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September 11, 2001 - September 17, 2001

News - September 17,2001

IMPORTANT 0800OnlineServe Update

By:mark.j @ 9:33:AM - Comments (2) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

It's now nearly a month since the troubled ISP stated it would avoid suspending its unmetered service and try to continue operating, sadly this has failed to occur.

TheDogmaGroup backed provider has now become the focus for both 'Trading Standards' and its customers, whom have had no word on services until today. One reader even states:

Stockport Trading Standards left a message on my answerphone earlier this week to say that they had been to Marple address and that TheDogmaGroup were no longer there.

Despite the ISP having ample time to inform its customers of their situation, it would appear an update has only now been placed (couldn't have seen it before, all ISP servers were dead). Most people will still be unable to access their servers and so we've copied it here:

ALL SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY OFF-LINE WHILE ALL NETWORK APPLIANCES ARE BROUGHT BACK TO TOLERABLE OPERATIONAL LEVELS AND THE NEW MANAGEMENT IS IN PLACE. ALL CUSTOMERS REQUIRING REFUNDS FOR NO SERVICE WILL DUTIFULLY BE GIVEN A REFUND OR A CREDIT SUBSCRIPTION.

The best way, we believe to come to a solution is through direct contact with our customers: It produces an in-depth analysis of the problem faced by businesses in the UK and abroad and evenatually a solution can be reached. To talk to our development team, phone free on 0800 542 9550 or email us on sales@thedogmagroup.com .

While the first (bold) part of the update is clear, the final paragraph is almost cryptic in its relation. Why would customers to their unmetered service want to be bothered with - 'an in-depth analysis of the problem faced by businesses in the UK and abroad'.

Since they're no longer present at their official address and their E-Mail is likely to return errors, unless you're lucky, then we'd suggest trying the phone number.

Typically there's no information regarding when the ISP will be fully operational again. Trading Standards would very much like to hear from people whom might know the 'new' location for this group.

News - September 16,2001

ISP Review Weekly Update

By:mark.j @ 9:49:AM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

I'm not entirely sure where to start with this weeks update; the events from Tuesday 11th September 2001 onwards have shocked the civilized world. With war looming it’s been difficult to concentrate on work, but we've had to keep going because of our own problems with ISP Review.

As most will remember we've been busy moving the site onto a new CIX based UK server since Wednesday morning. Typically the domain takes time to go through the admin process and then another 48hours to physically switch, so expect some disruption early next week.

Thankfully the new server is extremely fast and we've already managed to get our forums back online HERE, all of which are running faster than ever. When the domain does finally propogate to the new server then you may notice some page updates, present on the new server, not on the old.

Some more good news comes by way of our new 'Readers Top ISPs' system, which we finally got to see semi-functional yesterday. We're running out of time to get this done, although the author is busy trying to clean everything up and it's starting to take shape.

We'll use the last few lines to remind ourselves of the terrible tragedy that befell North America, England and will have undoubtedly connected with many others. Suddenly the country seems to be in an almost surreal state of mourning, somehow it feels like a sin to be happy now.

News - September 15,2001

V21 Unmetered Service Update

By:mark.j @ 10:38:AM - Comments (6) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

The popular and 'child-friendly' unmetered ISP, V21, have today sent us yet another press release regarding improved services:

We have now taken on additional servers and are now pleased to offer UNLIMITED FREE WEB SPACE to our users and access to a NEWS SERVER housing over 81,000 news accounts.

Please note that the special '1 Weeks Free Trial' to ISP Review readers ended on the 14th September 2001.

nStream Launches Unmetered

By:mark.j @ 10:34:AM - Comments (3) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

Why does this always happen when we're in the middle of something important (server move)? Anyway, yet another new unmetered ISP has been spotted by Keith this morning - nStream.

Typically it's another BT only ISP and costs £12.99 per month inc. VAT, there's also a 10minute inactivity cut and 2hours 30mins complete cut-off, as usual you can re-dial. The usual Modem/ISDN support combined with 5 E-Mail addresses and 25Mb of web space propagate the service/

However take note that there's also a sting in the tail:

Thereafter you will be billed after each elapsed one month period or after you have been connected to the service for a total duration of 50 hours (since the last billing point).

That's an estimated 1 hour and 40 minutes of usage per day, not very competitive.

BlueCarrots New Unmetered ISP

By:mark.j @ 10:11:AM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

Thanks to Mark from 'Catridge Recycling' for pointing out BlueCarrots new unmetered dialup ISP. The service uses FRIACO and is provided by Virtual Internet Provider Limited (VIP Ltd.):

BlueCarrots Unlimited
Get two months free* when you subscribe to Bluecarrots' unlimited access package for just £12.99 per month inclusive of VAT, subscription and telephone costs.

BlueCarrots At Home
Get one month free* subscription with the BlueCarrots at home package. For £8.99, inclusive of VAT, a month, this tariff gives you access to the internet from 4pm to 8am Mon - Fri and all weekend.

Note that both packages carry a 10minute inactivity cut and 2hourly forced cut off, you can of course re-dial as usual. Typically the service is for those with a BT line only and seems to come with limited options, although remains competitively priced. You can find all the information HERE.

BTIgnite Chief Steps Down

By:mark.j @ 10:03:AM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

The chief executive of BT's corporate Internet division, Alfred Mockett, will step down to will leave at the end of November. He is to be replaced by Andy Green, chief executive of BT's retail Internet unit, BTOpenworld.

Mockett, a citizen and resident of the United States, is joining an unnamed U.S. company as chairman and chief executive following BT's decision to abandon its global ambitions and focus Ignite on Europe.

The Ignite job required him to commute frequently to Europe, and he wants to be near his family in the U.S., a BT spokesman said on Friday, adding that his departure was amicable.

Mockett, who had been with BT for more than 10 years, is the latest in a stream of senior executives including its former chairman and finance director who have left the company. Chief Executive Peter Bonfield is widely expected to leave before his contract ends next year.

One analyst said Mockett's departure might be welcomed because of his association with BT's failed international expansion.

BTIgnite Secures Satellite Service

By:mark.j @ 9:55:AM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

It's a little late because of the events that took place on Tuesday, although the following press release come direct from BTIgnite.

BTIgnite's broadcasting services division has secured £135m worth of contracts from UK and international broadcasters to provide direct-to-home satellite connections:

BT wins £135m of UK broadcast business
Tuesday, 11th September 2001

BT Ignite's Broadcast Services division has won £135m of business from UK and international broadcasters to provide them with connections via satellite to the UK's booming direct-to-home television market.

Since launching its first mux service on the EUROBIRD satellite in April, the company has signed contracts to carry a wide range of ethnic and foreign national programming as well as a new wave of special interest channels - including fashion, health and shopping. Enhanced text and interactive facilities will be launched shortly.

The 'mux' service, developed by BT Broadcast Services, enables multiple use of a single transponder on the satellite for a number of simultaneous transmissions, providing a particularly cost effective distribution route for TV broadcasts. BT Broadcast Service's mux service provides an alternative for broadcasters seeking access to UK satellite homes via Sky's platform, allowing them to bypass BSkyB, which currently provides carriage for the majority of programming received by satellite.

With an estimated five million people currently able to receive television signals direct from a satellite in the UK, such 'niche' programming is already commercially attractive. BT Broadcast Service's mux customers include Al-Jazeera (Arabic news), Best Direct (shopping), Channel Health, Fashion TV and Minaj Broadcast International (African information and entertainment). In addition, BT Broadcast Services has sold EUROBIRD satellite capacity to BSkyB and Dubai TV.

BT Broadcast Services has become a major player in the broadcast world with its own broadcast and multimedia centres in the all major European cities, in Los Angeles and Washington DC, as well as at BT Tower in London.

Mark Smith, managing director, BT Broadcast Services said: "With 12 years' experience in the UK's direct to home transmission market, we have been able to build on our huge bank of knowledge gained as the market has developed. So successful has our mux service been, that a third service is about to be launched to provide the extra capacity being sought by audience hungry programme producers."

BT Broadcast Services also offers mux customers a range of customer management services including call centre operation, a subscriber management system, billing, fulfilment and conditional access.

We’ve mentioned news of this before, although you can get the full low-down right HERE.

News - September 14,2001

Nostradamus 1654 Predicts..

By:mark.j @ 4:15:PM - Comments (6) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

I think it's important to shed some light on the recent round of 'Nostradamus 1654' quotes, many of which have caused concern. One was even read out on a semi-popular breakfast TV show on ITV1 this morning.

The problem with almost all of them is that they're hoaxes, the real prediction (don't have the exact words here) aren’t the same and couldn't really be paralleled with recent events in America. One such set of words follows:

In the City of God there will be a great thunder, Two brothers torn apart by Chaos, while the fortress endures, the great leader will succumb, The third big war will begin when the big city is burning - Nostradamus 1654

Complete and utter hoax, do not believe this, it's false. In fact this is the reason so many people often believe the prophecies, they only ever see the hoaxes. Still, at least the advertising worked.

BTs Broadband 'VideoStream Plus' Launch

By:mark.j @ 3:49:PM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

It would appear as if BTWholesale have confirmed a launch date of 9th October 2001 for BTVideoStream Plus. As the name might suggest, this is a technology related to broadband VoD (Video-on-Demand).:

This will allow providers like HomeChoice and Sky (if they decide to use the licence they currently have) to launch a new product that has an additional 588kbps ATM channel for data use.

Currently the BTvideostream is provisioned using a single 2.3Mbps ATM channel, the Plus product will add a 588kbps down/288kbps ATM upstream channel to this, i.e. provide space for a proper broadband internet connection in addition to the VOD service.

The ADSLGuide item goes into a lot more detail and shows how 'pricing' for the new technology could be somewhat of a grey area. Typically the 'guesstimated' cost could be very similar to Irelands recently introduced USB500 ADSL product, but would you pay £60+/- per month for it?

NTL Slapped By ASA

By:mark.j @ 3:33:PM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

What is it with Telewest and NTL that seems to make them the focus of official complaints to the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) every other week? Today the ASA has slapped NTL twice more for yet another questionable advert:

The company has been criticised for sneaking details like "Our service is currently not available in certain areas" onto the back of glossy flyers. The company has been criticised for telling people they would be able to access the web through their televisions.

It read: "NTL is the only digital TV service that gives you access to some of the world's best internet sites, for free."

NTL claimed that because it referred to "internet sites" rather than the World Wide Web by name, its advertising wasn't misleading. The Advertising Standards Authority, unsurprisingly, decided otherwise.

The Silicon item does a good job of reminding people that it's always a good idea to read the fine print and ask as many questions as possible before subscribing to a service. Typically this becomes difficult if you don't know much about the 'type' of service beforehand.

ISP Review Forums - BACK ONLINE!

By:mark.j @ 10:35:AM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

I'm happy to say that after hours and hours of work and several days of downtime, our ISP forums are now back online. You can access them at the following location, which is temporary until the domain switches at the weekend or on Monday:

New Server - ISP Review Forums

Typically we'd suggest you ignore the header with this forum, as almost ALL links outside of the system might be loopy until the domain is fixed to the new host.

We've also removed roughly 60 unused forums and re-indexed everything, so it might be slower (faster by comparison to this server) until the cache is re-built through those reading and posting.

Typically forum links on this server (one you're seeing now) go to the old system, so please only use the link in this post! We'll make it more obvious soon.

UK Takes 1/4th World Web Traffic

By:mark.j @ 8:53:AM - Comments (1) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

That's correct, out of the entire rest of the world, little old Britain is still able to take roughly 30%+ of Internet traffic!:

Although this figure was down from July's high of 34 per cent, the UK looks to be gaining ground again. Last week, it took 34.6 per cent of all internet traffic.

Site sessions were also up, with users spending an average of six minutes eight seconds browsing each site last week, a minute over August's figure of five minutes seven seconds. But Saturday still continues to be the web's busiest day, with Sunday coming in at number two, revealing us to be a nation of weekend surfers.

According to the figures provided by competitive analysis firm Hitwise, computer and internet sites are the dominant attraction for UK web surfers, hogging a 43 per cent chunk of all page views. News and media sites come in at number two with 23 per cent of impressions, supported by the fact that the top two UK websites are msn.co.uk and uk.yahoo.com.

The VNUNet item reminds us that while the UK may not lead in all areas of Internet usage and activity (cough.. broadband), we can still hold our own as one of the most dominant group of surfers. Can't help but wonder whether that's a good or bad thing?

Ask Jeeves Acquires 'Teoma' Tech

By:mark.j @ 8:48:AM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

The popular British search engine, Ask Jeeves, has taken a step forward with the acquisition of Teoma Technologies. Many may remember this is a serious 'search engine' competitor for the big boys (AV, Google etc.).

The CEO for Ask Jeeves, Skip Battle, said in a statement that following the purchase of the private New Jersey company, Ask Jeeves is now in a position to offer users the best search engine experience on the web.

High Tech Crime Unit Taps ISPA ISPs

By:mark.j @ 8:45:AM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

Following the attack it was only a matter of time before the same practice currently apparent with USA ISPs reached the UK. Yesterday the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) issued the following update:

ISPA statement on NHTCU request for ISP cooperation with US Atrocity investigations

ISPA has circulated to its members a request from the UK's National High Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) for ISPs to preserve existing communications data held on their systems in an effort to assist with investigations into the atrocities in the United States of America on Tuesday 11th September 2001.

The NHTCU has assured ISPA members that any data preserved and retained as a result of this request will only be accessed in accordance with specific lawful authority. The request refers only to "communications data", such as logs of email sent and received. All requests for email content will still require an interception warrant.

ISPA has been informed that the Information Commissioner's office believes that "the request from the NHTCU is lawful and proportionate in the circumstances".

13 September 2001

For more information, please contact ISPA Secretariat on 020 7233 7234.

The National High Tech Crime Unit can be contacted on 0870 241 0549

ISPA Council

Hopefully this won't be 'politically used' and lead to a sustained implementation for a technology that's still under scrutiny.

News - September 13,2001

GOOD Server Move News

By:mark.j @ 9:14:PM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

I'm happy to say that after nearly a full day of work we've finally got the forums working. Sadly it'll be lunchtime tomorrow before we re-open them on the new server, this is because all of the 176 forums need to have their data file permissions re-done - TAKES TIME.

We also have to test them and make sure everything works, although it's looking good and the speed of the new server is obvious. In short, expect our forums to be back and in full force before lunchtime tomorrow! Fewwww...

Ireland Launches Costly ADSL Service

By:mark.j @ 3:47:PM - Comments (2) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

Still somewhat behind with broadband, Ireland has finally managed to launch their first commercially available broadband ADSL service from Eircom:

Branded "eircom i-stream", the incumbent Irish telco said it will invest more than £77 million over the next five years to fund the roll-out of the broadband service.

The telco added that the service would initially be targeted at business and domestic users and should begin to be rolled out from the beginning of October in areas where exchanges have been upgraded.

The single user USB service costs £61 a month - about £20 a month more than similar services in the UK - with installation and hardware costs adding an extra £166 to the bill.

The Register reminds us that just when you thought we were the most expensive place in the world for broadband, another country comes along to prove you wrong. £61 per month! Good god, for USB 500 as well.

BT Refutes 3G - Rubbish Technology

By:mark.j @ 3:39:PM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

Oh dear, not content with bashing their fixed line broadband (R/ADSL) services, BT are also keen to do the same with their broadband wireless technology as well - clever bunch.. that BT:

The 3G phone networks will be rubbish, a leaked document from BT announces. The FT managed to get hold of a copy of the draft document for the float of BT Wireless - sorry, mmO2 - in which, by law, all the financial risks faced by the company have to be laid out.

In it, BT warns that UMTS - the system which 3G will be built on in Europe - "may not prove superior to existing technologies" and that a lot of work still needs to be done on it. It also goes on to state a range of things that everyone already knew: that the next-generation networks will need a load of extra masts and that the handsets and software are still behind and may delay any launches.

The truth be known, it's no great secret that UMTS isn't exactly the answer to all our prayers. Or that mobile operators were looking at other protocols to run the networks over. But then it is unfortunate that BT has had to spell it out.

The Register begins to make us wonder what happened to the good old days, when commercial companies actually wanted to 'sell' their products to the public with ‘pleasing words and predictions’.

Telewest Signs ADVFN For Blueyonder

By:mark.j @ 3:33:PM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

The ADVFN (financial information provider) company has signed a deal with Telewest's broadband (blueyonder) service to become its preferred provider of financial information and data:

ADVFN will provide blueyonder subscribers with its full range of financial information products, including its new range of streaming real-time price data products, stock market news and information, investment tools, bulletin boards and investment education.

The new package will be available from later this year, when Telewest rolls out its e-commerce services on blueyonder. The broadband service has already signed up more than 38,000 customers.

More @ netimperative.com .

V21 Launches 'Free2Surf' ISP

By:mark.j @ 3:29:PM - Comments (2) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

Using an almost identical name to an older 0845 FREE dialup ISP, the unmetered and 'child-friendly' ISP, V21, has today launched 'Free2Surf'.

http://www.free2surf.net

According to Net4Nowt, it's a smaller provider than V21, which concentrates on dial-up and removes the need for other services; hence its questionable £7.99 per month cost.

With 128Kbps ISDN on the way, the ISP seems to offer nothing more than a simple unmetered dialup, there doesn't even appear to be E-Mail. It also holds the same 4hour cut-off as V21 and doesn't give its customers a 12Month contract.

Despite this we still feel concerned that £7.99 per month could be cutting things somewhat 'too close', time will tell. Unmetered ISP list and forums will be updated following the server move.

ISPr Server Move - Update No.3

By:mark.j @ 9:11:AM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

The new server seems to be sorted and we're working to get the forum online as quickly as we possibly can. Please take note that the domain will take three days to move (Saturday/Monday) and E-Mails may be disrupted.

It's important to note that this site (aside from the forums) will continue to function until the domain is finally moved. It's likely that we won't be aware when the domain finally propagates and thus it may be awhile before things are fixed.

Please bare with us today, we'll be doing our best to get the forums back online.

Nutshell Launches Unmetered Net Cards

By:mark.j @ 8:51:AM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

This news is a little old, although there's a typical backlog of the stuff to post that we've been forced to delay. However it looks as if the popular unmetered dial-up ISP, Nutshell, has launched some kind of 'Internet Card' scheme. Full press release follows:

NEWS RELEASE

12 September 2001

GO NUTS! GO BANANAS!
NEW INTERNET CARDS OFFER EASY ACCESS FOR ALL

Leading internet provider Net in a Nutshell has teamed up with Banana calling cards to offer the UK’s first pre-paid internet cards.
The cards offer unlimited access to the internet for either 14 days or 30 days. The cards are valid from the time they are activated until the end of the specified period selected by the user. Within this period of time, there is no limit on the amount of time spent online.

The cards herald the start of easy, instant internet access for all. By using these cards, would-be internet users no longer need to give personal details such as credit card numbers and addresses before accessing the World Wide Web.

The cards are also great for school/university holidays, for example. Students may be connected to the web at school or college and wish to continue accessing the internet during the holidays. With Netcards they can do this and surf the net 24/7, without signing up to an ongoing ISP.

The cards are priced at £5 (14 days access) and £10 (30 days access).
Before teaming up with Banana to offer these ‘Netcards’, Net in a Nutshell commissioned some consumer research, the results of which showed a real demand for pay-as-you-go internet access.

Sixty two percent of respondents thought the Netcards were a ‘good idea’, with a third of all respondents stating that they were ‘likely’ or ‘very likely’ to purchase internet cards when available, as they could then ‘use the internet as often as needed’ for a ‘good price’.

Nutshell and Banana Netcards will be widely available at over 20,000 News Agencies throughout the UK. Nutshell selected News Agencies as the chosen method of purchasing the cards, as they were the preferred type of retail outlet in the survey (68% of respondents).

“We have listened to what consumers have been telling us, during the research, and tailored the Netcard offer to suit their needs,” explains Scott Ide, CEO of Nutshell. “The cards are incredibly simple to use, easy to buy and reasonably priced,” he continues, “which really opens up the internet to everyone.”

Net in a Nutshell is an innovative computer and internet company and a proven ISP provider. The company philosophy is to make internet access widely available to all and, as such, all of the company’s offers are set up to allow even low income households to get on the web.

Net in a Nutshell are pioneering these Netcards in association with Banana calling cards. Banana is the industry leader in telephone top up cards for the UK. The Nutshell and Banana Netcards will greatly enhance Banana's current offering. Analysts predict tremendous growth in online usage throughout the UK over the next year and the introduction of Netcards could spur even faster expansion.

Netcards are available throughout the UK from September 15th.

For more information on Nutshell, visit http://www.nutshell.co.uk or call 0870 010 2550

Totalise Unmetered Update

By:mark.j @ 8:47:AM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

We're keeping the news short due to moving the site to another server, but the following update can be found on Totalises site regarding their unmetered package:

Update 12th September 2001

We apologise for the delay in bringing you news about our new unmetered Internet access packages. You will be pleased to know that we have been testing the new packages for some weeks and are now running trials with a small number of Totalise customers. We are happy with our own initial testing and believe you will be pleased with the overall quality of the package.

Once we have collated conclusive feedback from our trial users further information will be provided on this web page about the launch date. At this stage we believe the launch date is likely to be before the end of September. However, please be aware this is not entirely within our control and we are dependant on our various suppliers and their infrastructure.

News - September 12,2001

Server Move - Update No.2

By:mark.j @ 3:49:PM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

We've been delayed due to system problems, still aiming to have the forums online by this evening, although it'll be tough.

BT Denounces R/ADSL - Unproven Tech

By:mark.j @ 3:31:PM - Comments (6) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

In what's likely to cause further anger amongst ISPs, Telco's and those customers still waiting for R/ADSL connections, BT has denounced the technology.

Apparently the monopoly and debt laden provider still believes R/ADSL connections are too cheap (what?) and sees no need for a wider rollout (umm customers?):

Sally Davis, president for products and marketing at BT Ignite, told leading carriers and content providers: "Current broadband connectivity prices are not high enough, and the business case for DSL is not proven."

She added that broadband pricing is charged on a bandwidth basis, but that carriers should perhaps work towards delivering on a content basis to make it more profitable.

"As an industry we haven't been as innovative as we could have been," she explained. "Maybe we could do more with content partners to price broadband effectively. Rolling out broadband has been a remarkable leap of faith."

The VNUNet item should make for an interesting read, especially if you're one of those still waiting to see the technology. Ultimately many groups and people will see BTs comments as arrogant and ill informed.

It's an especially bad time for BT to be bashing the very technology it should be trying SELL!

ISP Review Moving Servers

By:mark.j @ 9:28:AM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

You should all be very happy to learn that ISP Review will today be moving servers as it's clear our current host no longer functions properly.

This will take roughly 24 Hours or so, although we hope to re-engage our forums within two or three hours and get that online with the new host.

I can reveal that our new host is based on the popular UK CIX networks, which are among the fastest in the UK and far ahead of this one. We fear that a lack of response by our current hoster will cause a delay in moving the domain itself, however we have gone directly to the Registry to resolve this.

Expect an IP based HTTP address/link to be published to the new host sometime today. It may take a day or two after the move before everything functions properly, however news and forums will be up first.

Please bare with us, I've taken a day off work to deal with this. Forums will be back in the next couple of hours, I hope.

PLEASE NOTE: E-mails to any ????????@ispreview.co.uk address may be disrupted for a period of up to and over 48Hours. Please send ANY news or related material to THIS ADDRESS.

Internet Not Central To UK Business

By:mark.j @ 9:17:AM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

It would appear as if both Europe and the UK have still failed to centralise the Internet in a business role. Apparently half of the EU still has to share a PC connected to the Internet:

Ninety-two million people have access to the Internet in the UK, France and Germany, but less than a third have Internet access at work. A new report from the research company Jupiter MMXI reveals that the nearly half of European employees -- 40% in Germany, 45 percent in France and 44 percent in the UK -- have to rely on a PC that is shared between three or more people if they want to access the Internet.

"The Internet has not become an integrated part of company strategy. For huge companies, the Internet is merely a tool -- their business does not surround itself around the Net," said Mari Kim Coleman, senior vice president of measurement at Jupiter MMXI.

The findings do not bode well for the government's UK Online initiative, which aims to have all businesses online by 2005. The indication that traditional British companies are still a long way from making the Internet a central part of their business strategy is worrying, and suggests that Blair's goal may be unrealistic.

More @ ZDNet .

Internet Director Leaves C&W

By:mark.j @ 9:08:AM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

Bad news for 'Cable & Wireless' this morning as their Internet director for its core global Internet business departs the company, increasing concerns about the company as a whole.

The British telecoms group said on Tuesday that Mike McTighe, a main board director who headed strategy and acquisitions at C&W Global, will leave on September 30 to become chief executive of rival Swiss operator Carrier1.

His departure comes as the market braces for a possible profit warning from C&W later this month because of deteriorating markets. C&W shares fell as much as six percent to 300p, heading back to a nine-year low of 299p touched on Thursday.

McTighe was leading the search for ways for C&W to spend its cash pile of some six billion pounds, and analysts at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein (DKW) said the timing of his departure was odd.

"Given the ambitions of C&W and the cash pile, his departure seems a strange move," the brokerage said in a trading note, repeating a "reduce" recommendation on the stock.

McTighe will be replaced by Adrian Chamberlain; former head of the consumer division of C&W Communications, which it sold last year. Chamberlain is currently on secondment to the Australian business Optus that C&W is selling to Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

BP Join With BTOpenworld Over CDs

By:mark.j @ 9:02:AM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

BTopenworld looks to be partnering with BP in the first promotion of Internet discs (CDs) in the UK. It would seem to be a new direction for BTopenworld's affiliate marketing strategy, which already consists of alliances with major retailers such as HMV, Toys'R'Us and Iceland:

BP FORMS STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH BTOPENWORLD

BTopenworld is extending the boundaries of its affiliate marketing strategy, by announcing a new partnership with one of the world's leading oil and petrochemicals groups, BP, for the first forecourt promotion of Internet discs in the UK.

The partnership with BP is part of BTopenworld's ongoing strategy to maintain its current position, as the largest unmetered Internet access service provider in the UK with its BTinternet Anytime product.

Under the terms of the deal, BP will distribute over 1.5 million free BTinternet Anytime registration discs across 500 of BP's fully owned outlets in the UK, including the newly launched BP 'Connect' stores. It follows a successful trial programme that took place in May, which achieved a five per cent conversion rate.

The alliance follows similar alliances that BTopenworld has forged with other retailers including HMV, Toys'R'Us and Iceland.

Chris Jones, head of UK channel distribution at BTopenworld , said: "In securing this partnership, BTopenworld is expanding into a previously untapped but growing market, recognising that consumers are increasingly relying upon forecourt retail outlets to purchase many day-to-day goods."

Gillian Meek, BP's retail UK e-services category manager added: "The deal with BTopenworld complements BP's own forecourt strategy which incorporate a new 'E-services' offer giving our customers Internet access 24 hours a day. We chose to work with BTopenworld because of their reliability and flexibility - the same attributes our customers have come to expect from us."

News - September 11,2001

Possible ISP Review Server Move

By:mark.j @ 7:17:PM - - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

There do seem to be signs of change within the network connections at our hosting company, although not enough to convince us that they’re actually aware of the serious problems we’ve been experiencing and can even resolve them.

Thankfully we’ve today purchased two other hosting accounts, one that’s based in the UK and is twice as fast as the current group, even when it works. Typically if the problems aren’t resolved by tomorrow morning then we’ll be moving servers.

Such a move would be an extremely lengthy process, although we’d try to make it as seamless as possible for you, our readers. It’s likely the new site would be contactable through an HTTP IP address only to start with as a lack of response from our host means domain moving would take time.

Ultimately if tomorrow sees no improvement then the advantage is that the new server is twice as fast, if also twice as expensive =(. Typically many of the systems would be down after a move, although the forums and news system would be up first – obviously.

USA Terrorist Attack - Update

By:mark.j @ 4:32:PM - Comments (3) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

As if any of us could be shocked further, yet more attacks have taken place across America following the earlier four. VoodooExtreme has a good run down of events so far:

UNCONFIRMED: United Airlines has confirmed one plane from Newark to San Francisco down in Somerset County. It is unconfirmed if two planes have gone down or the Pittsburgh and Somerset County is one in the same.

CONFIRMED: Over 50 stories of the WTC have collapsed.

CONFIRMED: AA will hold a press conference in 30 minutes in regards to three of their planes being hijacked.

CONFIRMED:

The mayor of New York has confirmed the National Guard will be called in this afternoon to relieve the police officers.

Isreal is clearing several of it's buildings and it is expected it too has been bombed although this is unconfirmed.

The US Air Force has confirmed their Rules of Engagement to fire upon any foreign aircraft in Washington and New York.

NATO has been evacuated

A large plane has crashed in Somerset Pennsylvania.

Both World Trade Centers have now collapsed enclosing New York in a plume cloud of smoke.

The hijacked plane that struck the World Trade Center was from Boston airport going to Los Angeles. It was Boeing 767.

Both World Trade Centers has been struck by terrorists.

The Pentagon has also been struck by terrorists.

FAA has shut down all US flights for the following eight hours.

1000 have been confirmed injured, there is not a accurate death count at this time but it is expected to rise into the hundreds as the reports from how many passengers were on the planes.

Nearly every building has been evacuated in Washington, Boston, and Chicago Sears Tower.

George Bush is currently in the air in Air Force One escorted by fighter planes.

This is by far the most horrific and violent attack I'd ever hope to see in my entire lifetime. Wars are so often started through such things and it wouldn't surprise me if this were to be the case here.

I can't imagine a single honest sole who couldn't feel something for what has and is still happening in the states. The whole of the Internet and almost all TV stations are now carrying some sort of coverage.

There will be no more news posts today, too shocked..

BTOpenworld Maintain R/ADSL Prices

By:mark.j @ 4:02:PM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

BTOpenworld are actually quite a cheap broadband R/ADSL provider compared to many on offer in the market. So it doesn't surprise us that they're refusing to pass on the recent price reductions to consumers:

BTopenworld - the broadband Internet division of BT - has declined to pass on the reduction. A BTopenworld spokesman seemed to think there was no need to pass on the saving because: "Our prices are competitive."

"However, we do keep our prices constantly under review," he said.

BTopenworld has also not confirmed whether it is implement BT Wholesale's decision to halve the cost of installing USB broadband for three months from October 1.

Much like The Register states, we're not sure why they're not taking advantage of the installation offering, although there's still time for an announcement.

NetGamesUK ISP To Re-Launch

By:mark.j @ 3:56:PM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

The gaming ISP (gISP) that had so recently found its way into closure, could soon be coming back. One of our readers, Tim, pointed out the following update to the NGUK site:

A new launch in line with pay-per-play is being prepared, fuller details to be released shortly.

http://www.nguk.net

Vispa Sales Number Change

By:mark.j @ 3:54:PM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

A very quick update from the 'Vispa Internet' ISP regarding a change of their sales number:

Vispa Internet has dropped it's national rate sales number and replaced it with new local rate numbers. General Sales desk can now be reached on 0845 458 5005 or you can fax sales on 0845 458 5006

Lines open from 8.00am - 10.00pm for both Sales and Support desks, email response at all other times.

BTOpenworld Introduces SME Unmetered

By:mark.j @ 3:52:PM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

BTOpenworld, not content with offering broadband R/ADSL services, has announced the launch of its Connect Anytime product, providing business class unmetered Internet access product for SME's.

Businesses are provided with a free domain name for the first two years enabling them to present a professional image, personalise their e-mail, and to market themselves using a web site address. Connect Anytime includes 20Mb web space. Full Press Release follows:

BTopenworld launches Connect Anytime Internet service for SMEs

London, September 11 2001

BTopenworld, BT's mass market Internet business, today announced the launch of its Connect Anytime product, providing unmetered Internet access for small businesses (SMEs). Connect Anytime offers a business class service, allowing small businesses to get online with an unmetered access package in one simple step, for £27.99 per month (plus VAT), less than £1 a day. With a fixed monthly charge, the service means that small businesses can accurately budget each month for their Internet access. A local rate telephone support helpdesk is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Also unveiled today by BTopenworld was the new BTopenworld online business resource centre, the result of a merger between the award winning BTclickforbusiness site and the BTopenworld Business portal, giving business users some of the best business content in one place. The unified portal is open to all businesses, including non-BTopenworld customers, and offers advice, resources and tools for businesses. The website address for the BTopenworld online business resource centre is http://www.btopenworld.com/business.

BTopenworld Connect Anytime

The Connect Anytime package offers businesses unmetered, fast, reliable Internet access and e-mail, allowing businesses to connect to the Web at anytime without worrying about the cost of calls. Businesses no longer have to purchase access and tariff separately - both are provided with Connect Anytime.

The package offers a range of benefits designed to support SMEs on the Internet. Businesses are provided with a free domain name for the first two years enabling them to present a professional image, personalise their e-mail (for example, john.smith@mycompany.co.uk), and to market themselves using a web site address (www.mycompany.co.uk), making it easier for potential customers to make contact.

Connect Anytime includes 20Mb web space allowing businesses to host their own web site and market their businesses online. Also included are business-focused web hosting solutions such as visitor tracking and hit counter facilities making it easier for small businesses to make the most of their website.

Tony Harris, senior vice president of Business Internet Services, BTopenworld said: "The Internet is an essential business tool and BTopenworld is investing in technology to provide a business class service to its customers. BTopenworld Connect Anytime, a business strength product, allows SMEs to exploit the power of the Internet, present a professional image and develop their business."

The BTopenworld Business Intenet Services portfolio offers Internet solutions appropriate to any small business, whether they are just starting out on the Internet, or are more experienced users and are able to grow with small businesses as their needs evolve.

For more details users can visit http://www.btopenworld.com/business or telephone the e-business specialist sales team on 0800 169 1690.

AOL Membership Hits 31 Million

By:mark.j @ 3:47:PM - Comments (0) - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE]

AOL Time Warner says membership of its flagship ISP has topped 31 million users, gaining seven million since the year began.

"This continued strong membership growth, in what typically is a slow season for the industry, underscores the power of the AOL brand," said Barry Schuler, chief executive officer of America Online.