UK Broadband Internet Service Provider News: 2006/12

UK broadband Internet service provider news and the latest broadband company press releases. Access the latest new broadband deals and broadband service updates, including broadband news from BT, AOL, Tiscali, Eclipse, Orange, Utility Warehouse, TalkTalk, Virgin & Telewest.

Friday, December 22, 2006

TV on demand now available across the UK

ntl Telewest has completed a nationwide roll out of its TV on demand service, meaning all digital customers can access a huge library of films and TV shows at any time day or night.

The technology enables customers to escape the traditional TV schedule by using their remote control to access an on-screen menu of viewing. At a touch of a button, customers can access a library of over 500 movies, plus dramas, comedies, documentaries and TV hits like EastEnders and Lost.

Cable services are available to over 12 million households - more than half the British population – and over 25 million shows were viewed on demand by ntl Telewest customers this year. Five of the top ten on demand shows were children’s programmes, indicating how viewing trends are already changing.

ntl Telewest customer, Eden Ottley has found his family’s TV viewing habits transformed. He said: “Having two young children means we’ve had to change our viewing habits. Our kids take up so much time that we’d started to lose track of what was going on in our favourite dramas and soaps. TV on demand let’s us keep on top of what’s going on at the Queen Vic, we wait until the kids have gone to sleep and catch up – it’s revolutionised the way we watch TV!”

Labels: ntl-telewest-broadband

Thursday, December 21, 2006

BT business helps SMEs protect themselves better online

New BT PC Backup and Internet Security Pack launched. Small businesses in the UK can now use their broadband connection to access the latest security software and back-up tools for a low price monthly subscription, with the launch of the new BT PC Backup and Internet Security Pack.

This comes in response to the increase of online security risks, with two-thirds of small and medium-sized companies in the UK having suffered some kind of virus attack, and less than 20 per cent backing up their data remotely, even though 82 per cent admit they could not function without it*.

BT PC Backup is an automated business-grade service that remotely backs up PC data whenever customers connect to the internet, no matter where they are, from a fixed-line or wireless broadband connection.

The PC Backup software detects any changes in files and documents on users’ PCs and ensures that they are saved securely. The data is compressed, so that the average daily backup takes no more than five minutes, and encrypted, to make it secure whilst it is transferred over the internet, before being stored at multiple data centres to give complete protection.

Customers can then access or recover their files from any internet-connected computer with their user ID and security password.

The new Internet Security Pack provides the latest desktop protection against all known threats and includes best-of-breed anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall and content filtering, including pop-up blocking and anti-phishing, all delivered through a single desktop client developed exclusively for BT by Authentium.

Available to all existing and new customers, the simple-to-install software automatically updates, including new virus definitions so that users always have the latest protection.

It also allows business owners to ensure their company is safe, by giving the status of each PC via a simple, intuitive Web-based portal. The service is supported by a 24/7 BT helpdesk.

Chris Lindsay, general manager, broadband and VoIP, at BT Business, said: “ Online security and protecting electronic data is vital for every business, no matter what their size. The trouble is that many small businesses don’t have the budget required to achieve this. As a result, we’ve developed a range of services that offer customers the very latest business-grade security and remote backup for a low monthly fee, which means they can be confident in the knowledge their systems are secure and, should the worst happen, their business data is safe.”

Labels: bt-broadband, business-broadband

Milton Keynes takes first steps to WiMAX broadband

Pipex Wireless has become the first service provider to offer secure wireless broadband using WiMAX in the UK, with the successful delivery of WiMAX services into Milton Keynes. Currently in the pilot phase of the rollout, the first trial customers have successfully been connected to the WiMAX network in Milton Keynes.

WiMAX technology will help make Milton Keynes one of the UK’s most connected new cities, enabling both businesses and residents to access broadband and IP-based services over multiple local networks and technologies. Pipex Wireless and Milton Keynes Council have signed an agreement to work closely together to ensure that the trial succeeds in achieving its objectives. Activities to identify additional infrastructure to offer wider commercial services during 2007 have already begun.

With no customer-based, fixed infrastructure required, Pipex Wireless’ WiMAX service enables broadband to be rapidly installed at customers’ premises or homes and via hotspots around the town. Offering increased symmetrical broadband delivery, WiMAX is ideal for remote workers and users who need to send large volumes of data, such as architects, graphic designers, web managers and new media agencies.

Steven Jewell Head of IT at Milton Keynes says, “We expect, the capability that WiMAX will be able to provide to remote and home workers will be an essential element in the established growth plans for Milton Keynes.”

“We’re delighted to get Milton Keynes’ residents and businesses working on WiMAX broadband,” says Mike Read, Chief Executive Officer, Pipex Wireless. “Our WiMAX service offers a secure, highly flexible platform for broadband and voice services, which we aim to rollout further around the town in 2007. By working with Milton Keynes Council and our other technology partners, including Airspan and Ericsson, we have the ability to make hooking up to a wireless world a reality.”

Jewell continues, “Milton Keynes is a thriving, forward-thinking town, with thousands of businesses and residents looking to be at the forefront of communications technologies. With Pipex Wireless, we are building a model of public and private cooperation for an economic, sustainable wireless development that will be just as beneficial to many other public authorities in the UK. This is a significant building block towards delivering ‘digital’ Milton Keynes and is an integral part of the Milton Keynes Digital Challenge bid.”

Pipex Wireless was created in April 2006 by Pipex and Intel Capital, Intel Corporation’s venture arm, to develop unique fixed and portable broadband wireless services for consumers and business customers in the UK. Milton Keynes was chosen to be the first town as its telecoms network has a relatively high proportion of poor quality and long reach copper wires, thereby limiting the potential for residents and businesses to access ADSL broadband services.

Labels: pipex-broadband, wifi-broadband, wimax-broadband

Monday, December 18, 2006

SMEs at risk from web downtime

Thousands of SMEs could be putting their business at risk due to web downtime because they haven’t negotiated a Service Level Agreement with their Internet service provider (ISP).

Following a recent outage at Demon, during which customers had no web hosting for more than five days, Lumison has issued five top tips to help SMEs minimise the risks of web downtime when choosing a web hosting service. Over 80% of SMEs are now online, and increased dependence on web hosting services for a growing range of mission-critical business applications means they’re particularly vulnerable to web downtime, according to Lumison CEO Aydin Kurt-Eli.

“The Demon outage highlights the importance of choosing the right service package from your ISP. Many customers won’t have realised until last week that their hosting was being provided without a Service Level Agreement. While most simple web hosting is provided on a ‘best-effort’ basis, customers have to decide whether five days of downtime constitutes a good-enough service,” explains Kurt-Eli.

He adds: “SMEs need to understand that while it’s almost impossible to guarantee 100% uptime, the right service agreement can help minimise the risks of downtime. This is why it’s so important for customers to understand the risks and rewards associated with their hosted service package.”

1. Ensure the right technology is in place.

While it’s almost impossible to guarantee 100% uptime, there are two simple questions you should ask your provider to ensure you have access to the best technology and so experience as little downtime as possible:

i. Ask your provider how it maintains its servers. It should have scheduled server downtime when the operating systems are upgraded.
ii. Ask if its system has a load-balanced infrastructure. The answer should be yes, with content switches, multiple servers and clustering so that individual server failures have minimum impact.

2. Choose a service that meets your business needs.

Getting the right service from your ISP is crucial. It really is a case of you get what you pay for. For example, a low-cost virtual hosting service won’t normally include an SLA, so it may be worth considering a dedicated hosting solution that will provide dedicated 24/7 support as part of the SLA. If your ISP is hosting just your website, you may be able to tolerate your website being down for a day or two. However, if you also rely on your Internet connection for sales and access to essential systems, any downtime will cost money, in which case you need an ISP that takes an outage as seriously as you do.

3. Get a service wrapper.

Technology and systems do go wrong. The question is what will your ISP do when it does? As such, getting the right service wrapper is essential. You need to ensure your ISP has the right customer and technical support services so it can be as responsive as you need it to be. Find out how long its takes your provider to answer your call when you have a problem and ascertain if it will put you through to a call centre or straight through to an expert engineer. At Lumison, we have a 24/7, manned, fully qualified technical support centre with an average call-response time of six seconds.

4. Check out references and stats.

Don’t be afraid to ask for references and statistics. Of course, your ISP is going to tell you it has very little downtime and a fantastic service, so check out existing customers and ask them what they think the service is like. It’s also interesting to find out about customer churn, as a good ISP should have low churn.

5. Be prepared.

Downtime does happen, so you need to be prepared. All SMEs should have a simple plan in place to deal with outages. Again, this comes down to whether your ISP will work with you to fix hardware or network problems within a fixed period of time, or offer compensation if it can’t.

Find out its definition of downtime: it should start when the service goes down, rather than when the customer reports a problem. Finally, make sure you clarify that breach of SLA is breach of contract and so allows you to move (at no cost) to another ISP.

Labels: business-broadband, lumison-broadband

Thursday, December 14, 2006

BT Fusion now available with Wi-Fi for small businesses

BT today launched BT Fusion Wi-Fi for business, bringing together the benefits of fixed and mobile convergence on one mobile device, with seamless two-way handover between Wi-Fi and GSM.

The new service will give small business customers a range of benefits to increase their productivity and performance, including: high speed access to business applications in Wi-Fi mode at up to five times faster than GPRS, free access to all your fixed and mobile voice messages stored in one place, and call rates as cheap as 5p for 60 minutes from the office and out and about.

Two cutting edge dual-mode Wi-Fi mobile handsets are available from BT immediately, the Nokia 6136 and the Motorola A910. Samsung’s P200 will be added to the range next month.

When combined with BT Business One Plan, BT’s triple-play package for mobile, fixed and broadband, prices start from just £15 a month including the handset, allowing businesses to squeeze extra value from their existing BT broadband line.

In the office, or at BT Openzone hotspots, for up to 60 minutes customers pay 5p for UK fixed line calls, less than the cost of a text; 15p for calls to BT mobiles, and 25p for calls to other UK mobiles. On the move all calls to both fixed and mobile numbers are capped at 25p for up to 60 minutes.

Steve Andrews, managing director of Mobility and Convergence, said: “This is a great day for small businesses. Customers tell us they need communications services that are better, simpler and faster to help them succeed wherever they are working.

“BT Fusion brings together in one service, high speed access to critical business information, free access to all your messages stored in one place and a great value calls package – wherever you are, all on one high quality handset.”

BT’s estate of around 2,000 Openzone hotspots at premium business locations, such as airports, railway stations and hotels, as well as an increasing number of leisure sites, mean that it is in a unique position to offer customers even more places where they can get higher quality, ultra high-speed access and fixed line rates for all their BT Fusion calls.

Additionally, BT’s plans to build a first phase of 12 Wireless Cities by the end of March next year means that most of the UK’s major city centres will soon offer comprehensive, high quality, Wi-Fi coverage with Openzone access.

Andrews said: “We were the first to market in the world with BT Fusion, we’ve already offered UK businesses the first triple-play tailored for their needs and now we are the first to offer them fixed-mobile handsets using Wi-Fi, at home, in the office and out and about with BT Openzone. And we will continue to build on our extensive and growing Wi-Fi network.”

The new groundbreaking service also includes a free 20MB data allowance so that businesses can use their mobiles for more than just phone calls without worry. Customers can use their handsets to access their e-mails, business applications and the mobile internet, in the office and at BT Openzone hotspots at faster speeds than GPRS.

Also available free is Call Minder Multi, BT’s smart messaging service, which combines the customer’s mobile and landline voicemail, giving them only one mailbox to call to pick up all their messages.

Other benefits for Wi-Fi Fusion customers are that they can keep their existing mobile number, receive a single bill and have just one point of contact.

Labels: bt-broadband, wifi-broadband

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Switching broadband provider

Ofcom today announced new rules intended to ensure that customers are able to switch to a different broadband provider quickly and easily. This follows a public consultation published in August.

Ofcom’s research reveals that while 83% of UK internet users who have switched provider found it easy to do so, a significant minority have encountered problems.

Making switching easier

A Migration Authorisation Code (MAC) is a unique alphanumeric reference that enables customers to switch broadband provider smoothly and with minimal disruption

Without a MAC, customers can be left without broadband for some time while the transfer is made. Previously, MACs formed part of a voluntary code of practice supported by a number of broadband providers. However, Ofcom is receiving an increasing number of complaints from consumers who find it difficult to obtain a MAC from their provider.

Therefore, from 14 February 2007, General Condition 22: Service Migrations will require broadband providers to supply consumers with a MAC upon request and free of charge.

Alternative sources of MAC codes

Some retail broadband providers have been unable to supply their customers with MAC codes when they request them. This might be because the wholesale provider that supplies the broadband service refuses to hand over customer MACs until a contractual dispute with the retail provider has been resolved.

The new rules will mean that all wholesale providers must provide MAC codes to their customers – the retail broadband providers - upon request, regardless of any dispute.

In other cases, consumers have been unable to contact their provider to obtain a MAC code; when the retail provider has exited the market, for example. To remedy this, Ofcom will continue to work with industry to identify an alternative mechanism to release MAC codes to consumers. It expects to consult on further proposals to that effect next year.

Resolving broadband sign-up problems when moving house

More than half of all complaints made to Ofcom for any reason between September 2005 and 2006 related to what is known as tag, or marker, on the line. This refers to instances when consumers wish to sign up to a new broadband service – after moving into a new home, for example - but cannot because there is, or appears to be, a pre-existing broadband connection already registered to that telephone line in the name of a previous resident.

A more robust MAC process – as described above - will go some way to relieving the problem. The new rules will also make it the responsibility of all broadband providers to ensure that technical and operational problems such as tag on line do not hinder consumers’ ability to switch.

Ofcom will continue to work with all broadband providers to address the root causes of tag on line. BT has set up a telephone helpdesk to support those with a marker on their line and will aim to remove tags wherever possible, or offer consumers advice where it is not able to remove the tag.

Claudio Pollack , Ofcom Director of Consumer Policy said: “Increased competition in broadband has led to falling prices and a wide variety of services.”

“These new rules are intended to ensure that switching is a quick and easy process for all.”

Broadband Wars - High Court Rules for Biscit

Communications service provider (CSP) Biscit today announces on behalf of its Biscit CSP/V21 business unit that the High Court of Justice issued an injunction against NetServices plc on 12th December 2006 calling upon NetServices to consent to the immediate transfer of the authentication realms "V21.co.uk", "speeddsl.com", "flexisurf" and "ispnet" to Biscit or to any person nominated by Biscit.

Biscit has since received a letter signed by Mr. Steven Hartley, a director of NetServices plc, giving consent to the return of its authentication realms. BT has been advised accordingly and Biscit CSP/V21 customers will have full use of their V21 identities as a result.

Biscit has consented to provide a broadband pipe to Biscit CSP/V21's end users who have, since termination of an agreement between V21 and NetServices on 15th November 2006 by NetServices, contracted with EzeeDSL and are being supplied broadband services using Biscit's authentication realms until further order, or until such time as those customers are moved by EzeeDSL to another realm, or by 10th January 2007 whichever is the soonest.

Ofcom and ISPA are being advised of this High Court ruling and Biscit will now proceed with a significant claim for damages against NetServices plc (EPIC : NSV).

Labels: biscit-broadband

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Go wireless with BT Broadband and Xbox Live

BT and Xbox Live offer ultimate online gaming experience. BT Total Broadband has partnered with Xbox Live® to offer a free Xbox 360™ Wireless Adapter retail price of £59.99 - actual prices may vary) for new BT Total Broadband customers1 who sign up via www.bt.com/xboxoffer, delivering the ultimate wireless gaming experience on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®.

The Xbox 360™ Wireless Adapter allows you to connect your Xbox 360™ wirelessly to BT Total Broadband via the BT Home Hub.

BT Total Broadband customers could benefit from ultra-fast download speeds of up to 8Mb2 enabling gamers to move up to a completely new level of online multi-player gaming – with speeds which allow the game to react as quickly as the players. Gamers will be able to experience exceptional stability with any action delays reduced to an absolute minimum, incredibly smooth 'real time' game play and advanced online gaming features with Xbox Live®.

Labels: bt-broadband

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Sky and Google unveil broadband alliance

British Sky Broadcasting (Sky), the UK's leading entertainment company, and Google today announced plans to work together in bringing ground-breaking web-based services
to Sky's community of broadband internet customers. The wide-ranging set of multi-year agreements sees two of the world's leading innovators in technology and entertainment join forces to create a compelling and customised experience for Sky Broadband customers.

Sky will be Google's first partner globally to deploy Google's suite of search, advertising, communications and video services, all of which will be tailored and branded for Sky's fast-growing broadband platform. Sky aims to ensure that its broadband customers enjoy the best possible online user experience with customised access to the full benefits of Google's evolving suite of innovative products for PC, TV and mobile.

Sky and Google will collaborate in three key areas:

Video

Sky will launch a multi-platform User Generated Video (UGV) portal powered by the first global deployment of Google's syndicated video content tools. The site will allow users to edit, upload and share their own video content, including the facility to upload and download from a mobile phone. The UGV portal will form part of a content-rich experience for Sky Broadband customers that will enhance the appeal of Sky's broadband services, build community and promote Sky content to online audiences.

Communications

Sky Broadband customers will enjoy access to a comprehensive online communications platform. This will include a fully customised version of Google's email product, 'Google Mail', which will use the popular '@sky.com' email address. Powered by Google with a user interface and functionality customised to Sky's unique specifications, the platform will also offer access to key communications applications that attract and deepen relationships with internet users, such as contacts, calendar and instant messaging. In addition, Sky will explore opportunities to provide further services such as Google's VoIP (voice over internet protocol) telephony services, enhanced storage and future product developments.

Search and advertising

Google will provide its industry leading search tools and targeted search advertising across Sky's portfolio of online sites. The two companies will also
explore future forms of web, TV and mobile advertising. Revenue generated by click-throughs on sponsored links will be shared between Sky and Google,
increasing Sky's exposure to the fastest growing segment of the UK's advertising market.

James Murdoch, Sky's Chief Executive, said:

'These agreements will bring Sky customers a valuable set of services from the world's leading search company, including cutting edge tools for video sharing
and communications. Google has pioneered many of the web's most loved and used features, so I'm delighted that Sky Broadband customers will be the very first
online community to enjoy such unrivalled range and quality as well as a commitment to further innovation.

In a short time, Sky has emerged as an effective challenger by offering high-quality broadband that offers greater value than traditional cable and
telcos. Sky is on track to build a large and successful broadband business and is increasingly well positioned to participate in the rapid growth of online
search and advertising.'

Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Google, said:

'Google is committed to giving people the power to explore, create and communicate. Today's alliance with Sky brings together two of the most
innovative media and technology companies for the benefit of users. We will be delivering exciting new services for Sky Broadband customers all over the UK.
We're delighted to team up with Sky in one of the world's most dynamic markets and we look forward to working together in the years to come.'

Labels: sky-broadband

Zen Makes it Three in a Row with PC Pro

The PC Pro Awards for 2006 were held at the Brewery in London and, in an ever more competitive field, Zen Internet was awarded the highly coveted Best Broadband ISP for the third year in a row. Voted for by their customers this is further testament to Zen’s unrelenting mission to provide the best Broadband services with the very best service and support for their customers.

Zen Internet is now in its 12th year of existence and this is the latest in a long line of prestigious awards recognising their success in delivering quality, reliability and service. From 4 employees in 1995 to over 210 now this has been the backbone of a growing and profitable business and recognition such as this award demonstrates that Zen and this philosophy are on the right track for even more success in the future.

In addition to the Best Broadband ISP award, Zen was Highly Commended in the Best Web Host category which in itself is a great achievement beating many of the industry’s specialist hosting providers. Zen is growing and expanding their hosting business through continued investment and a focus on service and this has been rewarded by this excellent commendation.

After being handed the Best Broadband ISP award by TV personality Suzie Perry, Iain Johnstone, Sales and Partner Programme said:

"I was thrilled to pick up the award on behalf of Zen and to win it for a third consecutive year is a magnificent achievement by the entire company, all of whom work to ensure that our customers enjoy the same high standard of service wherever they come into contact with us. This is an award that we have all contributed to. Our commendation in the Web Host category is a real boost for the hosting team who are already striving to go one step further next year."
"I must thank our customers who took the time to vote for us and also PC Pro Magazine for making this such a landmark week for Zen Internet."

Labels: zen-broadband

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Utility Warehouse launch Broadcall

The Utility Warehouse are again leading the field with innovative service provision and this time, it's via the launch of their highly competitive broadband / line rental package...Broadcall. BroadCall is available exclusively to members of the Utility Warehouse Discount Club, combining fixed line telephone calls, line rental and a high speed internet connection at an amazingly low package price.

Via Broadcall, Utility Warehouse customers gain an 8Mb broadband connection, 40Gb of monthly data transfer, no BT line rental and unlimited free UK weekend calls. Also included are: free connection, free modem, free email anti-spam, free email anti-virus, no minimum contract term and savings of upto 93% on international calls. At the time of writing, all this is available from £19.99 per month for LLU enabled exchange customers and £27.99 per month via standard BT exchanges. Adding further value to this offer, customers opting to take a further two Utility Warehouse services, qualify for free UK calls 24/7!

Broadcall offers savings of up to £212.40 and has been calculated as being cheaper than equivalent services from AOL, BT, Sky, Tiscali and even talk Talk.
Utility Warehouse Broadcall

Labels: utility-warehouse

Friday, December 01, 2006

BT's NHS broadband network organisation given seal of approval

BT today announced that N3SP, the unit within BT responsible for building and supporting the broadband network for the NHS under the £12.4 billion National Programme for Information Technology, has received one of industry’s top accolades for service management with its accreditation to ISO 20000 - the world’s first standard for IT service management.

ISO 20000 sets out requirements against which an organisation can be assessed for effective IT service management process and performance. It provides an integrated framework for delivering and managing IT services to the customer, encouraging a more service orientated and customer focused organisation.

According to the International Standards Organisation, with up to 80 per cent of information technology budgets of most organisations directly linked to service management processes, the new standard is also expected to lead to costs savings for users as well as increased productivity and improved customer service.

Increasingly customers, particularly those in the public sector, will only consider companies for large IT contracts if they are accredited to this standard. The NHS already insists that for large outsourced contracts its suppliers meet this standard or its predecessor, BS 15000.

Patrick O’Connell, managing director BT Health, said: “We continue to make good progress on our NHS contracts and today’s news that N3SP has been given the seal of approval by gaining ISO 20000 accreditation rounds off a good year. This independent endorsement is an example of our commitment to providing a high standard of service to all our customers.”

Stuart Hill, chief executive of BT N3SP, said: “This standard is important because it provides a baseline against which an organisation can demonstrate its service delivery processes conform to best practices and are performing well.

“This has really been a team effort and we have drawn on the expertise of our people on BT’s other NHS National Programme contracts which have been accredited with ISO 20000 predecessor, BS 15000."

“This globally recognised standard is all about industry-wide best practice and gives our customer the confidence that they have a totally customer focussed supplier. It is a tangible example of how BT Global Services is a true world-class services organisation.”

BT was awarded the £530 million N3 contract in February 2004. It has since created one of Europe’s largest secure virtual private networks. N3SP is an autonomous unit within BT and is supplier agnostic, meaning it provides the NHS with broadband connections at best value from a range of suppliers.

BT has have installed about 16,000 connections and is confident that it will complete the 18,000 roll out by the end of March 2007.

BT Broadband