Ofcom Website | Spectrum licence for mobile radio and public safety applications
Ofcom is going to offer spectrum in early 2007 in the paried band 872-876MHz and 917-921MHz (2x4MHz). There will be a single national license. The license is being offered for a minimum of 15 years, will cover the whole of the UK, will be technology and application neutral.
There will be a single round of sealed bids, the minimum price is £50,000.
The deadline for the consultation is 21st June 2006.
2006/04/11
Ofcom Website | 1781.7-1785 MHz paired with 1876.7-1880 MHz
Ofcom Website | 1781.7-1785 MHz paired with 1876.7-1880 MHz:
Ofcom have released details on when sealed bids can be delivered is Thursday 20 April between 10:00 and 17:30.
The final list of approved bidders is: -
British Telecommunications PLC
Cable & Wireless UK (England)
COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd
Cyberpress Ltd
FMS Solutions Ltd
Mapesbury Communications Ltd
02 (UK) Ltd
Opal Telecom Ltd
Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd
PLDT (UK) Ltd
Shyam Telecom UK Ltd
Spring Mobil AB
Teleware PLC
Zynetix Ltd
Which makes 14 bidders for between 7 and 12 licenses. It's very possible the bigger players will put big sums in for bids, but only say for 7 or 8 and maybe much lower bids for 12 licenses.
Ofcom have a duty to maximise the use of the spectrum, but also generate revenue for the government. If the big bidders do only put large bids in for small numbers of licenses, they're likely to kill of smaller bids for all 12.
The smaller players would likely utilise the spectrum in more innovative ways.
Ofcom have released details on when sealed bids can be delivered is Thursday 20 April between 10:00 and 17:30.
The final list of approved bidders is: -
British Telecommunications PLC
Cable & Wireless UK (England)
COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd
Cyberpress Ltd
FMS Solutions Ltd
Mapesbury Communications Ltd
02 (UK) Ltd
Opal Telecom Ltd
Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd
PLDT (UK) Ltd
Shyam Telecom UK Ltd
Spring Mobil AB
Teleware PLC
Zynetix Ltd
Which makes 14 bidders for between 7 and 12 licenses. It's very possible the bigger players will put big sums in for bids, but only say for 7 or 8 and maybe much lower bids for 12 licenses.
Ofcom have a duty to maximise the use of the spectrum, but also generate revenue for the government. If the big bidders do only put large bids in for small numbers of licenses, they're likely to kill of smaller bids for all 12.
The smaller players would likely utilise the spectrum in more innovative ways.
Ofcom Website | Mobile Services on Aircraft
Ofcom Website | Mobile Services on Aircraft:
Ofcom has produced a paper on the Regulatory issues raised by allowing GSM in planes (utilising an in-plane microcell).
Some of the potential issues are: -
* the territorial jurisdiction of Ofcom and other National Regulatory Agencies over airborne systems;
* the legal status of the proposed Network Control Unit under the R&TTE Directive;
* the status of airborne services under the Authorisation Directive;
* the protection of other services from interference
* the regulation of the backhaul from aircraft to ground;
* the arrangements for managing the systems in the air;
* access to numbering resources;
* the range of technologies covered by the current European work."
There are potentially several licensing issues (like options of authorising such systems and who should authorise them).
Currently utilising the 1800MHz band is favoured.
Ofcom is loking for comments from stakeholders.
Ofcom has produced a paper on the Regulatory issues raised by allowing GSM in planes (utilising an in-plane microcell).
Some of the potential issues are: -
* the territorial jurisdiction of Ofcom and other National Regulatory Agencies over airborne systems;
* the legal status of the proposed Network Control Unit under the R&TTE Directive;
* the status of airborne services under the Authorisation Directive;
* the protection of other services from interference
* the regulation of the backhaul from aircraft to ground;
* the arrangements for managing the systems in the air;
* access to numbering resources;
* the range of technologies covered by the current European work."
There are potentially several licensing issues (like options of authorising such systems and who should authorise them).
Currently utilising the 1800MHz band is favoured.
Ofcom is loking for comments from stakeholders.
2006/04/07
Digit news - Trademark rift between Apples may end soon
Digit news - Trademark rift between Apples may end soon
The battle between Apple Computer and Apple Corp continues, but maybe will end soon.
Apple Computer licensed the right to use the logo and trademark for computers, but not for music. This is the 3rd time they've been sued by the record company.
This time it's over the iTunes music store selling pre-recorded music, which is probably very much in Apple Corp's space.
The battle between Apple Computer and Apple Corp continues, but maybe will end soon.
Apple Computer licensed the right to use the logo and trademark for computers, but not for music. This is the 3rd time they've been sued by the record company.
This time it's over the iTunes music store selling pre-recorded music, which is probably very much in Apple Corp's space.
Digit news - Samsung delays Blu-ray Disc player launch
Digit news - Samsung delays Blu-ray Disc player launch
Samsung has delayed the launch of it's consumer BluRay player by a month as to ensure it works with a compliance disc due out next month
Commercial films from Lionsgate and Sony are due on May 23rd and say they are still on track.
Toshiba meanwhile has launched its HDDVD player.
Samsung has delayed the launch of it's consumer BluRay player by a month as to ensure it works with a compliance disc due out next month
Commercial films from Lionsgate and Sony are due on May 23rd and say they are still on track.
Toshiba meanwhile has launched its HDDVD player.
Digit news - Hands on: MacBook Pro heads to Boot Camp
Digit news - Hands on: MacBook Pro heads to Boot Camp
Apple has released Boot Camp for Intel based Macs, currently a free trial, though it is meant to expire after some time, at which point MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard) will be released and it comes with that.
It allows Macs to dual-boot MacOS X and WindowsXP SP2, NOTE only SP2, older versions will NOT install.
Apple have always said they don't care if Windows runs on Intel Mac hardware, they don't want MacOS running on generic PC hardware though.
Why would they want it? Until they can get all MacOS software into Universal Binary format they have problems as running apps through their Rosetta technology is slow, especially apps like Photoshop.
Creatives like Macs, a lot like them for Adobe apps, Adobe wont have Universal Binaries for a while. Now they can continue to use their nice Macs and switch into XP when they want to run Adobe apps at a sensible speed.
Apple has released Boot Camp for Intel based Macs, currently a free trial, though it is meant to expire after some time, at which point MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard) will be released and it comes with that.
It allows Macs to dual-boot MacOS X and WindowsXP SP2, NOTE only SP2, older versions will NOT install.
Apple have always said they don't care if Windows runs on Intel Mac hardware, they don't want MacOS running on generic PC hardware though.
Why would they want it? Until they can get all MacOS software into Universal Binary format they have problems as running apps through their Rosetta technology is slow, especially apps like Photoshop.
Creatives like Macs, a lot like them for Adobe apps, Adobe wont have Universal Binaries for a while. Now they can continue to use their nice Macs and switch into XP when they want to run Adobe apps at a sensible speed.
2006/04/04
Ofcom Website | Annual Plan 2006/7
Ofcom Website | Annual Plan 2006/7:"
Ofcom have released details of their annual plan for 2007, though covering the communications framework, they are concentrating on the following: -
. Spectrum release: auctions and liberalisation;
. implementation of the telecommunications strategic review;
. continued deregulation;
. next-generation network deployment in telecommunications;
. public service broadcasting: future developments;
. content delivery;
. protection of citizens and consumers;
. availability and access; and
. greater international engagement.
Ofcom also to fully pay of the loan made to fund them by 2007/8.
Ofcom have released details of their annual plan for 2007, though covering the communications framework, they are concentrating on the following: -
. Spectrum release: auctions and liberalisation;
. implementation of the telecommunications strategic review;
. continued deregulation;
. next-generation network deployment in telecommunications;
. public service broadcasting: future developments;
. content delivery;
. protection of citizens and consumers;
. availability and access; and
. greater international engagement.
Ofcom also to fully pay of the loan made to fund them by 2007/8.
2006/04/03
Ofcom Website | Spectrum licences for broadband, wireless communications and mobile multimedia services
Ofcom Website | Spectrum licences for broadband, wireless communications and mobile multimedia services
Ofcom intend to auction licenses for spectrum at frequencies 452-1492MHz (40MHz) on a technology and application-neutral basis by March 2007.
It's expected licenses with last at least 15 years and be fully tradeable and technology and application neutral (though with some restrictions as part of the spectrum is under international arrangement).
The lower 27.5 MHz of the 40MHz available could be made available as one or more packages and the lower 27.5 MHz of the 40MHz available could be made available as one or more packages.
The award will be decided by a simultaneous multiple round auction.
It's expected that the spectrum could be used for such services as mobile TV (DVB-H or DMB), broadband wireless access using techologies such as WiMAX, satellite digital radio (the upper band would support S-DAB) and programme making (such as wireless cameras at sporting events).
The consultation period finishes on the 9th of June 2006 and Ofcom intends to publish later in 2006 with an auction taking place early in 2007.
Ofcom intend to auction licenses for spectrum at frequencies 452-1492MHz (40MHz) on a technology and application-neutral basis by March 2007.
It's expected licenses with last at least 15 years and be fully tradeable and technology and application neutral (though with some restrictions as part of the spectrum is under international arrangement).
The lower 27.5 MHz of the 40MHz available could be made available as one or more packages and the lower 27.5 MHz of the 40MHz available could be made available as one or more packages.
The award will be decided by a simultaneous multiple round auction.
It's expected that the spectrum could be used for such services as mobile TV (DVB-H or DMB), broadband wireless access using techologies such as WiMAX, satellite digital radio (the upper band would support S-DAB) and programme making (such as wireless cameras at sporting events).
The consultation period finishes on the 9th of June 2006 and Ofcom intends to publish later in 2006 with an auction taking place early in 2007.
Ofcom announces companies who have been qualified to bid for GSM Guard Band licenses
The following companies have been qualified to bid for the award of spectrum in the bands 1781.7-1785MHz paired with 1876.7-1880MHz.
British Telecommunications PLC
Cable & Wireless UK (England)
Centric Telecom Ltd
COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd
Cyberpress Ltd
FMS Solutions Ltd
Mapesbury Communications Ltd
ntl Group Limited
02 (UK) Ltd
Opal Telecom Ltd
Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd
PLDT (UK) Ltd
Shyam Telecom UK Ltd
Spring Mobil AB
Teleware PLC
Zynetix Ltd
That gives 16 potential bidders for between 7 and 12 licenses. However there are some big players (BT, C&W, Colt, NTL, O2, Carphone Warehouse [Opal], Orange, PLDT) which potentially means that there will be at least 8 least 8 gone, maybe leaving 4 license between the 8 smaller players.
The minimum bid is £50,000, but it's expected that licenses will go for at leats 6 figures.
Oddly Coffee Telecom who have been extremely vocal about running GSM services and bidding for a license and potentially trying to land grab even before the applications closed, don't seem to be in the list.
British Telecommunications PLC
Cable & Wireless UK (England)
Centric Telecom Ltd
COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd
Cyberpress Ltd
FMS Solutions Ltd
Mapesbury Communications Ltd
ntl Group Limited
02 (UK) Ltd
Opal Telecom Ltd
Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd
PLDT (UK) Ltd
Shyam Telecom UK Ltd
Spring Mobil AB
Teleware PLC
Zynetix Ltd
That gives 16 potential bidders for between 7 and 12 licenses. However there are some big players (BT, C&W, Colt, NTL, O2, Carphone Warehouse [Opal], Orange, PLDT) which potentially means that there will be at least 8 least 8 gone, maybe leaving 4 license between the 8 smaller players.
The minimum bid is £50,000, but it's expected that licenses will go for at leats 6 figures.
Oddly Coffee Telecom who have been extremely vocal about running GSM services and bidding for a license and potentially trying to land grab even before the applications closed, don't seem to be in the list.
Ofcom Website | Statement: Modification to the Number Portability General Condition and the National Telephone Numbering Plan
Ofcom Website | Statement: Modification to the Number Portability General Condition and the National Telephone Numbering Plan
Ofcom are holding a consultation on number portablility and the national telephone numbering plan.
In summary number porting should be encouraged where possible, especially for new wave telcos (using technologies such as VoIP).
There needs to be some controls so the consumer knows what call they are making i.e. there can be issues when porting a fixed number to a mobile network or vice versa, but porting between mobile networks shouldn't be hindered or between fixed networks.
However where in the past numbers have been tied to geographic areas, this should no longer be the case and they can be ported to services not tied to a location.
Ofcom may also intervene where providers do not port numbers (it may not be in there interest to do so) but gnerally the system will be left to run by the market.
Ofcom are holding a consultation on number portablility and the national telephone numbering plan.
In summary number porting should be encouraged where possible, especially for new wave telcos (using technologies such as VoIP).
There needs to be some controls so the consumer knows what call they are making i.e. there can be issues when porting a fixed number to a mobile network or vice versa, but porting between mobile networks shouldn't be hindered or between fixed networks.
However where in the past numbers have been tied to geographic areas, this should no longer be the case and they can be ported to services not tied to a location.
Ofcom may also intervene where providers do not port numbers (it may not be in there interest to do so) but gnerally the system will be left to run by the market.
Ofcom Website | Mobile Call Termination - Market Review
Ofcom Website | Mobile Call Termination - Market Review
Ofcom is holding a consultation about Mobile Call Termination. Currently 2G (GSM) networks are regulated in the pricing that they may charge to terminate calls and Ofcom are looking to extend this to 3G as well.
Currently the view is that termination should be regulated and continue to be so.
Ofcom is holding a consultation about Mobile Call Termination. Currently 2G (GSM) networks are regulated in the pricing that they may charge to terminate calls and Ofcom are looking to extend this to 3G as well.
Currently the view is that termination should be regulated and continue to be so.
Digit news - First HD-DVD player launched in Japan
Digit news - First HD-DVD player launched in Japan
Toshiba have launched the first HD-DVD player in Japan. It's a chunky beast known as the HD-XA1. It should go on sale in the US in April.
It uses the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) which was only finalised last month.
Currently there aren't any HD disks available yet (due to go one sale April 7th).
The battle is now starting, HDDVD or BluRay ... only time will tell who wins.
Toshiba have launched the first HD-DVD player in Japan. It's a chunky beast known as the HD-XA1. It should go on sale in the US in April.
It uses the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) which was only finalised last month.
Currently there aren't any HD disks available yet (due to go one sale April 7th).
The battle is now starting, HDDVD or BluRay ... only time will tell who wins.
Digit news - NuVJ video controller introduced
Digit news - NuVJ video controller introduced
ArKaos and Numark have teamed up to produce a VJ console that works woth both PCs and Macs. It utilises the video card in the host computer to do the video processing so with newer cards allows for high resolution real-time effects.
It comes with various videos, stills and graphics and can sync to an external audio source or an internal beats per minute generator.
The unit has two banks of nine trigger pads for video and two wheels to manage scratch, effect and speed control and is MIDI compliant.
Could be a fun unit.
The Numark iPod DJ mixer looks nice too, though it's limited by the iPod's capabilties (and what Apple allow through the dock connector) so can only really mix tracks without allowing speed control or other advanced features that DJ's like.
ArKaos and Numark have teamed up to produce a VJ console that works woth both PCs and Macs. It utilises the video card in the host computer to do the video processing so with newer cards allows for high resolution real-time effects.
It comes with various videos, stills and graphics and can sync to an external audio source or an internal beats per minute generator.
The unit has two banks of nine trigger pads for video and two wheels to manage scratch, effect and speed control and is MIDI compliant.
Could be a fun unit.
The Numark iPod DJ mixer looks nice too, though it's limited by the iPod's capabilties (and what Apple allow through the dock connector) so can only really mix tracks without allowing speed control or other advanced features that DJ's like.
2006/03/28
Ofcom Website | Ofcom proposal to deregulate BT retail phone cost controls
Ofcom Website | Ofcom proposal to deregulate BT retail phone cost controls
Ofcom are proposing degregulating retail price controls on BT line rentals and calls.
This is a blessing for consumers as BT can now bundle all sorts of services together (i.e. free calls with line rental, or no line rental and higher call charges), however competitors are going to struggle. It also may provd the death knell for wireless broadband operators.
Ofcom's reasoning is that there are significant VoIP users utilising broadband (circa 500,000), there are now competing providers and other local loop operators.
Changes will takes place from August 1, 2006 which doesn't give competitors long to get their grip on the market.
Ofcom are proposing degregulating retail price controls on BT line rentals and calls.
This is a blessing for consumers as BT can now bundle all sorts of services together (i.e. free calls with line rental, or no line rental and higher call charges), however competitors are going to struggle. It also may provd the death knell for wireless broadband operators.
Ofcom's reasoning is that there are significant VoIP users utilising broadband (circa 500,000), there are now competing providers and other local loop operators.
Changes will takes place from August 1, 2006 which doesn't give competitors long to get their grip on the market.
Ofcom Website | Assessing the impact of NGNs on interconnection tariffs’ distance gradients
Ofcom Website | Assessing the impact of NGNs on interconnection tariffs’ distance gradients
DotEcon have produced a report about distance gradient pricing for NGNs (Next Generation Networks i.e. networks that have migrated to IP like BT's 21CN).
NGNs are likely to change the face of telecoms in the UK and though the report does not necessarily reflect the views of Ofcom it may give an indicative view of how gradients will function.
DotEcon have produced a report about distance gradient pricing for NGNs (Next Generation Networks i.e. networks that have migrated to IP like BT's 21CN).
NGNs are likely to change the face of telecoms in the UK and though the report does not necessarily reflect the views of Ofcom it may give an indicative view of how gradients will function.
Ofcom Website | Disaggregated Markets - Leased Lines
Ofcom Website | Disaggregated Markets - Leased Lines
Ofcom is conducting a consultation on the geographic variance of leased lines.
It's quite technical, but will probably show that London has a healthy market and elsewhere more and more people are migrating to DSL as the economics are much worse for direct circuits.
Ofcom is conducting a consultation on the geographic variance of leased lines.
It's quite technical, but will probably show that London has a healthy market and elsewhere more and more people are migrating to DSL as the economics are much worse for direct circuits.
GSM Guard Band licenses
Rumours are that Ofcom have announced who is in the bidding for the GSM Guard Band licenses. Information on who's in there isn't public.
It'll be interesting to see if the mobile operators have jumped in, or a load of new entrants.
There are going to be between 7 and 12 low power national licenses awarded.
It'll be interesting to see if the mobile operators have jumped in, or a load of new entrants.
There are going to be between 7 and 12 low power national licenses awarded.
Digit news - Samsung offers 32GB SSD drive
Digit news - Samsung offers 32GB SSD drive
At CeBIT Samsung demonstrated a 32GB solid state disk, that booted an XP machine is about half the time compared to that of a disk based workstation. They've also packaged the memory into a 1.8" form factor so making it a direct swap for conventional drives.
Though there will be speed/weight and possible power improvements, solid state disks are very expensive compared to the conventional magnetic platter type. If demand is high enough the price could drop.
CeBit also saw the launch of a 200GB conventional notebook disk.
At CeBIT Samsung demonstrated a 32GB solid state disk, that booted an XP machine is about half the time compared to that of a disk based workstation. They've also packaged the memory into a 1.8" form factor so making it a direct swap for conventional drives.
Though there will be speed/weight and possible power improvements, solid state disks are very expensive compared to the conventional magnetic platter type. If demand is high enough the price could drop.
CeBit also saw the launch of a 200GB conventional notebook disk.
Digit news - Apple lashes out at proposed French law
Digit news - Apple lashes out at proposed French law
Apple aren't happy that the French Government are proposing to allow users to put Apple content on to any type of media player. iTunes sells iPods (and the other way around), and Apple like that monopoly.
Real Networks worked out how to break Apple's DRM, but Apple stopped Real doing anything with the technology.
It doesn't just affect Apple, the law would affect any DRM'ed content, it's just Apple has the most to lose.
Apple aren't happy that the French Government are proposing to allow users to put Apple content on to any type of media player. iTunes sells iPods (and the other way around), and Apple like that monopoly.
Real Networks worked out how to break Apple's DRM, but Apple stopped Real doing anything with the technology.
It doesn't just affect Apple, the law would affect any DRM'ed content, it's just Apple has the most to lose.
Digit news - Dell snaps up Alienware
Digit news - Dell snaps up Alienware
Alienware have a reputation for making high power games machines. Dell have tried to enter that market with their own XPS range, so there's a good possibility Dell will move out of specific games market and leave that to their acquisition.
Alienware meanwhile gets Dell's supply chain.
Dell has been a staunch supporter of Intel, while Alienware have supported both Intel and AMD. Dell says they have no plans to stop Alienware running with their own product lines. Maybe this is a way to sneak AMD processors into Dell.
Alienware have a reputation for making high power games machines. Dell have tried to enter that market with their own XPS range, so there's a good possibility Dell will move out of specific games market and leave that to their acquisition.
Alienware meanwhile gets Dell's supply chain.
Dell has been a staunch supporter of Intel, while Alienware have supported both Intel and AMD. Dell says they have no plans to stop Alienware running with their own product lines. Maybe this is a way to sneak AMD processors into Dell.
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