europe - F Telecom plans to phase out Wanadoo
Once upon a time there was Freeserve, they had a good name in the UK and changed the face of dial-up Internet.
Freeserve were bought by Wanadoo, the ISP arm of France Telecom. Along came a series of "humourous" adverts telling the UK of the fact.
Now it looks like Wanadoo is about to expire and will be reborn as Orange who have so far only been known in the mobile world. It seems FT is rebranding all international mobile, broadband and commercial services under Orange.
Does this mean the wise man will now be advising Orange on what to call themselves next?
Once upon a time there was Freeserve, they had a good name in the UK and changed the face of dial-up Internet.
Freeserve were bought by Wanadoo, the ISP arm of France Telecom. Along came a series of "humourous" adverts telling the UK of the fact.
Now it looks like Wanadoo is about to expire and will be reborn as Orange who have so far only been known in the mobile world. It seems FT is rebranding all international mobile, broadband and commercial services under Orange.
Does this mean the wise man will now be advising Orange on what to call themselves next?
2005/06/28
Ofcom Website | Spectrum Framework Review Statement
Ofcom Website | Spectrum Framework Review Statement
Ofcom has come out with their statement on Spectrum Framework Review. Though they wish to liberalise spectrum management and take a light touch approach, spectrum licensing and management is a tricky business. There are many issues to take into account, including some spectrum is managed by the MOD, some is harmonised across Europe and some (like maritime frequencies) internationally.
Currently about 4.3% of the spectrum is license exempt (i.e. bands like 2.4GHz used by WiFi) whihc will rise to 7% by 2010. This will give about 600MHz to every person in the UK (for short range use) up from 400MHz now allowing 100Mb/s short-range services.
Around 21% will remain in Ofcom control and fully licensed and the remainer will fall under user management, which still means that the spectrum will be licensed (originally from Ofcom) but the licensee has the option to trade, sub-license and do other things with the spectrum than was originally specified in the Ofcom license.
This will allow people to come up with new ideas for spectrum use and to implement them.
Ofcom has come out with their statement on Spectrum Framework Review. Though they wish to liberalise spectrum management and take a light touch approach, spectrum licensing and management is a tricky business. There are many issues to take into account, including some spectrum is managed by the MOD, some is harmonised across Europe and some (like maritime frequencies) internationally.
Currently about 4.3% of the spectrum is license exempt (i.e. bands like 2.4GHz used by WiFi) whihc will rise to 7% by 2010. This will give about 600MHz to every person in the UK (for short range use) up from 400MHz now allowing 100Mb/s short-range services.
Around 21% will remain in Ofcom control and fully licensed and the remainer will fall under user management, which still means that the spectrum will be licensed (originally from Ofcom) but the licensee has the option to trade, sub-license and do other things with the spectrum than was originally specified in the Ofcom license.
This will allow people to come up with new ideas for spectrum use and to implement them.
2005/06/27
Ofcom Website | A new regulatory approach for fixed telecommunications
Ofcom Website | A new regulatory approach for fixed telecommunications
Ofcom have done a deal with BT to make BT Wholesale (BTW) "fairer" to the competition. They haven't gone the whole hog and forced BTW to be a completely seperate company, but they'll have different incentives to BT (Retail). It will stil be run by the same board of directors etc.
This is meant to make BTW more transparent and offer services to any operator at the same rate as to BT (Retail). This also applies to BT's 21CN.
BTW will be expected to share information about what it's doing rather than reactively tell the competition what its done.
Whether it actually makes a difference is yet to be seen, BTW will be ranamed and move out of BT's current offices, but it will still be BT.
Ofcom have done a deal with BT to make BT Wholesale (BTW) "fairer" to the competition. They haven't gone the whole hog and forced BTW to be a completely seperate company, but they'll have different incentives to BT (Retail). It will stil be run by the same board of directors etc.
This is meant to make BTW more transparent and offer services to any operator at the same rate as to BT (Retail). This also applies to BT's 21CN.
BTW will be expected to share information about what it's doing rather than reactively tell the competition what its done.
Whether it actually makes a difference is yet to be seen, BTW will be ranamed and move out of BT's current offices, but it will still be BT.
Ofcom Website | Notification of approval of an emergency code amendment to the ICSTIS Code of Practice (Tenth Edition)
Ofcom Website | Notification of approval of an emergency code amendment to the ICSTIS Code of Practice (Tenth Edition)
This is something that should have been done a long time ago, with hold payments to Premium Rate Services (PRS) from the telecoms operator for 30 days such that if the PRS service is doing something wrong they don't get paid.
This would stop a lot of scam operations and make it more difficult for PRS players to run dubious services. Withholding payments for 30 days is bad for cashflow, but will put off operators who "jump in then pull-out" very quickly, meanwhile leaving unhappy customers with big unexpected bills. There are quite a lot of telcos who will just pay-up on very short contracts.
Currently this is an Ofcom consultation, but there shouldn't be too many objections as it doesn't stop people making lots of money (premium lines can charge up to £5 per minute), it just stops them making money for 30 days which is enough time to catch unscrupulous ones.
This is something that should have been done a long time ago, with hold payments to Premium Rate Services (PRS) from the telecoms operator for 30 days such that if the PRS service is doing something wrong they don't get paid.
This would stop a lot of scam operations and make it more difficult for PRS players to run dubious services. Withholding payments for 30 days is bad for cashflow, but will put off operators who "jump in then pull-out" very quickly, meanwhile leaving unhappy customers with big unexpected bills. There are quite a lot of telcos who will just pay-up on very short contracts.
Currently this is an Ofcom consultation, but there shouldn't be too many objections as it doesn't stop people making lots of money (premium lines can charge up to £5 per minute), it just stops them making money for 30 days which is enough time to catch unscrupulous ones.
2005/06/25
C&W Seeking Energis Takeover?
C&W Seeking Energis Takeover?
Now this may make sense. Energis must be suffering badly as Wanadoo move more and more infrastructure away from them. They've already been through administration and Fidelity their new owners could do a quick deal and get rid of them.
C&W can probably afford a cash buy-out and would gain some network (but might migrate some of Energis' network on to C&W's). It would give C&W a better footprint and take another competitor off the radar.
Now this may make sense. Energis must be suffering badly as Wanadoo move more and more infrastructure away from them. They've already been through administration and Fidelity their new owners could do a quick deal and get rid of them.
C&W can probably afford a cash buy-out and would gain some network (but might migrate some of Energis' network on to C&W's). It would give C&W a better footprint and take another competitor off the radar.
2005/06/22
Cisco tries to pop the WiMax bubble - vnunet.com
Cisco tries to pop the WiMax bubble - vnunet.com
Another blow to WiMAX? Cisco's potentially popping the WiMAX bubble.
Though they support it, they're not investing in any radio hardware.
Undoubtably WiMAX will be used in certain areas (it could support rural broadband), but it's going to be a rocky road.
Another blow to WiMAX? Cisco's potentially popping the WiMAX bubble.
Though they support it, they're not investing in any radio hardware.
Undoubtably WiMAX will be used in certain areas (it could support rural broadband), but it's going to be a rocky road.
UK Telcos "you want to buy something?"
Yesterday I attended a meeting with a company and a large UK telco and was amazed.
The company was a specialist wireless provider who have rolled out several hundred hotspots. Large telco sends the account manager and a "techie". All sounds fine, but after introductions the techie launches into diatribe about WiFi and Wireless technologies, grandmother and sucking eggs came to mind.
After a bit of clarification (as in "thanks, but I think we know about wireless, what we want to know about is if you can offer connectivity options"), the techie did seem to get part of the picture. The account manager didn't.
Next stage - pricing? Just indicative ... the response was "you want pricing, that will involve work, without a commitment I'm not prepared to do that". It was almost as if they didn't want to sell anything ...
No wonder the telecoms industry is in the state it is, very sad.
The company was a specialist wireless provider who have rolled out several hundred hotspots. Large telco sends the account manager and a "techie". All sounds fine, but after introductions the techie launches into diatribe about WiFi and Wireless technologies, grandmother and sucking eggs came to mind.
After a bit of clarification (as in "thanks, but I think we know about wireless, what we want to know about is if you can offer connectivity options"), the techie did seem to get part of the picture. The account manager didn't.
Next stage - pricing? Just indicative ... the response was "you want pricing, that will involve work, without a commitment I'm not prepared to do that". It was almost as if they didn't want to sell anything ...
No wonder the telecoms industry is in the state it is, very sad.
2005/06/20
France Telecom tipped for Cable & Wireless takeover - ZDNet UK News
France Telecom tipped for Cable & Wireless takeover - ZDNet UK News
Is this just the rumour factory on overdrive? C&W are a big organisation and integrating it with FT just to get Bulldog seems a bit of an overkill. Bulldog are one of the local loop unbundlers (LLU) in the UK and C&W paid £18m for them.
FT probably could pay the £4bn, but would they want to? C&W have a large legacy network, they do terminate lots of call minutes for various CPS operators but C&W have a reputation similar to BT i.e. a large telco that's a bit of a monolith.
FT already own Wanadoo (the ISP) and Orange (the mobile phone comany) and Wanadoo is migrating off Energis' network on to Orange's. Do FT want another huge network and company to run in the UK.
They could of course have plans to operate a rival network to beat BT's 21CN which could be an interesting move.
Is this just the rumour factory on overdrive? C&W are a big organisation and integrating it with FT just to get Bulldog seems a bit of an overkill. Bulldog are one of the local loop unbundlers (LLU) in the UK and C&W paid £18m for them.
FT probably could pay the £4bn, but would they want to? C&W have a large legacy network, they do terminate lots of call minutes for various CPS operators but C&W have a reputation similar to BT i.e. a large telco that's a bit of a monolith.
FT already own Wanadoo (the ISP) and Orange (the mobile phone comany) and Wanadoo is migrating off Energis' network on to Orange's. Do FT want another huge network and company to run in the UK.
They could of course have plans to operate a rival network to beat BT's 21CN which could be an interesting move.
Sony miffed at PSP porn
Sony miffed at PSP porn
As noted before the PSP is the prefect mobile media player. Porn on it is inevitable, though watching porn on the train home from work might not be quite the most opportune thing to do.
But lucky UK PSP owners, with either genuine UK models coming out in September or with Japanese imports will be fine as Japan and UK are Region 2 so movies should work on either model.
As noted before the PSP is the prefect mobile media player. Porn on it is inevitable, though watching porn on the train home from work might not be quite the most opportune thing to do.
But lucky UK PSP owners, with either genuine UK models coming out in September or with Japanese imports will be fine as Japan and UK are Region 2 so movies should work on either model.
Skype claims VoIP lead - vnunet.com
Skype claims VoIP lead - vnunet.com
Skype are the top VoIP provider, not really a suprise there. Skype don't consider Vonage, Callvantage and others "competition" and that's maybe more of a suprise. Skype is a consumer based P2P service that runs on your PC (or variants), it just works. However it's a softclient and can be affected by other processes on the PC.
Services like Vonage supply a box that plugs into your broadband connection and utilise a normal phone. Their service just works too, but the phone aspect makes it easier to use (well not having to have the PC on all the time).
Though Skype are increasing numbers rapidly, their business model is as yet undefined, while Vonage (and others) have both consumer and business offerings which potentially do have an economic model that can work.
Skype are the top VoIP provider, not really a suprise there. Skype don't consider Vonage, Callvantage and others "competition" and that's maybe more of a suprise. Skype is a consumer based P2P service that runs on your PC (or variants), it just works. However it's a softclient and can be affected by other processes on the PC.
Services like Vonage supply a box that plugs into your broadband connection and utilise a normal phone. Their service just works too, but the phone aspect makes it easier to use (well not having to have the PC on all the time).
Though Skype are increasing numbers rapidly, their business model is as yet undefined, while Vonage (and others) have both consumer and business offerings which potentially do have an economic model that can work.
UK ISP's Fail To Report Child Abuse
UK ISP's Fail To Report Child Abuse
ISPs not reporting child-abuse? This is a tricky area in law. ISPs don't actually monitor websites, Usenet news or any hosting platforms. To do so would potentially make them liable for editorial control, and there's too much to monitor.
ISPs generally act on complaints (i.e. if someone reports illegal content to them) and there are various guidelines which they obide by (it all gets very messy in cases such as defamatory content where the ISP can be held liable once they've been informed).
Unfortunately with cases of child-abuse, ISPs are likely to get very few "informed" complaints as the act of downloading pornography etc with children is an offence in itself.
ISPs not reporting child-abuse? This is a tricky area in law. ISPs don't actually monitor websites, Usenet news or any hosting platforms. To do so would potentially make them liable for editorial control, and there's too much to monitor.
ISPs generally act on complaints (i.e. if someone reports illegal content to them) and there are various guidelines which they obide by (it all gets very messy in cases such as defamatory content where the ISP can be held liable once they've been informed).
Unfortunately with cases of child-abuse, ISPs are likely to get very few "informed" complaints as the act of downloading pornography etc with children is an offence in itself.
News
News
Sky offering on-demand movie channels, but through a customer's PC. Will that really compete with the offerings from companies like Homechoice and of course NTL and Telewest? It's not quite the same as customers will still need a seperate broadband connection. Once BT roll-out their 21CN services like this will be offered by BT as part of the network.
BSkyB have always had a problem of not having a back-channel (hitting the red button on the Sky remote dials into the Sky Active platform, but that's a 28.8Kbaud modem).
It's likely BSkyB will offer a box with broadband connectivity, but they cant afford to alienate their existing 7+m subscribers (and upgrading all the boxes would be a costly excercise).
Sky offering on-demand movie channels, but through a customer's PC. Will that really compete with the offerings from companies like Homechoice and of course NTL and Telewest? It's not quite the same as customers will still need a seperate broadband connection. Once BT roll-out their 21CN services like this will be offered by BT as part of the network.
BSkyB have always had a problem of not having a back-channel (hitting the red button on the Sky remote dials into the Sky Active platform, but that's a 28.8Kbaud modem).
It's likely BSkyB will offer a box with broadband connectivity, but they cant afford to alienate their existing 7+m subscribers (and upgrading all the boxes would be a costly excercise).
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