VoIP News: August 2009

The European Commission (EC) is to channel £15. 5 million into research for 4G mobile networks that could eventually result in high next-generation broadband speeds. Research will be aimed at developing Advanced Long-Term Evolution (LTE) mobilebroadband technology that would use mobile phone networks to deliver connection speeds of up to one gigabit per second, or 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps) through mobile handsets.

The net increase in UK broadband connections so far this year has surpassed forecasts, with 445,000 new connections being established, according to Point Topic. This figure surpasses the organisation's original forecast by some 100,000 and means there are nearly 18 million broadband connections throughout the UK delivering a range of download speeds and enabling customers to use VoIP hardware. As a result, Point Topic has increased its forecast for the year by nearly 40 per cent and suggests there could be 23 million connections throughout Britain by the end of 2013.

There will be strong developments in Wi-Fi technology over the next few years, with chipset sales expected to reach one billion in 2011, according to figures from ABI Research. John Dunn, editor of IT website Techworld, said Wi-Fi has had a major impact on the home networking market because of its low cost and technical maturity, although its relatively short range is a drawback. Wi-Fi can help deliver fast connection speeds for use with VoIP solutions and to enable quicker download times from the internet.

All of the UK's biggest internet service providers (ISPs) have missed out on the title of best broadband provider, with a leading survey declaring Zen Internet as the winner. The firm is one of the most expensive on the market, but consumers providing ratings for the Which? survey decided it was best for service, speed and reliability with an overall score of 87 per cent, while companies such as BT, Virgin Media and Talk Talk scored nearly 30 per cent less, reports the Telegraph.

Technology other than wireless broadband may be needed to deliver the government's universal connectivity plan in rural parts of the UK, according to a BT executive. The government is considering wireless networks as one way to extend universal connectivity to rural communities where laying fibre optic cabling would be far more expensive, but Dr Tim Whitley, BT's group strategy director, says it may not be entirely suitable, reports eWeek Europe.