VoIP News: Broadband

Consumer Focus has released a report, entitled Broadband minded: encouraging low income consumers online, which identifies the barriers preventing individuals from getting online and making use of a VoIP UK service.

According to Consumer Focus, fears over viruses, personal data scrutiny and new technology are stumbling blocks for some users, along with a general misunderstanding of how internet access affects communication.

Further education is needed for the majority of offline consumers to see and appreciate the benefits of the internet, according to the report.

Mike O'Connor CBE, chief executive of Consumer Focus said: "Government has made it a priority to encourage people to get online, especially those on low incomes. Cost is not the only issue and if the government wants more people online they need to deal with consumers' fears about the internet".

Posted on: 2010-03-11, in: Broadband

---

A new body - BDUK (Broadband Delivery UK) - has been formed to make sure that UK users can enjoy next-generation VoIP traffic by 2012, along with a host of other benefits which nationwide, two megabit per second broadband will bring.

The body - BDUK - was launched earlier this month by the Treasury.

Stephen Timms, the UK's minister for Digital Britain, said: "Taking advantage of new technologies like next-generation broadband is vital to the growth of the UK's economy and it's important that all homes and businesses can access the opportunities faster speeds bring."

The plan to offer 2Mbps (megabits per second) broadband to all UK households by 2012 will allow for next-generation VoIP communications across the country, easing and lowering the process and costs of calling the UK using a digital phone service from the UK.

It is hoped that the body will also serve as an effective overseer of the ISPs and telecoms as they play their part in upgrading the country's ageing broadband infrastructure for greater VoIP traffic effectiveness.

Posted on: 2010-03-09, in: Broadband

---

Almost four out of five people believe that access to the internet, which supports VoIP traffic, is a fundamental right, according to a poll conducted for the BBC World Service.

The survey of over 27,000 adults across 26 countries found strong support for universal net access, aligning the views of the public with those of the United Nations, which is pushing for universal access to the internet.

Universal access to the internet makes it possible for a globe-spanning, intra-country VoIP network, which would cut international calling costs dramatically.

Along with this, in the report 50 per cent of surveyed individuals strongly agreed that access to the internet should be a fundamental human right, while 29 per cent somewhat agreed.

Only seven per cent of people disagreed with this belief, underlining the importance of the internet to consumers across the world.

The news should come as no surprise to most consumers, who use the internet for a variety of things. However the widespread support is encouraging and suggests that almost four in five people, worldwide, are also pro-VoIP.

Posted on: 2010-03-09, in: Broadband

---

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the provisioning of telecom and broadband services for EU citizens, the EU's official press office - Europa - has reported.

The public consultation seeks views on broadband, identifying it as being "crucial to foster growth and jobs in Europe".

However, penetration into the EU heartland by VoIP traffic and VoIP infrastructure remains a challenge, as the commission reported that 23 per cent of people in rural areas do not have access to fixed broadband networks.

It is hoped that the consultation will lead to a decision about broadband and the level of provisioning the service will receive in the EU.

The consultation also asks whether the telecommunications sector should be encouraged to make a major contribution to ensure universal broadband coverage.

Posted on: 2010-03-05, in: Broadband

---

The European Interactive Advertising Association (EIAA) has released a report which highlights the growing potential for VoIP traffic across the European network.

The report found that there are now over 121 million wireless broadband users in Europe, meaning that potential users of VoIP are more mobile and capable than before.

Along with this, the number of Europeans using the internet on their mobiles each week has increased to 71 million. Of these, the majority of them average out almost an hour a day's worth of internet usage.

Alison Fennah, executive director of the EIAA, said: "Better devices and connectivity as well as enhanced consumer motivation all started coming together in 2009 to improve and extend the overall online experience. As a result, the internet is now being consumed across PC, laptop, mobile and gaming devices, providing 24/7 access to digital information and entertainment."

Ultimately, VoIP usage is set to increase in Europe, thanks to the growing penetration of these mobile communicative technologies.

Posted on: 2010-03-05, in: Broadband

---