VoIP News: April 2009

Many British people struggle with technical language, which suggests more needs to be done to educate the population, new research suggests. According to a study of 3,000 internet users commissioned by Virgin Media, 18 per cent of Britons are unaware of the meaning of the term broadband. Moreover, 40 per cent of people are unsure what a web browser is, while around 50 per cent are confused as to how broadband speeds are monitored.

Negotiations to free up the radio spectrum for mobilebroadband provision have stalled, but the government is still hopeful of a resolution, reports suggest. Communications minister Lord Carter's first lieutenant Kip Meek is currently trying to negotiate a deal for the mobile operators to share out the 900 Mhz spectrum for future mobilebroadband coverage. This is viewed as an essential component in the push towards enabling the government's pledge to provide broadband of a minimum speed of 2Mbps for every UK household by 2012.

Companies deploying Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) can boost their customer's experience while also cutting costs, a leading expert suggests. Stefania Viscusi, TMCnet assignment desk editor, said it's no secret that "customers are [a] company's most important asset" in today's business world. This means that providing an "exceptional customer experience" every time is essential to boost the perception and future prosperity of any business.

Chancellor Alistair Darling's recent Budget statement included a new Digital Region plan to boost broadband provision in the south Yorkshire region. The new £100 million scheme will be led by Project Forward and involve the roll-out of next-generation broadband infrastructure with the aim of "stimulating economic activity through high-speed connectivity". French defence electronics firm Thales has been contracted to run pilot schemes in Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham prior to the full roll-out.

Mobile Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) offers various cost-cutting benefits as well as enhanced functionalities, an expert suggests. According to independent VoIP comparison website LowCostMob. com, many users switch to mobile VoIP due to its affordability, but it also offers various important features.