August 5, 2002 - August 8, 2002
News - August 8,2002
Blueyonders Subscription Web Space
By:mark.j @ 2:35:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Having already announced the first phase, Telewests broadband and unmetered dialup ISP wing, blueyonder, has today launched the second phase of an enhanced web space service for its subscribers:
blueyonder launches subscription web space service
Telewest Broadband has launched the second phase of an enhanced web space service for its blueyonder internet services, making it the first major ISP in the UK to combine home internet access and an enhanced hosting service.
The latest phase of development is aimed at blueyonder's more experienced users, enabling them to easily build and manage larger, more sophisticated personal web sites. For a fee of £4 per month, payable via Telewest Broadband's standard monthly bill, customers will get 100Mb of web space and advanced scripting tools such as Perl, PHP and ASP.
The company has already upgraded its standard web space service to a new hosting platform, designed by infrastructure experts Zeus, which is provided free to all blueyonder customers as part of their monthly subscription. The standard service includes an easy-to-use tool set, providing features such as a guest counter and guestbook, as well as site reporting and advanced real-time statistics.
Chad Raube, head of internet services at Telewest Broadband, said: "We've built on our standard offering to provide an enhanced web service for our more experienced users. Broadband is ideally suited to communities based on content developed and managed by the users themselves and we anticipate there'll be plenty of demand for this cutting-edge service."
The web space service is instantly accessible for both dial-up and broadband customers, via a simple upgrade facility on the blueyonder Self Care pages.
John Patterson, chief executive of Zeus, added: "Telewest Broadband is creating even more performance and added value for its internet customers. The combination of Zeus' expertise and world-class technology with Telewest Broadband's award winning access services is a tremendous development for their blueyonder customers."
We note that no mention is made of any traffic limitations in the press release, although there’s probably more about that on the site itself. |
Oftel Confirms New LLU Broadband Prices
By:mark.j @ 2:27:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Oftel has today announced that BT will be made to offer backhaul services for local loop unbundling (LLU) at cost oriented prices.
Operators involved in the LLU process use backhaul to carry traffic from their equipment in BT’s exchanges to a point where it can be delivered onto the operators own network:
Oftel has also ordered BT to reduce the prices that it charges LLU operators for external tie circuits (the cable that runs between an LLUO’s equipment and a BT exchange where they are not in the same building).
Oftel has published a list of indicative prices that BT must charge for these circuits. Chris Kenny, Oftel’s Director of Compliance, said: "Operators that provide services over unbundled local loops usually use BT’s network to carry traffic from their equipment in BT’s exchanges onto their own networks.
In order for operators to be able to compete with BT to provide broadband services, Oftel has ordered BT to carry other operators’ traffic across its network at cost-oriented prices.
Today’s proposals are another step in creating a flourishing market for broadband services." |
Government Watching 3G Broadband
By:mark.j @ 9:22:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] NewMediaZero has summarised an interview it had with the governments e-commerce minister, Stephen Timms, concerning the problems of land-based broadband vs mobile based 3G broadband wireless technologies:
As Timms rightly points out, many of the problems surrounding broadband are echoed in the 3G world, like high spending on infrastructure and uncertainty about what will make customers adopt the technology. But where the issue of broadband content is at least open for debate, the suggestion that content is the question as far as 3G is concerned will seem to many to be wide of the mark.
The opposing view, put forward by a number of mobile experts, is that content, while providing a supplementary revenue stream, will never play a major role in 3G take up. Rather, these experts argue that wireless is all about communication. Online dating agencies, for example, are excited about the possibilities of MMS, as are companies like Auto Trader, which sees the ability to send pictures of cars coming onto the market to customers' phones as a significant addition of value.
To be fair to the E-minister, his suggestion is advanced cautiously, saying only that the Government will 'keep an eye on' the developing 3G market.
The item is quite interesting and echo's a number of concerns, although it also seems to unintentionally re-define what content is by noting MMS etc. as nothing more than a service.
Multimedia Messaging (MMS) is indeed a service, yet it sends content, everything is thus content related. You can't have a service without content no matter how you try to play it. |
UK e-Governments £3Bn Funding
By:mark.j @ 9:05:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] UK Government e-envoy, Andrew Pinder, has praised the Chancellor for earmarking £3Billion in funding for e-Government services over the next three years:
KableNet, the research group which publishes Government Computing, reckons this figure is closer to £2.4 billion.
According to KableNet, the budget includes: Criminal Justice System (£870m); local government online (£500m); customs modernisation (£202m); Inland Revenue services (£305m); the Department of Trade and Industry (£103m); and the Office of National Statistics (£75m). Funds allocated to the NHS have yet to be decided.
Still, the 2002 allocation represents a large increase from the £1billion spending review of 2000. It represents a change of emphasis from a concentration of high-impact projects, some of which have badly misfired (the modernisation of the Magistrates Court systems and plans to put the 1901 Census online come to mind).
We'll have to wait and see just how much of the funding goes toward the governments invasive 'Snooping Charter', which is still to be fully debated following a national outcry. More @ The Register. |
V21 ISP To Withdraw E-Mail Domain!
By:mark.j @ 8:59:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] E-Mail is by far the most popular reason for most people accessing the Internet and it was enough to make Freeserve think twice about how to go about merging into the Wanadoo brand.
That said and UK unmetered ISP V21 has made the shock decision to withdraw their own @v21.co.uk E-Mail domain, which is likely to cause a huge swathe of anger toward the service! Customers have been receiving the following message:
!! Important Announcement Regarding @v21.co.uk Email Addresses !!
All email address ending in @v21.co.uk were originally introduced to filter out and replace adult language from both sent and received e-mails on a web only based system. V21 has now decided that it can no longer offer this email service and will therefore be withdrawing all email addresses previously issued and ending in @v21.co.uk.
** The V-Mail system will therefore cease to operate from 31st August 2002 **
Q. What does this mean to me?
A. Users of V21's Internet Access products should sign up for a new email account from within the V21 Members Control Panel. To do this, you should log in to your secure control panel by clicking on the link on the home page or by visiting https://secure.v21.co.uk/members/index.asp
You will need to enter your Customer ID and dial-up password to log in. Once logged in, select the Email link from the menu and follow the on screen instructions to create your new account. Once you are happy that the new account is working correctly you should inform all of your contacts of your new email address.
If you do not use one of V21's Internet Access products then you will need to make alternative email arrangements. V21 are no longer offering free email accounts.
Q. Does the new system support Adult content filtering?
A. No. There is no filtering included in the new email addresses.
Q. Is the new system web or POP3 based?
A. The new system supports both web and POP3 access to your email accounts. Full details can be found in the members control panel.
Q. What can I do if I've forgotten my Customer ID?
A. Please email or telephone customer support with details of your username, postcode and security answer. Support will then supply your Customer ID number.
Q. When will my new email address start working?
A. Your new email address will normally be working within 10 minutes of your creating it.
Q. When will my @v21.co.uk stop working?
A. All email addresses ending in @v21.co.uk will stop working from midnight on 31st August 2002.
Q. Will I be able to retrieve my email from an @v21.co.uk address after 31st August 2002?
A. No. All @v21.co.uk accounts will be deleted on 1st September 2002.
Q. Don't you think this is a bit unfair?
A. We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause but we are unfortunately no longer able to support the V-Mail product and must therefore carry out whatever actions are necessary to ensure that our customers receive a reliable email service. We believe that 12 weeks should be adequate time for all customers to inform their contacts of the changes.
That said and customers will no doubt see this is far more than a simple inconvenience, E-Mail is essential and this is likely to cause a high degree of anger among the ISPs subscribers.
It's still not made clear why the whole domain must change just to remove the filtering, seems ridiculous and incompetent. |
Kalnet4u ISP Announces Unmetered
By:mark.j @ 8:47:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Eurobell, Telewest and BT users look set to benefit from a new unmetered dialup service announced by ISP Kalnet4u today:
Kalnet4u will soon be launching a range of un-metered Internet Access packages for Eurobell Telewest and BT users, regardless of whether they are a business or home user! Below are some more details…
Anytime Access - Eurobell & BT Home Net Numbers - £30 ppm
* No set-up fee.
* No call Charges at any time!
* Dial-up Connection with support for V92, V90, K56Flex, X2 and 64K ISDN modems.
* QuickConnect, Modem-on-Hold and PCM Upstream features available for V92 modems.
* Dedicated POP3 mailbox for your email.
* 30MB Web Space to host your site.
* Access your email online with Kalnet4u Webmail.
Hometime Access - Eurobell & BT Home Net Numbers - £20 ppm
* No set-up fee.
* No call Charges between 6pm – 8am and all weekend!
* Dial-up Connection with support for V92, V90, K56Flex, X2 and 64K * * ISDN modems.
* QuickConnect, Modem-on-Hold and PCM Upstream features available for V92 modems.
* Dedicated POP3 mailbox for your email.
* 30MB Web Space to host your site.
* Access your email online with Kalnet4u Webmail.
If you would like to register your Interest, please go here > http://www.kalnet4u.co.uk/unmetered
The prices seem somewhat high, although usage details don't currently exist, thus we're unable to make a proper assessment. One point to note is the services full support for v.92 modems, which most ISPs still overlook due to cost concerns. |
Five UK ISPs Win Broadband Funding
By:mark.j @ 8:40:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] BT has announced that Easynet, Colt, One.Tel, Albion and Colloqium are the five winning ISPs for their special competition.
Each winner will receive £200,000 to spend on broadband advertising over the next few months:
BT will also be giving grants of £50,000 to several other ISPs.
ISPs were invited to submit their applications for these marketing awards earlier this year, and were told that the companies who came up with the most innovative broadband marketing campaigns would win. The winners were chosen by an independent panel that included a representative from the Institute of Marketing.
Phil Worms, head of Broadband at One.Tel, told ZDNet UK that his company was planning to use its £200,000 grant to show people the positive benefits of a high-speed Internet connection. "People now know what broadband is, and they know how to tell whether or not they can get it at home. We now need to focus on the broadband experience," Worms said.
Sadly ZDNet doesn't mention which ISPs have won the smaller funding prizes, although no doubt we'll find out soon enough.
Apparently 13% of all new ADSL ISP registrations could be traced back to an earlier/similar scheme, hopefully this will do just as well. |
News - August 7,2002
LINX Expands WorldWide Presence
By:mark.j @ 3:00:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has today issued a new press release highlighting its latest spate of growth.
Apparently the UK based networking hub now carriers more than twice as much traffic as the next largest European exchange:
LINX EXPANDS WORLDWIDE PRESENCE
New members joining LINX - the London Internet Exchange - have helped to push traffic levels up to new record heights. LINX is now carrying more than twice as much traffic as the next largest European exchange, confirming its position as the largest Internet exchange point outside the USA.
LINX now handles up to 96 per cent of UK Internet traffic with peak volumes exceeding 16 gigabits per second - equivalent to almost 1 million average e-mail messages per second.
More than a dozen new ISPs have now joined LINX this year including several from overseas. Among the most recent foreign members are: AOL (USA), Sonera (Finland), RDSnet (Romania), Ibericom (Spain) and Williams Group (USA). New members from the UK include Host Europe Internet, Plusnet, Griffin Intrent, DHMS, Star Internet, Arsys, Your Commications and UK2.net.
As a mutual organisation owned by more than 120 Internet and content delivery service providers, LINX allows competing networks to exchange Internet traffic cost-effectively, bringing speed and efficiency benefits to their customers. Its members include all the major UK ISPs, plus many from the USA, mainland Europe and the Far East.
Traffic levels at the exchange have more than doubled in the past year and LINX is taking a leading role in adopting new technologies - such as 10 Gbit Ethernet - to ensure that its capacity grows fast enough to keep up with demand.
"The acceptance of a growing number of overseas companies as members reinforces LINX's leading status in the global Internet infrastructure," said sales and marketing manager Vanessa Evans. "The LINX operating structure is now being imitated in other countries."
LINX members, who include six of the ten most popular search engines/portals, are responsible for more than 50 per cent of the searches carried out by home Internet users in the UK. Microsoft joined LINX in 2000, followed by Yahoo! and Lycos last year. These firms account for more than half of the searches carried out by domestic Internet users in the UK, according to recent independent research.
New members continue to join LINX at the rate of around two per month but consolidation in the Internet industry means that the total number of members remains relatively static.
Ms Evans added: "The combined effects of the increase in Internet traffic handled by existing members and the continued expansion of our membership base means we are now handling twice as much data as we were less than a year ago." |
Affinity's ISP + Telephone Package
By:mark.j @ 2:55:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Affinity has today announced details of its new bundled Internet and fixed-line telephony product, which will be available from UK ISP Breathe via their 'Breathe Plus' package:
Affinity showcases combined Internet and telephone packages on breathe.com
http://www.aih.co.uk
http://www.breathe.com
Affinity, the communications services provider, today launches the first in a range of new bundled Internet and telephone packages branded 'breathe plus'. The service is an affordable and easy-to-use package that combines two common household outgoings on one sensible bill. breathe plus is being showcased to consumers through Affinity's wholly-owned internet and mobile lifestyle portal, breathe.com.
Affinity is offering similar combined communications packages to its clients providing them with a unique and attractive proposition to vastly increase consumer acquisition and retention.
Retailing for £19.99 per month*, breathe plus combines 24/7 Internet access and free evening and weekend home phone calls1, plus a raft of additional savings. These include a 20 percent reduction automatically taken off the ten highest billed numbers each month (including one mobile and one international), up to 50 percent off daytime calls and as much as 80 percent off international calls (compared with BT standard rates).
breathe plus is available by subscribing online at breathe.com. In addition, users will be able to view bills on screen and pay online via direct debit.
Nikki Perkins, Affinity's group marketing & communications director, commented: "breathe plus is the first such package which combines Internet and home telephony at such a compelling price. Our research has shown that the demand for flexibility and choice when selecting a service provider are key in attracting and retaining customers. Affinity's business model and infrastructure is enabling us to provide our clients with some very compelling offers for their customers."
Unfortunately specific details of how the service is to operate aren't supplied, although no doubt the associated websites will explain more. |
NeonHippo Offer FRIACO Ports To ISPs
By:mark.j @ 2:49:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] NeonHippo, the group behind a large number of the UK resold unmetered ISP services, has today announced its new ‘ports only’ service.
The new offer is for ISPs that need to offer unmetered Internet services to their customers and require access to FRIACO ports immediately:
NEONHIPPO OFFERS FRIACO PORTS TO INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS
NeonHippo, the alternate virtual communications provider has launched a ‘ports only’ service for ISPs who need to offer unmetered Internet services to their customers and require access to FRIACO ports immediately.
With traditional providers of FRIACO ports ISPs would normally need to commit contractually to a minimum number of ports over a number of years.
“NeonHippo allows ISPs to take exactly what they need in order to address their requirements,” explains Alan Tisdale, Chairman “As their business grows they can order more ports to keep up but still keeping their financial outlay to a minimum. Our prices for ports are extremely competitive especially considering that ISPs can order exactly what they need.”
NeonHippo provides the FRIACO ports whilst the ISP utilises their own back end infrastructure setting contention ratios, prices, billing, registration, marketing etc.
Flexibility is important and NeonHippo is able to supply ports to cater for the smallest of requirements right up to the biggest of needs. For larger orders volume discounts will also be applied.
“This is a service that addresses a gap in the ISP market and compliments a repertoire of communications services from NeonHippo.” says Tisdale “We already provide a fully managed Virtual ISP service where we operate and manage Internet access services on behalf of partner companies and currently operate 53 such VISP partnerships.”
NeonHippo’s DSL Broadband service is due for launch in September allowing NeonHippo partner companies to offer ADSL service to their customers. Again this is a fully managed service with NeonHippo managing and operating the service while the partner company provides the branding.
ISPs requiring FRIACO ports should contact NeonHippo via email info@neonhippo.com
Oh goody - more resold ISPs on the way =). Unfortunately if one has problems then they all seem to end up in the same boat, or so past problems with existing NH ISPs has shown. |
BTWholesale Answer ADSL Questions
By:mark.j @ 2:37:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] ADSLGuide has been lucky enough to have some of their most common broadband ADSL questions answered by BTWholesale.
Unfortunately BT did their usual fine job of dodging those referring to exchange upgrade costs and the mounting concern over high trigger levels, yet they did at least answer one thing properly:
If the exchange at Penn (67 out of 200 registrations) reached its trigger point in October (at current rate not impossible) - what would be a likely date for when the first ADSL line went active on it?
When demand reaches the threshold for a particular exchange BT Wholesale will inform service providers who will have 42 days to convert registrations into advance orders. When the number of orders confirmed meets required levels, and other technical criteria met, the exchange will be included in the build programme for ADSL deployment. It is expected that around 3 months, typically, will be required to build, test and commission an exchange once the advance orders have met the required level within the 6 weeks. |
SPTen ISP Open For Pre-Registrations
By:mark.j @ 9:42:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] | The new and recently announced broadband wireless ISP, SPTen, has today opened their pre-registration page following a large number of requests. You can also visit our new SPTen forum HERE, there's currently a rep browsing it and answering questions. |
America Onlines new Chief
By:Anne @ 9:30:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Today America Online announced Jonathan Miller the new chief executive. He replaces Robert Pittman who resigned as head of the online unit under pressure in July, shortly after he was sent to lead AOL’s recovery.
Jonathan Miller will start immediately. He faces a difficult task of finding a way to deal with AOL’s slowdown in subscribers and slump in advertising. He will also have the unfortunate task of dealing with the Governments inquiries into AOL’s accounting practices. |
Breathe ISP Increases Unmetered Price
By:mark.j @ 9:23:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Net4Nowt reports that Breathe has increased the price of its 'Breathe At Home' unmetered dialup package to £9.99 from £8.99, effective from Thursday 5th September 2002.
Apparently the service has also tightened its usage policy, which is available via their Terms & Conditions (T&C's). The reason for all this may be familiar, although their raise was somewhat more justified than the others we've seen:
You may be aware that many UK Internet Service Providers offering monthly subscription internet packages have recently increased their prices.
We have endeavoured to keep our prices low for as long as possible, but to supply the best possible service to you we are also having to increase our prices.
Note to other ISPs, at least follow this ones example and give your customers a fair period of warning before making any such changes. |
1.9 Million UK Broadband Connections
By:mark.j @ 9:14:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] While BT is hoping to gain 1 Million broadband ADSL users by the end of the year, The Continental Research Summer 2002 Internet survey suggests that the UK will have 1.9 Million general broadband connections within 12 months!:
The Continental Research Summer 2002 Internet survey of 2,100 Internet users estimated that 1.2 million homes have ISDN, ADSL or fast access through cable. Thanks to a wider take-up of ADSL, the survey predicted that this figure would grow by a further 700,000.
At the moment cable companies NTL and Telewest are in a strong position. NTL estimates that most higher-speed users (not including those with ISDN) are running a high-speed cable modem rather than ADSL access.
But as the cable companies can only offer a service in their franchise areas, ADSL may become the preferred means of high-speed Net access across the UK as BT upgrades more exchanges to offer ADSL. This is likely to be fuelled by the recent ADSL price cuts.
The survey also found that 88% of the UKs 11 Million (estimated) Internet users still use dialup, which is hardly surprising given our strong unmetered market. More @ CW360. |
BTOpenworld Launches Travel Club
By:mark.j @ 9:04:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] BTOpenworld looks set to become one of the UKs first ISPs to offer its own subscription travel club service, full press release follows:
BT OPENWORLD LAUNCHES TRAVEL CLUB WITH ELLEN MACARTHUR SPECIAL OFFER
BT Openworld today announces that it is launching a subscription travel club service, the first of its kind to be offered by a UK ISP. The launch of the BT Openworld Travel Club ( http://www.btopenworld.com/travelclub ) illustrates BT Openworld’s commitment to developing premium, added value services that meet customer needs. The Travel Club is available through annual subscription and is open to both narrowband and broadband internet users on any ISP from August 06, 2002.
The BT Openworld Travel Club launches with the first of a series of exclusive ‘money can’t buy’ offers – the chance to meet and sail with one of the world’s leading yachtswomen, Ellen MacArthur and sail onboard Kingfisher challenge’s open 50 yacht. The Travel Club members will be able to take advantage of these special monthly deals as well as ticket and travel packages to ‘sold out’ events. From Madonna in concert to the Ryder Cup at the Belfry, the Six Nations to the MTV Awards, the Travel Club will provide unique, customised packages to the cream of Europe’s sporting and cultural events.
The BT Openworld Travel Club is only available through annual subscription, which allows airlines and travel agents to offer members exclusive packages which are not available to the general public. The BT Openworld Travel Club will feature an extensive selection of special offers and discounts on holidays, flights and packages from leading brands including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Holiday Autos. The Travel Club is designed to meet the fast growing trend for tailor-made holidays where travellers pick and choose the elements and build their own package.
A key association with leading online travel specialist Online Travel Corporation allows the BT Openworld Travel Club to offer prices that undercut those offered by other internet travel services. To highlight its commitment to creating unbeatable savings for travellers, the Travel Club features a price match promise – if a subscriber can find the same like-for-like deal cheaper anywhere on the internet then the BT Openworld Travel Club promises to match it.
Subscription to the BT Openworld Travel Club is available in annual packages:
• Traveller - All the benefits of the BT Openworld Travel Club for you and your travelling companion - £29 per annum.
• Traveller Plus - All the benefits of the BT Openworld Travel Club plus a fully comprehensive worldwide annual insurance policy including free cover for you and up to 3 children under the age of 18 and 17 days winter sports coverage - £69 per annum.
John Raczka, senior vice president of content at BT Openworld, says: “BT Openworld Travel Club’s broad range of ‘best on the web’ priced offers, unique ‘money can’t buy’ packages and its comprehensive insurance coverage, provides excellent value to our customers. The BT Openworld Travel Club is cheaper than most standard insurance only packages, making club membership a cash positive proposition immediately upon subscribing.”
BT Openworld Travel Club Service Overview:
• Annual multi-trip travel insurance
• Monthly ‘money can’t buy offers’ unique to the Travel Club
• Regular exclusive deals
• Price match promise
• 14 day money back guarantee on Travel Club membership and insurance (provided neither of these have been used)
• Late deals via a monthly newsletter |
NTL Broadband Reaches Wessex
By:mark.j @ 9:00:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] DigitalSpy reports that, following on from Derby, the latest area to gain access to NTLs broadband cable modem services looks to be Wessex, which is expected to go live around midday today:
At that time, those customers signed up to the trial will be called by the sales team to go through the relevant process; while other interested customers will be able to call 0800 941 940 to get through to the sales team in order to sign up. |
BTOpenworld's Latest Security Scare
By:mark.j @ 8:57:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Apparently if you know somebody’s BT Click E-Mail address (only BTClick) then a new security loophole with BTOpenworld means you'll also be able to find their place of residence:
This interesting tool for stalkers, debt collectors and snoops comes about because BTopenwoe's ADSL order tracking page doesn't check for a password when giving out details of addresses, order status and the like. So if you know someone's BT Click email address (perhaps after harvesting it from Google) and they happened to have ordered ADSL anytime recently - you're in.
A spokesman for BT told us this afternoon it would take order tracking offline in order to fix the problem. This hasn't happened yet and we can only hope BT acts gets around to addressing the issue sooner rather than later.
The Register's note makes no bones about the fact that this isn't the first time BTOpenworld have had security problems, indeed we're also investigating another ourselves. |
BTs Official ADSL Trigger Levels PR
By:mark.j @ 8:51:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] BT has officially announced the new broadband ADSL exchange trigger level details, which we've been covering since Sunday. For those that missed the details, here's the press release:
BT ANNOUNCES BROADBAND REGISTRATION TRIGGER LEVELS FOR 88 MORE EXCHANGES
BT Wholesale today announced broadband registration trigger levels for a further 88 exchanges, setting the levels of demand at which ADSL service would be provided.
A trigger level of 200 customer registrations has been set for 53 of the 88 exchanges. The remaining 35 exchanges have trigger levels of 650, 700 and 750 end users, reflecting the higher costs of providing broadband network capacity to link the exchange to BT's core network.
BT Wholesale is continuing its review of costs of providing ADSL from individual exchanges and today's announcement means trigger levels have now been set for 426 exchanges. The review of a further 474 exchanges is continuing and the results are due to be announced in phases by the end of September.
BT Wholesale director broadband, Bruce Stanford, said: "Our review of exchanges has identified lower than average costs to link 53 of these exchanges back to our core network which considerably reduces the cost of providing ADSL service to these areas.
While the review of costs had led to higher trigger levels being set for 35 exchanges, this reflects the true economics of providing ADSL services in these areas. Our commitment to widening the availability of broadband services though alternative technologies and adopting different business models remains as strong as ever and we will continue to explore innovative ways of reducing the costs of broadband provision."
Since the launch of the broadband registration scheme more than 32,000 individual lines have been registered via service providers.
As registrations progress, as well as being able to check if their exchange has been enabled for ADSL, customers can use the bt.com/broadband website so see if a trigger level has been set and the level of demand currently registered against that exchange.
Anybody wanting to sign up for ADSL broadband services should register through a service provider who will in turn feed numbers into a central BT Wholesale database. A full list of ADSL service providers is available at http://www.bt.com/broadband which has links to their web-sites |
News - August 6,2002
EU Issues Cyber-Squatting Survey
By:mark.j @ 2:55:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Ever wanted to register a domain that nobody appeared to be using only to find that somebody is simply holding it, possibly for re-sale with a hefty mark-up later?
The EU fears that this common and often annoying practice could damage European ecommerce, thus a new survey has been launched, which asks whether citizens feel threatened by "cyber-squatters":
The Commission fears that cyber-squatters might undermine the launch of the European Union's new .eu internet domain, and says it will use the findings of the consultation to consider taking action.
In a statement, European Information Society commissioner Erkki Liikanen said: "Cyber-squatting could prejudice our efforts to make .eu one of the engines to boost internet use and ecommerce in Europe."
It's about time something like this was done, although it could be very tedious to deal with. More @ VNUNet. |
Follow the UK For Broadband - WHAT!?
By:mark.j @ 2:41:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Marconi's Martin Harriman has told Australian businesspeople to copy the UK when it comes to rolling out broadband, a statement that has many of us scratching our heads:
Harriman, who is an executive member of the UK Broadband Support Group (BSG), said reducing the cost of connections was the main push behind the "rocketing take-up" of broadband in the UK.
"It has been the UK's experience that just selling a fast internet service was not going to attract mass adoption of broadband, and that initial broadband offerings were too expensive," Harriman said.
"In terms of mass adoption, it clearly wasn't working. What's happened now is the price has been massively reduced and it is clearly now at a level where it is appealing as a mass product. And we've now seen take-up rocketing."
Apparently Harriman is scheduled to meet with Senator Richard Alston, Australia’s communications minister, and other government ministers later this week.
The lower price of ADSL has indeed vastly improved its uptake in the UK, yet the physical rollout of such services appears to have slowed. More @ VNUNet. |
AOL To Announce New Chief Executive
By:Anne @ 9:41:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] According to Reuters, Jonathan Miller has been tipped to be the first person to join AOL Time Warner in an executive position from outside the company.
For a long time America online has always selected higher positions from someone within the close-knit long time staffers. One of Jonathan Millers first tasks would be to streamline the top-heavy organisation.
America online has been suffering recently with the uptake of broadband, weak advertising and slowing subscription growth:
Miller, widely tipped in recent weeks as the front runner to take over the division, is a longtime executive whose career has ranged from the National Basketball Association's cable operations to Nickelodeon and the Home Shopping Network. The company is expected to name Miller as early as Tuesday.
Miller, 45 and most recently a top lieutenant to Barry Diller at USA Interactive, will be one of the first outsiders to join America Online in a senior position, the paper said. |
Telewests High Street Broadband Pack
By:mark.j @ 9:13:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] UPDATE From Telewest: The £25 fee is the cheapest access point to broadband - because it INCLUDES the cable modem and a full instllation. A few of the ADSL suppliers are offering free ACTIVATION, not installation, and you have to buy the retail pack which costs £65 plus. In other words, We'll install you for £25, whereas the ADSL providers will charge you £65 plus for the pleasure of doing the wiring yourselves.
Telewest has today become the latest group to offer its broadband cable modem ISP service via special high street sold packs, something already done by Freeserve for ADSL:
Broadband shoppers get retail therapy
High-speed shoppers can now get broadband internet access 'off the peg', as Telewest Broadband brings its blueyonder service closer to millions of high street consumers.
Speed-hungry surfers can purchase a pocket-sized pack that includes an installation by a broadband technician and contains a CD-ROM with tips, demos and information about high-speed internet content.
The slimline packs are initially available in Gamestation stores across the UK. Shoppers can check their postcode against a reference list on the back of the pack, before a sales advisor confirms availability. A £25 fee is then paid in-store, which covers a hassle-free installation booked via a freephone number.
David Hobday, sales and marketing director at Telewest Broadband, said: "Whether consumers choose to buy their broadband over the phone, online or on the high street, we want to make it as simple as buying a loaf of bread.
Some ISPs offer DIY retail kits that leave the customer to do the wiring, but our 'pocket broadband' breaks more barriers to high-speed surfing. Not only does it save time and effort, the £25 installation charge is also the lowest introduction to broadband in the UK." |
EutelSat ISP Helps Eisteddfod Festival
By:mark.j @ 8:53:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] The Satellite ISP, EutelSat, has issued a new press release announcing its intention to help the National Eisteddfod festival, one of Europe’s largest cultural festivals, with broadband Internet:
EUTELSAT SATELLITES PROVIDE BROADBAND THROUGH THE SKY AT THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD
Eutelsat S.A, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, is to help provide the National Eisteddfod festival, one of Europe’s largest cultural festivals, with broadband Internet.
Working in partnership with the Wales Digital College and E-fro, visitors to the festival will be able to take advantage of wireless broadband - delivered by Eutelsat via PCs or by laptops for users equipped with an IEEE 802.11b card. Eutelsat will be providing a broadband connection for the entire show.
Located in the Science Pavilion, Eutelsat is to provide a two-way satellite broadband solution based on LinkStar™ terminals for high performance, star-based VSAT networks. Eutelsat’s system can transmit data to network hubs at speeds up to 1.15 Mbps with data downloads of up to 60 Mbps. Broadcast via Eutelsat’s ATLANTIC BIRD™ 2 satellite, this two-way broadband service can be used for a variety of applications including: Internet access, media streaming, videoconferencing, distance learning, file transfer, multicasting and virtual private networks.
Recent research has shown that approximately 56 per cent of people living in the south-east of England use the Internet on a regular basis compared to 23 per cent in Wales. Together the Wales Digital College and E-fro are working to build communities in Wales who will develop their own broadband wireless connection. The project at the National Eisteddfod, which is held from August 3rd – 10th 2002 in Pembrokeshire, St David’s, will allow 170,000 to see a live demonstration of wireless broadband.
Eutelsat is also to demonstrate its one-way hybrid satellite broadband system OPENSKY™ at the festival. OPENSKY™ is an innovative solution for delivering entertainment services such as high-speed Internet access and file transfer, video streaming and Web TV straight to users PCs. The service transmits multimedia data to a DVB card installed in users’ personal computers, via a satellite dish.
Matt Child, Eutelsat’s UK representative said: “In the UK, many rural areas are not able to connect to terrestrial broadband services. Many places in Wales are unlikely to receive cable or ADSL connections for several years. In this situation only satellite is able to provide broadband access without delay. It can instantly provide people in Wales with access without the need to invest in infrastructure. We are delighted to be working with the Wales Digital College and E-fro to demonstrate to National Eisteddfod visitors that satellite can bridge the digital divide today.”
Euryn Ogwen Williams from the Wales Digital College, said: “This is a groundbreaking project for us and we are excited to be able to demonstrate wireless broadband in partnership with Eutelsat in the field at the festival. Only by developing wireless communities will we be able to realise the Welsh broadband dream.” |
The Register Announces ISP Service
By:mark.j @ 8:45:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Conflicts of interest aside and The Register, a popular only news site, has announced the launch of their own ISP service, which will most likely include dialup and broadband ADSL packages:
On 19 August the mighty Reg is launching its very own UK virtual ISP, the fetchingly-titled Vulture Capitalist ISP, or vcisp.net for short.
The service is an affiliate deal between Situation Publishing and Affinity Internet and will offer UK Reg fans top-quality internet access products at competetive prices including, wait for it, self-install ADSL. Oh yes.
We've taken a lot of time and trouble to mould the new service to the demands of Register readers, and we think you'll be suitably impressed with the results.
And that's all we're going to say at present. Prices and other details will be announced on the day. In the meantime, if you'd like us to email you full pre-launch details towards the end of next week, drop us a line here. Mark the subject of the email "visp", and we'll get back to you. |
Vizzavi ISP Not Selling ISP Users
By:mark.j @ 8:38:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] The UK wing of ISP Vizzavi has stated that the report in the Independent on Sunday newspaper wasn't entirely correct about its user base sell off to Virgin.Net:
A spokesperson for Vizzavi said that the two companies had agreed a deal whereby subscribers to the ISP are pointed towards Virgin.net, with Vizzavi receiving a fee for those that decide to do so, but that a sale of the entire user base had not been agreed.
Contrary to the report in the Independent on Sunday, the spokesperson also claimed that the move would not lead to a rise in fees for subscribers, saying that it had written to its users pointing them towards Virgin as an "easy ISP to sign up to" but not forcing them to transfer.
Virgin is offering the first month free for those to migrate, and will pay "an introduction fee" to Vizzavi for those that do so, the spokesperson added.
More @ netimperative.info . |
Derby Gains NTL Broadband
By:mark.j @ 8:32:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] | DigitalSpy is reporting that Derby has become the latest area of the UK to receive NTLs broadband cable modem access. Typically the service is provided via a digital TV Set-Top-Box and more details can be found by calling 0500 941940. |
600-750 Trigger Level ADSL Exchanges
By:mark.j @ 8:26:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] ADSLGuide is reporting that BT has started to update its availability checker to show exchanges with the near impossible trigger level targets of between 600 and 750 pre-registrations:
Exchanges with a trigger of 750 registrations
Bridgnorth, Brimscombe, Caldicot, Cudworth, Darton, Fraserburgh, Hexham, Milford Haven, Oakham, Pagham, Seaton Delaval, Skegness, South Wootton, Stocksbridge and Ulverston
Exchanges with a trigger of 700 registrations
Brixham, Calne, Cowes, Hawkwell, Holmer Green, Nantwich, Prestatyn, Sheerness and Sleaford
Exchanges with a trigger of 650 registrations
Aberconwy, Burntwood, Hednesford, Newtown Llantwit, Peterhead, Pevensey and St Johns Worcester
On the plus side and the number of exchanges only requiring 200 has increased, although most areas still ask for more than is realistic, which could unfortunately be the way for many years to come. |
News - August 5,2002
More BT 'No Frills' Broadband Partners
By:mark.j @ 3:24:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] It looks as if BT's highly controversial BT 'No Frills' Broadband ADSL service isn't just being taken up by BSkyB (SkyDigital), now another 30 web sites have signed up as content partners:
This latest raft of content providers takes to 60 the number of companies who have teamed up with BT Broadband. The list of new partners includes video rental company Blockbuster, Delia Smith's cooking site and HistoryWorld -- an online archive of historical articles whose chairman is Bamber Gascoigne, the original presenter of University Challenge.
As content partners, these sites will be included on the start-up page seen by BT Broadband subscribers, and they are expected to feature in a high-profile marketing campaign for the service later this year.
Unlike traditional ISPs, BT Broadband will not provide users with services such as free email or Web space. This, the company says, means it can offer broadband cheaper than ISPs such as BTopenworld, AOL and Freeserve, which do provide such services and charge between £29.99 and £35 per month for broadband access.
Thankfully the ZDNet item also notes that the above pricing is actually more expensive than most FULL ADSL ISP services.
BTs excuse is that such low prices aren't sustainable, which may be true for some of the ultra-cheap options, yet others priced at on or just below the 'No Frills' level should succeed and still offer more! |
Zipcom's Wireless Internet Connections
By:mark.j @ 2:57:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Zipcom has today issued another press release, this time aimed at advertising its new business based broadband wireless 'HighwayWireless' ISP service.
Typically the service is more aimed toward business users, home users need not apply, unless you're very rich:
Zipcom urges businesses to choose resilient wireless Internet connectivity
Businesses with mission critical applications that require resilient high-speed broadband Internet services with a bandwidth capacity of up to 155 Mbps, should consider a wireless Internet connection, according to independent UK telecoms operator Zipcom.
Zipcom’s HighwayWireless is a resilient Internet connectivity service ideal for those who require a secondary or ‘back-up’ Internet service to their primary leased line connection. Unlike a leased line that is susceptible to disruption due to a digger cutting through underground cables, the diversely routed wireless service provides ‘always available’ connections and operates on an automatic fail over system, so comes on stream instantaneously if the leased line is down. Furthermore, HighwayWireless also has load-sharing capabilities, enabling information to be routed through primary and secondary connections ensuring a truly robust and resilient service.
HighwayWireless ensures an efficient up-grade path where bandwidth can be easily increased with as little as 24 hours notice – a flexibility not available as standard from a traditional leased line Internet connection. The minimum bandwidth capacity with the wireless service is 2Mbps and goes up to 155Mbps.
Because Zipcom independently owns and manages its own national network, HighwayWireless is able to provide a dedicated wireless Internet connection ensuring exceptional service quality.
Grahame Purvis, CEO of Zipcom comments, “A robust wireless Internet connectivity service gives businesses a real edge and peace of mind. HighwayWireless not only ensures speed to market with bandwidth capacity able to be increased in just 24 hours. A similar fibre connection can take up to three months to install whilst a wireless connection is normally installed within four weeks and capacity can be scaled up to 155Mbps step-by-step.
Zipcom is committed to next generation technological advances. The continued development of technology, infrastructure and solutions such as HighwayWireless supports Zipcom’s position as a driving force behind next generation technology.”
Businesses need to be situated in direct line of site and within a radius of 10km of Zipcom’s radioPoPs (Point of Presence) - an access point to the Internet. A discrete dish can be installed quickly and easily at the business premises. If line of site is not available Zipcom can set up a miniPoP relay.
A wireless (microwave) Internet connection can be used in towns or cross-country and provides a fast, effective way to bypass existing local terrestrial service operators.
HighwayWireless is totally owned, monitored and controlled by Zipcom with no third party cable, fibre or infrastructure. Each individual Internet connection is given its own unique frequency so bypasses any possible issues which shared connections can encounter. Zipcom’s services are backed by a comprehensive Service Level Agreement (SLA) and customers are offered a dedicated account manager, providing a single point of contact for all enquiries
For further information about HighwayWireless please contact 08000 280008. |
ISPs Follow Telco’s' Lead In Billing
By:mark.j @ 2:52:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Several UK/EU ISPs, including Virgin.Net, Mistral and Europe Online, have gathered together to discuss the issues surrounding billing of end users and driving up revenue. Full press release from ‘Billing magazine’ follows:
Two leading ISPs - Virgin Net and Mistral - as well as ISP billing vendor Billing Online and broadband network Europe Online joined in an energetic debate last week for Billing magazine's latest roundtable that highlighted how the ISP industry, maturing from its 'start-up' frenzy of yesteryear, is now focusing on the topic that really counts - billing the end user and driving up revenue.
It seems that many of the problems inherent to telcos are also faced by ISPs in dealing with both business and consumer customers. The role of billing as a mission-critical project is now being recognised by ISPs, in much the same way as telco operators have pushed billing up the value chain in the last twelve months. Attendees at the event admitted to a lack of previous focus on the importance of billing, and that in today's climate billing systems must work in harmony with CRM, marketing, and other customer service sectors within an organisation.
Key quotes from the roundtable include:
* "Two to three years down the line people are refocusing on what is really important. Billing is having to come to the forefront of product developments. All these wonderful new initiatives are great, but how are we going to bill for it?" Heather Naude, Virgin Net
* "Billing has certainly moved up the value chain in the last six months. Billing is the most important part of customer service but it is very complex. We have probably been guilty of not spending enough time and resources on billing" David Grimes, Mistral
* "The real key to good billing is to take the pain at the start of the consumer relationship. That is, really find out who your customers are, particularly in the 'customer not present' world. The cost of doing so will be much lower than the debts if you don't" Tim Birch, Europe Online
* "There is no point having a CRM system disparate from the billing system - it has to be integrated to make any sense of the data" David Grimes, Mistral
* "We have to provide efficient billing, but let the client pay in the way they want to otherwise they will go somewhere else. It is the client's choice" David Grimes, Mistral
* "Billing for me is customer service. Billing and CRM must be totally in snyc with one another. Your bill is your front end of your customer management - that is the customer's view of the organisation" Heather Naude, Virgin Net
* "The old adage KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid - really applies to ISP billing" David Grimes, Mistral
* "Our biggest issue is not creating new billing systems but making
the one we have effective right across Europe" Tim Birch, Europe Online
* "The challenge for all ISPs in the future is to respond to customer needs and watch the costs. Where a company hasn't watched the costs is where they have done the billing wrong. Billing systems can make the whole organisation work more efficiently" Heather Naude, Virgin Net
It's perhaps less than inspiring that some ISPs should consider billing more important than actually being able to provide a service, but then that’s all to often the commercial way. |
800,000 UK Broadband Users
By:mark.j @ 2:40:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Apparently ultra cheap broadband ADSL and cable modem services are being touted as a big part of the reason for the UKs fast uptake of hi-speed Internet services.
Today it has been revealed that the 800,000th broadband service user (general) is expected to signup sometime this month. No doubt Oftel will issue a press release the moment it happens, or somebody else will. |
UK Vizzavi ISP Confirms Customer Sale
By:mark.j @ 2:35:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] As reported several weeks ago on ISPr, Vizzavi has now officially confirmed that customers of its UK unmetered dialup ISP service (now closed) will be transferred to Virgin.Net (Optional transfer):
The company claimed the move was part of a company wide strategy to move away from fixed-line internet access and more towards the provision of media content for mobile phones.
The news comes as Vivendi, 50 per cent shareholder in Vizzavi, prepares to sell off some of its own business assets to settle some of its own debts totalling around E19bn.
Hopefully Virgin is prepared for the influx of new customers, which will no doubt help to make it one of the UKs largest ISPs, yet not THE largest. More @ Silicon. |
MS Hotmail Users Get SPAMMED
By:mark.j @ 2:28:PM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] Users of Microsoft's semi-free (use to be completely free) web based E-Mail service, Hotmail, will no doubt be very familiar with junk E-Mails (SPAM).
Today Microsoft has officially admitted that 80% of messages passing through the company's servers are SPAM:
Parul Shah (MS product manager) said the figures did not include spam that was automatically detected and rejected by Hotmail's own filtering system.
He said that although Hotmail has developed various tools for evading spam - including user-driven filters - large amounts still get through, with the percentage of spam slipping though the filters increasing.
The VNUNet item notes Shah as stating that the task of keeping junk mail out of their servers is almost impossible, something everybody can relate to. |
ISP Review - New Forum Sections
By:mark.j @ 9:26:AM - News Comments - SendNews [HERE] / PrintNews [HERE] | At the request of some readers we've added two new categories and associated discussion sub-sections to our forum. There's now an area for 'Web Hosting' chat and also one to cover the growing number of new 'Broadband Wireless ISPs'. Click as appropriate. |
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