Wireless traffic 'to increase tenfold'

2008-12-01 | Category: Broadband
Wireless traffic will increase tenfold by 2015 in areas with developed mobile markets, according to a new report.A study by Analysys Mason found that the growth will take place because of the increasing use of mobiles to transfer data.This will be because of better technology, such as smartphones, lower costs of data transfer, an increased amount of indoor mobile usage and an expansion in the size of items on the web."While developed regions will account for just 25 per cent of the cellular user population by 2015, they will generate 65 per cent of total global wireless network traffic," said Dr Mark Heath, the report's co-author."This is due to a higher proportion of advanced handsets and the earlier deployment of more advanced cellular technologies, such as LTE, which have higher throughput."According to the study, both voice and data traffic will continue to rise, but data will do so at a much faster rate, meaning it will account for 94 per cent of all wireless traffic in 2015.

EU mobile data changes

2008-12-01 | Category: Broadband
A change on how customers are billed for downloading data on their mobiles while abroad has moved a step closer following an endorsement from EU member states.The bloc's telecoms ministers have given backing to a proposal by the European Commission (EC) which will see a number of measures introduced to protect customers when using their phones in other EU countries.A message will automatically be sent when entering another country, which will have detailed information on how much they will be charged for downloading.Additionally, from 2010, consumers will be able to set a 'cut off' level, stopping them from receiving excessive bills.Finally, there will be a €1 per megabyte limit on wholesale fees.The European Parliament must now decide on the proposals."I am confident that with Parliament we will ensure that consumers travelling in the EU will save money when sending texts and surfing the web with a mobile phone as of July 1st 2009," said EU telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding."This would send a clear message of consensus that the EU's single market is there to serve European citizens as well as businesses."

Charge warning on BBC live streaming

2008-11-28 | Category: Broadband
Consumers have been warned that they should consider their download limits if they want to use the BBC's new live streaming service.The broadcaster began streaming its two main channels, BBC1 and BBC2 yesterday (November 27th).However, Michael Phillips, product director of BroadbandChoices.co.uk, explained that the large amounts of data involved could put them at risk of breaking fair usage policies.He believes that it is up to the BBC to inform users about the potential pitfalls."The BBC, as a public service broadcaster, has a responsibility to educate users about the impact of watching live streaming," he said."It has the potential to impact viewers' broadband service and they might incur punitive charges through accessing high quantities of this content."His website, a price comparison site for broadband, recommended that customers should make sure they know the details of their broadband package.Additionally, they should use the BBC iPlayer service instead if programmes do not need to be watched live.

North Wales broadband improvement

2008-11-28 | Category: Broadband
Internet users in north Wales may be able to access the internet at greater speeds soon thanks to a new fibre-optic project.Around 200 miles of fibre cable has been installed from Holyhead on Anglesey to Manchester where it joins the UK's main broadband line as part of the £30 million FibreSpeed initiative.This will "substantially enhance" the internet experience of homes and businesses between Caernarfon and Wrexham, according to the deputy first minister of Wales, Ieuan Wyn Jones.He said: "This exciting advance helps arm Welsh businesses with a powerful competitive advantage in resisting the global financial crisis and preparing for the economic upturn that will follow."It will also in due course encourage development of a comprehensive network to serve a growing number of communities."FibreSpeed received funding from both the public and private spheres and according to the company it "should be a benchmark project" for similar schemes in the UK and Europe.