The latest telecoms news from around the UK! 
Launch of small business week 2007
Posted on 29 Oct 2007
Government, industry and advisory bodies unite in support of
UK’s small business community
Monday October 29 sees the start of a week-long initiative dedicated to championing the 4.5 million-plus small enterprises in the UK.
Small Business Week 2007 brings together national and local government, business experts, support services and owner managers, to discuss the triggers and barriers to long-term success for the small business community and to explore practical ideas for sustaining businesses and supporting growth through providing the services they most value and need.
www.smallbusinessweek2007.co.uk
UK’s small business community
Monday October 29 sees the start of a week-long initiative dedicated to championing the 4.5 million-plus small enterprises in the UK.
Small Business Week 2007 brings together national and local government, business experts, support services and owner managers, to discuss the triggers and barriers to long-term success for the small business community and to explore practical ideas for sustaining businesses and supporting growth through providing the services they most value and need.
www.smallbusinessweek2007.co.uk
Unlimited Bebo Package Goes Live On Orange Mobile For Just £3 Each Month
Posted on 24 Oct 2007
Customers can now turn social networking into an 'anytime, anywhere' experience through their mobile at an affordable and clear price.
New Bebo Mobile plan for Orange customers without needing to download or install any special software.
Orange and Bebo today announced that customers now get unlimited Bebo access for only £3 a month, bringing the UK’s largest social network to Orange customers via a simple and easy to use plan.
New Bebo Mobile plan for Orange customers without needing to download or install any special software.
Orange and Bebo today announced that customers now get unlimited Bebo access for only £3 a month, bringing the UK’s largest social network to Orange customers via a simple and easy to use plan.
BT launches UK’s biggest cancer campaign for employees
Posted on 24 Oct 2007
BT today announced a massive campaign to help more than 250,000 of its people to protect themselves from cancer.
Following on from BT’s other popular Work Fit programmes, Health & Fitness and Positive Mentality, the company hopes to help its 108,000 current employees across the globe and 176,000 BT pensioners to reduce the risk of developing cancer by making small changes to their lifestyle.
Following on from BT’s other popular Work Fit programmes, Health & Fitness and Positive Mentality, the company hopes to help its 108,000 current employees across the globe and 176,000 BT pensioners to reduce the risk of developing cancer by making small changes to their lifestyle.
ORANGE Scores as Manchester City Football Club trials mobile Phone ticketing
Posted on 19 Oct 2007
Mobile Contactless Services to allow fans to leave cash, credit cards and tickets at home
Orange today launched a major trial of mobile contactless services with Manchester City Football Club (MCFC). In the first phase of the trial, the technology will allow fans to use their mobile phones to enter through the turnstiles for home games. In future, the trial may allow the purchase of club merchandise or refreshments during half time, as well as loyalty discounts for fans who regularly attend the matches.
www.orange.co.uk
Orange today launched a major trial of mobile contactless services with Manchester City Football Club (MCFC). In the first phase of the trial, the technology will allow fans to use their mobile phones to enter through the turnstiles for home games. In future, the trial may allow the purchase of club merchandise or refreshments during half time, as well as loyalty discounts for fans who regularly attend the matches.
www.orange.co.uk
O2 OFFERS EXCLUSIVE LED ZEPPELIN CONTENT
Posted on 19 Oct 2007
Customers get chance to win tickets to one-off concert
O2 today announced that it will offer its customers exclusive Led Zeppelin mobile content until 12 November 2007.
O2 UK has signed an exclusive deal with Warner Music UK to provide its customers with a host of Led Zeppelin content and exclusives, the first time Led Zeppelin fans can get this content on mobile.
www.o2.co.uk
O2 today announced that it will offer its customers exclusive Led Zeppelin mobile content until 12 November 2007.
O2 UK has signed an exclusive deal with Warner Music UK to provide its customers with a host of Led Zeppelin content and exclusives, the first time Led Zeppelin fans can get this content on mobile.
www.o2.co.uk
Enabling mobile phone use on aircraft
Posted on 19 Oct 2007
Ofcom today set out proposals to enable airlines to offer mobile communication services on UK-registered aircraft, if they wish to do so.
One of Ofcom’s objectives is to create opportunities for companies to develop innovative technologies, in particular to make the most efficient use of the radio spectrum for the benefit of citizens and consumers.
The proposals have been developed jointly with other EU countries and are intended to cover all European airspace.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/mca/
One of Ofcom’s objectives is to create opportunities for companies to develop innovative technologies, in particular to make the most efficient use of the radio spectrum for the benefit of citizens and consumers.
The proposals have been developed jointly with other EU countries and are intended to cover all European airspace.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/mca/
BT announces major wind power plans
Posted on 19 Oct 2007
BT today unveiled plans to develop wind farms aimed at generating up to 25 per cent of its existing UK electricity requirements by 2016. The wind farm scheme represents the UK's biggest corporate wind power project outside of the energy sector.
The project, costing up to £250m, will bring together third party funding and renewable energy partners to safeguard future supplies of clean, green energy for BT as part of the company’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions.
www.bt.com
The project, costing up to £250m, will bring together third party funding and renewable energy partners to safeguard future supplies of clean, green energy for BT as part of the company’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions.
www.bt.com
Top brands reach more than 1 million customers on 3 UK with highly targeted mobile video ads
Posted on 19 Oct 2007
More than one quarter of 3 UK customers watch free videos on their mobile phones
3 UK today announces that more than one million customers have registered to use its free-to-access mobile video service powered by Rhythm NewMedia. Adoption has been rapid and in only six months, more than one quarter of 3's growing user base have registered for this new service which delivers targeted and personalized advertising to a hard-to-reach demographic.
www.three.co.uk
3 UK today announces that more than one million customers have registered to use its free-to-access mobile video service powered by Rhythm NewMedia. Adoption has been rapid and in only six months, more than one quarter of 3's growing user base have registered for this new service which delivers targeted and personalized advertising to a hard-to-reach demographic.
www.three.co.uk
O2 OFFERS FREE UNLIMITED TEXTS TO ONLINE PAY & GO CUSTOMERS
Posted on 16 Oct 2007
O2 today announced that from 16 October online Pay & Go customers who top up at least £30 each month will be able to send unlimited UK text messages every month+.
The new deal is in response to a recent survey* of O2 customers which indicated that more free texts was the bonus most wanted by 60% of them.
All new customers signing up to O2’s successful online Text Anytime tariff will now get unlimited UK texts at the £30 top up level. Existing customers already on Text Anytime can have it by simply texting UNLIMITED to 21300 - a free text - and then topping up £30 each month. Customers on any other tariff just need to request to change their tariff from their current one to Text Anytime.
The new deal is in response to a recent survey* of O2 customers which indicated that more free texts was the bonus most wanted by 60% of them.
All new customers signing up to O2’s successful online Text Anytime tariff will now get unlimited UK texts at the £30 top up level. Existing customers already on Text Anytime can have it by simply texting UNLIMITED to 21300 - a free text - and then topping up £30 each month. Customers on any other tariff just need to request to change their tariff from their current one to Text Anytime.
BT wins landmark hosted IP telephony services contract for central Birmingham PCT
Posted on 14 Oct 2007
BT today announced the signing of a landmark contract to host Internet Protocol (IP) telephony services for the Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust across N3, the NHS national broadband network rolled out by BT as part of the National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT).
This is one of the first NHS organisations to sign up to the new N3 Hosted Voice Service, following a major upgrade of the N3 Network enabling it to carry phone calls using voice over internet protocol technology (VoIP).
This is one of the first NHS organisations to sign up to the new N3 Hosted Voice Service, following a major upgrade of the N3 Network enabling it to carry phone calls using voice over internet protocol technology (VoIP).
O2 UK ANNOUNCES YAHOO! oneSearch AS MOBILE SEARCH PARTNER
Posted on 01 Oct 2007
O2 UK today announces that Yahoo! oneSearch will be the main search engine on O2 Active
O2 UK today announces that Yahoo! oneSearch will be the main search engine on O2 Active reaching over 15.8 million O2 customers across over 240 handset types.
The deal is part of a group-wide Telefonica partnership that will make it easier for customers to search and find relevant results on their mobile devices. The service which has been redesigned to present customers with detailed results directly to the first-listed web page, removing the need to search through a sea of links to find the answer they want.
O2 UK today announces that Yahoo! oneSearch will be the main search engine on O2 Active reaching over 15.8 million O2 customers across over 240 handset types.
The deal is part of a group-wide Telefonica partnership that will make it easier for customers to search and find relevant results on their mobile devices. The service which has been redesigned to present customers with detailed results directly to the first-listed web page, removing the need to search through a sea of links to find the answer they want.
BT buys Lynx Technology
Posted on 01 Oct 2007
Purchase of a second leading UK IT company
BT announced today it has acquired Lynx Technology, one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of IT services.
The acquisition of Lynx Technology follows the purchase of Basilica Computing that BT announced in August and further enhances BT Business’ capability to create and deliver complete IT solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.
BT announced today it has acquired Lynx Technology, one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of IT services.
The acquisition of Lynx Technology follows the purchase of Basilica Computing that BT announced in August and further enhances BT Business’ capability to create and deliver complete IT solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.
3 refreshes brand with £15m marketing spend
Posted on 01 Oct 2007
3 launches major integrated marketing campaign
Today 3 launches a comprehensive advertising campaign including new television, outdoor, press, online, radio and experiential advertising which encourages people to reappraise the value 3 has to offer.
"Fresh on" 3 will kick off with 11 distinct, 10-second television advertisements within the first month of launch. These advertisements will top and tail ad breaks for the initial three weeks and be "refreshed" throughout the entire three month campaign.
The campaign sees 3 take a different approach to the generic lifestyle themes that have long-dominated mobile operator campaigns and instead emphasises the depth of 3's offers and excellent customer value.
www.three.co.uk
Today 3 launches a comprehensive advertising campaign including new television, outdoor, press, online, radio and experiential advertising which encourages people to reappraise the value 3 has to offer.
"Fresh on" 3 will kick off with 11 distinct, 10-second television advertisements within the first month of launch. These advertisements will top and tail ad breaks for the initial three weeks and be "refreshed" throughout the entire three month campaign.
The campaign sees 3 take a different approach to the generic lifestyle themes that have long-dominated mobile operator campaigns and instead emphasises the depth of 3's offers and excellent customer value.
www.three.co.uk
CABLE & WIRELESS COLLEAGUE CROWNED 'CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINER OF THE YEAR'
Posted on 29 Sep 2007
PHIL WILLIAMS NAMED WINNER AT THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS 2007
Phil Williams, Head of Operational Learning & Development at Cable & Wireless, has won the much-coveted title of 'Customer Service Trainer of the Year' at the National Customer Service Awards.
Cable & Wireless aims to deliver a customer experience that is second to none. An integral part of the drive towards constant service improvement is the development and training of colleagues across every part of the business. Phil was honoured for his part in launching and running over 140 innovative learning academies, to make sure colleagues got the right training, at the right time, in the way they wanted it.
Phil Williams, Head of Operational Learning & Development at Cable & Wireless, has won the much-coveted title of 'Customer Service Trainer of the Year' at the National Customer Service Awards.
Cable & Wireless aims to deliver a customer experience that is second to none. An integral part of the drive towards constant service improvement is the development and training of colleagues across every part of the business. Phil was honoured for his part in launching and running over 140 innovative learning academies, to make sure colleagues got the right training, at the right time, in the way they wanted it.
T-Mobile goes handset and hassle-free
Posted on 29 Sep 2007
Use your old phone to get more free minutes and texts
Key features:
T-Mobile’s new just SIM tariff gives value in texts and calls, not in a subsidised handset
Three new price plans for £20, £30 and £40 per month
30p for anytime, any UK network calls and 10p for anytime, any network texts
Hassle-free freedom with more value than an 18 month tariff
London, UK 25 September 2007: T-Mobile today announces just SIM - its new handset free tariff. just SIM is designed for people who want to hold on to their old handsets and get good value on calls and texts without the long-term commitment. With a monthly rolling contract, customers have the freedom to move with just 30 days notice.
www.t-mobile.co.uk
Key features:
T-Mobile’s new just SIM tariff gives value in texts and calls, not in a subsidised handset
Three new price plans for £20, £30 and £40 per month
30p for anytime, any UK network calls and 10p for anytime, any network texts
Hassle-free freedom with more value than an 18 month tariff
London, UK 25 September 2007: T-Mobile today announces just SIM - its new handset free tariff. just SIM is designed for people who want to hold on to their old handsets and get good value on calls and texts without the long-term commitment. With a monthly rolling contract, customers have the freedom to move with just 30 days notice.
www.t-mobile.co.uk
Vodafone backs UK Small Business Community with New Price Plan
Posted on 29 Sep 2007
Free calls to land line area code of choice and other Vodafone business mobiles
Vodafone UK is again backing Britain’s growing army of small businesses with a simple value-for-money price plan designed specifically for needs of businesses with 20 staff or less. Known simply as Small Business, the new plan offers free calls, 24 hours a day, to an area code of the customer’s choice1 as well as free calls to any other businesses on Vodafone business price plans.2 These calls will be preceded by a unique tone to notify customers that the call is free.
www.vodafone.co.uk/smallbusiness
Vodafone UK is again backing Britain’s growing army of small businesses with a simple value-for-money price plan designed specifically for needs of businesses with 20 staff or less. Known simply as Small Business, the new plan offers free calls, 24 hours a day, to an area code of the customer’s choice1 as well as free calls to any other businesses on Vodafone business price plans.2 These calls will be preceded by a unique tone to notify customers that the call is free.
www.vodafone.co.uk/smallbusiness
Mobile Phone Recycling is given a boost by Vodafone and Global Cool
Posted on 29 Sep 2007
Vodafone UK has extended its recycling initiative with the help of Global Cool whose A-list celebrity ambassadors including Kate Bosworth, Sienna Miller and Rosario Dawson. The aim is to encourage as many people as possible to hand their old phones into a Vodafone store for recycling and reuse. All funds raised will be donated to Global Cool, the environmental campaign committed to helping people reduce their personal CO2 emissions. The aim is to inspire 1 billion people to reduce their annual carbon footprint by at least one tonne of CO2, therefore slowing down the global warming caused by our emissions.
www.vodafone.co.uk
www.vodafone.co.uk
Orange launches flagship store
Posted on 29 Sep 2007
Orange today unveiled its new flagship store. The new store in Cardiff’s city centre has an innovative design to help deliver an outstanding customer experience and showcase Orange’s range of converged products and services.
The new flagship store is clean and stylish with an open floor space, modernised displays and clear and easy to read signage. A new black exterior will ensure instant brand recognition and will drive consumer curiosity for what’s inside the store. New Chip&PIN epay machines enable customers to top up their mobile phones quickly and easily and will help to make the shopping experience more enjoyable.
www.orange.co.uk
The new flagship store is clean and stylish with an open floor space, modernised displays and clear and easy to read signage. A new black exterior will ensure instant brand recognition and will drive consumer curiosity for what’s inside the store. New Chip&PIN epay machines enable customers to top up their mobile phones quickly and easily and will help to make the shopping experience more enjoyable.
www.orange.co.uk
Simply secure - Orange launches "secure my device" for fixed and mobile internet services
Posted on 29 Sep 2007
Safer working for SMEs with new hosted security software suite
London, 27 September 2007 - Orange Business Services today launches Secure My Device - PC Edition (SMD), a service for customers wanting to ramp up security for both fixed and mobile network services in an easy and affordable way. Orange is the first UK network provider to enable and support a fleet management web portal as part of its security suite which is an extra benefit to customers that manage licenses and security profiles remotely.
London, 27 September 2007 - Orange Business Services today launches Secure My Device - PC Edition (SMD), a service for customers wanting to ramp up security for both fixed and mobile network services in an easy and affordable way. Orange is the first UK network provider to enable and support a fleet management web portal as part of its security suite which is an extra benefit to customers that manage licenses and security profiles remotely.
O2 LAUNCHES NEW UNLIMITED DATA PACKAGES
Posted on 29 Sep 2007
Three new unlimited data Bolt Ons for Pay Monthly and Pay & Go customers
O2 UK today announced that on 1 October 2007 it will launch three new unlimited data Bolt Ons for Pay Monthly and Pay & Go customers who want to make the most of internet services on their O2 phone.
O2 Web Bolt On is available to Pay & Go and Pay Monthly customers for just £7.50 inc VAT per month. This unlimited Bolt On is for customers who only want to browse the internet and send emails and is subject to a fair usage policy which operates above 200MB usage per month, or approx 1,400 internet pages per month.
www.o2.co.uk
O2 UK today announced that on 1 October 2007 it will launch three new unlimited data Bolt Ons for Pay Monthly and Pay & Go customers who want to make the most of internet services on their O2 phone.
O2 Web Bolt On is available to Pay & Go and Pay Monthly customers for just £7.50 inc VAT per month. This unlimited Bolt On is for customers who only want to browse the internet and send emails and is subject to a fair usage policy which operates above 200MB usage per month, or approx 1,400 internet pages per month.
www.o2.co.uk
BT appoints David Benjamin as Chief Executive of BT Directories
Posted on 29 Sep 2007
BT today announced the appointment of David Benjamin as Chief Executive Officer of BT Directories. David will take up his position immediately, reporting to the Managing Director of BT’s Enterprises business unit, Nigel Stagg. David joins BT from Guardian Media Group where he held the position of regional Chief Operating Officer and was instrumental in taking the company from a print to a fully integrated media operation.
www.thephonebook.bt.com
www.thephonebook.bt.com
T-Mobile launches the MDA Vario III in the UK
Posted on 26 Sep 2007
Key features of the MDA Vario III:
Unique and stylish design with tilting touch screen
One of the first devices to market with 3.6 Meg HSDPA
Web’n’walk enabled surf the real open Internet as you would on your PC
Built-in GPS, with CoPilot SatNav software as an option
Windows Mobile 6 access and edit familiar applications on the move
In-built Wi-Fi capability
3 mega-pixel camera with auto-focus
Supports Microsoft Direct Push
Pictures of the MDA Vario III from T-Mobile are available on request
Following the huge success of the Vario portfolio, T-Mobile today announces the launch of the much-anticipated MDA Vario III.
The Vario III takes PDA handsets to the next level, with a unique tilting screen and sliding QWERTY keyboard which makes it even easier for those who want to continue their work or surf the Internet on the move.
www.t-mobile.co.uk
Unique and stylish design with tilting touch screen
One of the first devices to market with 3.6 Meg HSDPA
Web’n’walk enabled surf the real open Internet as you would on your PC
Built-in GPS, with CoPilot SatNav software as an option
Windows Mobile 6 access and edit familiar applications on the move
In-built Wi-Fi capability
3 mega-pixel camera with auto-focus
Supports Microsoft Direct Push
Pictures of the MDA Vario III from T-Mobile are available on request
Following the huge success of the Vario portfolio, T-Mobile today announces the launch of the much-anticipated MDA Vario III.
The Vario III takes PDA handsets to the next level, with a unique tilting screen and sliding QWERTY keyboard which makes it even easier for those who want to continue their work or surf the Internet on the move.
www.t-mobile.co.uk
Orange launches new mobile and broadband advice site for families
Posted on 26 Sep 2007
Orange today launched a new online resource to help tackle the misuse of technology, including advice for children and parents on dealing with cyber bullying and email fraud.
Over recent years mobile phones and broadband have made life much easier, especially for families and people on the go. But there is concern about the misuse of these technologies, such as the new and growing problem of cyber bullying.
The new section on Orange’s website responds to issues like these and brings together all the advice the company has previously offered on the responsible use of communication technologies as well as information on diverse subjects such as SPAM, unwanted e-mails and texts, and how to reduce the risk of mobile street theft.
www.orange.co.uk
Over recent years mobile phones and broadband have made life much easier, especially for families and people on the go. But there is concern about the misuse of these technologies, such as the new and growing problem of cyber bullying.
The new section on Orange’s website responds to issues like these and brings together all the advice the company has previously offered on the responsible use of communication technologies as well as information on diverse subjects such as SPAM, unwanted e-mails and texts, and how to reduce the risk of mobile street theft.
www.orange.co.uk
Ofcom considers fast broadband outlook and pledges clarity for investors
Posted on 26 Sep 2007
Ofcom today published a consultation paper analysing the outlook for future broadband “Next Generation Access” (NGA) networks with proposals for future regulation of this new communications infrastructure.
Regulation has contributed to an effective broadband market in the UK.
Broadband access regulation is based currently on creating and supporting a competitive market capable of delivering a range of services from a variety of providers, spanning many price points and available throughout the UK.
www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/nga/
Regulation has contributed to an effective broadband market in the UK.
Broadband access regulation is based currently on creating and supporting a competitive market capable of delivering a range of services from a variety of providers, spanning many price points and available throughout the UK.
www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/nga/
BT predicts businesses will 'bring contact centres home' in climate of change
Posted on 26 Sep 2007
The days of the ‘call centre automation’ are over, predicts BT futurologist, as the industry looks for highly specialised experts
BT today predicted a surge in the rise of homeshored contact centre advisors for 2008, as businesses face up to a growing dilemma between the need for cost reductions and an increasingly demanding customer base.
On the eve of Call Centre Expo 2007, BT warned of a potential recipe for disaster brewing as contact centres fail to deliver either their efficiency targets or their customer promises. Homeshoring, which made its entry into the Macmillan English dictionary this year, is emerging as the most viable solution, according to Dr Nicola Millard, a BT futurologist who has been examining the subject for some time.
www.bt.com
BT today predicted a surge in the rise of homeshored contact centre advisors for 2008, as businesses face up to a growing dilemma between the need for cost reductions and an increasingly demanding customer base.
On the eve of Call Centre Expo 2007, BT warned of a potential recipe for disaster brewing as contact centres fail to deliver either their efficiency targets or their customer promises. Homeshoring, which made its entry into the Macmillan English dictionary this year, is emerging as the most viable solution, according to Dr Nicola Millard, a BT futurologist who has been examining the subject for some time.
www.bt.com
The worlds first advertising funded mobile network for 16-24 year olds launches in the UK
Posted on 25 Sep 2007
The world’s first advertising funded mobile network for 16-24 year olds launches in the UK
Blyk, the new mobile network for 16 to 24 year olds today announced the launch of its UK service. The announcement was made by the company founders Pekka Ala-Pietilδ and Antti Φhrling at a press launch event in London this morning.
Blyk is an invitation-only mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every month.
www.blyk.co.uk
Blyk, the new mobile network for 16 to 24 year olds today announced the launch of its UK service. The announcement was made by the company founders Pekka Ala-Pietilδ and Antti Φhrling at a press launch event in London this morning.
Blyk is an invitation-only mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every month.
www.blyk.co.uk
BT launches CESG approved hosted voice
Posted on 25 Sep 2007
BT Hosted Voice targets public and private sector security needs with government certified service
BT today announced the launch of a highly secure and resilient hosted IP telephony service which has been granted Communications Electronics Security Group (CESG) approval. The service is based on the Nortel Communication Server 2000 IP telephony switch and affords organisations significant cost savings.
BT today announced the launch of a highly secure and resilient hosted IP telephony service which has been granted Communications Electronics Security Group (CESG) approval. The service is based on the Nortel Communication Server 2000 IP telephony switch and affords organisations significant cost savings.
Orange teams up with BT Wholesale to bring fixed line calls to UK residential customers
Posted on 25 Sep 2007
Orange and BT Wholesale today announced a strategic agreement under which BT Wholesale will provide wholesale landline services to Orange customers who subscribe to its newly launched Home Max broadband package. It marks the first time that Orange has offered fixed line services to its personal customers.
The agreement allows Orange to offer a fixed line telephony service under its own brand, which is provided, managed and maintained by BT Wholesale. The deal supports Orange’s strategy to offer mobile, broadband, fixed and entertainment services from a single provider.
The agreement allows Orange to offer a fixed line telephony service under its own brand, which is provided, managed and maintained by BT Wholesale. The deal supports Orange’s strategy to offer mobile, broadband, fixed and entertainment services from a single provider.
CABLE & WIRELESS APPOINTS ANDY EVANS AS CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Posted on 21 Sep 2007
Cable & Wireless today announced the appointment of Andy Evans as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for its Europe, Asia and US business. The appointment is effective immediately.
In his new role, Andy will be responsible for Network Infrastructure & Strategy, Technology Platforms, IT and Security. His role will involve managing Cable & Wireless’ technology cost base and leveraging its Next Generation Network (NGN) platform to offer advanced services to customers. He will also be a member of the Executive team.
www.cw.com
In his new role, Andy will be responsible for Network Infrastructure & Strategy, Technology Platforms, IT and Security. His role will involve managing Cable & Wireless’ technology cost base and leveraging its Next Generation Network (NGN) platform to offer advanced services to customers. He will also be a member of the Executive team.
www.cw.com
0800 Numbers New lower rates from Tamar Telecommunications
Posted on 20 Sep 2007
Tamar Telecommunications the provider of local and national telephone numbers has today reduced the price of their 0800 numbers and memorable 0800 numbers to as low as 1p a minute.
The 0800 numbers service which includes the ability to change where calls are diverted to instantly online, setup timed diverts, add voicemail to email and divert to multiple landline and mobile numbers has seen a phenomenal take up of new numbers.
www.TamarTelecommunications.co.uk
The 0800 numbers service which includes the ability to change where calls are diverted to instantly online, setup timed diverts, add voicemail to email and divert to multiple landline and mobile numbers has seen a phenomenal take up of new numbers.
www.TamarTelecommunications.co.uk
Flext Hits 2 Milliion Customers
Posted on 20 Sep 2007
Two million customers have signed up to the tariff in 18 months
9 out of 10 Flext customers would recommend the price plan
T-Mobile’s fastest growing tariff ever
Flext remains the UK’s only truly flexible phone tariff
London, UK, 17 September 2007 T-Mobile today announces that over 2 million customers have signed up to its revolutionary Flext tariff over the last 18 months.
Flext was an industry first back in February 2006. Unlike other tariffs, Flext offers customers an allowance measured in monetary value not in minutes and texts - so mobile phone users choose how they spend their monthly allowance. And this value can be used however they like on voice calls, text messages and picture messages.
www.t-mobile.co.uk
9 out of 10 Flext customers would recommend the price plan
T-Mobile’s fastest growing tariff ever
Flext remains the UK’s only truly flexible phone tariff
London, UK, 17 September 2007 T-Mobile today announces that over 2 million customers have signed up to its revolutionary Flext tariff over the last 18 months.
Flext was an industry first back in February 2006. Unlike other tariffs, Flext offers customers an allowance measured in monetary value not in minutes and texts - so mobile phone users choose how they spend their monthly allowance. And this value can be used however they like on voice calls, text messages and picture messages.
www.t-mobile.co.uk
Orange launches home landline service
Posted on 20 Sep 2007
· Single bill and new customer support for landline and broadband
· Unlimited evening and weekend calls to landlines and mobiles
· New best value broadband packages
Orange today launched a home landline service and announced new best value broadband packages. The new Orange Home Max package will come with the landline service from Orange and is designed to provide better value while removing the need for a customer to pay another provider for their line rental. A new customer support centre has been established in Belfast to support the new landline service.
Orange Home Max includes a landline connection offering free weekend and evening calls as well as an Orange Livebox the wireless modem that gives you broadband coverage wherever you are in your home. A second new package, Orange Home Starter, has launched for customers who want to keep their existing fixed line supplier but still want to move over to Orange Broadband.
www.orange.co.uk
· Unlimited evening and weekend calls to landlines and mobiles
· New best value broadband packages
Orange today launched a home landline service and announced new best value broadband packages. The new Orange Home Max package will come with the landline service from Orange and is designed to provide better value while removing the need for a customer to pay another provider for their line rental. A new customer support centre has been established in Belfast to support the new landline service.
Orange Home Max includes a landline connection offering free weekend and evening calls as well as an Orange Livebox the wireless modem that gives you broadband coverage wherever you are in your home. A second new package, Orange Home Starter, has launched for customers who want to keep their existing fixed line supplier but still want to move over to Orange Broadband.
www.orange.co.uk
Opening up mobile spectrum to support innovation and competition
Posted on 20 Sep 2007
Ofcom today announced proposals for consultation to open up the radio spectrum bands used by mobile phone operators to allow them to launch new services and technologies and to promote competition.
Mobile devices are now central to our everyday lives, with Ofcom research showing nearly 70 million active mobile subscriptions in the UK, and an increasing number of people using their mobile to access the internet.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/liberalisation
Mobile devices are now central to our everyday lives, with Ofcom research showing nearly 70 million active mobile subscriptions in the UK, and an increasing number of people using their mobile to access the internet.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/liberalisation
Apple Chooses O2 as Exclusive Carrier for iPhone in UK
Posted on 19 Sep 2007
Apple and O2 announced today that O2, the leading wireless carrier in the UK, will be the exclusive UK carrier for Apple's revolutionary iPhone when it makes its debut in the UK on November 9.
iPhone combines three devices into one: a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and the best mobile Internet device ever, all based on Apple's revolutionary multi-touch interface and pioneering software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. Apple sold its one millionth iPhone just 74 days after it went on sale in the US on June 29.
iPhone combines three devices into one: a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and the best mobile Internet device ever, all based on Apple's revolutionary multi-touch interface and pioneering software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. Apple sold its one millionth iPhone just 74 days after it went on sale in the US on June 29.
BT secures Hertfordshire convergence deal
Posted on 19 Sep 2007
Council set to benefit from long-term technology strategy
BT today announced that it has signed a three year contract with Hertfordshire County Council to consolidate the local authority’s communications services. The deal marks a further stage in the Council’s journey towards full network convergence, underpinned by the Council’s “the way we work” and building rationalisation programmes.
Within the terms of the deal, BT will consolidate all of the Council’s existing contracts and associated invoices into one, removing the need to manage multiple accounts. Hertfordshire County Council will also benefit from improved service levels and a single point of contact for all service related issues.
BT today announced that it has signed a three year contract with Hertfordshire County Council to consolidate the local authority’s communications services. The deal marks a further stage in the Council’s journey towards full network convergence, underpinned by the Council’s “the way we work” and building rationalisation programmes.
Within the terms of the deal, BT will consolidate all of the Council’s existing contracts and associated invoices into one, removing the need to manage multiple accounts. Hertfordshire County Council will also benefit from improved service levels and a single point of contact for all service related issues.
New mobile phone launches in this season's must-have purple
Posted on 19 Sep 2007
From the catwalks of Milan to the Autumn/Winter wardrobes of the A-list, one colour promises to be the statement swatch for this season. Be it metallic or muted, lavender or lilac, purple is the shade. So for those not satisfied with simply wearing fashion’s favourite hue, 3 has teamed up with Sony Ericsson to launch the ultimate fashion forward phone in the colour that's just so on the button.
The Sony Ericsson Purple K770 will turn heads, make you the envy of your friends and add the perfect finishing touch to your look. The K770 is slim and lightweight in design with curved edges and a soft-touch finish, so there'll be no VPL (visible phone line!). And there's no compromise on the camera with its 3.2 mega pixel, Cyber-shot™ auto focus camera, handy photo album and internet access, it perfectly partners elegant style with effortless technology.
www.three.co.uk
The Sony Ericsson Purple K770 will turn heads, make you the envy of your friends and add the perfect finishing touch to your look. The K770 is slim and lightweight in design with curved edges and a soft-touch finish, so there'll be no VPL (visible phone line!). And there's no compromise on the camera with its 3.2 mega pixel, Cyber-shot™ auto focus camera, handy photo album and internet access, it perfectly partners elegant style with effortless technology.
www.three.co.uk
Go green with the exclusive energy-saving mobile phone charger from the Carphone Warehouse
Posted on 17 Sep 2007
This October The Carphone Warehouse will be the first UK retailer to launch an exclusive ‘green' mobile phone charger. This revolutionary charger is the first of its kind and is set to pave the way in new phone technology by reducing damage to the environment and saving energy. Unlike conventional mobile phone chargers that continue to use electricity for as long as the charger is connected to an electric socket, this brand new ‘environmentally responsible' charger stops using power as soon as the handset is fully charged.
www.carphonewarehouse.com
www.carphonewarehouse.com
BT and Siemens offer track and trace solutions
Posted on 17 Sep 2007
BT and Siemens have announced an agreement to provide end-to-end logistics data management solutions, specific to a number of high growth vertical sectors. These solutions, targeted at the retail, food & beverage, aerospace and defence sectors, will take advantage of existing auto-ID technologies and other complementary technological developments such as RFID (radio frequency identification) and sensor networks, to provide scalable asset management and product tracking capabilities.
LG’s Shine Gets Pretty In Pink, Exclusively With Orange
Posted on 15 Sep 2007
One of this year’s most iconic and fashionable phones, the LG Shine, has had a make-over for the Autumn/Winter season. LG Electronics and Orange today announce the availability of a new version of the phenomenally successful Black Label Series handset, the LG Shine - the LG Shine ‘Pink’. Boasting the same amazing features as the original LG Shine handset, the full metal bodied jacket has been transformed into a sophisticated hot pink and will be made available exclusively through Orange.
The LG Shine ‘Pink’ is the perfect accessory, effortlessly combining feminine style with substance. This super-slim handset is the ultimate multitasker, providing a compact mirror, camera and address book all in one. Perfect for those who like to travel light when they’re out on the town!
www.orange.co.uk
The LG Shine ‘Pink’ is the perfect accessory, effortlessly combining feminine style with substance. This super-slim handset is the ultimate multitasker, providing a compact mirror, camera and address book all in one. Perfect for those who like to travel light when they’re out on the town!
www.orange.co.uk
BT to roll out blackberry solution for the Ministry of Defence
Posted on 15 Sep 2007
BT today announced the launch of Research In Motion’s (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) BlackBerry Enterprise Server for the defence and security service sectors at the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition.
The BlackBerry Enterprise Server enables secure wireless access to email as well as phone and organiser access, and is renowned for its high level of security. In addition to having the ability to manage policies and access rights, IT decision makers can also remotely control, shut-down and wipe any BlackBerry smartphone that has been lost or stolen. The solution will empower military personnel, civil servants and their industry partners to securely carry out their day-to-day responsibilities, wherever they are.
www.BT.com
The BlackBerry Enterprise Server enables secure wireless access to email as well as phone and organiser access, and is renowned for its high level of security. In addition to having the ability to manage policies and access rights, IT decision makers can also remotely control, shut-down and wipe any BlackBerry smartphone that has been lost or stolen. The solution will empower military personnel, civil servants and their industry partners to securely carry out their day-to-day responsibilities, wherever they are.
www.BT.com
3 and Sony Ericsson pick purple for Cyber-shot™ phone exclusive
Posted on 15 Sep 2007
3 Group to offer exclusive Purple K770 Cyber-shot™ phone from October 2007
As part of their global agreement, 3 Group and Sony Ericsson today announced a striking purple version of the K770 Cyber-Shot™ phone. Exclusively available across the 3 Group from launch, this new phone combines the latest camera phone performance with the hottest colour to hit the high street.
The new Sony Ericsson K770 Cyber-Shot™ phone is a digital camera, a photo album and an elegant phone in-one, as well as the ideal gateway to 3's suite of mobile media services. For Sony Ericsson and 3, enabling customers to take and immediately share photos with such a stylish phone is an exciting progression.
www.sonyericsson.com/K770
As part of their global agreement, 3 Group and Sony Ericsson today announced a striking purple version of the K770 Cyber-Shot™ phone. Exclusively available across the 3 Group from launch, this new phone combines the latest camera phone performance with the hottest colour to hit the high street.
The new Sony Ericsson K770 Cyber-Shot™ phone is a digital camera, a photo album and an elegant phone in-one, as well as the ideal gateway to 3's suite of mobile media services. For Sony Ericsson and 3, enabling customers to take and immediately share photos with such a stylish phone is an exciting progression.
www.sonyericsson.com/K770
Vodafone brings Unlimited Music Downloads to the UK With MusicStation - Available on Vodafone UK’s New Christmas Handset Range
Posted on 13 Sep 2007
+ Unlimited music downloads direct to your mobile for just £1.99 per week
+ Choice of over 1 million tracks from all the major labels and the leading independent labels available on Christmas handsets
+ Exclusive phones with high speed access to the best of the internet including eBay, Google™ search, MySpace and YouTube
+ Widest choice of 3G and 3G broadband handsets
Vodafone UK today announces that customers will have unlimited access to over a million tracks from all the major record labels, as well as leading independents, on a range of new handsets for Christmas.
This follows the launch of Vodafone Mobile Internet in June this year which brings the best internet brands and services to customers on the widest range of mobiles in the UK. This service has been highly praised by Mobile magazine who rated it the number 1 mobile internet service in a review in August 2007.
www.vodafone.co.uk
+ Choice of over 1 million tracks from all the major labels and the leading independent labels available on Christmas handsets
+ Exclusive phones with high speed access to the best of the internet including eBay, Google™ search, MySpace and YouTube
+ Widest choice of 3G and 3G broadband handsets
Vodafone UK today announces that customers will have unlimited access to over a million tracks from all the major record labels, as well as leading independents, on a range of new handsets for Christmas.
This follows the launch of Vodafone Mobile Internet in June this year which brings the best internet brands and services to customers on the widest range of mobiles in the UK. This service has been highly praised by Mobile magazine who rated it the number 1 mobile internet service in a review in August 2007.
www.vodafone.co.uk
Orange Announces Exclusive and Colourful Range of Handsets for Christmas 2007
Posted on 13 Sep 2007
· Exclusive red Sony Ericsson W910 - 3G & HSDPA Walkman
· Largest range of pink exclusives - LG Shine, Samsung F210, Sony Ericsson W580i and the Sony Ericsson W200i
· Exclusive purple Samsung U600
· First handset from new Orange own label range - Berlin
Today Orange unveils its line up of exclusive mobile handsets available for Christmas 2007. New must-have devices in popular shades of pink, autumn/winter 07’s hottest colour, purple, sleek classic red, as well as stylish and traditional black and silver, mean that there is a handset to everyone’s taste in Orange’s Christmas range.
www.orange.co.uk
· Largest range of pink exclusives - LG Shine, Samsung F210, Sony Ericsson W580i and the Sony Ericsson W200i
· Exclusive purple Samsung U600
· First handset from new Orange own label range - Berlin
Today Orange unveils its line up of exclusive mobile handsets available for Christmas 2007. New must-have devices in popular shades of pink, autumn/winter 07’s hottest colour, purple, sleek classic red, as well as stylish and traditional black and silver, mean that there is a handset to everyone’s taste in Orange’s Christmas range.
www.orange.co.uk
Vodafone UK Offers Unlimited Calls to Landlines or Unlimited Texts on Pay Monthly Price Plans*
Posted on 07 Sep 2007
Vodafone UK has refreshed its pay monthly price plans and is now offering unlimited calls to landlines in the UK if a customer takes out a £40 or above price plan. Or if a customer prefers to text, then they can choose to have unlimited text messages instead.
To highlight how Brits love to talk and what they think of the country’s rich variety of accents, Vodafone UK commissioned new research.
www.vodafone.co.uk
To highlight how Brits love to talk and what they think of the country’s rich variety of accents, Vodafone UK commissioned new research.
www.vodafone.co.uk
Orange Reveals Innovative Offering For Flexible Workers
Posted on 07 Sep 2007
Orange Business Services today announced the launch of Open Office, a comprehensive portfolio of solutions designed to offer unrivalled choice and convenience for flexible workers.
With Open Office, Orange customers will be able to select from a suite of flexible working tools that includes home broadband, dedicated tariff bundles and the recently-launched Unique phone service, which allows customers to use a single handset for all their calls, whether at home over WiFi or on the move using the Orange mobile network. A range of mobile email platforms will also be offered, including BlackBerry and Microsoft, alongside the award-winning Orange Business Everywhere laptop mobile connectivity solution.
www.orange.co.uk
With Open Office, Orange customers will be able to select from a suite of flexible working tools that includes home broadband, dedicated tariff bundles and the recently-launched Unique phone service, which allows customers to use a single handset for all their calls, whether at home over WiFi or on the move using the Orange mobile network. A range of mobile email platforms will also be offered, including BlackBerry and Microsoft, alongside the award-winning Orange Business Everywhere laptop mobile connectivity solution.
www.orange.co.uk
Small businesses reach new internet customers through BT Web Clicks Service
Posted on 07 Sep 2007
A new search engine marketing service - BT Web Clicks - helps small businesses to reach new customers over the internet, offering guaranteed results* for a fixed cost.
For a fixed monthly cost, BT Web Clicks puts a sponsored link on major and local search engines - including Google, Yahoo! and MSN, driving potential customers to a business’ web site through carefully chosen keywords.
www.bt.com/btwebclicks
For a fixed monthly cost, BT Web Clicks puts a sponsored link on major and local search engines - including Google, Yahoo! and MSN, driving potential customers to a business’ web site through carefully chosen keywords.
www.bt.com/btwebclicks
Vodafone UK and RIM announce the new Blackberry Curve 8310 smartphone with free Vodafone Sat Nav
Posted on 27 Aug 2007
Vodafone UK and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8310 with built-in GPS*. The new smartphone includes Vodafone Sat Nav, a powerful and user friendly navigation application. The BlackBerry Curve 8310 can now be ordered online at www.vodafone.co.uk/8310 and will be available from the 3rd September exclusively on the Vodafone UK network until 31st October 2007.
The BlackBerry Curve 8310 is a powerful and intuitive smartphone, making it easier for busy people on the move to make calls, email, surf the net, take and send photographs, listen to music, watch videos, and access their organiser, calendar and a range of business and leisure applications. Combining its built-in GPS functionality with Vodafone Sat Nav, the BlackBerry Curve 8310 becomes a powerful all-in-one navigation system packed into a very small and stylish design.
The BlackBerry Curve 8310 is a powerful and intuitive smartphone, making it easier for busy people on the move to make calls, email, surf the net, take and send photographs, listen to music, watch videos, and access their organiser, calendar and a range of business and leisure applications. Combining its built-in GPS functionality with Vodafone Sat Nav, the BlackBerry Curve 8310 becomes a powerful all-in-one navigation system packed into a very small and stylish design.
UK benefits from communications anytime, anywhere and at a lower cost
Posted on 27 Aug 2007
Ofcom today published its annual Communications Market Report 2007 which reveals new trends in the UK’s £50bn electronic communications sector.
UK consumers now spend 50 hours per week on the phone, surfing the internet, watching television or listening to the radio. Average daily internet use in 2006 (36 minutes) was up 158% on 2002 and time spent on the mobile phone (almost 4 minutes per day) was up 58%. Time spent watching TV was down 4% at 3 hours and 36 minutes, listening to radio was down 2% at 2 hours and 50 minutes and time spent on a fixed line phone was down 8% at 7 minutes.
www.ofcom.org.uk/research/cm/cmr07
UK consumers now spend 50 hours per week on the phone, surfing the internet, watching television or listening to the radio. Average daily internet use in 2006 (36 minutes) was up 158% on 2002 and time spent on the mobile phone (almost 4 minutes per day) was up 58%. Time spent watching TV was down 4% at 3 hours and 36 minutes, listening to radio was down 2% at 2 hours and 50 minutes and time spent on a fixed line phone was down 8% at 7 minutes.
www.ofcom.org.uk/research/cm/cmr07
Ofcom says VoIP providers must offer access to 999
Posted on 26 Jul 2007
Ofcom today published proposals to require certain types of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers to allow users to call 999 by early 2008. This follows research revealing that as many as 78% of VoIP users who cannot use their service to call 999 thought they could, or did not know whether they could.
Ofcom proposes that any VoIP service allowing users to make calls to ordinary phone numbers must also offer access to 999.
Ofcom wants to ensure that users of mainstream VoIP services do not suffer as a result of trying to dial 999 using a service that does not offer them access. If they had to then locate an ordinary landline or mobile phone, users might face a delay of seconds or minutes in getting through to emergency services, which could prove critical.
www.ofcom.org.uk
Ofcom proposes that any VoIP service allowing users to make calls to ordinary phone numbers must also offer access to 999.
Ofcom wants to ensure that users of mainstream VoIP services do not suffer as a result of trying to dial 999 using a service that does not offer them access. If they had to then locate an ordinary landline or mobile phone, users might face a delay of seconds or minutes in getting through to emergency services, which could prove critical.
www.ofcom.org.uk
3 UK set to slash prices for European phone calls to 25p and 10p
Posted on 26 Jul 2007
Calls to cost up to 47% less than new EU regulations from 30th August
3 customers are set to make serious savings on international roaming rates as the network announces its new EU rates. Following the recent EU announcement capping mobile roaming prices in Europe from 30th August, 3 is slashing prices below what the new EU law requires. From 30th August, 3 customers travelling to EU countries will pay just 25p per min to make a call to any standard UK landline or mobile and just 10p per min to receive a call wherever they are in the EU. This compares with the capped EU Eurotariff of 38p per min to make a call and 19p per min to receive a call*.
3's new pricing structure, which is 34% cheaper to make calls and 47% cheaper than the EU Eurotariff to receive them, will apply to all customers, whether they're on Pre-Pay or Contract deals. Charges for SMS messages will be fixed at 25p per text.
www.three.co.uk
3 customers are set to make serious savings on international roaming rates as the network announces its new EU rates. Following the recent EU announcement capping mobile roaming prices in Europe from 30th August, 3 is slashing prices below what the new EU law requires. From 30th August, 3 customers travelling to EU countries will pay just 25p per min to make a call to any standard UK landline or mobile and just 10p per min to receive a call wherever they are in the EU. This compares with the capped EU Eurotariff of 38p per min to make a call and 19p per min to receive a call*.
3's new pricing structure, which is 34% cheaper to make calls and 47% cheaper than the EU Eurotariff to receive them, will apply to all customers, whether they're on Pre-Pay or Contract deals. Charges for SMS messages will be fixed at 25p per text.
www.three.co.uk
BT SmartNumbers services supports emergency volunteers
Posted on 26 Jul 2007
BT today announced that it will be improving the communications of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps), affectionately known as the FANY, with its BT SmartNumbers service. BT SmartNumbers will provide the FANYs dispersed teams of female volunteers with greater security and ensure they are more responsive in crisis situations.
During an emergency, BT SmartNumbers will enable the FANY to set up a virtual call centre allowing the entire volunteer network to be called instantly. .A centralised directory service will enable duty officers to alert volunteers with special skills, using text or voice mail, and then monitor their availability as they log on.
During an emergency, BT SmartNumbers will enable the FANY to set up a virtual call centre allowing the entire volunteer network to be called instantly. .A centralised directory service will enable duty officers to alert volunteers with special skills, using text or voice mail, and then monitor their availability as they log on.
Protecting consumers from mis-selling
Posted on 21 May 2007
Ofcom today announced that rules protecting consumers from the mis-selling of fixed-line voice call services will now also cover providers that offer voice and broadband services using full Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) technology.
Mis-selling refers to inappropriate sales and marketing activities including ‘slamming’, where customers can be switched from one company to another without their express knowledge and consent.
www.ofcom.org.uk
Mis-selling refers to inappropriate sales and marketing activities including ‘slamming’, where customers can be switched from one company to another without their express knowledge and consent.
www.ofcom.org.uk
Conferencing helps reduce BT's carbon footprint
Posted on 21 May 2007
860,000 meetings avoided and 97,000 tonnes of CO2 saved
The use of conferencing by BT staff worldwide has reduced BT’s carbon footprint by at least 97,000 tonnes of CO2 and eliminated more than 860,000 face-to-face meetings, the results of a survey announced today revealed.
The February 2007 survey by the University of Bradford and SustainIT looked at the economic, environmental and social impact of conferencing at BT. A sample of 6,000 BT staff from across the company were surveyed on their use of conferencing, with the findings extended to BT as a whole and annualised. The use of conferencing and collaboration services enable people to conduct meetings with colleagues via telephone, video or web, facilitating speedier decision making, increased productivity and a reduction in associated travel costs.
Try the Tamar Telecommunications Conferencing System: www.TamarTelecommunications.co.uk
The use of conferencing by BT staff worldwide has reduced BT’s carbon footprint by at least 97,000 tonnes of CO2 and eliminated more than 860,000 face-to-face meetings, the results of a survey announced today revealed.
The February 2007 survey by the University of Bradford and SustainIT looked at the economic, environmental and social impact of conferencing at BT. A sample of 6,000 BT staff from across the company were surveyed on their use of conferencing, with the findings extended to BT as a whole and annualised. The use of conferencing and collaboration services enable people to conduct meetings with colleagues via telephone, video or web, facilitating speedier decision making, increased productivity and a reduction in associated travel costs.
Try the Tamar Telecommunications Conferencing System: www.TamarTelecommunications.co.uk
Over half of UK adults have broadband at home
Posted on 03 Apr 2007
Ofcom today published its Digital Progress Report on the broadband market. The report looks at levels of take-up, usage and the types of services available in the broadband market.
In the seven years since its mass market introduction, broadband has become one of the fastest growing communications technologies. The report shows that over 50% of UK adults now have broadband at home - up from 39% a year ago and a seven-fold increase over the last four years. More than 13 million UK homes and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are now connected to broadband, compared with 9.9 million a year earlier and 330,000 in 2001.
In the seven years since its mass market introduction, broadband has become one of the fastest growing communications technologies. The report shows that over 50% of UK adults now have broadband at home - up from 39% a year ago and a seven-fold increase over the last four years. More than 13 million UK homes and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are now connected to broadband, compared with 9.9 million a year earlier and 330,000 in 2001.
BT Vision download store gets even more entertaining!
Posted on 03 Apr 2007
BT today announced that it has signed a range of new deals for its BT Vision Download Store. The Download Store is a non-exclusive online video store available to all of the UK’s 14 million broadband customers regardless of which internet service provider they use. It is available at www.downloadstore.bt.com
From King Kong to coarse fishing, BT Vision Download Store has the widest choice of entertainment of any download-to-own service. New content announced today includes Warner Bros’ titles such as the entire film series of Batman, Superman and Harry Potter and coming soon TV series such as ER, Without a Trace and Nip/Tuck, amongst others.
From King Kong to coarse fishing, BT Vision Download Store has the widest choice of entertainment of any download-to-own service. New content announced today includes Warner Bros’ titles such as the entire film series of Batman, Superman and Harry Potter and coming soon TV series such as ER, Without a Trace and Nip/Tuck, amongst others.
UKs small businesses lead the way in adopting VoIP
Posted on 03 Apr 2007
The percentage of small businesses using the internet to make phone calls is set to almost double over the next 12 months. According to new research commissioned by BT Business, 48 per cent of small businesses will be using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services* this time next year. Currently the figure is 25 per cent.
The research**, which questioned decision makers in companies with up to 50 employees, also showed that smaller businesses are leading the way with VoIP. Fifty seven per cent of companies with two to ten employees and 48 per cent of sole traders are planning to use VoIP in the next 12 months, compared to 20 per cent of companies with 31 to 50 employees.
www.bt.com/businessbroadband
The research**, which questioned decision makers in companies with up to 50 employees, also showed that smaller businesses are leading the way with VoIP. Fifty seven per cent of companies with two to ten employees and 48 per cent of sole traders are planning to use VoIP in the next 12 months, compared to 20 per cent of companies with 31 to 50 employees.
www.bt.com/businessbroadband
Cable & Wireless to keep Surrey County Council connected
Posted on 26 Mar 2007
Cable & Wireless announced today that it has won a contract worth £18 million over five years with Surrey County Council. Cable & Wireless will provide the local authority with a complete managed service covering all its telecoms requirements until 2013.
Surrey County Council signed its first managed services contract with Cable & Wireless in October 2001 and today’s agreement (to commence in March 2008) marks the second time that the contract has been extended. This is testament to the excellent service delivered and great relationship between the two organisations.
Surrey County Council signed its first managed services contract with Cable & Wireless in October 2001 and today’s agreement (to commence in March 2008) marks the second time that the contract has been extended. This is testament to the excellent service delivered and great relationship between the two organisations.
Inquiry into premium rate telecoms services in television programmes
Posted on 26 Mar 2007
Ofcom today announced an inquiry into the use of premium rate telecoms services (PRS) in television programmes.
Premium rate calls cost up to £1.50 per minute from the BT network and typical services include TV vote lines, competitions, and interactive TV games.
Viewers and a range of other stakeholders have raised serious concerns with Ofcom regarding apparent systematic compliance failure on the part of a number of broadcasters, whose actions appear to contravene existing consumer protection rules.
www.ofcom.org.uk
Premium rate calls cost up to £1.50 per minute from the BT network and typical services include TV vote lines, competitions, and interactive TV games.
Viewers and a range of other stakeholders have raised serious concerns with Ofcom regarding apparent systematic compliance failure on the part of a number of broadcasters, whose actions appear to contravene existing consumer protection rules.
www.ofcom.org.uk
BT home IT services gets the thumbs up from customers
Posted on 26 Mar 2007
BT’s nationwide home computing help and advice service has proven a massive hit with customers, with 96 per cent* satisfied with the support they get.
BT Home IT Advisor, launched a year ago, now boasts over 35,000 customers across the UK with orders growing by more than 2,000 every week.
Customers of any broadband supplier can connect directly to a UK-based advisor who will try to deal with every aspect of their problem from beginning to end - without transferring them to someone else.
www.bt.com/homeitservices
BT Home IT Advisor, launched a year ago, now boasts over 35,000 customers across the UK with orders growing by more than 2,000 every week.
Customers of any broadband supplier can connect directly to a UK-based advisor who will try to deal with every aspect of their problem from beginning to end - without transferring them to someone else.
www.bt.com/homeitservices
Small businesses offered advice from BT on reducing their carbon footprint
Posted on 14 Mar 2007
New website offers carbon calculator and advice on tackling global warming
BT is encouraging small businesses to calculate their carbon footprint and explore ways of reducing their impact on global warming through a new website at www.btplc.com/climatechange
BT’s carbon calculator enables office-based companies to calculate their annual CO2 usage at any point in time, based on the fuel consumption at the office and the travel patterns of their staff, including flights and yearly road and rail mileage. The calculator lets businesses change their profile over time, showing how their carbon footprint changes with each action they take.
BT is encouraging small businesses to calculate their carbon footprint and explore ways of reducing their impact on global warming through a new website at www.btplc.com/climatechange
BT’s carbon calculator enables office-based companies to calculate their annual CO2 usage at any point in time, based on the fuel consumption at the office and the travel patterns of their staff, including flights and yearly road and rail mileage. The calculator lets businesses change their profile over time, showing how their carbon footprint changes with each action they take.
3 launches first ad-funded mobile content offering
Posted on 08 Mar 2007
3 partners with Rhythm New Media to increase range of free content available on Planet 3
3, the mobile media company, today announces the launch of a new range of free-to-access content for customers on its Planet 3 portal. Working in partnership with Rhythm New Media, the new service will be supported by personalised advertising from major brands, meaning content that was previously paid for can now be viewed for free by customers.
www.three.co.uk
3, the mobile media company, today announces the launch of a new range of free-to-access content for customers on its Planet 3 portal. Working in partnership with Rhythm New Media, the new service will be supported by personalised advertising from major brands, meaning content that was previously paid for can now be viewed for free by customers.
www.three.co.uk
BT boosts employee learning opportunities
Posted on 08 Mar 2007
BT and University of Sunderland create new Foundation Degree in support of government skills agenda
BT Global Services UK and the University of Sunderland have developed a Foundation Degree programme designed to offer business-focused, work-based higher education to BT employees. The two-year programme, The Foundation Degree in Sales Account and Relationship Management, which was created in partnership with BT, will cover a range of skills, from customer account management through to financial planning and management skills. It is designed specifically around BT competencies and objectives, and will support BT’s aim is to be a world class sales organisation.
BT Global Services UK and the University of Sunderland have developed a Foundation Degree programme designed to offer business-focused, work-based higher education to BT employees. The two-year programme, The Foundation Degree in Sales Account and Relationship Management, which was created in partnership with BT, will cover a range of skills, from customer account management through to financial planning and management skills. It is designed specifically around BT competencies and objectives, and will support BT’s aim is to be a world class sales organisation.
Virgin Mobile wins Best Mobile Advertising award
Posted on 23 Feb 2007
Virgin Mobile and Qwikker have been crowned winners of the ‘Best Mobile Advertising’ category at the 2007 Global Mobile awards held in Barcelona this week at 3GSM. The campaign beat tough competition from Vodafone, Cingular, FOX Entertainment and many others to take the title at the ‘Mobile Oscars’.
Virgin Mobile impressed judges with their Bluetooth hot spots, created and executed by Qwikker, which featured at the 2006 V Festival in Chelmsford, Essex. Nine areas were set up across the festival site with each offering free music downloads of live performances including Morrissey, Kasabian and the Young Knives which had just been heard on stage, demonstrating how great music on your mobile can be.
www.virginmobile.co.uk
Virgin Mobile impressed judges with their Bluetooth hot spots, created and executed by Qwikker, which featured at the 2006 V Festival in Chelmsford, Essex. Nine areas were set up across the festival site with each offering free music downloads of live performances including Morrissey, Kasabian and the Young Knives which had just been heard on stage, demonstrating how great music on your mobile can be.
www.virginmobile.co.uk
Staff at Sherwood Forest hospitals NHS foundation trust pioneer new communicaiton system from BT to help improve patient care
Posted on 23 Feb 2007
Star Trek type technology from BT transforms patient care
Staff at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Nottinghamshire are pioneering the use of a new communications system from BT, which is helping to improve patient care.
The system frees up more time for doctors and nurses by allowing them to communicate while still doing their job, instead of spending precious minutes finding a telephone than isn’t already in use, contacting each other using old-fashioned pager systems or walking from one area of the hospital to another to find colleagues*.
Staff at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Nottinghamshire are pioneering the use of a new communications system from BT, which is helping to improve patient care.
The system frees up more time for doctors and nurses by allowing them to communicate while still doing their job, instead of spending precious minutes finding a telephone than isn’t already in use, contacting each other using old-fashioned pager systems or walking from one area of the hospital to another to find colleagues*.
BT invests in new data centre services within M25
Posted on 23 Feb 2007
BT Global Services today announced that it will invest £14m over the next seven years for a new data centre services centre located within the M25 perimeter. The South London facility, which offers 930sqm of premium new space, will host high-end IT services for BT’s growing base of customers in the £5.2bn European data centre services market.
The new site will greatly bolster BT’s capacity and its ability to deliver the scope of services offered for business continuity, IT Transformation, and IT infrastructure hosting and management to large enterprise and public sector customers looking for secure facilities within this geographically important area.
The new site will greatly bolster BT’s capacity and its ability to deliver the scope of services offered for business continuity, IT Transformation, and IT infrastructure hosting and management to large enterprise and public sector customers looking for secure facilities within this geographically important area.
Will 2007 be the year of video conferencing?
Posted on 20 Feb 2007
Business collaboration growth will fuel need for ‘remote business’
Companies believe collaboration with other firms has become critical to their long-term survival, according to new research commissioned by BT from the Economist Intelligence Unit.
As the need for business collaboration becomes greater, remote working technology is transforming the nature of business.
BT launched the findings as it prepared to unveil new video conferencing technology and services in 2007, which will further support, and remove the barriers for, collaboration between businesses. It plans to launch more life-like services that use ultra-high definition video.
Companies believe collaboration with other firms has become critical to their long-term survival, according to new research commissioned by BT from the Economist Intelligence Unit.
As the need for business collaboration becomes greater, remote working technology is transforming the nature of business.
BT launched the findings as it prepared to unveil new video conferencing technology and services in 2007, which will further support, and remove the barriers for, collaboration between businesses. It plans to launch more life-like services that use ultra-high definition video.
BT brings advanced wireless broadband services to customers in 12 UK cities
Posted on 14 Feb 2007
BT today announced that it has hit its target and now has 12 Wireless City networks up and running across the UK. They will offer a range of new services for consumers, businesses and local authority workers.
The company set a target to have a first phase of 12 Wireless Cities working by the end of March 2007 and it has been achieved as customers have enthusiastically embraced the power of wireless broadband.
BT today named five new Wireless City deployments. They are: Sheffield, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Bristol, and Glasgow. They join Birmingham, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff and Westminster, which were named last year.
The company set a target to have a first phase of 12 Wireless Cities working by the end of March 2007 and it has been achieved as customers have enthusiastically embraced the power of wireless broadband.
BT today named five new Wireless City deployments. They are: Sheffield, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Bristol, and Glasgow. They join Birmingham, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff and Westminster, which were named last year.
Ofcom introduces UK-wide 03 numbers
Posted on 14 Feb 2007
Ofcom today published details on how certain aspects of its plan for UK telephone numbering will be implemented, including the introduction of new UK-wide 03 numbers during 2007.
Under the Communications Act 2003 Ofcom is responsible for managing the UK National Telephone Numbering Plan. Telephone numbers are essential to UK households and businesses, and Ofcom must ensure the most effective use of this important national resource. In July 2006 Ofcom set out its general approach for the future in a statement which followed full public consultation.
www.ofcom.org.uk
Under the Communications Act 2003 Ofcom is responsible for managing the UK National Telephone Numbering Plan. Telephone numbers are essential to UK households and businesses, and Ofcom must ensure the most effective use of this important national resource. In July 2006 Ofcom set out its general approach for the future in a statement which followed full public consultation.
www.ofcom.org.uk
Ofcom extends rules to prevent mis-selling
Posted on 08 Feb 2007
Ofcom today set out its intention to extend existing rules designed to prevent mis-selling by fixed line telephone providers. Ofcom considers that these rules work in the interests of consumers, protecting them from inappropriate sales practices and ensuring that they can shop around for better deals with confidence.
Mis-selling refers to inappropriate sales and marketing activities including ‘slamming’, where customers can be switched from one company to another without their express knowledge and consent.
www.ofcom.org.uk
Mis-selling refers to inappropriate sales and marketing activities including ‘slamming’, where customers can be switched from one company to another without their express knowledge and consent.
www.ofcom.org.uk
Virgin Media Launches
Posted on 08 Feb 2007
Virgin Media (NASDAQ: VMED), a major new force in entertainment and communications, launched this morning, pledging to shake up the industry and to offer consumers quality, value, innovative products and outstanding customer service.
For the first time, one company will be able to deliver a simple, one-stop solution to meet consumers' entertainment and communications needs, providing cutting-edge digital TV services, unlimited broadband, home phone and a feature-packed mobile service.
www.virginmedia.com
For the first time, one company will be able to deliver a simple, one-stop solution to meet consumers' entertainment and communications needs, providing cutting-edge digital TV services, unlimited broadband, home phone and a feature-packed mobile service.
www.virginmedia.com
Openreach appoints director to head up key WLR3 programme
Posted on 08 Feb 2007
Openreach, the division of BT which delivers installation and maintenance services on behalf of Britain’s telephone and internet service providers, today announced the appointment of Ian Wheeler as WLR3 Implementation Programme Director with immediate effect. Ian will take responsibility for delivery and implementation of the WLR3 Wholesale Line Rental product, from service and operational delivery through customer service and systems development to the impact on people and culture.
BT set to become the leading global carrier in the India market
Posted on 06 Feb 2007
BT today announced that it has signed an agreement for the acquisition of i2i Enterprise Pvt Ltd, a Mumbai-based enterprise services company specialising in internet protocol (IP) communications services for major Indian and global multinational companies. The acquiring entity is BT Telecom India Pvt Ltd, BT’s joint venture company with Jubilant Enpro Pvt Ltd.
i2i is one of the most comprehensive and innovative providers of enterprise telecoms services in the Indian market today, and is the distributor of BT Infonet's managed network services and products nationwide.
i2i is one of the most comprehensive and innovative providers of enterprise telecoms services in the Indian market today, and is the distributor of BT Infonet's managed network services and products nationwide.
3 increases lead in 3G coverage in the UK
Posted on 05 Feb 2007
3, the mobile media company, announced today that it now has 90% population coverage for its 3G services in the UK. 3 launched in the UK on 03/03/03 and has the best coverage for mobile entertainment and information services in the UK.
Working in partnership with Ericsson under their managed services agreement, 3 has undertaken one of the fastest network rollouts in European telecoms history. 3 and Ericsson have now integrated over 7,250 radio sites into the network ensuring that all the major towns and cities in the UK have 3G coverage.
www.three.co.uk
Working in partnership with Ericsson under their managed services agreement, 3 has undertaken one of the fastest network rollouts in European telecoms history. 3 and Ericsson have now integrated over 7,250 radio sites into the network ensuring that all the major towns and cities in the UK have 3G coverage.
www.three.co.uk
Openreach reaches 1.5 million LLU connections
Posted on 05 Feb 2007
Openreach - the BT business that manages connections to homes and businesses across the UK - announced today that it will reach 1.5 million unbundled local loops for communication providers this week. LLU lines have increased by 640 per cent since the creation of Openreach in January 2006.
Skype Means Business - Saving Money is Just the Start
Posted on 26 Jan 2007
Skype today announced it has taken Skype for Business one step further in response to continuous demand by businesses all over the world to use Skype™ to communicate with customers and colleagues. Skype for Business has proven to be incredibly popular because firms save both money and time as Skype is so easy to use and a convenient way of keeping in touch.
Business users have always been part of the Skype family and make up over 30% of Skype’s global community, now numbering at 171 million. In a recent survey of 250 businesses using Skype, 95% claimed to have saved money and 80% claimed that using Skype increased employee productivity.
www.skype.biz
Business users have always been part of the Skype family and make up over 30% of Skype’s global community, now numbering at 171 million. In a recent survey of 250 businesses using Skype, 95% claimed to have saved money and 80% claimed that using Skype increased employee productivity.
www.skype.biz
3 shortlisted for Mobile messaging at GSM Awards
Posted on 26 Jan 2007
3's Window's Live Messenger service recognised at the "Oscars" of the mobile industry
3 UK today announces that it has been shortlisted by the GSM Association for its Window's Live Messenger service. The mobile media company has been recognised as a finalist in the Best Mobile Messaging Service category for the free mobile IM application that it launched in August 2006.
The GSM Awards are globally recognised as one of the most prestigious sources of independent verification for the mobile industry so to be shortlisted for an award is a true mark of excellence. The panel is made up of independent judges comprising leading industry and subject matter experts, analysts, journalists and academics.
www.three.co.uk
3 UK today announces that it has been shortlisted by the GSM Association for its Window's Live Messenger service. The mobile media company has been recognised as a finalist in the Best Mobile Messaging Service category for the free mobile IM application that it launched in August 2006.
The GSM Awards are globally recognised as one of the most prestigious sources of independent verification for the mobile industry so to be shortlisted for an award is a true mark of excellence. The panel is made up of independent judges comprising leading industry and subject matter experts, analysts, journalists and academics.
www.three.co.uk
BT commits to carbon busting strategy
Posted on 26 Jan 2007
BT today announced that it has extended its Green Energy contract one of the biggest in the world - until 2010. Part of its campaign to reduce carbon emissions, the contract will see BT saving the equivalent amount of carbon as that resulting from the electricity consumption of over 300,000 households - roughly the population of Liverpool and Cardiff combined every year.
Under the terms of the contract, npower and British Gas Business will provide BT with 1 terawatt hour (TWh) of renewable energy and 1.2 TWh of accredited combined heat and power (CHP) per year.
www.bt.com
Under the terms of the contract, npower and British Gas Business will provide BT with 1 terawatt hour (TWh) of renewable energy and 1.2 TWh of accredited combined heat and power (CHP) per year.
www.bt.com
T-Mobile and RIM launch the new BlackBerry 8700g in the UK
Posted on 22 Jan 2007
Faster Web browsing, application performance and email attachment viewing
Integrated Intel processor as well as high-end phone features
London, UK and Waterloo, Canada 23rd January 2006: T-Mobile and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced an expansion of T-Mobile's portfolio of BlackBerry® devices with the introduction of the new BlackBerry 8700g™. The device is expected to be available from T-Mobile throughout the UK from early February.
The BlackBerry 8700g, developed and manufactured by Research In Motion (RIM), has a full QWERTY keyboard in a new, sleek, lightweight design.
www.t-mobile.co.uk
Integrated Intel processor as well as high-end phone features
London, UK and Waterloo, Canada 23rd January 2006: T-Mobile and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced an expansion of T-Mobile's portfolio of BlackBerry® devices with the introduction of the new BlackBerry 8700g™. The device is expected to be available from T-Mobile throughout the UK from early February.
The BlackBerry 8700g, developed and manufactured by Research In Motion (RIM), has a full QWERTY keyboard in a new, sleek, lightweight design.
www.t-mobile.co.uk
Xchanging turns to ntl:Telewest Business to support rapid expansion of business
Posted on 22 Jan 2007
New private communications network enables wider bandwidth for growth and provides business continuity
ntl:Telewest Business, the supplier of communications services to the public and private sectors, today announced that Xchanging, the business processing services company, has deployed a new internet protocol virtual private network (IPVPN) to assist the company’s strategic growth plans. Xchanging, which has 10 UK offices, required a network that could provision bandwidth for its infrastructure as it continues to add new financial services companies to its growing customer list.
ntl:Telewest Business, the supplier of communications services to the public and private sectors, today announced that Xchanging, the business processing services company, has deployed a new internet protocol virtual private network (IPVPN) to assist the company’s strategic growth plans. Xchanging, which has 10 UK offices, required a network that could provision bandwidth for its infrastructure as it continues to add new financial services companies to its growing customer list.
BT commits to carbon busting strategy
Posted on 22 Jan 2007
BT today announced that it has extended its Green Energy contract one of the biggest in the world - until 2010. Part of its campaign to reduce carbon emissions, the contract will see BT saving the equivalent amount of carbon as that resulting from the electricity consumption of over 300,000 households - roughly the population of Liverpool and Cardiff combined every year.
Under the terms of the contract, npower and British Gas Business will provide BT with 1 terawatt hour (TWh) of renewable energy and 1.2 TWh of accredited combined heat and power (CHP) per year.
Under the terms of the contract, npower and British Gas Business will provide BT with 1 terawatt hour (TWh) of renewable energy and 1.2 TWh of accredited combined heat and power (CHP) per year.
3 appoints John Penberthy-Smith as Marketing Director
Posted on 18 Jan 2007
3, the mobile media company, today announced the appointment of John Penberthy-Smith as Marketing Director.
Penberthy-Smith, 39, who joined 3 in October 2006 as Director of Customer Marketing, will report to Kevin Russell, Deputy-CEO. As Marketing Director, Penberthy-Smith will be responsible for all marketing at 3, including products, customer propositions, channel and base marketing. He will also be responsible for marketing the X-Series from 3, 3's flat rate mobile broadband offer launched in the UK in December 2006.
Penberthy-Smith, 39, who joined 3 in October 2006 as Director of Customer Marketing, will report to Kevin Russell, Deputy-CEO. As Marketing Director, Penberthy-Smith will be responsible for all marketing at 3, including products, customer propositions, channel and base marketing. He will also be responsible for marketing the X-Series from 3, 3's flat rate mobile broadband offer launched in the UK in December 2006.
3 moves to end holiday roaming rip off with the launch of 3 Like Home
Posted on 18 Jan 2007
3 today throws down the gauntlet to the other mobile operators to put an end the 'international roaming rip-off' with the launch of '3 Like Home'. '3 Like Home' marks an end to extra charges for all 3 customers by allowing them to use their existing bundles when using any 3 network abroad.
All 3 customers visiting Ireland, Italy, Austria, Australia, Hong Kong, Sweden and Denmark will now be able to take advantage of being on one of 3's sister networks to use their existing minutes, text and data bundles to make voice and video calls, send texts, picture and video messages, and even surf the internet or watch TV from their handsets while abroad without accruing any additional charges.
All 3 customers visiting Ireland, Italy, Austria, Australia, Hong Kong, Sweden and Denmark will now be able to take advantage of being on one of 3's sister networks to use their existing minutes, text and data bundles to make voice and video calls, send texts, picture and video messages, and even surf the internet or watch TV from their handsets while abroad without accruing any additional charges.
Boost for software superstars
Posted on 18 Jan 2007
BT has joined forces with Microsoft to boost some of the brightest young minds from around the world helping them transform creative ideas into working products.
Six student teams from six countries are taking part in the 2007 Imagine Cup Innovation Accelerator an intensive technical and business training workshop where they will be supported in transforming their software applications and ideas for solving a real-world problem into business reality.
Six student teams from six countries are taking part in the 2007 Imagine Cup Innovation Accelerator an intensive technical and business training workshop where they will be supported in transforming their software applications and ideas for solving a real-world problem into business reality.
New online business tool from BT helps SMEs run their business
Posted on 18 Jan 2007
BT Business has launched BT Workspace, a new online tool as one of its “Business Essentials” range of services designed to make it easier for SMEs to run their business.
BT Workspace is an easy-to-use, but powerful, web-based system that helps groups of people share information and manage projects. There are two versions, BT Workspace at £7.50
(ex VAT) for each Company Workspace user per month with 100MB storage each, and BT Workspace Lite, which is free for two Project Workspaces, two Company Workspace Users and 10MB of storage.*
BT Workspace is an easy-to-use, but powerful, web-based system that helps groups of people share information and manage projects. There are two versions, BT Workspace at £7.50
(ex VAT) for each Company Workspace user per month with 100MB storage each, and BT Workspace Lite, which is free for two Project Workspaces, two Company Workspace Users and 10MB of storage.*
Virginmobile.co.uk named telecom website of the year
Posted on 06 Jan 2007
Virgin Mobile’s website Virginmobile.co.uk was named the best telecom website in the Website of the Year Awards 2006. The site, built by interactive media agency Conchango, was judged on content, navigation and design.
Virginmobile.co.uk was re-launched in 2006. This involved replacing legacy systems with a new resilient platform to cater for forecast growth; the introduction of a content management system as well as a comprehensive design make-over to allow easier use and navigation of the site.
www.Virginmobile.co.uk
Virginmobile.co.uk was re-launched in 2006. This involved replacing legacy systems with a new resilient platform to cater for forecast growth; the introduction of a content management system as well as a comprehensive design make-over to allow easier use and navigation of the site.
www.Virginmobile.co.uk
Starkers talkers
Posted on 06 Jan 2007
Survey reveals clothing is merely an option for Brits on the phone
New research from BT Broadband Talk today has lifted the lid on some of the nation’s more unusual talking habits, and has revealed that almost half of Brits regularly talk on the phone when they’re not wearing any clothes!
49 per cent of people questioned as part of the survey admitted that they were happy to talk to friends and family when naked in the privacy of their own home, and this also was the situation where most respondents are pleased that the recipient of their call couldn’t actually see them! British women are much more likely than men to do this, with 57 per cent of females questioned, and 40 per cent of males, regularly making phone calls when naked.
New research from BT Broadband Talk today has lifted the lid on some of the nation’s more unusual talking habits, and has revealed that almost half of Brits regularly talk on the phone when they’re not wearing any clothes!
49 per cent of people questioned as part of the survey admitted that they were happy to talk to friends and family when naked in the privacy of their own home, and this also was the situation where most respondents are pleased that the recipient of their call couldn’t actually see them! British women are much more likely than men to do this, with 57 per cent of females questioned, and 40 per cent of males, regularly making phone calls when naked.
BT to smash broadband target
Posted on 02 Jan 2007
BT will this week break through the ten million broadband barrier, smashing its initial target of five million connections by the end of 2006. That target, viewed as highly ambitious at the time, was set in April 2002 when there were fewer than 150,000 DSL connections. Broadband availability at that time was 66 per cent whereas it is now more than 99.8 per cent.
The ten million wholesale connections are shared between BT Wholesale and Openreach. BT Wholesale supplies services to more than 8.7 million customers (via service providers including BT Retail) whilst Openreach supplies more than 1.3 million lines to customers via local loop unbundlers. Every one of these ten million connections brings revenues to BT.
The ten million wholesale connections are shared between BT Wholesale and Openreach. BT Wholesale supplies services to more than 8.7 million customers (via service providers including BT Retail) whilst Openreach supplies more than 1.3 million lines to customers via local loop unbundlers. Every one of these ten million connections brings revenues to BT.
BT business helps SMEs protect themselves better online
Posted on 27 Dec 2006
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*.
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*.
Channel 4 goes simulcast on BT Movio mobile TV service
Posted on 12 Dec 2006
Today BT announced that the Channel 4 schedule1 is now available on BT Movio, the UK’s only wholesale service for UK mobile operators to combine live TV and digital radio content onto mobile phones. The full range of Channel 4 content, including popular programmes such as Hollyoaks, Countdown and Deal or No Deal will be simultaneously broadcast, or ‘simulcast’ to mobiles and home TV’s, so that mobile users can still enjoy their favourite shows, even when they are on the move.
VODAFONE UK LAUNCHES SPEND MANAGER: A NEW RANGE OF SOLUTIONS FOR MANAGING COMPANY MOBILE BILLS
Posted on 30 Nov 2006
Vodafone UK launches Spend Manager today, a new range of services designed to enable better management of company mobile phones. Spend Manager is designed for large companies and organisations in the public sector and is comprised of three solutions: Split Bill, Mobile Salary Saver and Employee Discount Scheme.
First customers go live on BT's 21st century network
Posted on 28 Nov 2006
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.
www.bt.com
www.bt.com
BT acquires assets of Telexis Brasil
Posted on 23 Nov 2006
BT today announced that BT has acquired the assets of Telexis Brasil, Fiat's Brazilian telecommunications business. Telexis provides services to both Fiat Group and external customers.
The transaction follows the acquisition of Fiat's Italian telecommunications subsidiary, Atlanet, which was completed in February 2006. It is a significant planned step in the delivery of BT's global contract worth €450 million over five years to supply telecommunications services to Fiat, as over €30m of this value is contributed from Brazil.
The transaction follows the acquisition of Fiat's Italian telecommunications subsidiary, Atlanet, which was completed in February 2006. It is a significant planned step in the delivery of BT's global contract worth €450 million over five years to supply telecommunications services to Fiat, as over €30m of this value is contributed from Brazil.
Virgin Mobile opens first new look concession store in Manchester
Posted on 23 Nov 2006
Virgin Mobile has unveiled its first new look concession store, situated in the new flagship Virgin Megastore at the Manchester Arndale Centre, featuring the latest design as seen at its standalone stores in Lakeside, Gateshead and Southend.
The new concession is the first opportunity to see the new store design incorporated into a smaller space. This format is likely to prove to be the model for future concession sites. The concession is retailing ntl:Telewest cable & broadband products following their merger with Virgin Mobile in July this year.
www.virginmobile.com
The new concession is the first opportunity to see the new store design incorporated into a smaller space. This format is likely to prove to be the model for future concession sites. The concession is retailing ntl:Telewest cable & broadband products following their merger with Virgin Mobile in July this year.
www.virginmobile.com
ntl customers to experience high definition TV
Posted on 20 Nov 2006
TVDrive launches in Glasgow and Teesside
ntl Telewest will launch TVDrive, its personal video recorder (PVR), to over 650,000 ntl customers in Glasgow and Teesside this week. The service was launched to Telewest customers earlier this year and will now be rolled-out to all 12 million cable homes by early next year.
TVDrive makes recording television easy and enables customers to pause live TV if interrupted. With hard drive storage for around 80 hours of programmes, viewers simply press one button to save their favourite shows. Three tuners mean more flexibility than the Sky+ PVR, allowing up to two channels to be recorded whilst watching a third.
ntl Telewest will launch TVDrive, its personal video recorder (PVR), to over 650,000 ntl customers in Glasgow and Teesside this week. The service was launched to Telewest customers earlier this year and will now be rolled-out to all 12 million cable homes by early next year.
TVDrive makes recording television easy and enables customers to pause live TV if interrupted. With hard drive storage for around 80 hours of programmes, viewers simply press one button to save their favourite shows. Three tuners mean more flexibility than the Sky+ PVR, allowing up to two channels to be recorded whilst watching a third.
BT makes recommended cash offer for PlusNet plc
Posted on 20 Nov 2006
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.
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.
3 Group announces partnership with Orb Networks enabling 3 Customers to MyCast the Digital Media Stored on their Home PCs
Posted on 16 Nov 2006
New, Customized "Orb on 3" Service to be Rolled out across the 3 Group starting with the UK in December
Orb Networks and the 3 Group, the global leader in 3G mobile broadband, today announced a global partnership giving 3's customers mobile access to their digital media stored on their home PCs. The announcement was made today as part of Hutchison Whampoa's global launch of the X-Series from 3, which unveils the true power of the internet on mobile broadband.
www.three.co.uk
Orb Networks and the 3 Group, the global leader in 3G mobile broadband, today announced a global partnership giving 3's customers mobile access to their digital media stored on their home PCs. The announcement was made today as part of Hutchison Whampoa's global launch of the X-Series from 3, which unveils the true power of the internet on mobile broadband.
www.three.co.uk
TDC changes strategy on easyMobile
Posted on 14 Nov 2006
TDC has changed its business strategy on easyMobile. With this, easyMobile in Germany will be renamed into callmobile and easyMobile UK is to be closed down. TDC the Danish telecom operator is the majority shareholder of Telmore International Holding A/S, the entity that owns easyMobile.
“We will further build on our success with the SIM only, no-frill concept in Germany. At the same time, we are withdrawing from the UK market, as the realised growth in the customer base does not live up to TDC’s original business plan expectations and as we do not believe that easyMobile UK has the potential to develop into a sizeable and profitable MVNO in the short term,” says Jesper Theill Eriksen, CEO of TDC Mobile International A/S.
www.easymobile.com
“We will further build on our success with the SIM only, no-frill concept in Germany. At the same time, we are withdrawing from the UK market, as the realised growth in the customer base does not live up to TDC’s original business plan expectations and as we do not believe that easyMobile UK has the potential to develop into a sizeable and profitable MVNO in the short term,” says Jesper Theill Eriksen, CEO of TDC Mobile International A/S.
www.easymobile.com
BT outlines new wholesale broadband pricing
Posted on 13 Nov 2006
BT today revealed how it plans to reduce its wholesale broadband pricing once 1.5m lines have been unbundled. 1The indicative prices are aimed at offering service providers a cost effective alternative to Local Loop Unbundling (LLU).
The new pricing structure 2 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.
The new pricing structure 2 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.
New research reveals clock ticking for quality family time
Posted on 09 Nov 2006
Vodafone launches Search for UK's Most Disconnected Family
We are family, as the disco classic goes... but not all the time. During the week a quarter of all families spend an hour or less together without distractions - that's just eight minutes, thirty-six seconds on average each day, according to new research from Vodafone UK.
Minutes not hours together
Showing what busy lives we have, the survey of almost 1,800 'family members' across the UK revealed that the majority of families spend an average of 17minutes, 24 seconds together every day. It also found that the younger generation engages least in family life, with two thirds of 16-24-year-olds spending between two and three hours of quality time together each week.
www.vodafone.co.uk
We are family, as the disco classic goes... but not all the time. During the week a quarter of all families spend an hour or less together without distractions - that's just eight minutes, thirty-six seconds on average each day, according to new research from Vodafone UK.
Minutes not hours together
Showing what busy lives we have, the survey of almost 1,800 'family members' across the UK revealed that the majority of families spend an average of 17minutes, 24 seconds together every day. It also found that the younger generation engages least in family life, with two thirds of 16-24-year-olds spending between two and three hours of quality time together each week.
www.vodafone.co.uk
BT Broadband breaks the three million barrier
Posted on 09 Nov 2006
More than 650,000 residential customers now using VoIP
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.
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.
LLU hits one million lines in the UK
Posted on 08 Nov 2006
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.
Virgin Media is on its way - Identity of biggest Virgin company revealed
Posted on 08 Nov 2006
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 unrivalle
Virgin Media will exploit its unique ability to offer a 'quadplay' of digital TV, broadband, mobile and home phone to offer an unrivalle