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Thursday, November 30, 2006
Westminster first of BT's wireless cities
BT today announced a groundbreaking agreement to roll out a feature-rich, high speed wireless broadband network, which will bring benefits for Westminster City Council’s services, mobile workers, the business community and residents.
The Wireless City will be the first for BT of the initial phase of 12 across the UK to roll-out city-wide, taking in the West End shopping area and the heart of Government.
The city council has signed an agreement with Vertex Data Science Ltd, who will work with BT to develop applications running over the wireless broadband network, which will improve the flow of information and services across the city. In addition to the city council’s service, BT will expand the network to offer extensive wireless broadband coverage in most areas of the city in the next couple of years.
Mobile workers, such as environmental health officers, will be able to file reports on the move from their laptop or digital handheld device, or securely access the council intranet remotely.
BT has said it will roll out the first 12 Wireless Cities by the end of March 2007. Westminster is furthest advanced with its plans and roll out of the street-based network, following a successful pilot. The parts of the network which do not support council services will be funded by BT.
Steve Andrews, BT Group, chief of Mobility and Convergence, said: “Westminster has been at the forefront of this project and the city council has enthusiastically grasped the benefits of a Wireless City for the council, businesses community and residents. Flexible working will help them and their large mobile workforce to get the most out of the wireless network.
“The Wireless Cities project is part of our strategy to ensure customers are always best connected, wherever they are and using whatever device they want. When we launch Wi-Fi phones for BT Fusion shortly there will be whole areas of many cities where customers will be able to make calls and access their personal or business applications whilst on the move.”
Councillor Colin Barrow, of Westminster City Council, said: “This will allow us to deliver our goals for community safety by supporting a more flexible and adaptable CCTV network.
“Through wireless technology, Westminster will be a better place to live and work; the council will be more efficient, and be able to keep the streets safer.”
BT BroadbandLabels: bt-broadband
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
First customers go live on BT's 21st century network
BT made communications history today with the transfer of the first customer lines to its 21st Century Network (21CN), the world’s most advanced next generation network. As planned, BT has started to move customers in the village of Wick, near Cardiff, to the next generation infrastructure. The upgrade, which took place without the need for an engineer visit, new telephone, or a new telephone number, is part of the first phase of the national roll-out of 21CN.
21CN will bring a range of benefits to businesses and consumers over years to come. New voice, data, broadband and multimedia services will be delivered quicker and cheaper than before, including faster broadband. 21CN will also give customers more control over the way they use their services.
The migration of the first customers to 21CN is a landmark event in BT’s next generation network programme. To reach this important milestone BT has re-built around ten per cent of the UK’s core national communications infrastructure, installed 21CN equipment at over 100 sites across the UK, and laid more than 2,300 kilometres of new fibre optic cable in South Wales. BT has also invested more than 1,500 man years in developing new IT systems to support the new network.
Reaching this major milestone has also been the result of pan-industry collaboration through Consult21, a forum which provides a regular open platform for all communications providers to understand and influence BT’s plans for 21CN. This includes the details of the roll-out programme, as it affects hundreds of communications providers across the UK.
Paul Reynolds, chief executive of BT Wholesale and BT board sponsor for the 21CN programme said, “Today marks a symbolic and momentous occasion for BT, the communications industry and for the UK as 21CN, over three years in the making, starts to become real for customers. Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call 130 years ago – we are also making history with the first live UK customer calls using a carrier class, all IP network. Years of research and development, network build and design, rigorous trials and testing, together with open collaboration with the communications industry have culminated in this historic moment. A network transformation on this scale has not been attempted anywhere else in the world – it’s happening now in South Wales, and the rest of the UK will follow over the next few years.”
Following the first phase of customer migrations in Wick, customers in Cardiff, Bridgend and the Pontypridd area will be the next to have their voice and broadband services transferred to 21CN. By the end of summer 2007, around 350,000 customer lines in South Wales are expected to have been migrated to the new infrastructure.
When complete, 21CN will deliver existing and new converged communications services to homes and businesses nationwide. BT believes that the underlying network and the new services it will create, including the first nationwide wholesale broadband service offering planned speeds of up to 24 Mbit/s, will make converged communications faster, more efficient and more cost effective than ever before.
BT BroadbandLabels: bt-broadband
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Zen launches Zen Office 8000 – The latest 8Mb Premier Business Broadband
Zen Internet, a leading UK Internet Service Provider (ISP) today announces the launch of Zen Office 8000, the latest addition to its range of Zen Office Broadband solutions.
Priced at £45.00 per month (excluding VAT), Zen Office 8000 is ideal for small and medium sized companies wishing to benefit from higher upload speeds and traffic prioritisation offered by an ADSL Max Premium service. With speeds of up to 8Mb downstream and up to 832Kb upstream, plus a monthly download usage allowance of 50GB, Zen Office 8000 sits between Zen's range of small business "Zen 8000" services and their truly unlimited Office products:
"We understand the benefits that a truly unlimited Broadband service brings and our Zen Office 500, 1000, 2000 and 8000 Max services provide just that", comments Zen Broadband Product Manager Stephen Proctor.
"However, we also recognise that some small and medium sized companies do not require a completely uncapped service and have responded to such feedback with this latest Zen Office service."
Zen Office 8000 represents the only Zen Office Broadband service with a usage allowance, enabling business customers to still benefit from traffic prioritisation and increased upstream speeds, whilst economising on cost thanks to a generous – and flexible – usage allowance. As with any Zen Broadband service, Office 8000 customers will be able to view their current levels of usage at any time in the month by logging into their personal account in the Zen Customer Portal. Via their account, customers can purchase additional GB for £1.27/GB excluding VAT (£1.49/GB inc. VAT) enabling them to use their Broadband service flexibly. Any additional GB purchased will be rolled over to subsequent months if they are not used.
The existing Zen Office product range will continue to be available and existing Zen customers with Office 500, 1000, 2000 or 8000 Max services will continue to receive the same service. Should any customers wish to transfer to the new Zen Office 8000 service they can do so for free and migration from other ISPs to all Zen Broadband services is also free.Labels: zen-broadband
Vodafone launch 3G broadband modem
Available today 21st November 2006: the eagerly anticipated Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem from just £49 ex VAT. This new version of the 3G broadband data card, designed especially for users of the latest generation of laptops and Apple® MacBooks™, allows customers to access 3G broadband by simply plugging it into the USB slot on their Computer.
Kyle Whitehill, Director of Vodafone UK’s Enterprise Business Unit, comments, “Following our first to market launch of 3G broadband services in June this year, this device is a direct response to demand from users of the latest generation of laptops, who’d also like to be using 3G broadband.” Kyle concluded, “The new, easy to install, Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem, ensures that all Vodafone customers, regardless of their choice of computer, are able to access 3G broadband services. “
Sunny Suri, trialist, Publisher for Movie Mag International and Managing Director of Public Relations UK, comments: “As a magazine publisher, I have to meet critical deadlines all the time. I’m mostly out of the office. Relying on wireless hotspots or connection points in cafes is frustrating. Often I need to use an internet connection and the hotel room one isn’t working. This way, there’s no problem – you just plug in and get on. It really simplifies working away from the office.”
The Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem offers download speeds of around 1.4Mbps and joins an extensive 3G broadband product range; including the award-winning 3G data card, built-in laptop technology and the 3G broadband wireless router. Vodafone boasts the largest 3G data card market share, the fastest 3G network for downloads* and continues its intensive 3G broadband rollout programme. Having already made the service available to all major cities and towns across the UK the footprint is expanding every week and all 3G areas will be upgraded to 3G broadband by summer 2007.
The service is also available in a number of other countries worldwide including Australia, Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain. When outside of 3G broadband coverage, customers will automatically be able to access the web using Vodafone’s existing 3G and GPRS services.
www.vodafone.co.uk/mobileconnectLabels: vodafone-broadband
Monday, November 20, 2006
Vodafone to become 'Total Communications' provider
Vodafone UK today announces an exclusive partnership and the acquisition of two companies, as part of its longer-term plan to evolve from a mobile-focused company to a total communications provider offering seamless communications to its customers, regardless of network or technology*. The partnership and acquisitions form a key part of Vodafone UK’s enterprise mobility consultancy and delivery capability strategy.
Vodafone UK has signed a conditional contract to acquire Aspective Limited, a respected consultancy and service provider with core skills in mobilising enterprise applications. The company has also acquired Isis Telecommunications Management Limited, a leading provider of customer services, fleet management and bespoke managed services to the business market.
In addition, Vodafone UK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Fiberlink, a leading specialist in secure mobile working. Under the terms of the deal, Vodafone will be the only mobile provider of Fiberlink in the UK, and will offer Fiberlink's platform exclusively for mobile workforce services in the UK. The agreement with Fiberlink is effective from January 1 2007 for three years.
Kyle Whitehill, Director of Vodafone UK’s Enterprise Business Unit, comments: “We are focused on developing our capability in three core areas: applications, access and service. In the next three years Vodafone UK will become much more than a mobile network operator and will play a significant role as an integrator of seamless communications. Today’s announcements are testament to our commitment to this strategy with the acquisition of skills and capabilities in all three of these core areas.”Labels: vodafone-broadband
Thursday, November 16, 2006
BT makes recommended cash offer for PlusNet plc
BT today announced it has made a recommended cash offer for PlusNet, offering 210p per share, valuing the company at approximately £67m.
The offer for PlusNet fits perfectly with BT’s strategy of providing its customers with the most that broadband can deliver. Broadband is increasingly becoming more than just fast internet access and PlusNet has a strong reputation for both customer service and innovation.
Operating since 1997, PlusNet was listed on the Alternative Investment Market in 2004. It has grown rapidly during the last few years and now has close to 200,000 broadband customers as well as an additional narrowband customer base. If the offer is accepted, PlusNet will retain its brand and distinct identity. It will continue to operate from its base in Sheffield and Lee Strafford will remain its CEO. For the 12 months to 30 June 2006 the company had revenues of £41m, EBITDA of £7.5m and net income of £3.9m.
BT Retail chief executive, Ian Livingston said: “This offer makes great sense for BT. We already provide the UK’s most popular and best-performing ADSL broadband service and this acquisition will ensure that even more people can enjoy our market-leading services. PlusNet’s customers and employees will benefit from the combination of PlusNet’s excellent platform and access to BT’s resources and technology development.”
Lee Strafford, CEO of PlusNet said: “I am pleased to announce BT’s offer this morning. Whilst the PlusNet Directors continue to believe that PlusNet is a high quality business, our sector is consolidating and there are considerable benefits to PlusNet in becoming part of BT. BT recognises the importance of retaining PlusNet’s identity and culture and I believe this will give rise to exciting opportunities for PlusNet, our customers and our employees.”
The directors of the company, having unanimously recommended the offer, have provided irrevocable undertakings to accept BT’s offer.
BT broadbandLabels: bt-broadband, plusnet-broadband
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
V21 to Begin Legal Proceedings Against NetServices plc
V21.co.uk Limited, an Internet service provider recently-acquired by Biscit, today announces that it will begin legal proceedings against NetServices plc (EPIC:NSV) seeking substantial seven-figure damages. The legal action results from NetServices decision to novate some of V21's customers to another service provider.
V21 (recently renamed Biscit CSP) has had a commercial dispute with NetServices for some months and began well before Biscit acquired V21 in October 2006. V21 represents about twenty percent of NetServices' business.
Post acquisition, NetServices presented an invoice to V21 for "burst bandwidth charges" for services it claims it provided to V21's customers from as far back as December 2005. V21 rejected this invoice and launched a full audit into every invoice presented by NetServices to V21 since commercial relations were established in December 2005. The audit began last week.
In October, NetServices also refused to provide technical support to V21 customers and MAC codes allowing V21 customers to migrate to Biscit's secure and robust servers or any other provider.
Today, NetServices, whose share price plummetted this year following a profits warning, decided to take the unprecedented decision to migrate some of V21 customers to another ISP called Ezeedsl, part of the 186k group. V21 strongly recommends affected customers to contact NetServices directly on 0870 753 0900, or by email sarahh@netservicesplc.com, and ask for their MAC codes.
Armed with a MAC code, V21 customer ID and telephone number for the broadband service, users can log on to www.v21.co.uk/migration to be reconnected to its superfast broadband services and receive 1 months free broadband compensation. They will then be able to continue using their current email and hosting services without changing any settings whatsoever. Expected downtime to reconnection is 24-96 hours.
About V21
V21 is a leading provider of advanced Internet and telecoms products and services. Delivering the online world to thousands of residential customers, the company is a communications and broadband centre-of-excellence. Visit www.v21.co.uk for further information.Labels: v21-broadband
Birmingham takes lead in Wi-Fi revolution with BT
BIRMINGHAM today confirmed itself at the forefront of exploiting digital technology by signing an agreement with BT for the creation of a street-based wireless city communications network.
The agreement forms part of the Digital Birmingham initiative, a partnership between Birmingham City Council, and other public, private and voluntary sector organisations who share the ambition to establish Birmingham as the leading European digital city by 2010.
The Wireless Birmingham Wi-Fi network will cover a square mile area of the city centre.
Today’s formal agreement is part of BT’s Wireless Cities initiative, which will see Birmingham leading the way in early 2007, followed by other major UK cities in the first phase of an ongoing programme.
Birmingham’s plans are the most advanced of the cities that signed up for the programme in May.
Cllr Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of the City Council, said: “The Wireless Birmingham agreement is a clear demonstration of how well we have worked in partnership with BT – who are making a significant financial investment to establish this network.
“It shows the commitment both sides of the partnership have to ensuring Birmingham is recognised as at the leading edge of digital developments and that the city becomes the first truly sustainable wireless city in conjunction with a private sector partner.
“The project offers endless opportunities and possibilities – not least of which is to enable us to deliver our services in a creative and innovative way. Many cities have plans to implement such wireless networks, but this agreement shows we are serious about competing on a national and international stage when it comes to establishing the technological facilities that today’s world requires.”
BT will fund the city centre network, with the City Council providing access to its street lamp posts in order to create the essential infrastructure.
In a groundbreaking innovation, people with laptops, mobile phones, hand-held computers and gaming devices using Wi-Fi (the industry standard for connecting devices wirelessly to the web) will be able to access information and services from the City Council free of charge through an internet portal.
The portal will give free access over the network to Birmingham-specific information relating to topics such as health, transport, events, and schools, whilst people are out and about in the city centre.
It will also enable the council to provide free wireless access to educational information anywhere within the city centre including the city’s 50,000 higher education students, using the same technology they are familiar with as it is already installed in many schools and colleges.
As well as the free services, people will be able to buy vouchers or subscribe to innovative services such as BT Openzone and Fusion, and a range of new applications and services for consumers and businesses, allowing them to remain contactable, access broadband wirelessly and surf the web whilst on the move.
The City Council will also use the BT Wireless Cities network to pilot a range of pioneering initiatives which will improve the delivery of a range of public services, from the spring. These could include: mobile office devices for Birmingham street wardens, who provide face-to-face assistance and security for the citizens, visitors and business owners of Birmingham; and Wireless CCTV, which will be used for city centre management, security and parking services. On successful completion of a pilot, it is the intention of both parties to formalise an agreement for the future running of the service.
Carefully planned by the project partners, the initial coverage area is to maximise citizen and business benefit by including the professional district, the ICC, NIA and Brindleyplace, Broad Street, the Jewellery Quarter, Eastside, Digbeth, and the main retail areas. Aston Science Park and Millennium Point are also to have coverage from day one.
The development and operational costs of the network will be borne entirely by BT – there is no cost burden on the taxpayer for the provision and management of the network.
Frank Mills, BT’s West Midlands regional director, said: “It is a real testament to how forward-thinking and ambitious Birmingham City Council is in wanting to reap the benefits that a BT Wireless Cities network can bring. This is one of the first of many licensing and applications agreements BT is planning with local authorities around the UK.
“Key to the success of this agreement has been that BT and Birmingham City Council have worked closely together to ensure we’re not just rolling out a network of hotspots, but guaranteeing that the Council has the right applications in place to make wireless public services work for every resident, every council worker, every business owner and every tourist. We believe that partnering with local authorities is the most successful model for creating a true Wireless City and the people of Birmingham will notice a significant difference in the way they can use the network on a range of devices for entertainment, education and communication, even when they’re on the move.”
Birmingham City Council and BT are founder members of the Digital Birmingham partnership which has the ambition to establish Birmingham as the leading European Digital City by 2010.
BT broadbandLabels: bt-broadband, wifi-broadband
Monday, November 13, 2006
BT outlines new wholesale broadband pricing
BT today revealed how it plans to reduce its wholesale broadband pricing once 1.5m lines have been unbundled. The indicative prices are aimed at offering service providers a cost effective alternative to Local Loop Unbundling (LLU).
The new pricing structure is intended to come into effect from May 2007 - at which point BT believes the UK will have achieved 1.5 million LLU lines – and will be implemented in two stages. The unveiling of the proposals will enable service providers to plan ahead.
From May 2007, service providers will see the rental charge for the most highly used wholesale broadband product – BT IPstream – reduced by 9 per cent, with the price coming down from £8.40 per line per month to £7.63. This price is expected to be reduced further in the second round of changes planned for January 2008.
There will also be further savings for service providers at high density exchanges. The current rebate scheme that applies at 561 of these exchanges is set to be revised to cover 1,016 exchanges. The level of this rebate is also set to increase from £1.10 to £1.24 from May 2007. The rebate reflects the lower cost of providing broadband in these areas.
The increase in the rebate – combined with the lower rental price - will reduce the net monthly rental price (i.e. rental less rebate) in these exchanges from £7.30 to £6.39. This is a reduction of 12.5 per cent. Further increases to the rebate are also planned from January 2008.
Cameron Rejali, BT Wholesale managing director for products and strategy, said: “These pricing proposals will help our ISP customers develop their business plans and compete effectively in the broadband market. The proposed prices better reflect the economies of scale and input costs we face, meaning we can deliver lower average costs to ISPs. The industry has been waiting to hear how we will enable them to compete with the local loop unbundlers and so these proposals should allow them to plan ahead.”
Service providers choosing the BT Datastream product - a simpler service than that provided by the BT IPstream product - are also set to benefit from the revised rebate scheme. The existing rebate of £1.15 for connections to the current 561 exchanges will be extended to the 1,016 designated exchanges. This will effectively reduce the rental charge per end user from £7.05 to £5.90 in those areas from May 2007.
BT Wholesale has started to purchase the LLU product and will consequently be charged for the provision and cessation of a line from Openreach. From May 2007, BT Wholesale intends to reflect these charges through connection and cessation charges for its service provider customers. As a result, the connection charge for BT IPstream and BT Datastream products will come down from £40 (ex VAT) to £34.86 (ex VAT) reflecting the charges from Openreach.
A cessation charge is also set to be introduced where service providers order the termination of service on an end user’s line. This charge of £33.75 (ex VAT) reflects the input costs from Openreach. The cessation charge will not apply when a consumer wants to move from one service provider to another and both service providers use the MAC process. BT’s aim is to encourage more service providers to participate in the MAC process, which is designed to make it simpler for consumers to move from one service provider to another. The cessation charge will also not apply where there are bulk migrations to LLU.
Finally, BT Wholesale also confirmed today it intends to trial Wholesale Broadband Connect in selected exchanges across the UK from Summer 2007. This is a new next generation broadband service created using 21CN. Using ADSL and ADSL2+ technology, it will provide national connectivity enabling communications providers to connect their broadband and data customers to their own networks and services efficiently and cost effectively. With planned speeds of up to 24 Mbit/s, BT Wholesale Broadband Connect is set to be available to almost half the UK from early 2008, with nationwide coverage linked to the rollout of 21CN.
Note: Prices are subject to BT’s ongoing legal and regulatory obligations and commitments and are indicative and could be subject to change prior to formal pricing notification.
Notes
Under the Telecommunications Strategic Review, BT made a commitment that it would not lower the prices of its wholesale broadband offerings until the UK achieved 1.5 million LLU lines.
The pricing proposals are in line with additional commitments made to Ofcom to ensure pricing stability in the broadband marketplace.
BT broadbandLabels: bt-broadband
Friday, November 10, 2006
Broadband with no limits from Vodafone
Vodafone UK today announces details of its new premium broadband service, Vodafone at Home, which will be launched to Vodafone consumer contract customers on 8 January 2007. Costing GBP 25 per month, including line rental, customers will receive unlimited broadband and inclusive landline calls at anytime to any UK landline, as well as 25% off calls to mobiles.
Vodafone At Home meets the growing communication needs of customers, with bills for mobile and fixed communication services coming from one company, Vodafone. The premium service has been designed to offer customers the combination of excellent service quality and great value.
To ensure ease of use, Vodafone will prepare the modems for set-up before they are issued and provide 24/7 UK based technical telephone and online help. For additional peace of mind, Vodafone will also offer customers a 30-day money back guarantee. Vodafone At Home will be available to 97% of UK households from launch by utilising BT Wholesale's broadband network as announced in September 2006.
For even greater flexibility, customers will also be able to opt for broadband whilst on the move. With Vodafone At Home, customers can buy a half-price Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem, so that they can use Vodafone's 3G broadband network from their laptop wherever they are.
"The way we're packaging and delivering Vodafone At Home ensures our customers get the best experience when they buy broadband," says Tim Yates, Director of Vodafone UK's Consumer Business Unit. "With our managed roll-out and commitment to customer service we are confident that we will be able to manage demand.
"By working with BT we will be providing a market-leading mix of quality, value and service. Vodafone at Home will provide nationwide broadband coverage from day one, as well as offering the flexibility and convenience of going wireless at home and being able to access the internet on laptops when out of the home on Vodafone's 3G broadband network."
www.vodafone.co.uk/athomeLabels: vodafone-broadband
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The Walt Disney Company and BT close movie video on demand agreement
Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), the international TV distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company, and BT Plc, announced today that they have concluded a multi-year broadband video-on-demand rental agreement in the UK. This will make available, on-demand, a selection of upcoming, current and library movies from BVITV’s portfolio via BT’s upcoming next-generation TV service, BT Vision. This agreement is in line with The Walt Disney Company's focus on the application of technology to enhance its content and expand its distribution
Through this agreement, BT Vision’s customers will be able to purchase on-demand a selection of current and upcoming features from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films. Titles include the record-breaking global hit ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,’ the Academy Award®-winning ’Memoirs of a Geisha,’ plus comedies ‘The Shaggy Dog’ and ‘Scary Movie 4.’ The agreement also includes a range of library features.
Tom Toumazis, executive vice president and managing director, BVITV EMEA said: “As flexibility and choice of content become increasingly important factors to the entertainment consumer, we’re pleased to be working with BT to offer this strong selection of our movie titles to BT Vision’s customers across the UK, in a convenient range of ways on this exciting new digital service.”
Dan Marks, CEO of BT Vision, said: “We are delighted to announce this agreement with The Walt Disney Company. BT Vision’s film service will be immensely strengthened by our ability to offer current movies from one of the strongest studios and a great selection of titles from Disney’s magnificent catalogue. We look forward to working with Disney to develop and use innovative technology to continue providing our customers with choice, convenience and control over their movie-watching.”
At launch, BT Vision customers will be able to enjoy a vast range of film, music and television programming available on-demand as well as interactive services and all the Freeview channels, all available on the TV, with no compulsory subscription. This unique combination, delivered on a software platform powered by Microsoft and through a set-top box made by Philips, will allow customers choice, control and convenience.
BT Vision has already announced content deals with a range of leading entertainment companies including Dreamworks, i-concerts, Eagle Rock, BBC Worldwide, Paramount, Warner Music Group, National Geographic Channel, HIT Entertainment, Momentum, Universal, Nelvana, SONY BMG, Viacom and Turner Broadcasting; as well as with independents including Lionsgate, Entertainment Rights plc, NBD Television and Wall to Wall Television. BT Vision has also announced 'near-live' FA Premier League matches from the 2007/08 season.
This agreement was concluded by BVITV’s Damian Newton, vice president, Digital Media and Catherine Powell, executive director, Sales, UK & Ireland, working with BT Vision’s Mark Cranwell, director, business affairs and Bobbie Fox, head of film.
BT broadbandLabels: bt-broadband
BT Broadband breaks the three million barrier
BT Retail today celebrated the arrival of its three millionth broadband customer, confirming the company’s position as the provider of the UK’s most popular and best-performing# ADSL broadband service.
The milestone was passed recently but announced today to accompany BT’s half yearly results. These results revealed BT Retail secured one in four of all new ADSL customers in the period between July and September 2006. The business now has 32 per cent of the total DSL broadband market.
Today’s results also show that new customers are increasingly opting for the most content-rich packages. BT Total Broadband, launched in July 2006, offers consumers a choice of three packages and it was revealed today that nearly 60 per cent of new customers in the quarter chose Options 2 or 3. These include download speeds of up to 8Mb, free internet voice and video calls and a suite of security software all brought together through the revolutionary Home Hub.
The BT Home Hub is a stylish, powerful device, designed to sit at the heart of the digital home. It supports BT’s full range of services including both Total Broadband and Broadband Talk. It connects wirelessly to PCs and other broadband devices and will update automatically to work seamlessly with future services.
Sales of the consumer Hub have now exceeded 350,000 helping to fuel a rise in the use of Voice over IP (VoIP) services. BT now has a base of more than 650,000 residential customers using VoIP services.
Ian Livingston, chief executive of BT Retail, said: “The broadband market is consolidating and customers are increasingly choosing between basic broadband and a total service that can deliver far more. BT believes that customers deserve broadband that makes available a range of new exciting new services.
“The broadband market of the last few months has been similar to a gold rush with companies falling over themselves to offer so called “free” broadband. It is pleasing then to see that more than three million customers share our vision that broadband is far more than a pipe into the home.”
# From April 1 to September 30, 2006, the performance of BT’s broadband service has been independently monitored by Epitiro. BT been the top-rated ADSL consumer broadband provider (compared with AOL, Tiscali, Orange and Pipex), benchmarked by measures including download speed, ping time, upload speed, connection speed, packet loss, DNS time, FTP speed, e-mail time and time to connect.
BT broadbandLabels: bt-broadband
BT to invest up to €500m on the island of Ireland
BT today outlined plans to invest up to €500m over the next five years to provide Ireland, north and south with a world-leading communications network carrying fixed, mobile, voice, data, video on-demand and broadband services for consumers, small businesses and corporates.
The programme is part of BT’s multi billion ‘21st Century Network’ (21CN) investment in a next generation network, with one of the benefits being access to LLU-based wholesale broadband services with speeds of up to 24 Mbit/s.
BT is developing what promises to be the world’s most advanced communications infrastructure to give increased customer choice and flexibility, and to enable the introduction of new services for all the communications providers more quickly in the future.
Danny McLaughlin, CEO, BT in Ireland, said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates the depth of BT’s commitment to Ireland, north and south, as we create an environment capable of transforming the way we live, work and play. Our investment in 21 CN will be a key component in attracting foreign investment to the island, and in facilitating economic growth through the delivery of innovative products and technical diversity”.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin T.D., said: “This is a strategically significant announcement for Ireland, north and south. BT’s investment will underpin our ability to compete economically on the world stage by having access to state of the art infrastructure. This is good news for the economy and for all citizens.”
Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment, said: “This major investment underlines the confidence of BT in the market, and will play an important role in attracting companies keen to benefit from our modern, state-of-the-art communications network. It will build upon the significant investment Government has made in delivering 100% broadband and will certainly be a valuable tool in helping NI businesses compete globally.”
“21CN will replace the complex network and systems infrastructure with a physically simpler and more reliable network, to ensure the delivery of the next generation of converged services faster, more efficiently and more cost-effectively than ever before,” concluded Danny McLaughlin.
BT broadbandLabels: bt-broadband
Green light for Kingswells broadband
Around 650 homes and businesses in Kingswells are to gain access to broadband thanks to an innovative delivery technology devised by BT and Openreach engineers.
Parts of the community have been unable to access the high-speed internet service because their telephone service is provided by TPON, an optical fibre-based technology which is incompatible with broadband.
BT’s mass market broadband service, ADSL, is a technology designed to run on the standard copper wire lines which serve the vast majority of homes and businesses in the UK
For most of this year, 10 Kingswells residents have been hooked up to broadband in a BT Wholesale trial in which the technology is being delivered through equipment in street cabinets, rather than direct from the exchange.
Along with a similar trial in Dorset, it’s the first time broadband has been delivered this way in the UK.
Bob Downes, director, Scotland Openreach said: “The aim of the trials was to test the technical, logistical and commercial aspects of providing broadband in this way.
“The trials worked well and further improvements are being tested to allow access to as many internet service providers as possible. All going well, service providers should be able to begin processing customer orders before Christmas.”
Mr Downes added: “The first orders will be processed manually, which takes longer, but we wanted to start getting users online, rather than wait until a fully automated process has been developed.”
The new infrastructure gives Kingswells residents the ability to choose between broadband services supplied by either BT or other service providers operating in the area.
Aberdeen North MSP Brian Adam said today: “I have been contacted by many Kingswells residents who are absolutely desperate to experience broadband and I know they will be pleased to learn that their long wait is now coming to an end.
“I have had many meetings with BT to discuss the issue and that work is now paying off. This is the first time broadband has been delivered in this way in the UK and my constituents will be among the first to benefit.”
BT broadband
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
NewNet advising customers of delays in fault resolution
Over recent weeks, BT have been engaged in a regulatory process of
separating components of their services. The creation of Openreach is intended
to ensure equivalence of access for all of the UK telecomms industry, other
providers, as well as other parts of BT, to the local access and backhaul
networks.
The result of this change is that there is now a separation between Broadband
services such as ADSL and SDSL (provisioned through BT Wholesale) and the
local access circuit (provision and maintained by Openreach). Over the next few
weeks, customers with BT PSTN circuits will become Openreach LLU (local
loop unbundled) customers.
NewNet is already seeing the effects of the changes, particularly in relation to
the management and escalation of Broadband faults. There is now clear
indication that some faults are taking longer to progress to resolution -
particularly where these relate to the actual PSTN line or exchange equipment.
As a result of the Openreach separation, an additional layer has now been
inserted into the fault resolution process and this invariably causes delay and
disruption to the flow of information to keep both ourselves and our customers
updated on progress.
NewNet very much regrets the delay and inconvenience caused to customers.
NewNet has already taken steps to improve its Helpdesk performance by
appointing new staff and the latest recruits are now in place and working to help
customers. However, their tasks are now being impeded by the additional time
taken to chase and progress Broadband faults and this is having a knock on
effect on customer service perception.
The intention is that, in time, Openreach will deliver an improved national
network, replacing old cables and components that do not support Broadband
services. At present NewNet is seeing problems similar to the initial phase of
ADSL MAX and is warning customers that it anticipates problems getting worse
before they get better. In common with its commitment to customer support,
NewNet is pressing BT management with its concerns and experiences at this
time.Labels: newnet-broadband
Virgin Media is on its way
Consumers today get their first glimpse of an exciting new presence in the UK media market as ntl Telewest and Virgin Mobile unveil the merged company's future name and logo. The re-branded company will be called Virgin Media and launches in the first quarter of 2007.
Virgin Media will exploit its unique ability to offer a 'quadplay' of digital TV, broadband, mobile and home phone to offer an unrivalled choice of entertainment and communication services. In September, ntl Telewest and Virgin Mobile provided a taste of things to come when they teamed up to launch Britain's first quadplay bundle, offering customers four products for £40 a month.
With major operational changes already underway at ntl Telewest, Virgin Media promises to live up to Virgin's long-established reputation for offering world class customer service. To help accelerate this transformation, the company has recently committed an additional £5 million in 2006 to improve customer care, ahead of the launch of Virgin Media.
Until the re-brand in early 2007, ntl Telewest will continue to provide services under its existing brand name. Virgin Mobile will continue as part of the new Virgin Media group. Going forward, delivering a wide range of outstanding content across multiple platforms will be an important focus for the re-branded company.
Steve Burch, president and chief executive officer, ntl said: "Virgin Media will shake up the market by bringing the Virgin traditions of value-for-money, brilliant customer service and innovation to the world of entertainment and communications. While work remains to be done between now and the re-brand, our decision to announce its name and logo today is a reflection of my confidence that we're well on the way to creating an organisation that can live up to this vision by consistently putting the consumer first."
Gordon McCallum, chief executive officer of Virgin Management Limited and ntl Board member added: "Taking on the Virgin brand is about much more than a new name and logo above the door. ntl Telewest's management team has consistently demonstrated that it understands this and the commitment that's needed to succeed. Much has already been achieved and we're confident that the company's on track to deliver the Virgin promise when we re-brand next year."Labels: virgin-broadband
LLU hits one million lines in the UK
Openreach today announced that the UK has achieved an important milestone in the telecoms market as the number of unbundled lines reaches the one million mark. This represents a 420 per cent increase in the number of unbundled lines since the creation of Openreach in January 2006. This tremendous growth means that Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) is now a critical component of the highly competitive UK broadband market, providing an alternative route to market for those companies who wish to install their own equipment in BT exchanges.
On average, Openreach is currently fulfilling almost 30,000 LLU orders per week, with more than twenty operators providing unbundled services from more than 1,000 local exchanges across the UK. This tremendous progress is the direct result of ongoing collaboration between Openreach, industry and the Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator.
Steve Robertson, CEO, Openreach said, “This is a fantastic achievement for the whole of industry and demonstrates that the UK has one of the most competitive broadband markets in the world. This progress has been underpinned by price reductions and the introduction of new product and systems capability to make it simpler for operators to migrate their end customers onto unbundled services. Openreach is committed to making sure that this positive trend continues.”Labels: llu-broadband, wifi-broadband
Monday, November 06, 2006
Monthly figures reveal record requests for BBC Radio online
On demand listening to BBC Radio on the internet has reached record levels, with 12.5 million requests logged in September 2006, according to the BBC's latest monthly statistics.
The Archers (BBC Radio 4) was the most popular on demand programme (listened to after broadcast) on the BBC Radio Player, with 682,304 listens over the month.
Chris Moyles (BBC Radio 1) received 503,088 requests, taking second place.
Live online listening to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3 reached a new peak in September, as the stations clocked up 3.1 million and 475,000 hours respectively.
September also saw a record number of downloads of programmes in the BBC Download and Podcast Trial - 4.8 million mp3s were downloaded over the course of the month.
Radio 4's From Our Own Correspondent saw the biggest percentage increase in downloads (75%), equating to more than a quarter of a million downloads of the programme.
Radio 1's Best of Moyles tops the table of weekly podcasts, with 574,067 monthly downloads, while Russell Brand's BBC 6 Music podcast notched up 140,440 downloads during September.
Friday, November 03, 2006
THUS to supply high-speed broadband to council sites across the south of Scotland
THUS plc will today announce that it has been selected by The South of Scotland Broadband Pathfinder Project for a network deployment that will provide high capacity broadband links to schools, libraries and council offices throughout Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. The network rollout, worth up to GBP32 million, is expected to be completed in 2008 and will help local authorities be more efficient and effective in the provision of services.
The South of Scotland Broadband Pathfinder Project aims to deliver a high bandwidth data service to 410 connections in the south of Scotland, including 201 educational institutions. The broadband rollout is also intended to increase the availability of high speed broadband service to business across the area, helping the rural areas of Dumfries and Galloway and The Borders compete in the global market.
Alan Hasson, Project Director for the Pathfinder South Broadband Project, commented, "The vision of the Pathfinder project is to provide our schools, libraries and local councils with the most advanced communications technology. Ensuring that local public services have access to the latest broadband is vital and we wanted to boost learning and teaching practices though technology as well as modernise the services we offer the public. We are confident that the network THUS has been commissioned to supply us with will help us meet our objectives fully, providing better economic and social benefits to our citizens across the region."
Bill Allan, CEO of THUS, said, "THUS has an excellent track record in providing solutions to the public sector and this contract is further endorsement of our capability and expertise in this area. Pathfinder South is a vitally important project, delivering next-generation services to local communities."
Demon broadbandLabels: thus-broadband
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