In the near future the Twitter API will be extended with the ability to geotag the tweet. The user will have to enable adding geo information to the tweet (for privacy reasons) but this will be a genuinely useful addition to the service. It will also allow a whole new slew of geo enabled applications that can get very interesting information from gthe Twitter stream.
Initially the new API will be released to a limited number of platform developers (who are generally the people writing Twitter clients) before opening it to the general public.
Twitter are also developing further additions which will enable commercial users of Twitter to gain increased functionality from the service, though @ev (Evan Williams) has said the service will always be free for ordinary users.
2009/08/21
2009/08/13
Femto cells to be big?
Ubiquisys has just raised $11m as they expect the Femto cell market to explode.
Why is everyone so surprised? Femto cells in the home using the customer's broadband connection makes sense for the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) as they remove some of the backhaul requirements which is an incredibly expensive operational cost.
As new data services are launched like HSPDA+ which offer 20Mb/s or so download speeds and eventually LTE (or even WiMAX) the backhaul requirements just get worse.
Currently the MNOs restrict the in-premise cells to just a few users, but in the future it's likely the femto cells will be given away for free, the customer gets "free" or greatly reduced call charges and free or cheap data. However at some point the MNOs will allow 3rd party users on to the cells for calls and data. They can then use in-home cells for micro fill and offloading traffic from the main cell sites.
This only is really practical for 3G femto cells as they will co-operate with neighbouring cells and not interfere on the radio side of things. Unfortunately 2G femto cells still need to be frequency planned which causes a nightmare if they are randomly deployed (unless they have their own spectrum to sit in, which is available in the old GSM Guard Bands - but of the MNOs only O2 has a low power guard band license).
Vodafone have taken the initiative in the UK and it's surely only a matter of time before the other operators follow suit with their own femto cell rollouts.
Why is everyone so surprised? Femto cells in the home using the customer's broadband connection makes sense for the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) as they remove some of the backhaul requirements which is an incredibly expensive operational cost.
As new data services are launched like HSPDA+ which offer 20Mb/s or so download speeds and eventually LTE (or even WiMAX) the backhaul requirements just get worse.
Currently the MNOs restrict the in-premise cells to just a few users, but in the future it's likely the femto cells will be given away for free, the customer gets "free" or greatly reduced call charges and free or cheap data. However at some point the MNOs will allow 3rd party users on to the cells for calls and data. They can then use in-home cells for micro fill and offloading traffic from the main cell sites.
This only is really practical for 3G femto cells as they will co-operate with neighbouring cells and not interfere on the radio side of things. Unfortunately 2G femto cells still need to be frequency planned which causes a nightmare if they are randomly deployed (unless they have their own spectrum to sit in, which is available in the old GSM Guard Bands - but of the MNOs only O2 has a low power guard band license).
Vodafone have taken the initiative in the UK and it's surely only a matter of time before the other operators follow suit with their own femto cell rollouts.
2009/08/11
Consultation on the way forward for the future use of the band 872 - 876 MHz paired with 917 - 921 MHz | Ofcom
Consultation on the way forward for the future use of the band 872 - 876 MHz paired with 917 - 921 MHz | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation on the 872 - 876 MHz paired with 917 - 921 MHz bands.
The last consultation was held in Summer 2006, but the conditions have changed since then.
It's likely that the GSM directive will be amended such that the 900MHz and other bands can be refarmed for 3G use. This means the 917 - 921 MHz which is adjacent to this band will need to be controlled such that 3G interference is minimised.
Ofcom are considering the band for UMTS use and systems such as LTE could work in the band.
Ofcom are also considering allowing short range devices such as RFID systems to operate in this band in a light licensing regime as interference is likely to be very localised.
The consultation closes on the 3rd of Nov 2009.
Ofcom is holding a consultation on the 872 - 876 MHz paired with 917 - 921 MHz bands.
The last consultation was held in Summer 2006, but the conditions have changed since then.
It's likely that the GSM directive will be amended such that the 900MHz and other bands can be refarmed for 3G use. This means the 917 - 921 MHz which is adjacent to this band will need to be controlled such that 3G interference is minimised.
Ofcom are considering the band for UMTS use and systems such as LTE could work in the band.
Ofcom are also considering allowing short range devices such as RFID systems to operate in this band in a light licensing regime as interference is likely to be very localised.
The consultation closes on the 3rd of Nov 2009.
2009/08/04
Blackberry App World updates itself
Blackberry has updated it's App World application to v1.1 which promises faster image and icon loading and other improvements such as showing the available memory and suggesting ways of gaining more memory such as moving applications on to SD storage.
There are now about 2,000 applications on App World which is still a tiny amount compared to Apple's efforts, but at least there are some.
There are now about 2,000 applications on App World which is still a tiny amount compared to Apple's efforts, but at least there are some.
2009/07/30
Skype for Asterisk Open Beta
Digium have announced their Skype for Asterisk Open Beta which anyone can get a license key (and chan_skype software) for the Asterisk open source IP PBX.
The open beta will close on Aug 7th and the licenses will expire on Aug 31st so if you apply now, that gives about a month's worth of testing,
You need to register on Digium's site to make a purchase which will cost all of $0.
The Skype software and license is available to buy here.
This allows an Asterisk PBX to log into Skype which then acts as a channel driver so calls can be sent through the channel.
The open beta will close on Aug 7th and the licenses will expire on Aug 31st so if you apply now, that gives about a month's worth of testing,
You need to register on Digium's site to make a purchase which will cost all of $0.
The Skype software and license is available to buy here.
This allows an Asterisk PBX to log into Skype which then acts as a channel driver so calls can be sent through the channel.
2009/07/28
Virgin Mobile Sprints away
Sprint is acquiring Virgin Mobile USA for $483m. Sprint is already a shareholder (13.1%) and Virgin is an MVNO on Sprint's network.
Sprint will gain advantages by reducing operational requirements.
This will give Virgin a small cash boost, but the whole group is still up for sale.
Sprint will gain advantages by reducing operational requirements.
This will give Virgin a small cash boost, but the whole group is still up for sale.
Direction under Section 106(3) of the Communications Act 2003 modifying a direction applying the Electronic Communications Code in the case of Airwave Solutions Limited | Ofcom
Direction under Section 106(3) of the Communications Act 2003 modifying a direction applying the Electronic Communications Code in the case of Airwave Solutions Limited | Ofcom
Ofcom has granted Airwave a variance in the appliance of the Communications Code such that they are now able to build a private mobile radio network for The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralmypic Games.
airwave already have a license which allows them to build mobile networks for the emergency services and other public organisations, this just gives them the ability to provide the same type of network for the Olympics in the Stratford area.
Ofcom has granted Airwave a variance in the appliance of the Communications Code such that they are now able to build a private mobile radio network for The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralmypic Games.
airwave already have a license which allows them to build mobile networks for the emergency services and other public organisations, this just gives them the ability to provide the same type of network for the Olympics in the Stratford area.
2009/07/27
O2 UK follow Vodafone with SMS access to Twitter
UK O2 users can now send tweets from the mobile phone using SMS (and of course receive them via SMS too).
The system is set-up like the already working Vodafone system where device updates are enable per user and/or for replies and/or direct messages.
Messages are sent to (ro come from) 86444.
Sending messages to your phone is free while sending messages to Twitter will cost a the same as a standard SMS, though they can be included in any SMS bundle deal. O2 are operating a fair use policy whereby if you receive more than 600 messages per month, you'll be asked to cut your usage down.
It now only a matter of time before the other MNOs follow suit.
The system is set-up like the already working Vodafone system where device updates are enable per user and/or for replies and/or direct messages.
Messages are sent to (ro come from) 86444.
Sending messages to your phone is free while sending messages to Twitter will cost a the same as a standard SMS, though they can be included in any SMS bundle deal. O2 are operating a fair use policy whereby if you receive more than 600 messages per month, you'll be asked to cut your usage down.
It now only a matter of time before the other MNOs follow suit.
Orange and even O2 may bid against Vodafone for T-Mobile UK - Rethink Wireless
Orange and even O2 may bid against Vodafone for T-Mobile UK - Rethink Wireless
It looks like O2 and even Orange may enter the fray to purchase T-Mobile UK, even though Orange have stated they're not in the game (insiders believe they owuld put an offer in just to stop Vodafone).
However Deutsche Telekom may hold on to the struggling T-Mobile to give Richard Moat (T-Mobile's UK CEO) time to turn the company around.
It looks like O2 and even Orange may enter the fray to purchase T-Mobile UK, even though Orange have stated they're not in the game (insiders believe they owuld put an offer in just to stop Vodafone).
However Deutsche Telekom may hold on to the struggling T-Mobile to give Richard Moat (T-Mobile's UK CEO) time to turn the company around.
Ericsson wins Nortel assets but Q2 results impacted by downturn - Rethink Wireless
Ericsson wins Nortel assets but Q2 results impacted by downturn - Rethink Wireless
Ericsson has won the bidding to buy the wireless assets of Nortel. They paid $1.3bn which was considerably larger than $650m initially offered by Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN).
This will put Ericsson in a good position to get into the CDMA migration LTE game in North America. it's surprising that NSN let the Nortel assets get away since the wireless division was profitable and both the Swedes and Fins have been trying to expand operations in the North American markets.
Nortel also has a well regarded LTE IP portfolio which now goes to Ericsson too. Ericsson now becomes the second largest CDMA provider only down from ZTE.
However on the same day Ericsson published their results which were "disappointing".
Ericsson has won the bidding to buy the wireless assets of Nortel. They paid $1.3bn which was considerably larger than $650m initially offered by Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN).
This will put Ericsson in a good position to get into the CDMA migration LTE game in North America. it's surprising that NSN let the Nortel assets get away since the wireless division was profitable and both the Swedes and Fins have been trying to expand operations in the North American markets.
Nortel also has a well regarded LTE IP portfolio which now goes to Ericsson too. Ericsson now becomes the second largest CDMA provider only down from ZTE.
However on the same day Ericsson published their results which were "disappointing".
2009/07/24
BBC Dumps Commercial Internet-TV Plan - WSJ.com
BBC Dumps Commercial Internet-TV Plan - WSJ.com
Project Kangaroo jumps its last jump and is being closed down and the technology sold to Arquiva Ltd (the technology bit that came out of NTL).
Kangaroo was effectively killed last February after BSkyB complained that they'd get too much of an advantage in the emerging VoD/IPTV market and the Competition Commission agreed with them.
BBC Worldwide (the commercial arm of the Beeb) is still interested in distributing content over the Internet and is looking at other ways of now doing this.
BBC's iPlayer already supports on-demand and downloaded content and could be modified to support a pay TV model.
Project Kangaroo jumps its last jump and is being closed down and the technology sold to Arquiva Ltd (the technology bit that came out of NTL).
Kangaroo was effectively killed last February after BSkyB complained that they'd get too much of an advantage in the emerging VoD/IPTV market and the Competition Commission agreed with them.
BBC Worldwide (the commercial arm of the Beeb) is still interested in distributing content over the Internet and is looking at other ways of now doing this.
BBC's iPlayer already supports on-demand and downloaded content and could be modified to support a pay TV model.
2009/07/23
Google Voice now berry'd up
Google has released a Blackberry verison of the Google Voice application so it's now available on Blackberry phones as well as Android phones. Unfortunately Google Voice is still only available to Google users in the US (or who have registered with a US Google Mail account etc).
Google are rumoured be to be in talks with a German company who will provide them with infrastructure in Europe (including the UK).
When Google do launch in Europe the new VoIP entrants have the most to lose and some must already be worried. BT will still win as they own 85% of the infrastructure into premises and until there's fibre services rolled out from alternate carriers they still provide the last mile (and much of the backhaul).
Google are rumoured be to be in talks with a German company who will provide them with infrastructure in Europe (including the UK).
When Google do launch in Europe the new VoIP entrants have the most to lose and some must already be worried. BT will still win as they own 85% of the infrastructure into premises and until there's fibre services rolled out from alternate carriers they still provide the last mile (and much of the backhaul).
Apple sells iPhones
Apple have shipped 5.2m iPhones during the last quarter which helped them achieve net profits of $1.23bn which is up 15% on last year.
Apple are still seen to be innovating in the phone market and there are still rumours of a 10" netbook (or large iPod touch) type device. They still have the opportunity to grab a new chunk of the market if they can release a truly innovative device.
Apple are still seen to be innovating in the phone market and there are still rumours of a 10" netbook (or large iPod touch) type device. They still have the opportunity to grab a new chunk of the market if they can release a truly innovative device.
AT&T go plastic
Plastic Logic makers of eInk technologies have done a deal with Barnes and Noble to supply their eBook store. AT&T will supply connectivity.
The unnamed Plastic Logic eReader will be in direct competition with Amazon's Kindle which is doing very well.
When will these devices come to Europe? The main eReader available in the UK is still the Sony unit.
The unnamed Plastic Logic eReader will be in direct competition with Amazon's Kindle which is doing very well.
When will these devices come to Europe? The main eReader available in the UK is still the Sony unit.
2009/07/16
Release of the 59 – 64 GHz band | Ofcom
Release of the 59 – 64 GHz band | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation on the release of spectrum in the 59 to 64 GHz band under license exempt regulations.
The 57 to 59 GHz band has already been made license exempt and is used for high bandwidth fixed wireless systems (FWS) that link sites up to about 1Km apart.
Since the signals are rapidly attenuated in air, interference between FWS systems should be minimal.
Modern radio equipment that is now cost effective has made the use of this band commercially attractive to provide radio links of 100Mb/s and more.
There is still some military use of frequencies within these bands for Mobile and Radiolocation applications so license exempt use will not be permitted in 3 small geographic areas.
The consultation closes on 25/09/09
Ofcom is holding a consultation on the release of spectrum in the 59 to 64 GHz band under license exempt regulations.
The 57 to 59 GHz band has already been made license exempt and is used for high bandwidth fixed wireless systems (FWS) that link sites up to about 1Km apart.
Since the signals are rapidly attenuated in air, interference between FWS systems should be minimal.
Modern radio equipment that is now cost effective has made the use of this band commercially attractive to provide radio links of 100Mb/s and more.
There is still some military use of frequencies within these bands for Mobile and Radiolocation applications so license exempt use will not be permitted in 3 small geographic areas.
The consultation closes on 25/09/09
2009/07/13
VirginMedia to go High Def
VirginMedia will shortly be launching new HD channels on their cable platform (the one they advertise as being fibre, which is really fibre to the street cabinet and co-ax to the home).
Sky have been offering several HD channels, now Virgin are catching-up with content from the Food channel and various Discovery channels.
It doesn't seem they have Sky's HD film channels, but then it's not in Sky's interest to offer them to Virgin customers.
Sky have been offering several HD channels, now Virgin are catching-up with content from the Food channel and various Discovery channels.
It doesn't seem they have Sky's HD film channels, but then it's not in Sky's interest to offer them to Virgin customers.
Decision to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Short Range Devices) (Exemption) Regulations 2009 | Ofcom
Decision to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Short Range Devices) (Exemption) Regulations 2009 | Ofcom
On 17th July 2009 the Wireless Telegraphy Act changes will come come into force making various short range wireless devices license except. This is in-line with European Commission Decision 2009/381/EC of 13 May 2009 amending Decision 2006/771/EC of 9 November 2006 on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices (the SRD Amendment Decision).
The following will become license excempt: -
* Tank Level Probing Radar (TLPR) at 4.5-7, 8.5-10.6, 24.05-27, 57-64 and 75-85 GHz.
* Radio determination applications at 2400-2483.5 MHz and 17.1-17.3 GHz (including Ground Based Synthetic Aperture Radar GB-SAR).
* Wideband data transmission systems (WBDTS) at 57-66 GHz (including wireless distribution of High Definition HD video).
It will also licence-exempt airborne use of the following equipment:
* WBDTS at 2400-2483.5 MHz and 57-66 GHz.
* Radio determination applications at 2400-2483.5 MHz.
* TLPR at 4.5-7, 8.5-10.6, 24.05-27, 57-64 and 75-85 GHz.
* Model Control at 26990-27000, 27040-27050, 27090-27100, 27140-27150 and 27190-27200 kHz.
* Radio frequency identification at 2446-2454 MHz.
On 17th July 2009 the Wireless Telegraphy Act changes will come come into force making various short range wireless devices license except. This is in-line with European Commission Decision 2009/381/EC of 13 May 2009 amending Decision 2006/771/EC of 9 November 2006 on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices (the SRD Amendment Decision).
The following will become license excempt: -
* Tank Level Probing Radar (TLPR) at 4.5-7, 8.5-10.6, 24.05-27, 57-64 and 75-85 GHz.
* Radio determination applications at 2400-2483.5 MHz and 17.1-17.3 GHz (including Ground Based Synthetic Aperture Radar GB-SAR).
* Wideband data transmission systems (WBDTS) at 57-66 GHz (including wireless distribution of High Definition HD video).
It will also licence-exempt airborne use of the following equipment:
* WBDTS at 2400-2483.5 MHz and 57-66 GHz.
* Radio determination applications at 2400-2483.5 MHz.
* TLPR at 4.5-7, 8.5-10.6, 24.05-27, 57-64 and 75-85 GHz.
* Model Control at 26990-27000, 27040-27050, 27090-27100, 27140-27150 and 27190-27200 kHz.
* Radio frequency identification at 2446-2454 MHz.
2009/07/09
Vodafone and T-Mobile UK acquisition getting closer
Assuming there are no regulatory complaints, Vodafone may announce the acquisition of T-Mobile UK by next week. Deutsch Telecom may agree to the purchase if Vodafone swaps their Turkish network.
Ofcom recently released 3G coverage in the UK showing that O2 and Vodafone lagged behind 3, Orange and T-Mobile so a joint Vodafone/T-Mobile network would significantly increase their coverage and give them 40% of the UK market.
It is likely that other operators will shout unfair so the will be delays due to regulatory intervention.
Ofcom recently released 3G coverage in the UK showing that O2 and Vodafone lagged behind 3, Orange and T-Mobile so a joint Vodafone/T-Mobile network would significantly increase their coverage and give them 40% of the UK market.
It is likely that other operators will shout unfair so the will be delays due to regulatory intervention.
Chrome OS the notebook challenger
Google has announced Chrome OS and new Linux based operating system with a the Chrome browser which will be targeted at netbooks.
Netbooks are already using Linux, but Google's entry into the fray will certainly threaten other Linux variants and make Microsoft's life more difficult. By owning the desktop, Google gain the user's entry to the Interweb, which makes Google apps easily available removing the reliance on desktop applications. Since Chrome supports Google GEARS, Google apps can continue to operate when the system is offline.
Google say Chrome and Android are different and come out of different teams. Android is optimised for mobile devices and has the issue of having a mobile stack to contend with while Chrome is optimised as a desktop system with the browser as the main driver.
It's likely that Google (with zero licensing costs) will be able to gain a large foothold reasonably quickly and drive users to their on-line apps which is the motivation for the OS.
It seems the industry also likes the effort and there seems to be widespread support from chip manufacturers like ARM, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments etc.
Netbooks are already using Linux, but Google's entry into the fray will certainly threaten other Linux variants and make Microsoft's life more difficult. By owning the desktop, Google gain the user's entry to the Interweb, which makes Google apps easily available removing the reliance on desktop applications. Since Chrome supports Google GEARS, Google apps can continue to operate when the system is offline.
Google say Chrome and Android are different and come out of different teams. Android is optimised for mobile devices and has the issue of having a mobile stack to contend with while Chrome is optimised as a desktop system with the browser as the main driver.
It's likely that Google (with zero licensing costs) will be able to gain a large foothold reasonably quickly and drive users to their on-line apps which is the motivation for the OS.
It seems the industry also likes the effort and there seems to be widespread support from chip manufacturers like ARM, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments etc.
A Three-digit Number for Non-Emergency Healthcare Services | Ofcom
A Three-digit Number for Non-Emergency Healthcare Services | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation on the introduction of a 3 digit code, 111, for non-essential health care services.
A user dialing 111 will be directed to their local health service. The service is planned to be piloted in 2010 and rolled out nationally (in England) after that.
The consultation closes on 28 August 2009.
Ofcom is holding a consultation on the introduction of a 3 digit code, 111, for non-essential health care services.
A user dialing 111 will be directed to their local health service. The service is planned to be piloted in 2010 and rolled out nationally (in England) after that.
The consultation closes on 28 August 2009.
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