Telecoms News
November 30, 2007
Bouygues Telecom, the mobile-phone division of French telecom Bouygues SA, topped the nine million customer mark in November 2007. Bouygues Telecom introduced the talk-plan concept in France in 1996, followed by free voicemail - two moves which made mobile phones more accessible to all. The company pioneered the mobile phone market again in 2006 with the launch of two new call plans. ...
Nine million customers for Bouygues Telecom
by Lin FreestoneBouygues Telecom, the mobile-phone division of French telecom Bouygues SA, topped the nine million customer mark in November 2007. Bouygues Telecom introduced the talk-plan concept in France in 1996, followed by free voicemail - two moves which made mobile phones more accessible to all. The company pioneered the mobile phone market again in 2006 with the launch of two new call plans. ...
Nokia Intellisync secures contract with MegaFon
by Lin FreestoneNokia has announced that the Russian mobile operator MegaFon will offer a mobile email service based on its Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email solution. The service is due to start in November 2007 The hosted service, which will be branded as MegaSync, will provide mobile email, advanced attachment handling, calendar, contacts and task synchronisation to MegaFon's customers. MegaFon was looking for a solution ...
Ericsson to supply GSM network and managed services in Mumbai
by Lin FreestoneEricsson has been selected by Idea Cellular, a leading Indian operator, as the sole supplier of its GSM network in Mumbai, India. The parties have also entered into a managed services partnership, which will begin soon. The commercial launch is planned for May 2008. The telecom will supply radio access, microwave transmission, and core network equipment, including Ericsson's Mobile Softswitch Solution, ...
UKTV Gold and Drama gets new boss
by David AllenThere is a new head at UKTV Gold and UKTV Drama the group that is owned by both Virgin Media and the BBC. This will bring the two companies together under the management for the first time and it is believed that Paul Moreton is the man for the job although he will be reporting to the controller of the ...
Tiscali losing IPTV customers
by David AllenThe ISP Tiscali who are based in Italy have been losing subscribers for their IPTV service Home Choice, they currently have 36,000 subscribers, but just over a year ago when Tiscali bought the company for £100 million, there already 45,000 subscribers, so they have not done a very good job in keeping the customers that they have, so how are ...
SoliCall’s PBXMate reduces background noise on VoIP
by Lin FreestoneSoliCall has a solution to the problem of noisy business calls over VoIP networks, especially conference calls. SoliCall’s PBXMate reduces background noise and improves voice clarity. SoliCall's PBXMate can work with any VoIP Network that supports SIP and it runs on Linux & Windows. SoliCall offers dramatic improvement of phone calls' quality. By simple configuration, the PBXMate can be used in ...
Sky news advances into Europe
by David AllenWhile other satellite operators are struggling to gain a larger market share or in some cases keep their existing market share but bucking the trend is Sky News they continue to advance into territories that most people would have thought to be closed to them. The most recent expansion is into France where Sky News is now available in around six ...
Setanta starts a news buzz
by David AllenThe sports newcomer, Setanta is out to launch a major attack on the one main sports news channel Sky Sports News. This is a joint venture between Virgin Media and Setanta and is launched today into a world where Sky have been dominant for virtually as long as anyone can remember, never before have they had competition at this level and ...
Galileo satellite navigation gets approval
by Brian TurnerEU ministers have finally agreed to push ahead on the Galileo satellite navigation projects, after it came close to being scrapped. The project intends to set up a GPS system to rival and complement the existing US-run GPS system, while providing more detailed information. It also allows Europe to receive accurate satellite tracking data without being dependent upon the US military. While ...
Enhanced red button services from Freesat
by Lin FreestoneThe BBC is to enhance its interactive services on digital satellite in time for the launch of Freesat in spring 2008. The corporation is planning to offer a wide range of red button services on Freesat, its joint venture free-to-view digital satellite service. Initially viewers will be able to read the latest news and sport stories 24 hours a day, enjoy ...
Viewers want more standard Freeview channels
by Lin FreestoneIn a recent survey, Ofcom questioned 1,000 people to find out what was preferred amongst several options. The options were extra standard definition Freeview channels, local television, high definition, wireless home networks, better mobile phone and mobile broadband services and mobile television. The response indicated that more Freeview channels and better mobile and mobile broadband services were preferred. They were both ...
Virgin will launch 50Mbps broadband in 2008
by Lin FreestoneVirgin Media has confirmed that it will launch 50 megabits per second broadband across its network in 2008. Recent trials of the service have proved successful, and will be expanded. A Virgin spokesman has said that they’ll never know exactly what demand there'll be for super-fast broadband until it's in people's homes and workplaces up and down the UK. Virgin does ...
Half-price V+ for Christmas
by Lin FreestoneVirgin Media has cut the price of V+ installation by half, and the offer will continue until the end of 2007. Customers will be able to get the V+ high definition personal video recorder installed for £75, half of the usual £150 fee. Virgin guarantees that orders placed before December 12 are guaranteed installation by Christmas Eve. All Virgin’s customers already have ...
Two new documentary channels on Top Up TV
by Lin FreestoneTop Up TV has added programmes from two new documentary channels to its digital terrestrial Anytime service. The History Channel and Crime & Investigation Network programmes will be available on Anytime from Friday 23 November 2007. The History Channel covers a variety of topics, including ancient history, contemporary history, military history and conflict, and technology and transport. Programs from the channel ...
Toshiba 42HL67U Projection LCD TV
by Franz Bicar
Toshiba's 42HL67U is fitted with Toshiba's REGZA Premium LCD CineSpeed Panel. This panel offers response times that are among the best in the industry. So when buying this set, you'll definitely get more than you bargained for. Along with this, the set also sports PixelPure 3G Digital Video Processing. ...
November 29, 2007
Telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has introduced new rules which will make it easier for mobile phone users to keep their phone number if they move to a different provider. Under the new regulations, consumers will be able to receive calls on their existing number within 2 hours of transferring to a different network, compared with 5 days at present. Under an earlier ruling ...
Ofcom updates mobile number porting rules
by Jan HarrisTelecoms regulator, Ofcom, has introduced new rules which will make it easier for mobile phone users to keep their phone number if they move to a different provider. Under the new regulations, consumers will be able to receive calls on their existing number within 2 hours of transferring to a different network, compared with 5 days at present. Under an earlier ruling ...
Cisco IP phones vulnerable to eavesdropping
by Jan HarrisCisco's 7900 Series of IP phones has been shown to have a vulnerability in the Extension Mobility feature, which a hacker could exploit to eavesdrop on calls. Extension Mobility allows users to configure a Cisco IP phone as their own. When the feature is enabled it fails to encrypt signalling communications between a device and an internal web server. This could allow ...
Venturer launching SHD7001 low-cost HD DVD player
by Janet Harris
Venturer is launching its SHD7001 HD DvD player in late December. The low-cost, standalone player is similar to the SHD7000 model, which Venturer demonstrated at the IFA exhibition in August.
The player is compatible with 720p and 1080i high definition and can upscale standard definition content via HDMI. It is ...Google announces My Location service
by Janet Harris
Google has announced version 2.0 of Google Maps for mobile, featuring a beta version of 'My Location', a new navigation service.
Unlike most navigation systems, My Location doesn’t use GPS (global positioning satellite) technology. Instead it uses cell tower ID information to find a users approximate location.
My Location takes the information broadcast ...Arqiva distributes content for IPTV Corp. in Europe
by Janet HarrisIPTV Corporation, an interactive TV company based in Los Angeles, has selected Arqiva as its Direct-To-Home (DTH) content distribution platform for the European market. Arqiva secured the deal after acquiring two teleports and fibre networks in the United States. The company is now well-positioned to take content from US broadcasters and directly distribute it within Europe. Once IPTV Corporation's content leaves its ...
Virgin Media in washout
by David AllenNormally for cable companies it’s the cables that are causing the problems, but at the Informa European Media Leaders Summit in London, it seemed to be a bit of a washout. This happened when the head of content for Virgin Media Malcolm Wall, was giving his speech regarding the how IPTV in the UK is being stalled by the average speeds ...
The big three in France form partnership
by David AllenThe three main broadcasters in France, TV5 Monde, France 24 and Radio France International would be better as one large business, while the other large broadcaster France Monde would be better if they stood alone; this forms the basis of a proposal that Jean-David Levitte and Georges-Marc Benamou have put the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. Under this proposal the companies ...
IPTV grows in Moscow
by David AllenIts funny how in some countries IPTV is making giant steps in coverage and therefore encouraging subscribers. For instance there is Comstar Direct who are currently the premier provider of broadband services in Moscow, they have seen their subscriber base increase to 452,600 in residential areas. Out of these subscribers over 100,000 are termed as double pay, which mean that ...
Ads for Adobe powered by Yahoo
by Janet HarrisAdobe and Yahoo are jointly launching 'Ads for Adobe Powered by Yahoo', a new service which will help web publishers generate advertising revenue from their site. The service will initially be available in beta, to selected partners only, including IDG InfoWorld, Wired, Pearson's Education, Meredith Corporation, and Reed Elsevier. The service will later be rolled out to anyone with an Adobe ...
Mitsubishi LT-40133 LCD HDTV
by Franz Bicar
The Mitsubishi LT-40133 delivers a high-definition LCD technology wrapped in an ultra-thin, stylish television design. This set is focused on phenomenal picture quality. So when you are engrossed in the latest blockbuster, you'll reap the full benefits of this set's HD 1920 x 1080p pixel resolution, Plush1080p and Tru1080p ...International conference in Malta will discuss IPTV
by Lin FreestoneThe seventh and final conference of the International Telecommunications Union’s Focus Group on IPTV will be held in Malta from December 11-18, 2007. The conference will devote a great deal of its time to working group sessions, leading up to a final conference report on December 18. More than 200 delegates from top global telecommunication companies, regulators and government ministries are ...
November 28, 2007
Apple is launching its iPhone in France tonight, exclusively on the Orange network.
The unlocked price is €649, or €399 with an airtime contract of at least one year, and the device will be available in selected shops in 12 major cities tonight, with a country-wide launch tomorrow.
Orange will unlock iPhones sold ...
Apple’s iPhone lands in France
by Janet Harris
Apple is launching its iPhone in France tonight, exclusively on the Orange network.
The unlocked price is €649, or €399 with an airtime contract of at least one year, and the device will be available in selected shops in 12 major cities tonight, with a country-wide launch tomorrow.
Orange will unlock iPhones sold ...USB 3.0 Promoter Group seeks contributors
by Jan HarrisThe USB 3.0 Promoter Group - www.usb.org/usb30 - is seeking additional contributors to the initial draft of its industry specification. The group aims to complete the spec by the first half of 2008 and is seeking USB Implementers Forum members in good standing, to join its contributors. The company would be required to sign a USB 3.0 contributor agreement. New contributors ...
iBasis upgrades Pingo VoIP service
by Jan HarrisGlobal VoIP leader, iBasis, has upgraded its online calling service, Pingo, which provides VoIP calls via any fixed-line or mobile phone, without the need for additional equipment or software. iBasis has added an interactive voice response system to Pingo, which lets users know when their account balance is low. The account can be topped up simply by pushing the star key. Enhanced ...
Orange Flybook provides home broadband via mobile
by Jan HarrisOrange UK has announced a new router - the Flybook - with a built-in SIM card, which will bring broadband to homes out of range of an ADSL connection. The device offers fast broadband (up to 1Mbps) to consumers anywhere beyond the 3 kilometres range of the exchange, regardless of their fixed line offering. The Orange Flybook router, which will be launched ...
New Ofcom rules will bring HD to Freeview
by Janet Harris
Communications regulator, Ofcom, is proposing a technology upgrade to allow more channels and high definition (HD) broadcasts.
The regulator proposes to change coding standard used for digital terrestrial television (DTT) from MPEG2 to MPEG4, which is twice as efficient.
The DVB-T2 European transmission standard would also be adopted, increasing capacity ...O2 and Nokia develop Oyster card phones
by Jan HarrisO2, Nokia and Transport for London are collaborating on a project to develop mobile phones with embedded Oyster swipe cards. Users will be able to swipe the handset over Oyster Card readers at the ticket gates of London Underground stations, in order to pay for their fare. The system is expected to use a variant of RFID technology called near-field communications, which ...
Upgraded Vista still trails XP on speed
by Janet HarrisA benchmarking comparison carried out by Florida-based Devil Mountain Software, found that Windows XP could be substantially faster than the newer Vista operating system, after a third service pack is released next year. Devil Mountain Software compared a beta version of XP Service Pack 3 and Vista with Service Pack 1. It found that XP, modified with Service Pack 3, ...
BBC, ITV and C4 collaborate on IPTV
by Janet HarrisThe BBC, ITV and Channel 5 are forming a joint venture, called Project Kangaroo, to provide an on-demand TV service. The service will initially be launched online, with a view to rolling in out to other platforms later, including Freeview. The companies have joined forces in an effort to capitalise in the growing market for on-demand television and to compete against both ...
Hitachi P42T01U Plasma Television
by Franz Bicar
For every shopper there is always the choosy ones. In shopping for an HDTV, we can't help bu choose. Well, fortunately, the Hitachi P42T01U is available in two finishes. All you have to do is choose. Either the one with the gloss black or matte black with a silver ...Vonage chases Skype 0207 customers
by Brian TurnerVonage is looking to accommodate Skype users who want to continue using their 0207 numbers. Skype shocked their UK community earlier in the year by announcing that 0207 numbers would not be supported after December 20th, which could impact as many as 10,000 Skype users. Vonage have set up a helpline specifically for Skype users to call if they wish to continue ...
November 27, 2007
The government has agreed to develop a strategy for rolling out next-generation broadband networks, which will consider best practice from high-speed broadband pilot schemes and outline the business benefits of investing in high-speed networks. The agreement was made at a broadband summit chaired by Competitiveness Minister Stephen Timms and attended by leaders from the broadband industry. The government believes that ultra-fast broadband ...
Government to develop broadband strategy
by Jan HarrisThe government has agreed to develop a strategy for rolling out next-generation broadband networks, which will consider best practice from high-speed broadband pilot schemes and outline the business benefits of investing in high-speed networks. The agreement was made at a broadband summit chaired by Competitiveness Minister Stephen Timms and attended by leaders from the broadband industry. The government believes that ultra-fast broadband ...
DesignWare Wireless USB Device certified by USB-IF
by Jan HarrisSemiconductor manufacturer, Synopsys Inc's DesignWare Wireless USB Device IP has passed the USB Implementers Forum's (USB-IF) Certified Wireless USB Testing and earned the certification logo. The certification is designed to ensure interoperability with other Wireless USB enabled products. This reduces risk and time to market for designers integrating Wireless USB interfaces into their system-on-chips. Synopsys Inc's DesignWare Wireless USB Device IP is ...
Samsung launches BD-P1400 Blu-ray disc player
by Janet Harris
Samsung has introduced a third generation Blu-ray disc player, the BD-P1400.
The player is fully compatible with 24 movie frames per second playback, allowing movies to be played back in their native format.
The player’s Movie Frame (24Fs) feature allows the HDMI v1.3 output to be adjusted to 24 fps to provide ...Blu-ray beats HD DVD on disc sales in Europe
by Janet Harris
Sales of Blu-ray movie discs have exceeded one million in Europe, outselling the rival HD DVD format by more than 2-1, and according to the Blu-ray Disc Association, if Blu-ray gaming discs were included in the figures, the number would be 21 million sold.
Blu-ray discs account for ...Vyke Communications to acquire Target
by Jan HarrisVyke Communications Plc, which claims to be the world's number one VoIP service provider, is planning to acquire Target, a specialist in retail VoIP solutions, for £3.5 million, payable in shares. The acquisition, which is subject to due diligence and approval by Vyke's Board of directors, should be completed by the end of the year. The acquisition will strengthen Vyke's global distribution ...
Delays to IPTV roll-outs
by Janet HarrisOrange has not yet revealed a date for the launch of its UK IPTV service, making it increasingly unlikely that the company will meet its target of launching the service this year. The company has repeatedly announced that 2007 would see the completion of its quadruple play of mobile, home phone, broadband, and pay TV. So far, Orange has revealed just one ...
Consumers reluctant to buy online content
by Janet HarrisAccording to a new survey by business law firm Olswang, consumers will tolerate online advertising, as long as content is free. Although 84 per cent of respondents to the survey said they found online advertising intrusive, they were willing to tolerate the ads in order to have access to free content. Over 30 per cent of respondents to Olswang's third annual Convergence ...
Telenet pays €170m for lease of networks
by Lin FreestoneTelenet Group Holding, a Belgian media and telecommunications company, has paid €170m to local cable operators to lease their networks for 38 years. The company will also pay the local cable companies an annual fee for operational charges. The deal will acquire 800,000 television customers in Belgium's Flanders region, an additional revenue source of €90m, and a core profit of €40m ...
Rumours of iPhone-style BlackBerry
by Janet Harris
There is growing speculation that Research in Motion (RIM) could be developing a new Blackberry to rival Apple's iPhone.
RIM, which is better known for business smartphones, recently moved the Blackberry into the consumer market with the launch of its Pearl handsets.
In an article for Unstrung, Carmi Levy of AR Communications Inc, a ...LG 47LY95 LCD HDTV
by Franz Bicar
LG's 47LY95 LCD TV, at 47-inches, has a discreet presence that ultimately disillusions you with its massive size. With its unique ultra-thin profile complete with a glossy finish and a matching stand, accentutated with flush fitting speaker on either side, everyone will enjoy its cool and stylish look.
The 47LY95 ...Online piracy banned in France
by Lin FreestoneA new accord has been signed in France whereby online users who repeatedly download illegal online content are banned from using the Internet. ISPs in France will pass information on heavy users of file-sharing networks to a new enforcement agency. The users will be formally warned to stop and, if they persist, their connection will be cut. The British Record Institute has ...
November 26, 2007
According to the Blu-ray Disc Association, the Blu-ray format dominates the recorder market in Japan, holding a 97% share.
The figures are from the week to 12 November, and cover sales of next-generation machines capable of recording HDTV.
Japan is ahead of the rest of the world with HD technology ...
Blu-ray holds 97% of Japanese recorder market
by Janet Harris
According to the Blu-ray Disc Association, the Blu-ray format dominates the recorder market in Japan, holding a 97% share.
The figures are from the week to 12 November, and cover sales of next-generation machines capable of recording HDTV.
Japan is ahead of the rest of the world with HD technology ...Buffalo first with 320GB external hard drive
by Jan HarrisBuffalo Technology has launched the MiniStation TurboUSB HD-PS320U2 - the first external drive with 320GB capacity. The drive, which is ideal for users who wish to store large amounts of data on the move, features an armoured, shock absorbent casing. It has a wraparound USB cable to provide all the power for the device directly from the PC it is connected to, ...
Cost and reception issues for iPhone
by Janet Harris
Apple's iPhone, which has been highly successful in the US, has had a less successful launch in the UK.
iPhone users are experiencing poor signal and reception problems in the UK, where the phone is available exclusively on the network of O2, Apple's service provider.
Complaints about poor reception have been appearing ...
