VoIP News: November 2008

VoIP phones using a 'green VoIP' processor use less energy than others, according to its manufacturer. The SC14450 processor from Sitel was found to reduce power consumption by up to half. In experiments conducted by the company on dual 10/100 Ethernet VoIP phones the power used was less than 800mW.

Whether or not yesterday's VAT cut will affect broadband prices will "hinge on how a provider prices its products", according to an industry commentator. Andrew Ferguson, from thinkbroadband. com, explained that the temporary cut, to 15 from 17.

Discussions on regulations by the communications watchdog Ofcom has led to BT's proposed superfast broadband networking being "hampered", the company's chief executive has claimed. Ian Livingston, speaking at an investor conference in Barcelona, told attendees that the telecoms giant was worried about how long Ofcom was taking to come to a decision on the rule structure needed for the £1.

Britons spend nearly 14 hours a week on the internet on average, second only to Americans who spend 15 hours, according to a new study. The International Communications Market report from communications watchdog Ofcom revealed how the UK's online habits compared with a number of other countries, including the US, Japan and France. Watching television over the internet is growing in popularity, with the UK coming second to the USA again, with eight and 26 streams per head respectively, while the growth in download volume in Britain reached 69 per cent in 2007.

Broadband accounted for nearly 95 per cent of internet connections in the UK in September, according to the latest official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the figure of 94. 1 per cent, which was up from June's 92.