Ofcom introduces UK-wide 03 numbers | Ofcom
In March this year (2007) Ofcom will introduce a range of numbers starting with 03. These are non-geographic numbers, but they are charged at local rate (like 01 or 02 numbers).
Initially they will be available to public bodies and not-for-profit services, some number ranges will be reserved so 08 numbers will be able to be mapped across (i.e. numbers starting 08 now will be able to migrate to 03).
A major advantage of 03 numbers is that they can be included in price plans (mobile or fixed), so no more extra charges for dialing some kind of service line.
Operators will also not be allowed to offer revenue share on these numbers (i.e. where the operator pays a small percentage of the call revenue to the business operating the service).
Ofcom is also planning to cease 070 "personal numbering" allocations from the end of 2007, as people utilise these for scams as customers assume they are mobile numbers (when in fact their rates are much higher). In July any 070 charging more than 20p per minute will have to pre-announce their charges to the dialer.
These require changes to General Condition 17 (of the Communications Act) so Ofcom is holding a consultation until 14th March 2007.
2007/02/14
Disputes between T-Mobile and BT and BT and each of Hutchison 3G Ltd, Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd and Vodafone Ltd relating to call termination rates | Ofcom
Disputes between T-Mobile and BT and BT and each of Hutchison 3G Ltd, Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd and Vodafone Ltd relating to call termination rates | Ofcom
BT, being the UK encumbant, handles a large ammount of UK termination - especially for foreign operators. They offer what's known as blended rates, which mean they will offer fixed charges for geographic, non geographic and mobile ranges even if invidual charges differ (i.e. there are differences say between mobile carrier termination charges).
Now operators want to charge BT higher rates as they say they have higher charges incurred to deliver 3G calls compared to 2G (GSM) calls and BT are disputing this with Ofcom.
The MNOs (mobile network operators) are very wary of termination as they see this as a cash cow, currently it's considerably cheaper to get retail bundles of mobile minutes than wholesale, so fixed to network charges sustain a lot of their margin.
They have been very wary of the new low power GSM "Guard Band" licensees - even though Ofcom consider them fully fledged GSM networks. Some even refusing to switch their number blocks (even though they are allocated by Ofcom), though that situation seems to be changing. Mobile operators who want to offer say WiFi mobile services are not having such luck.
Another issue is number portability, currently the number porting system is run by the MNOs and only available to the MNOs. Anyone wishing to participate in MNP (mobile number porting) has to get permission from all existing MNOs and anyone has the power of veto. So far they are not accepting number porting from anyone else. Ofcom seem to be taking a positive view on this (in that the MNOs will have to allow other operators), but it could take a while.
The MNOs want to keep control of their customers and networks and new entrants could pose a huge issue for them and they're scared.
If new entrants can offer flexible, innovative services then the MNOs should be worried.
BT, being the UK encumbant, handles a large ammount of UK termination - especially for foreign operators. They offer what's known as blended rates, which mean they will offer fixed charges for geographic, non geographic and mobile ranges even if invidual charges differ (i.e. there are differences say between mobile carrier termination charges).
Now operators want to charge BT higher rates as they say they have higher charges incurred to deliver 3G calls compared to 2G (GSM) calls and BT are disputing this with Ofcom.
The MNOs (mobile network operators) are very wary of termination as they see this as a cash cow, currently it's considerably cheaper to get retail bundles of mobile minutes than wholesale, so fixed to network charges sustain a lot of their margin.
They have been very wary of the new low power GSM "Guard Band" licensees - even though Ofcom consider them fully fledged GSM networks. Some even refusing to switch their number blocks (even though they are allocated by Ofcom), though that situation seems to be changing. Mobile operators who want to offer say WiFi mobile services are not having such luck.
Another issue is number portability, currently the number porting system is run by the MNOs and only available to the MNOs. Anyone wishing to participate in MNP (mobile number porting) has to get permission from all existing MNOs and anyone has the power of veto. So far they are not accepting number porting from anyone else. Ofcom seem to be taking a positive view on this (in that the MNOs will have to allow other operators), but it could take a while.
The MNOs want to keep control of their customers and networks and new entrants could pose a huge issue for them and they're scared.
If new entrants can offer flexible, innovative services then the MNOs should be worried.
Draft 2.0 802.11n moves forward - FierceWifi-Wifi news, WiMAX news, muni WiFi & wireless broadband news
Draft 2.0 802.11n moves forward - FierceWifi-Wifi news, WiMAX news, muni WiFi & wireless broadband news
The move towards a full 802.11n specification moves forward with Draft 2.0 of the standard.
It still has to get 75% of the vote (of around 600 members of the SIG).
Compatability is a major part of the spec, so it can co-exist with 802.11b/g networks.
Although it's a step in the right direction, the final specification isn't expected until October 2008.
The move towards a full 802.11n specification moves forward with Draft 2.0 of the standard.
It still has to get 75% of the vote (of around 600 members of the SIG).
Compatability is a major part of the spec, so it can co-exist with 802.11b/g networks.
Although it's a step in the right direction, the final specification isn't expected until October 2008.
2007/02/12
AMD extends GEODE range
AMD acquired the Geode processor from National Semiconductor and they've been pushing it as an embedded x86 processor. A new version is faster but still only spits out 1.5W which means it can be used fanless.
They've also made improvements to other lines to allow them to be embedded to such as the Opteron CPU.
AMD wants to be a leader in that market and take some of the dominance away from ARM and other vendors.
They've also made improvements to other lines to allow them to be embedded to such as the Opteron CPU.
AMD wants to be a leader in that market and take some of the dominance away from ARM and other vendors.
First look at Windows Mobile 6
Digit Online
What Digit seem to have missed is the added technology features, but maybe Microsoft didn't show them.
A friend installed a version of Windows Mobile 6 on his MDA (HTC Universal), it now supports USB slave functionality (i.e. it appears as a disk) and USB host functionality (i.e. disks can be attached to it).
A neat feature is the WiFi access point mode. What this means is that phone (GPRS/3G) can be used as a wireless modem and the WiFi in the unit which is usually in client mode turned into AP mode, so other systems can access connectivity through WM6.
WM6 also has a bigger memory model and can handle more processes.
What Digit seem to have missed is the added technology features, but maybe Microsoft didn't show them.
A friend installed a version of Windows Mobile 6 on his MDA (HTC Universal), it now supports USB slave functionality (i.e. it appears as a disk) and USB host functionality (i.e. disks can be attached to it).
A neat feature is the WiFi access point mode. What this means is that phone (GPRS/3G) can be used as a wireless modem and the WiFi in the unit which is usually in client mode turned into AP mode, so other systems can access connectivity through WM6.
WM6 also has a bigger memory model and can handle more processes.
2007/02/05
Apple - Support - Downloads - iTunes Repair Tool for Vista 1.0
Apple - Support - Downloads - iTunes Repair Tool for Vista 1.0
Apple have released a repair tool for users of iTunes under Windows Vista as certain files may be corrupted and Apple protected content from the iTunes store may not play on iPods.
Apple are asking users to wait for the next version of iTunes to be released (in a few weeks) before upgrading to Vista, while Microsoft are saying users shouldn't wait and will help vendors make software compatible.
iTunes has had odd errors since version 7 and Apple are slowly making it work correctly.
Of course users of iTunes on MacOS X have none of these problems.
Apple have released a repair tool for users of iTunes under Windows Vista as certain files may be corrupted and Apple protected content from the iTunes store may not play on iPods.
Apple are asking users to wait for the next version of iTunes to be released (in a few weeks) before upgrading to Vista, while Microsoft are saying users shouldn't wait and will help vendors make software compatible.
iTunes has had odd errors since version 7 and Apple are slowly making it work correctly.
Of course users of iTunes on MacOS X have none of these problems.
2007/02/02
NTL:Telewest now Virgin
The Telewest TVDrive box was on channel 999 this morning to a new look Virgin branding. The old blue background with yellow lettering is now black with yellow with a nice Virgin logo at the top of the screen.
The TVDrive seems to be referenced as the V.box and it's all under Virgin TV.
It looks nicer at least, though pretty much the same fucntionality though the guides have been slightly revamped.
Whether it makes a difference to subscriber numbers is another matter, though the Virgin brand is more loved.
The TVDrive seems to be referenced as the V.box and it's all under Virgin TV.
It looks nicer at least, though pretty much the same fucntionality though the guides have been slightly revamped.
Whether it makes a difference to subscriber numbers is another matter, though the Virgin brand is more loved.
2007/02/01
MobileTechNews - u-blox to Unveil New Galileo-Ready GPS Chip at 3GSM
MobileTechNews - u-blox to Unveil New Galileo-Ready GPS Chip at 3GSM
A new chip has been announced by u-blox a Swiss company that will support GPS and Gallileo while using less than 50mW.
It has a sensitivity of -160dBm enabling indoor use and will scan 50 channels. It also acquires signals in less than 1 second.
The dawn of everything having a GPS device in it is approaching.
A new chip has been announced by u-blox a Swiss company that will support GPS and Gallileo while using less than 50mW.
It has a sensitivity of -160dBm enabling indoor use and will scan 50 channels. It also acquires signals in less than 1 second.
The dawn of everything having a GPS device in it is approaching.
NTL:Telewest starts rebranding Virgin Media
Yesterday post arrived from the Virgin Media explaining the shiny new services (which aren't really new) and that you'll now be able to get TV, Internet, voice and mobile from the same company.
They are now all subsuming into Virgin Media, though Virgin Mobile will still be just that.
Even Email addresses will change, though customers have the option of keeping their old NTL or Telewest addresses.
The major real change is that there's now just one bill for all Virgin services.
Currently cable has a major advantage of really being able to offer a quad play and converged services all down one pipe, but they don't have the money to expand the network so may well use local loop unbundling or even wireless to extend coverage.
They are now all subsuming into Virgin Media, though Virgin Mobile will still be just that.
Even Email addresses will change, though customers have the option of keeping their old NTL or Telewest addresses.
The major real change is that there's now just one bill for all Virgin services.
Currently cable has a major advantage of really being able to offer a quad play and converged services all down one pipe, but they don't have the money to expand the network so may well use local loop unbundling or even wireless to extend coverage.
Newer ships USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter
Digit Online
Sounds quite a useful gadget which supports USB 2.0 on one side and any form of 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive or optical drives with IDE, ATA, ATAPI or SATA interfaces.
It's designed so data can be moved off old internal drives on to a new one, it's not even a complete enclosure, just enough hardware to connect and power the drive, but for $24.85 it's a bargain.
Sounds quite a useful gadget which supports USB 2.0 on one side and any form of 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive or optical drives with IDE, ATA, ATAPI or SATA interfaces.
It's designed so data can be moved off old internal drives on to a new one, it's not even a complete enclosure, just enough hardware to connect and power the drive, but for $24.85 it's a bargain.
2007/01/31
LiMo or Mobile Linux
Motorola, NEC, Panasonic Mobile Communications and Samsung, and carriers NTT DoCoMo and Vodafone have got together to form the LiMo Foundatation to encourage Linux as operating system (with applications) for mobile devices.
Membership starts at $40,000 and goes up to $800,000 for big companies and allows access to code and contributions to it.
There's already several Linux variants out there and hopefully this will standardise things, though they might be fighting a losing battle now Symbian have added some POSIX capabilities to their OS.
It might do some hard to Microsoft who are winning inroads in to the mobile market with Windows Mobile.
Membership starts at $40,000 and goes up to $800,000 for big companies and allows access to code and contributions to it.
There's already several Linux variants out there and hopefully this will standardise things, though they might be fighting a losing battle now Symbian have added some POSIX capabilities to their OS.
It might do some hard to Microsoft who are winning inroads in to the mobile market with Windows Mobile.
ISO PDF anyone
Adobe is trying to get the PDF specification ratified as an ISO spec.
Initially the v1.7 specification is being submitted to Association for Information and Image Management with the hope they'll submit it to ISO to become an international standard.
Is it just a way to fend off Microsoft who are pushing their XML format for Office 2007?
Initially the v1.7 specification is being submitted to Association for Information and Image Management with the hope they'll submit it to ISO to become an international standard.
Is it just a way to fend off Microsoft who are pushing their XML format for Office 2007?
Photoshop Lightroom to ship this month
Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom (as was just Lightroom) is going to ship later this month. Available on both Macs and PCs (universal binary for Macs).
Adobe have made a big effort with a large public beta test as they're obviously going for the Apple Apperture market and the feedback does seem positive.
No pricing has been set yet.
Adobe have made a big effort with a large public beta test as they're obviously going for the Apple Apperture market and the feedback does seem positive.
No pricing has been set yet.
New Apple ads
Apple's starting splashing ads all over the space (MySpace in particular) starring comedians David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
One plays Windows/PC and the other MacOS/Mac. They're pretty funny - in the vein of the Wii vs PS3 ads put out by Nintendo and putting Macs in a good light.
They're up on YouTube too.
One plays Windows/PC and the other MacOS/Mac. They're pretty funny - in the vein of the Wii vs PS3 ads put out by Nintendo and putting Macs in a good light.
They're up on YouTube too.
i-Mate JASJAR / O2 Exec
I've been having horrid problems with an O2 Exec (kept running out of memory).
The O2 MyXDA site doesn't seem to want to recognise the Exec exists anymore. Luckily I "found" a later version of the ROM for the JASJAR and with some other software that hacked it to make it non country specific, it installed nicely.
Seems to run much better, also installed Windows Live Messenger.
There's a copy of Windows CE 6 (crossbow) flying around which is meant to add further improvements, though MS haven't officially released it.
Anyway it seems much happier now.
Though I'm seriously tempted to go use a Mac rather than PC. There's even sync software for it and with Plaxo having a Mac client (only for contacts at the moment) it's almost possible to move completely away from Outlook.
The O2 MyXDA site doesn't seem to want to recognise the Exec exists anymore. Luckily I "found" a later version of the ROM for the JASJAR and with some other software that hacked it to make it non country specific, it installed nicely.
Seems to run much better, also installed Windows Live Messenger.
There's a copy of Windows CE 6 (crossbow) flying around which is meant to add further improvements, though MS haven't officially released it.
Anyway it seems much happier now.
Though I'm seriously tempted to go use a Mac rather than PC. There's even sync software for it and with Plaxo having a Mac client (only for contacts at the moment) it's almost possible to move completely away from Outlook.
Slimdevices Transporter installed
It's a very nice system. Currently just switched the Transporter for the Squeezebox (using another box to do the digital to analog). So far it doesn't sound any better, but then it's decompressing a digital signal and sending it out digitally, so it shouldn't really.
Next is removing the other DAC and using the Transporter for everything and then plug the CD into it and see if that makes a difference.
Next is removing the other DAC and using the Transporter for everything and then plug the CD into it and see if that makes a difference.
2007/01/24
Low power GSM goes live
Mapesbury Communications also known as MCOM today made their first GSM call. Last year they won a GSM Guard Band license (1 of 12 licensees).
The set-up used a pico-cell BTS (basestations) connected to a soft-BSC (basestation controller) which in turn was connected to a soft-MSC (mobile system controller) and then used SIP to their VOIP servers which connected to the telephony network.
It all seemed to work rather well.
The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) do not seem to be keen to allow them to interconnect with them, one even refusing to switch their Ofcom allocated number ranges as they're "not a real mobile network". Ofcom may not be too happy about it. In the meantime though they can offer private GSM services, just without roaming to the existing MNOs.
It seems plans will be to allow "free" calls to other MCOM users and any SIP users. Since connection to the PSTN isn't free, any PSTN calls will be charged for. This will also be true for calls to MCOM mobiles.
MCOM may set-up GSM "bubbles" or clouds, like current WiFi zones.
Low power GSM licensees could change the way people think about mobile pricing which is probably why the current MNO's are worried.
The set-up used a pico-cell BTS (basestations) connected to a soft-BSC (basestation controller) which in turn was connected to a soft-MSC (mobile system controller) and then used SIP to their VOIP servers which connected to the telephony network.
It all seemed to work rather well.
The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) do not seem to be keen to allow them to interconnect with them, one even refusing to switch their Ofcom allocated number ranges as they're "not a real mobile network". Ofcom may not be too happy about it. In the meantime though they can offer private GSM services, just without roaming to the existing MNOs.
It seems plans will be to allow "free" calls to other MCOM users and any SIP users. Since connection to the PSTN isn't free, any PSTN calls will be charged for. This will also be true for calls to MCOM mobiles.
MCOM may set-up GSM "bubbles" or clouds, like current WiFi zones.
Low power GSM licensees could change the way people think about mobile pricing which is probably why the current MNO's are worried.
Symbian OS - the mobile operating system
Symbian OS - the mobile operating system
Symbian have announced P.I.P.S (P.I.P.S. is POSIX on Symbian) which is a set of POSIX libraries for the Symbian OS. It should be available with v9.1.
The POSIX standard is a set of APIs and library that came out of UNIX and though Symbian haven't ported everything, they say it's enough to port standard desktop applications.
This could boost the number of applications available as Linux is POSIX compliant so developers should be able to port some of the millions of programs available in a relatively easy manner.
Symbian have announced P.I.P.S (P.I.P.S. is POSIX on Symbian) which is a set of POSIX libraries for the Symbian OS. It should be available with v9.1.
The POSIX standard is a set of APIs and library that came out of UNIX and though Symbian haven't ported everything, they say it's enough to port standard desktop applications.
This could boost the number of applications available as Linux is POSIX compliant so developers should be able to port some of the millions of programs available in a relatively easy manner.
Welcome to CSR plc
Welcome to CSR plc
Cambridge Silicon Radio have acuqired NordNav Technologies AB and the assets of Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd. This will allow them to add GPS hardware and/or software to their Bluecore range of Bluetooth chips. They say it will mean an increase in cost of less than $1 for the chips.
Since NordNav have a software GPS system, the software can be incorporated into the Bluecore code allowing for cheaper designs, while the CPS technology will allow increased GPS accuracy in built-up areas etc, but requires hardware.
CSR make half of all Bluetooth units for phones and this should allow more phones (which is trend anyway) to offer GPS capabilities.
Cambridge Silicon Radio have acuqired NordNav Technologies AB and the assets of Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd. This will allow them to add GPS hardware and/or software to their Bluecore range of Bluetooth chips. They say it will mean an increase in cost of less than $1 for the chips.
Since NordNav have a software GPS system, the software can be incorporated into the Bluecore code allowing for cheaper designs, while the CPS technology will allow increased GPS accuracy in built-up areas etc, but requires hardware.
CSR make half of all Bluetooth units for phones and this should allow more phones (which is trend anyway) to offer GPS capabilities.
Telecommunications Market Data Tables Q2 2006 | Ofcom
Telecommunications Market Data Tables Q2 2006 | Ofcom
BT are losing out heavily to the competition in many areas. In terms of access they used to control 80.6% in 2004 of the market but in Q2 '06 that fell to 73.7%.
BT's percentage of exchange lines also fell from 78.4% to 72.3%, call volumes (by minutes) from 65.9% to 54.1%.
In purely the residential market drops were even higher with falls in access from 78.8% to 72.0% and calls dropping from 66.7% to 57.8%. Exchange line connections went from 80.3% to 73.5% and call volumes dropped from 74.0% 60.2%.
In the business markets BT did rather better with access dropping from 83.3% to 76.4% while calls volumes actually went up from 49.0% to 49.7%.
In terms on broadband connections BT's only lost .1% (from 23.6% to 23.5%), though LLU made a huge change (from 36,000 unbundled lines to 847,000) cable went up by 1m but BT's numbers went up from 6m to 12.2m connections.
So it seems in the business markets BT is holding on to it's customers, but losing out in the residential sector.
In terms of mobile customers it's O2 (16,814), then T-Mobile (16,730), Orange (14,951) and Vodafone (13,873). In terms of revenue per customer it's Vodafone (64.7), O2 (54.0), Orange (48.9) and T-Mobile (39.9).
Volumes of SMS and MMS are grouped together (the networks don't want MMS figures published seperately as they're so poor) and O2 are way ahead of the pack on this - though that's probably as they do a lot of fixed to mobile SMS services to the other networks (what was O2 Online or Genie). Volumes/Revenues were Vodafone (2,033/£144m), O2 (4,378/£240m), T-Mobile (1,293/£94m) and Orange (2,040/£110m).
Figures for 3 aren't in the report.
BT are losing out heavily to the competition in many areas. In terms of access they used to control 80.6% in 2004 of the market but in Q2 '06 that fell to 73.7%.
BT's percentage of exchange lines also fell from 78.4% to 72.3%, call volumes (by minutes) from 65.9% to 54.1%.
In purely the residential market drops were even higher with falls in access from 78.8% to 72.0% and calls dropping from 66.7% to 57.8%. Exchange line connections went from 80.3% to 73.5% and call volumes dropped from 74.0% 60.2%.
In the business markets BT did rather better with access dropping from 83.3% to 76.4% while calls volumes actually went up from 49.0% to 49.7%.
In terms on broadband connections BT's only lost .1% (from 23.6% to 23.5%), though LLU made a huge change (from 36,000 unbundled lines to 847,000) cable went up by 1m but BT's numbers went up from 6m to 12.2m connections.
So it seems in the business markets BT is holding on to it's customers, but losing out in the residential sector.
In terms of mobile customers it's O2 (16,814), then T-Mobile (16,730), Orange (14,951) and Vodafone (13,873). In terms of revenue per customer it's Vodafone (64.7), O2 (54.0), Orange (48.9) and T-Mobile (39.9).
Volumes of SMS and MMS are grouped together (the networks don't want MMS figures published seperately as they're so poor) and O2 are way ahead of the pack on this - though that's probably as they do a lot of fixed to mobile SMS services to the other networks (what was O2 Online or Genie). Volumes/Revenues were Vodafone (2,033/£144m), O2 (4,378/£240m), T-Mobile (1,293/£94m) and Orange (2,040/£110m).
Figures for 3 aren't in the report.
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