Ofcom Website | Ofcom tackles illegal broadcasting: "Ofcom tackles illegal broadcasting
Ofcom announced the results of an operation to take off air illegal broadcasters operating in Greater London. The operation began on the morning of Saturday 29 October to deal with the large number of London pirate radio stations that illegally broadcast over the FM radio band without a licence under Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.
The operation has led to:
* 53 illegal broadcasters' radio transmitters seized;
* 17 transmitters and aerials disabled;
* 43 mobile and land line telephone numbers linked to illegal broadcasting operations gathered for further Ofcom investigation to trace the subscribers; and
* 9 letters of warning sent to night clubs that have advertised events on illegal radio stations.
The operation which took place between 25th October and 1st November involved 18 Ofcom field operations staff and 32 Metropolitan Police officers.
Ofcom have reports that the raids have caused 44 illegal stations to go off air.
Though Ofcom is mandated to persue pirate radio stations under it's obligations of the Communications Act, the reasoning is potentially suspect saying they finance serious crime including drugs and weapons (and these were found at some locations).
Though use of weapons is not particularly nice, the pirate radio stations tend to fight other pirates for advertising revenue and they're more likely to be used in this role than any other.
Pirates can provide access to musical tastes that commercial stations don't provide, though Ofcom do have to ensure pirates don't interfere with commercial stations and other licensed users of the spectrum.
2005/11/02
Telecity acquires Redbus
Actually 3i who own Telecity aquired Redbus for 23p a share a 16.5% premium on the closing price valuing Redbus at £58.9m, a far cry from what Redbus was valued in the dotcom boom. This puts Redbus' share price at 23 times their EBITDA.
Telecity were running out of space and rather than building new facilities, just buy the competetion's space by buying them.
This is further evidence that the Internet/Telecoms market is still in majr consolidation mode which will continue for quite some time until there are a few big players left who can genuinely compete with each other.
Telecity were running out of space and rather than building new facilities, just buy the competetion's space by buying them.
This is further evidence that the Internet/Telecoms market is still in majr consolidation mode which will continue for quite some time until there are a few big players left who can genuinely compete with each other.
2005/10/31
Telecoms industry in a poor state still
O2 is going to Telefonica, OneTel is up for sale (it seems Centrica who have been faffing around for the last few years have made a decision to actually sell them) the asking price seems to be £350m, but Carphone Warehouse who may have been approached as a buyer rejected it as much too high. Carphone Warehouse have now decided to go into LLU (local loop unbundling), though a good move, it's further emphasises the need for a shared infrastructure to compete with BT's 21CN.
Tele2 are pulling out of the UK too.
Who's next?
Tele2 are pulling out of the UK too.
Who's next?
BBC NEWS | Business | Telefonica buys UK's O2 for �18bn
BBC NEWS | Business | Telefonica buys UK's O2 for �18bn
Telefonica has offered £17.7bn ($31.6bn) which works out at 200 pence per share, a 22% premium on Friday's closing price of 164.25p.
Since BT demerged O2 theyhave been looking for a buyer. Since Telelonica has no infrastructure or competing services in the UK this is a good match for both, but another example of consolidation which is the industry norm now.
Telefonica has offered £17.7bn ($31.6bn) which works out at 200 pence per share, a 22% premium on Friday's closing price of 164.25p.
Since BT demerged O2 theyhave been looking for a buyer. Since Telelonica has no infrastructure or competing services in the UK this is a good match for both, but another example of consolidation which is the industry norm now.
2005/10/28
Ofcom Website | Ofcom consults on Home Office proposals for a single non-emergency number
Ofcom Website | Ofcom consults on Home Office proposals for a single non-emergency number
The Home Office have asked Ofcom to allocate 101 for a UK national non Emergency number i.e. for calls relating to anti-social behaviour or minor criminal activity that isn't an emergency.
Ofcom is holding a consultation with stake-holders.
The Home Office have asked Ofcom to allocate 101 for a UK national non Emergency number i.e. for calls relating to anti-social behaviour or minor criminal activity that isn't an emergency.
Ofcom is holding a consultation with stake-holders.
2005/10/18
Ofcom Website | Award of available spectrum: 412-414 MHz paired with 422-424 MHz
Ofcom Website | Award of available spectrum: 412-414 MHz paired with 422-424 MHz
Though this is low end spectrum it has good properties for building penetration etc. Basestations can transmit at 50W per 25KHz, up to a maximum of 400W in total. Mobile transmitters are limited to 10W.
This is a single national license, though there are military users (it seems radars, especially Flyingdales) and it's up to the licensee to avoid interfering with them.
It's a single round sealed bid auction, with offers in excess of £50,000.
Though this is low end spectrum it has good properties for building penetration etc. Basestations can transmit at 50W per 25KHz, up to a maximum of 400W in total. Mobile transmitters are limited to 10W.
This is a single national license, though there are military users (it seems radars, especially Flyingdales) and it's up to the licensee to avoid interfering with them.
It's a single round sealed bid auction, with offers in excess of £50,000.
2005/10/10
Digit Online news - Apple hints at big launch next week
Digit Online news - Apple hints at big launch next week
On Wednesday (12th Oct) Apple are unveiling something new. Apple do not pre-release anything so everyone's guessing at the moment, but the rumour mill suspects a video capabable iPod.
It's known Apple has been talking to the movie studios about putting video content on the iTunes store and they already have music videos. Video on iTunes plus a player will give Apple a major headstart over its competitors.
They may also announce video capabilities to iPods with photo capability.
They might also be announing the availability of the Intel version of Macs.
On Wednesday (12th Oct) Apple are unveiling something new. Apple do not pre-release anything so everyone's guessing at the moment, but the rumour mill suspects a video capabable iPod.
It's known Apple has been talking to the movie studios about putting video content on the iTunes store and they already have music videos. Video on iTunes plus a player will give Apple a major headstart over its competitors.
They may also announce video capabilities to iPods with photo capability.
They might also be announing the availability of the Intel version of Macs.
2005/10/04
BT OpenReach - LLU Smoke and Mirrors? - Digital-Lifestyles.info
BT OpenReach - LLU Smoke and Mirrors? - Digital-Lifestyles.info
An article I wrote about BT Openreach.
An article I wrote about BT Openreach.
BBC NEWS | Business | NTL seals $6bn Telewest takeover
BBC NEWS | Business | NTL seals $6bn Telewest takeover: "NTL seals $6bn Telewest takeover
NTL and Telewest plan to take on BSkyB in the UK Britain's biggest cable company NTL is to take over rival operator Telewest for about $6bn (£3.4bn). "
This has been on the cards for a long-time and now it's happening. There are still going to be major hurdles that the combined company is going to have to overcome. Integration is not going to be easy.
One of the biggest issues may be that the combined company could be seen to have SMP (significant market power) which means they'd be regulated in the same light as BT - which they obviously don't want (it also means they'd have to provide 3rd party access to their network). Their argument will be that they are competing with BT and therefore they don't have SMP, but in terms of an access medium (i.e. cable) they will.
If Ofcom force NTeLewest to open their network, it will add costs, which they wont want and may still scupper the deal.
NTL and Telewest plan to take on BSkyB in the UK Britain's biggest cable company NTL is to take over rival operator Telewest for about $6bn (£3.4bn). "
This has been on the cards for a long-time and now it's happening. There are still going to be major hurdles that the combined company is going to have to overcome. Integration is not going to be easy.
One of the biggest issues may be that the combined company could be seen to have SMP (significant market power) which means they'd be regulated in the same light as BT - which they obviously don't want (it also means they'd have to provide 3rd party access to their network). Their argument will be that they are competing with BT and therefore they don't have SMP, but in terms of an access medium (i.e. cable) they will.
If Ofcom force NTeLewest to open their network, it will add costs, which they wont want and may still scupper the deal.
2005/10/01
cheap flights from UK to Europe and America | bmi
cheap flights from UK to Europe and America | bmi
My BMI Diamond card ran out recently, I was a silver cardholder and I was just under the points requirement (well a couple of flights). I had booked a business flight, which was delayed and travelled after the end of the points period.
However BMI retained my membership level and the points went on to this year's credit.
No fuss, no argument, very impressive.
When I used to use BA, I ended the year ONE flight short and they dropped my member level.
I'll be continuing to use BMI and StarAlliance, I generally cant fault them.
My BMI Diamond card ran out recently, I was a silver cardholder and I was just under the points requirement (well a couple of flights). I had booked a business flight, which was delayed and travelled after the end of the points period.
However BMI retained my membership level and the points went on to this year's credit.
No fuss, no argument, very impressive.
When I used to use BA, I ended the year ONE flight short and they dropped my member level.
I'll be continuing to use BMI and StarAlliance, I generally cant fault them.
2005/09/27
THUS to buy Your Comms?
Another THUS potential acquisition? They are rumoured to have offered £150m for Your Comms and wont budge, while they actually want around £200m.
THUS will have to borrow the money to buy Your Comms (or extend their existing loans), they'll also needs funds to integrate and merge product lines etc.
Your Comms might bring some added value in billing platforms (consumer voice) etc.
THUS will have to borrow the money to buy Your Comms (or extend their existing loans), they'll also needs funds to integrate and merge product lines etc.
Your Comms might bring some added value in billing platforms (consumer voice) etc.
2005/09/26
Digit Online news - O2 launches I-mode service in UK
Digit Online news - O2 launches I-mode service in UK
I-mode in UK at last. O2 will run an "enterainment" portal, but as i-mode uses a variant of HTML, content owners can easily customise their sites to make them i-mode compliant.
In Japan i-mode succeeded due to the ease of producing content, and the revenue share the operators offered (i.e. they took a small transaction charge rather than the European model which they either try and take the content outright or only pay a small proportion of revenue), which direction will O2 take?
If O2 get it right and content owners can easily charge for content and get paid a reasonable rate it just might succeed.
I-mode in UK at last. O2 will run an "enterainment" portal, but as i-mode uses a variant of HTML, content owners can easily customise their sites to make them i-mode compliant.
In Japan i-mode succeeded due to the ease of producing content, and the revenue share the operators offered (i.e. they took a small transaction charge rather than the European model which they either try and take the content outright or only pay a small proportion of revenue), which direction will O2 take?
If O2 get it right and content owners can easily charge for content and get paid a reasonable rate it just might succeed.
Digit Online news - Olympus adds 8mp E-system SLR
Digit Online news - Olympus adds 8mp E-system SLR
Olympus has launched an 8mp digital SLR with a full frame transfer CCD which is larger than most. It doesn't say whether it's 35mm film size or just larger than standard CCD's which are about equivalent to APS film size (therefore on most lenses suffering a 1.6x magnification).
The lens is vibrated 35,000 times per second which is done to reduce dust and image noise.
A new range of lenses acompanies the camera.
Olympus has launched an 8mp digital SLR with a full frame transfer CCD which is larger than most. It doesn't say whether it's 35mm film size or just larger than standard CCD's which are about equivalent to APS film size (therefore on most lenses suffering a 1.6x magnification).
The lens is vibrated 35,000 times per second which is done to reduce dust and image noise.
A new range of lenses acompanies the camera.
2005/09/20
In-flight mobile calls to start next year - Network IT Week
In-flight mobile calls to start next year - Network IT Week
Phones on flights? Airlines have been against this for years, well actually they haven't, the mobile phone companies have.
Mobile phone networks are designed such that hand-offs between cells work at speeds of less than around 70mph (normal maximum driving speeds). When in a plane, especially coming in to land, a mobile phone may be "visible" to hundreds of cell sites, and the signal will hand off to non-adjacent cells. Normally while driving a phone will nicely travel between sites in a nice orderly manner so the network doesn't have to do a large ammount of processiing to switch traffic around.
When planes land they are in close proximity to cell sites (many airports have sites on the grounds itself), these pump out signals of much higher power than any phone and don't interfere with aircraft systems.
Phones on flights? Airlines have been against this for years, well actually they haven't, the mobile phone companies have.
Mobile phone networks are designed such that hand-offs between cells work at speeds of less than around 70mph (normal maximum driving speeds). When in a plane, especially coming in to land, a mobile phone may be "visible" to hundreds of cell sites, and the signal will hand off to non-adjacent cells. Normally while driving a phone will nicely travel between sites in a nice orderly manner so the network doesn't have to do a large ammount of processiing to switch traffic around.
When planes land they are in close proximity to cell sites (many airports have sites on the grounds itself), these pump out signals of much higher power than any phone and don't interfere with aircraft systems.
2005/09/19
Carphone Warehouse expected to put an offer in for One.tel
Carphone Warehouse (owners of the TalkTalk service and Opal Telecom) are expected to put in an offer for One.tel (the telecoms arm of Centrica).
Carphone Warehouse already have a large consumer customer base and One.tel could strengthen this as well as giving them a better footing in the business arena.
This is just more consilidation in the telecoms space which will continue for a while in a very competetive market.
Carphone Warehouse already have a large consumer customer base and One.tel could strengthen this as well as giving them a better footing in the business arena.
This is just more consilidation in the telecoms space which will continue for a while in a very competetive market.
BBC NEWS | UK | Demon founder escapes jail term
BBC NEWS | UK | Demon founder escapes jail term
Well it's not quite as simple as it makes out.
Cliff Stanford changed his plea due to the Judges interpretation of a section of the RIP Act. If he pleased innocent then the case would have lasted quite a few weeks and cost a lot more than GBP 7500 court costs (and the judge is likely to have imposed a heavier sentance), there were two days of pre-hearing involving the interpretation of the RIP Act.
Mr Stanford will appeal the interpretation, and if he wins that, the sentance is over-turned ...
Well it's not quite as simple as it makes out.
Cliff Stanford changed his plea due to the Judges interpretation of a section of the RIP Act. If he pleased innocent then the case would have lasted quite a few weeks and cost a lot more than GBP 7500 court costs (and the judge is likely to have imposed a heavier sentance), there were two days of pre-hearing involving the interpretation of the RIP Act.
Mr Stanford will appeal the interpretation, and if he wins that, the sentance is over-turned ...
Digit Online news - Microsoft unveils Xbox 360 TGS lineup
Digit Online news - Microsoft unveils Xbox 360 TGS lineup:
The list isn't definative, but games that will be ready for launch: -
"Bomberman - Act Zero (Hudson Soft)
Call of Duty 2 (Activision)
CHROMEHOUNDS (Sega)
Dead Rising (Capcom)
Dynasty Warriors 5 Special (Koei)
Everyparty (Microsoft Game Studios)
Far East of Eden - Ziria (Hudson Soft)
FINAL FANTASY XI (Square Enix)
Frame City Killer (Namco)
Gears of War (Microsoft Game Studios)
Kameo: Elements of Power (Microsoft Game Studios)
Mobile Suit Gundam (tentative title) (Bandai)
Need for Speed Most Wanted (Electronic Arts)
NINETY-NINE NIGHTS (Microsoft Game Studios)
The Outfit (THQ)
Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft Game Studios)
Resident Evil 5 (Capcom)
Ridge Racer 6 (Namco)
Rumble Roses XX (tentative title) (Konami)
Shutoku Battle (tentative title) (Genki)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega)
Saint's Row (THQ)
Test Drive Unlimited (Atari)
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft Entertainment)
World Air Force (tentative title) (Taito)
Wrestle Kingdom (Yuke's) "
Announced launch date is Dec 2nd.
The list isn't definative, but games that will be ready for launch: -
"Bomberman - Act Zero (Hudson Soft)
Call of Duty 2 (Activision)
CHROMEHOUNDS (Sega)
Dead Rising (Capcom)
Dynasty Warriors 5 Special (Koei)
Everyparty (Microsoft Game Studios)
Far East of Eden - Ziria (Hudson Soft)
FINAL FANTASY XI (Square Enix)
Frame City Killer (Namco)
Gears of War (Microsoft Game Studios)
Kameo: Elements of Power (Microsoft Game Studios)
Mobile Suit Gundam (tentative title) (Bandai)
Need for Speed Most Wanted (Electronic Arts)
NINETY-NINE NIGHTS (Microsoft Game Studios)
The Outfit (THQ)
Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft Game Studios)
Resident Evil 5 (Capcom)
Ridge Racer 6 (Namco)
Rumble Roses XX (tentative title) (Konami)
Shutoku Battle (tentative title) (Genki)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega)
Saint's Row (THQ)
Test Drive Unlimited (Atari)
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft Entertainment)
World Air Force (tentative title) (Taito)
Wrestle Kingdom (Yuke's) "
Announced launch date is Dec 2nd.
2005/09/15
Demon founder pleads guilty to email charges - ZDNet UK News
Demon founder pleads guilty to email charges - ZDNet UK News
It seems Cliff Stanford and George Liddel have pleaded guilty to intercepting Emails under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
This may be one of the first cases of its kind. More as it comes out.
It seems Cliff Stanford and George Liddel have pleaded guilty to intercepting Emails under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
This may be one of the first cases of its kind. More as it comes out.
2005/09/14
Cliff Stanford trial starts today | This is Money
This has been on-going for a while. Charges of blackmail were dropped, but the case for intercepting/diverting mail is going ahead.
Mr Standford went to Southwark Crown Court yesterday, but as yet no details.
If there is a successful prosecution under the RIP Act (RIPA) it will probably be one of the first of its kind.
Mr Standford went to Southwark Crown Court yesterday, but as yet no details.
If there is a successful prosecution under the RIP Act (RIPA) it will probably be one of the first of its kind.
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