2008/05/21

Deregulating the UK’s wholesale broadband markets: 70% of the country to be liberalised | Ofcom

Deregulating the UK’s wholesale broadband markets: 70% of the country to be liberalised | Ofcom

Ofcom is going to lift the obligations on the encumbent operators where there are 4 or broadband operators offering service. In the areas where there isn't sufficient competition, Ofcom will maintain the SMP (significant market power) rules.

This will mean that in 70% of the UK SMP conditions will be lifted, which really means BT.

BT could now increase (wholesale) pricing for broadband in those areas.

2008/05/19

Ofcom Website | Notices

Ofcom Website | Notices:

Ofcom announced the winners of the 1452-1492 MHz band (or L-Band).

Though various lots were available (lots LA to LQ) Qualcomm UK Spectrum Ltd won all the lots, so were awarded a single high power licence.

Qualcomm paid £8,334,000 for the license.

Ofcom have released the spectrum as technology neutral and so it's likely Qualcomm will persue their MediaFLO broadcast TV system in the UK (even though the EU has adopted DVB-H).

If Qualcomm can build a broadcast network (which is likely to cost considerably more than the £8m paid for the license) and persuade manufacturers to include MediaFLO in UK handsets and if they can provide content, then they are likely to recoup the investment with IP licensing and content licenses.

Vodafone acquires ZYB « ZYB blog

Vodafone acquires ZYB « ZYB blog

Zyb the Danish company that allows users to remotely sync their contacts and calendars has been bought by Vodafone.

They will operate under their Internet Business devision.

If Vodafone integrate Zyb into their standard packages, then Zyb are likely to be the mobile social networking tool of choice.