Broadband providers asked to justify their advertised access speeds 

In her letter to the CEOs, she says, "we believe that broadband customers are not at the moment getting enough information. We are of course aware of the technical reasons for the "up to" terminology that ... you use. "I would, however, like to have your views about how these technical issues might be better addressed in terms of giving clearer information to potential customers." The Consumer Panel has asked providers to consider changing their sales practices to include advising customers what their likely connection speed would be on a specific line. They also want providers to extend the cooling off period so that customers can test out the connection speed before they sign a contract, and allow customers to later exit from contracts if they experience speeds well below the advertised speeds, without any penalty.   [More...] [Less...]

Social Networking - A quantitative and qualitative research report into attitudes, behaviours and use [pdf]

Social Networking A quantitative and qualitative research report into attitudes, behaviours and use Research Document Publication date: 2 April 2008 Main Heading Contents Section Page ... 1 Introduction 1 2 Executive summary 5 3 Overview of social networking sites 10 4 Engaging with social networking sites 14 5 Understanding behaviours and attitudes towards social networking sites 28 6 How people use social networking sites 34 7 Privacy and safety 51 8 Literature review of harm and offence in social networking 57 Annex Page 1 Glossary of terms and definitions 64 2 Research methodologies 66 3 Ofcom social networking sites qualitative research is published separately from the main document and can be found at: www.ofcom.org.uk Social Networking 1 Section 1 Introduction 1.1 Background The rapid growth of social networking that has been observed over the last two to three years is indicative of its entry into mainstream culture and its integrati   [More...] [Less...]

BBC NEWS | Technology | Ofcom ponders future of fast net 

Super-fast broadband could be delivered via the underground pipes of the UK's water and electricity companies, regulator Ofcom has said. It is conducting a survey of the UK's ducting network to see its ... suitability for carrying fibre networks. Some companies in the UK and France already offer fast broadband via the sewers. Ofcom also wants to see the three million homes earmarked to be built in the UK by 2020, fibre-enabled. Change perception It has opened a consultation - which will run until June 25 - to see how best to regulate next-generation networks. Critics have warned that the regulator is not doing enough and that the UK is in real danger of falling behind with the rollout of superfast broadband access. "The fact that this is just a consultation is another indication that the UK is lagging behind," said Ian Fogg, an analyst with Jupiter Research. In France, for example, there are already three operators providing superfast broadband to homes at speeds of between 50 and 100 mega   [More...] [Less...]

Tomorrow’s Wireless World: Ofcom report on future communications technology | Ofcom 

Stephen has recently had a hip replacement operation. He lives some distance away from his family and is keen to remain independent and involved in his local community during his recovery period. During ... the operation, an implanted sensor was fitted to Stephen’s hip and temporary monitors were attached to his knees. These sensors monitor his movements and transmit this information to his home hub, so that doctors are able to follow his recovery process. Stephen’s house has been enabled for assisted living, allowing him to remain in contact with his family, as well as with doctors and carers, via a home hub in his living room. This allows Stephen to contact his family using video conferencing, enabling them to see, as well as hear, that he is feeling well. Stephen’s home has also been fitted with an automatic pill dispenser, which senses if the pill box has been opened at the correct time and if not, sends a signal to the home hub. An alarm then sounds to remind Stephen to take his medic   [More...] [Less...]

Opening up mobile spectrum to support innovation and competition 

Ofcom today announced proposals for consultation to open up the radio spectrum bands used by mobile phone operators to allow them to launch new services and technologies and to promote competition. Mobile ... devices are now central to our everyday lives, with Ofcom research showing nearly 70 million active mobile subscriptions in the UK, and an increasing number of people using their mobile to access the internet. The proposals for consultation are designed to allow more efficient use of the spectrum that underpins all mobile services. Allowing more flexibility in using this spectrum, and wider access to it, could bring many benefits to consumers, including: Greatly improved rural coverage Mobile broadband, including faster web browsing and faster downloads of video and music Greater interactivity Better quality indoor coverage Lower prices The proposals for consultation The consultation covers the spectrum used by Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile and Orange for their 2G networks. In line   [More...] [Less...]

The Communications Market 2007 - 1 [pdf]

The bill looms for Broadband Britain 

Richard Wray, communications editor The Guardian Tuesday September 25 2007 Two years ago BT agreed to separate the millions of phone lines in the nation's skirting boards from the rest of its business ... to create a standalone company that would deal equally with any operator that wanted to get into the digital home of the future. Since then Openreach, as that new business became known, has handed over control of more than 3m of the UK's near 30m phone lines to rivals such as Carphone Warehouse's TalkTalk and Tiscali, so they can provide services from home telephony and broadband internet access to TV. A further 5m BT lines are being rented by rivals, using BT's wholesale product, for broadband services. As a result, the UK residential telephony market is fast becoming one of the most competitive in the world. But the set-up may soon change again since Ofcom is preparing a fundamental rethink of the UK broadband market. The regulator is asking the entire industry what is needed to pre   [More...] [Less...]

Future Prospects for UK Broadband and Next Generation Access 

In the last ten years the Internet has revolutionised our working, social and domestic lives, to such an extent that it is now taken for granted that it will pervade and shape our futures becoming as much ... a utility as electricity has been for the last 100 years. It is envisaged there will be at least one ‘fast’ symmetrical connection to every place of work, learning, leisure and living in the future. The technical challenges this presents have been, and will continue to be, debated. In addition, there are considerable regulatory challenges in enabling next generation competitive, equitable, inclusive internet services to role out across the UK. In his speech Ed Richards will identify some of the key regulatory challenges for UK broadband and suggest some of the options by which they may be addressed. A Question and Answer Session will follow this speech. Ed Richards was appointed Ofcom Chief Executive in October 2006. He was previously Chief Operating Officer where his responsibilities   [More...] [Less...]

The Communications Market 2007 - 3 (Radio & Telecoms) [pdf]

The Communications Market 2007 - 2 (Radio) [pdf]