VoIP News: April 2008

UK mobile broadband speeds lower than advertised

Mobile broadband providers are delivering connection speeds far lower than the maximum advertised, according to a new survey.

Research from Broadband Expert suggests that the average mobile broadband speed received by UK consumers is only 1.46Mbps, less than half provided by average home connections.

William Harvey, technical director for Broadband Expert, said: "It is not surprising that mobile broadband is behind fixed line broadband as it's a comparatively new technology."

Vodafone recorded the highest industry speed of 2.3Mbps, which is still significantly less than the maximum 7.2Mbps advertised. T-Mobile achieved a speed of 1.1Mbps, while 3 came in last with 1Mbps.

Mr Harvey noted: "Mobile broadband use tends to be business focused with email and web browsing the key activities. Speeds of 1-2Mbps are generally adequate for this type of activity."

The average upload speed, which measures the rate at which data can be sent back to the internet, was 0.38Mbps. This is an important factor for consumers wanting to make VolP calls.

Posted on: 2008-04-30, in: Broadband

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Customers flock to Sky Broadband

Sky Broadband has announced strong growth during the first quarter of this year, with 229,000 new customers signing up for the firm's service.

The company, which is the most rapidly expanding UK provider, now has 1,428,000 consumers on various broadband packages less than two years after entering the market. This figure is almost half of Sky's stated three million target by 2010.

However, overall operating profits for the past three quarters slipped to £521 million from £557 million, down 6.5 per cent.

Sky is believed to be interested in acquiring Italian provider Tiscali as it attempts to sustain growth and consolidate its market position.

Chief executive Jeremy Darroch said: "I'm sure we will take a look at that [Tiscali] but you can see from the results that we've posted in broadband today where we've led the market for the fifth quarter in succession, that the business organically is doing very well."

Sky is currently the fourth biggest broadband provider in the UK behind BT on 4.3 million subscribers, Virgin Media on 3.7 million and The Carphone Warehouse on 2.7 million.

Posted on: 2008-04-30, in: Broadband

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Scarborough launches free broadband for residents and tourists

Scarborough has launched free wireless broadband access for people living in or visiting the coastal town.

Yorkshire Forward and South Bay Traders Association joined forces to fund the project, which has seen the resort install hardware that will supply public internet connections across its Victorian South Bay.

John Senior, chairman of Scarborough's South Bay Traders Association, said: "This is a superb example of how tradition meets technology, with Britain's first ever coastal resort now providing the country's first seafront with free broadband Wi-Fi access.

"Visiting businessmen and women can be in contact with their office and business world while enjoying lunch on the seafront. "

Gareth Watson, a member of the 'Fast Group', proposed the Freebay Wi-Fi project as part of of the town's ongoing plans to improve infrastructure and attract investment.

Scarborough has a population of around 50,000 and is currently the most popular resort on the Yorkshire coast.

Posted on: 2008-04-29, in: Broadband

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High speed broadband crucial to success of next-generation applications

Investment in UK broadband infrastructure will play a large role in determining how fast new multimedia applications can expand their user base, according to an expert.

Philip Rosedale, founder of the online community Second Life, argued that fibre optic broadband networks will be needed to sustain the growth of websites such as YouTube, which require high levels of bandwidth.

Rosedale recently announced that he intends to step down as chief executive of Linden Lab and become chairman of the board.

This comes as take up of Second Life has slowed dramatically, with monthly registration growth dipping to 4.6 per cent this January compared to nearly 50 per cent in October 2006.

Earlier this month Ofcom began a consultation looking into possible methods of delivering broadband improvements to consumers.

The watchdog is considering how existing infrastructure such as underground pipes, sewers and underground ducts could be used to accelerate the rollout of fibre networks.

Posted on: 2008-04-29, in: Broadband

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Orange broadband sales slump following new connection fee

New customers have turned away from Orange's broadband package after the provider introduced a £30 connection fee.

Staff are reported to have seen a 50 per cent decline in sales after the charge was announced, which Orange claims "brings the price in line with our competitors".

Ovum senior analyst Steven Hartley criticised the move and claimed that the firm should be focusing its resources on mobile broadband, rather than fixed-line alternatives.

He said: "Orange is missing a major opportunity due to a strategic emphasis on fixed broadband, combined with almost no marketing and exorbitant pricing for its mobile broadband offering."

An Orange spokesman responded by claiming the firm currently has 1.14 million subscribers, a seven per cent on previous year.

O2 recently became the latest service provider to enter the UK mobile broadband market. The modem is priced at £119.99 for those signing up for a one month rolling contract but it is free for consumers on an 18-month contract for £20.

Posted on: 2008-04-28, in: Broadband

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