VoIP News: November 2008

Charge warning on BBC live streaming

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.

Posted on: 2008-11-28, in: Broadband

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North Wales broadband improvement

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.

Posted on: 2008-11-28, in: Broadband

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Broadband 'crucial underpinning' for competitive Europe

Broadband is the "crucial underpinning" of Europe which can compete with the rest of the world, the communications minister has said.

Stephen Carter was speaking ahead of a European Council meeting on the Electronic Communications and Networks Framework in Brussels today (November 27th).

He said that the discussions would be "critical" for broadband technology in Europe and added that he had been pressing for the issue to be addressed.

"Europe needs to consider how best to ensure universal availability and access, not just by connection but also by device, to affordable broadband internet, which is already a central service for millions of people across Europe," Lord Carter said.

"It is crucial to the way many of us go about our lives and daily business, and increasingly the means of delivering good public services cost effectively."

He added that the fact that terrestrial digital broadcasting was now well on the way in a number of European states meant that it was now time to start providing broadband for all.

Posted on: 2008-11-27, in: Broadband

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Government 'should focus on broadband'

The government should focus on improving broadband speed and coverage, rather than investing in the expansion of public service broadcasting, a think thank has claimed.

According to the Social Market Foundation (SMF), high-speed broadband would be able to provide more public content with greater efficiency than existing broadcasting channels.

However, it warned that the country's infrastructure will need to be enhanced and coverage widened to ensure the UK's digital divide does not become greater.

Jessica Prendergrast, a senior research fellow at the SMF, said that the continuing existence of major organisations like the BBC "will remain important", despite the influence of new technologies on the market.

However, she added: "Equally important however is for the government to ensure widespread access to high-speed broadband as a top priority, just as it once prioritised access to analogue TV.

"Otherwise there is a risk that only the young and affluent will benefit."

The think tank's findings are in line with the view of communications minister Stephen Carter, who said earlier this week that broadband must be considered in discussions on public service funding.

Posted on: 2008-11-27, in: Broadband

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Mobile internet 'growing 8 times faster' than desktop

Mobile internet is experiencing faster growth in the UK than desktop-based, according to new research.

A study by Nielsen Online found that 7.3 million people used mobile internet in the third quarter of 2008, compared to 5.8 million in the second - marking growth of 25 per cent.

However, despite desktop usage having larger totals of 34.3 million and 35.3 million for the second and third quarter respectively, this only represented growth of three per cent.

"The fact that almost seven and a half million Britons now access the web through their phone shows that mobile Internet is fast becoming a viable way for advertisers and publishers to reach important demographic groups," said Nielsen senior analyst Kent Ferguson.

Within the figures, it was found that mobile internet was more popular with younger people - 25 per cent of mobile users were between 15 and 24, while only 12 per cent were older than 55.

Posted on: 2008-11-26, in: Broadband

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