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Virgin.net Unmetered Service Goes Live FRIACO-based Virgin.net 24seven provides 24/7 unmetered access for £15 per month with a 2 hour cut-off period. Back in August, Peter Tuomey, head of access products at Virgin.net, said, "We have many very loyal, patient customers who have stuck with us for the last year while we developed this product." Tuomey denied that the firm was playing "catch-up" with other competitors. "We wanted to be sure we could offer a reliable service at an affordable price before launching," he said. Non BT customers will once again be disappointed with the product using FRIACO. It also requires CLI so it will also be registered to work on just one telephone number. Many unmetered services providers have kicked off heavy users in the past and introduced daily limits for what was originally advertised as a 24/7 service. BTopenworld have already fallen foul of the Advertising Trading Standards for their advertising earlier this month. “Internet access for £15 a month, spend as much time online as you like with no Internet call charges”, could land Virgin.net into hot water if they too were to introduce similar plans to kick off heavy users. Universal Plug and Play Windows Security Hole Warning Issued From Microsoft Microsoft warns of the trio of flaws in Universal Plug and Play devices (UPnP) that have been discovered by eEye Digital Security are a very serious matter indeed. UPnP is used for the automatic detection of new hardware for ease of installation in a network environment, and the most serious flaw is that of an unchecked buffer in a component handling NOTIFY directives affecting Win 98 and ME, and XP - yes XP too is affected: By sending a malicious NOTIFY directive, an attacker can run code in the UPnP service, which runs with System privileges on XP and at the OS level on 98 and ME. This would enable the attacker to own the system. Secondly, a denial of service vulnerability enabling an attacker to send a NOTIFY directive to a UPnP-capable machine, directing it to download what it needs from a particular port on a particular server. If the server were to echo the download requests, the target machine would enter an endless loop which could tie up its resources and from which the only escape is a reboot. Third, an attacker could use the DoS vulnerability to send a NOTIFY directive to a large number of machines and direct them to a third-party server, which would then be flooded with bogus requests, and possibly overwhelmed. It should be noted that UPnP services are not enabled by default on ME, and are only present on 98 if support for Internet connection sharing is enabled, although they are enabled on XP. It is reported though, that even if you haven't enabled this device, this will not put you in the clear if you have an OEM version as far as safety goes, as it could easily have been enabled on the machine during the factory installation. Please make sure you download and install one of the following patches from Microsoft's TechWeb site here Please also note that although Net4Nowt will strive to warn users of any potential software dangers, the site managers accept no responsibility for any damage incurred as a result of installing recommended downloads. Users are urged to fully read the notes in relation to the solutions offered on the appropriate website. Source: The Register Oftel's new Ruling Brings A Brighter Future For Broadband Up until now, telcos had to partake as a BT reseller of high-speed access, or, alternatively, structure their own broadband networks which would prove to be very expensive. The new rules mean that companies such as Energis will be able to attain full coverage for less outlay, and this will reflect in a more competitive market and hopefully prices to the home user for high-speed access should be reduced. Source: The Register Using Windows XP? Having Modem Problems? Read On... It has been reported that there are definite issues with software modems and the new operating system, with recognition and compatibility causing the most problems for users. Although companies of such inexpensive modems promised driver updates, some of them, Motorola for example, have quit the modem business and as such offer no alternative support. However, although Windows 2000 drivers can be installed on XP for modems and other devices, please be aware that the device may work, but it will not work to its full capabilities. Elsa have at last developed compatible XP drivers for their Microlink range of modems, however users are reporting that another company - PC tel, with their HSP modems - are still having to wait for the correct drivers for XP. Issues with XP modem drivers seem ongoing for users at the moment, and if you are having problems, it may be an idea to ditch your current software modem and opt for a hardware one either internal or external - be careful though, an external modem with a usb connection is not necessarily going to be hardware! Source: The Inquirer Sony To Offer Broadband Internet Services For PlayStation 2 Users Yahoo Japan, Softbank and Sony Computer Entertainment will unite to provide new high-speed/broadband Internet services for PS2 users in the spring on 2002. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) - Sony and Japan's telecoms carrier said earlier this month that they had joined hands to introduce online game services for the PlayStation 2 console. The PlayStation and PlayStation2, developed by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), a unit of Sony Corp., is said to be the world's best-selling video gaming console. Source: Yahoo Tiscali And Cisco Team To Provide Multi Protocol Label Switching Technology Cisco is an ideal choice for Tiscali because the technology is designed to offer MPLS-based switching capabilities at both points-of-presence and datacentres. It is also reported that the deal will put Tiscali as the first provider to deploy both backbone and rich IP edge services such as transparent LAN and VPNs at high speeds. When packets enter an MPLS-based network, Label Edge Routers assign them a label containing metadata. These labels contain information such as destination, bandwidth, source IP address and Layer 4 information. Once classified, packets are assigned to Labeled Switch Paths (LSPs) where Label Switch Routers place outgoing labels on the packets. With these LSPs, network operators can divert and route traffic based on data-stream type and internet-access customer. Cisco, Juniper and other data networks pioneers have become interested in the technology because of its flexibility. Network operators for example will be able to divert and route traffic around link failures, congestion, and bottlenecks. ISPs will also be able to 'differentiate data streams by priority and service plans.' Source: Netimperative Employers Must Prevent Cyberliability Claims Arising From Misuse Of Net Permanent and serious financial damage to businesses can arise as new technology like the Internet can bring about potential cyberliability claims against employers. Such liabilities include e-mail harassment, defamation arising from inaccurately worded e-mail's and possible criminal law sanctions where employees unlawfully hack into systems. The guide - Privacy and Communications - is in the form of a booklet, and explains example situations such as that of an employee who is aware of colleagues downloading indecent material from the Internet. On these grounds the employee can reasonably claim that this causes an unacceptable working environment and constitutes sexual discrimination. Sue Nickson, co-author and Head of Employment Unit, Hammonds Suddards Edge says, “Cyberliability cannot be ignored. Employers must take preventative action to reduce their organisation's potential financial exposure against claims in the future. As the use of electronic communications becomes more advanced, this problem will only grow so this should remain a high priority for any switched-on employer." If employers fail to take necessary preventative measures to ensure efficient use of the Internet may find themselves held just as liable as the employee who commits the offence in the first place. The reflection of cyberliability on businesses in the long run may be enough to cause bankruptcy and therefore presents ongoing serious issues that need attention if they are to be overcome. Do you think that employers should be held responsible for the careless actions of their employees? Or do you think that the only guilty party is the employee who ignores the issues raised in the guide and carry on regardless? Source: Startups.co.uk New 'Plug And Play' Broadband From Freeserve Offers Lower Pricing Structure The new 'plug and play' broadband service promises to be very simple and easy to use and will offer consumers surfing speeds of up to 512Kbps via the supplied USB modem. Interested? Then you must register for the trial by the 8pm on Friday 11 January 2002 to be eligible, after accepting the terms of use conditions, and the trial will initially end on 31st January 2002. If, during the period specified, you are unhappy with the service, you are under no obligation to stay subscribed, and you can cancel the service up to 31st January 2002. However, if you are happy, and wish to continue using the service, you will then enter into a full 12 month contract with Freeserve. A minimal profit margin has been by Freeserve who wish to build their user base, hence the 12 month contract is the reason for low monthly subscription charges. The total cost to consumers for the first year will be £459, as there is an activation charge of £99 which also includes a USB modem. This means that a saving of over £150 can be achieved when compared to the ISPs current ADSL pricing of £615. You are advised to read the Terms and Conditions fully here before entering into any contract and there is also a "keep me informed" option here. The new pricing structure should at last see a shift for demand of high-speed services, challenging and encouraging other players to produce similar services with more competitive and attractive pricing for the consumer in a bid to differentiate themselves within the somewhat stagnant broadband market. Oftel Consults On Draft Management Plan 2002/3  Published today, the draft management plan sets out Oftel’s projects and programmes for the year ahead. David Edmonds, director general of telecommunications, said, "Ensuring that UK telecoms regulation is in line with the new European directives will be a major task for Oftel over the coming year. Work has begun to prepare for the market reviews required by the directives.” "Oftel and the other regulators whose responsibilities will pass to OFCOM have already completed important groundwork to establish the new regulator. This work will continue over the coming year.” Edmonds continued, "This work covers promoting access to unbundled local loops, wholesale DSL services and tracking the takeup of services.” Broadband will continue to be a major focus of Oftel's work in the coming year. Oftel has published its regulatory approach to broadband, setting out the work it will undertake to achieve competitive broadband markets in the UK. This includes ensuring an appropriate regulatory framework for competition to develop in broadband services - intervening in particular where players with market power could otherwise slow down or block the rollout of services. Oftel's draft management plan for 2002/3 can be found here. Vodafone Makes World’s First 3G Roaming Call Thomas Geitner, chief executive of Vodafone's global products and services operation, said, “Today's roaming calls have brought the benefits of 3G mobile technology a step closer to reality. By operating as one company, we have demonstrated the new possibilities 3G's global standards bring. Vodafone will bring seamless multimedia services to increasing numbers of its customers across the world over the coming years.” Vodafone (Spain) is on target to launch its 3G network in the second half of 2002, subject to the availability of dual mode GPRS/3G handsets. New EU Directive Could Help Freeserve Succeed In AOL VAT War  The new Directive will mean that AOL in the UK will no longer have any excuse to refrain from charging its unmetered access customers VAT. AOL customers in the UK currently pay £14.99 a month for unmetered Internet access, compared to £12.99 a month (inclusive of VAT) for Freeserve AnyTime. Freeserve maintains that the long-standing Business Brief, which treats AOL in the UK as a supplier of content rather than telecommunications services, and gives AOL in the UK a VAT saving of at least £30 million a year, is now more discredited than ever before. The proposed Directive, agreed at the recent European Union Council of Ministers (Finance), requires non-EU businesses to register for VAT in the EU and charge VAT at the standard rate in force in the member state where their customers reside. Commenting on the new proposal, John Pluthero, Chief Executive Officer of Freeserve, said, “I am bitterly disappointed that despite the new European proposals Customs and Excise still refuse to make an announcement in relation to the VAT treatment of AOL. The UK government has been sitting on this issue for at least one year, and despite attempts by us to raise the matter with the Treasury Minister, Paul Boateng, he hasn’t even acknowledged our correspondence. Member states are due to sign up to the new Directive at the next Council of Ministers (Finance) meeting in February 2002. A meeting will be held in January 2002 to agree the ultimate date by which each member state must implement the Directive into domestic law. Freeserve is calling on the UK government to now implement the new Directive into UK law at the earliest possible opportunity. Website Creation Made Easy For Beginners A success on their ‘sister’ ISP PlusNet, customers have found it both easy to use and powerful in scope. The website creation tool is available to all Force9’s customers including non-subscription ‘free’ accounts. The Website Wizard has been designed to remove totally the need for ‘inside knowledge’ of HTML code or additional third party software when designing or uploading your completed pages to the World Wide Web. “Because it provides the ability for everyone, no matter how technically knowledgeable, to create a website and put it live onto the World Wide Web, this has to be one of the most all-embracing of the many productivity applications on our portal site,” said Matt Grest, Products and Services Development Manager for Force9. “When talking to our customers it became apparent that making a website is one of the things that so many would like to do but find themselves intimidated by the technical jargon,” continued Mr. Grest. “Most Web design software will help you set up your pages and then leave you to deal with the complicated issue of uploading to the Internet. The Website Wizard, however, actually saves your pages directly to the Web for you.” So, say Force9, if you can use a mouse, you can make a website. Children can work on their web pages at school, and then continue to work on them from home. Business users are able to create their site at the office and then update from home or on the move. How Will Broadband Fare In 2002? According to analyst Dan Stevenson of Jupiter MMXI, high-speed services will continue to 'make a mark across Europe' next year, and with the continuation of LLU (local loop unbundling), the uptake of broadband will increase threefold in the UK compared to 2001. Stevenson also said: "BT will finally get its act together and improve the installation process and marketing of DSL. There is also a strong chance that prices will fall." If the market follows the trends predicted, this can only be seen as good news for those wanting high-speed access at an affordable price, although it is reported that in comparison to other European countries, uptake of DSL will still be relatively small. Another analyst, Clive Longbottom who is the director at Quocirca, claims that mobile computing will become "more af a reality" in the new year: "People will really start to look at what it means to have a mobile workforce. True wireless mobility will become a reality as vendors start to create realistic stories to maintain working between buildings," he said. John Gantz, an analyst at IDC believes that 2002 will be a better year that 2001 as far as the industry is concerned, predicting that China will be an IT winner. The recent launch of the new XP operating system from Microsoft has been successful when you consider the number of sales, although surprisingly, Gantz says that XP will be a loser in 2002, along with web services: "Windows XP will still be a non-event as there are hardware issues - the server options are confusing, there are licensing issues and enterprises will just not roll it out. While web services are going to be way over-hyped. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the ability to build applications on the fly with code from different companies will be too hard to do. It's not going to happen." So what do you think will be successful or unsuccessful in 2002? Do you think XP will be a non-event as described? What would you like to see happen on the technology front? Source: Silicon BT Confirms DIY Broadband Service Launch The new ‘DIY’ style products, BT IPStream Home and Office, will allow the wholesale price to be much lower enabling ISPs to pass on the reduced prices to its customers. The ISP can sell the ADSL product as before but can also supply the necessary equipment. This can simply be plugged in by the end customer, saving the need for an engineer's visit. The wholesale price of the residential product will be £25 a month rental with a £50 connection fee. Although the final price payable by the consumer is expected to be much more. In addition the necessary equipment is still to be purchased. Compared to the existing IPStream products, the self-install option is much cheaper. Bruce Stanford, BT director of broadband, said, "Evidence from other countries shows that self-install gives a huge boost to demand for broadband ADSL services, not just by cutting wholesale prices but also by making installation for the customer as easy as setting up a video recorder, and with no need to wait in for an engineer.” The minimum term contract of 12 months will also be cut to just one month for self install customers. BT Wholesale has signed up 199 customers, including other licensed operators and service providers, and has more than 120,000 end users across the customer base. A total of 1,010 exchanges have been upgraded to supply broadband ADSL, meaning than 60% of households (70% of current Internet users) are connected to a broadband ADSL exchange. We would be interested to hear your comments on the new DIY style service. Many have said that apart from not being in an ADSL-enabled area, the cost is a major hurdle for most users. Would you be prepared to install your own equipment? Is this news enough to encourage you to get an ‘always-on’ broadband connection? Steady Growth In Internet Use – Survey Although there was a significant rise in broadband connections, the traditional dial-up connection still dominates the overall market according to The Office for National Statistics. Broadband subscriptions displayed significant and steady growth each month, with October 2001 showing a 212.2% increase since January 2001. Dial-up Internet subscriptions displayed much smaller growth over the period January-October 2001 with just 6.4%. However, it should be noted that broadband connections accounted for a very small but increasing percentage of total subscriptions, with dial-up connections still accounting for around 98% of total subscriptions in October 2001. The Office for National Statistics plans to publish the Index of Internet Connectivity every month. Source: Ananova OFTEL Outlines Support For High Speed Services The proposed measures place obligations on BT so that other operators can compete more effectively in offering leased lines to businesses. Leased lines are permanently connected communications links between two or more sites. Partial private circuits (PPCs) are the key wholesale components of leased lines. Head of Oftel, David Edmonds, said, "Oftel's first phase of proposals will improve operators ability to compete with BT. In phase two, Oftel will examine whether the charges made by BT to other operators for leased lines are cost orientated. Operators will be able to offer more competitive leased lines services to businesses using a combination of their own and BT's networks. Oftel has also separately today set out a proposed requirement on BT to carry call traffic from local loop unbundling operators' equipment in BT's exchanges across BT's network and onto the operators' networks - known as LLU backhaul. Oftel believes that BT must provide these services at cost orientated prices. Sniff Out Cuts The Cost Of Metered Access  Sniff Out’s LiteTime package offers 24/7 unrestricted Internet access charged at 0.5p per minute which could prove ideal for new PC owners this Christmas. Many newcomers to the Internet are unaware as to just how much they will use the Internet. Now they can decide if an unmetered account is suitable without running up an unexpected telephone bill using a standard 0845 connection. Instead of signing up for a regular monthly fee, you simply pay for a top-up whenever you need it much like a pay-as-you-go mobile phone. "LiteTime is designed for people who use the Internet mainly for email, some home shopping and occasional surfing, and who would simply not spend their monthly 'allowance' on an unmetered package", said Sniff Out's Chief Executive Richard Skeels. "We think it will also be attractive to daytime users, who will be able to go online for only 0.5p per minute." Sniff Out's LiteTime customers can top up their accounts online in fixed amounts of £5, £10 or £15. Like mobile phones, a LiteTime account must be topped-up at least once every 60 days, representing a minimum commitment of only £2.50 per month, or about 8p per day. LiteTime represents much better value than normal 'pay-as-you-go' Internet deals. For instance, splash out on a £15 top-up and you'll get 50 hours Internet time, which works out at 0.5p per minute. If you're a daytime Internet user, the same 50 hours of surfing at local call rates could cost you £120. LiteTime customers enjoy the same comprehensive Internet access package as subscribers to Sniff Out's unmetered options. Features include unlimited email accounts, an unlimited amount of web space for personal use, plus a portal site with some 15 channels of news and features. Sniff Out also announced today that they are no longer accepting new customers for their FRIACO based DreamTime unmetered package. The package is now under review, after a survey covering the majority of DreamTime users, and it seems likely that DreamTime will form the basis for Sniff Out's Broadband package to be launched in 2002. Existing DreamTime customers will remain unaffected. Emergency Anti-Terrorist Bill Passed In Parliament The bill, which has been subject to much criticism, will only allow appropriate authorities to access any electronic data kept by providers if terrorist activity is suspected, and any handing over of data must be in proportion to the offence. Communications providers will hold customer information such as email addresses, but not content, under a voluntary code of conduct. NTL's Debt Situation 'Critical' Capital spending will be the top of the list to be revised, which will, in the long term, affect revenues for the cable company. there are many who fear that the company are quickly running out of financial resources. Despite this, NTL claims that it can generate more revenue from its existing consumers, and so is able to meet the earning targets required by its bank, - although the bank could call in its debts if plans go awry. Goldman Sachs warned that NTL are likely to run out of funds by the second quarter of 2002 and it is also reported that France Telecom, NTL's majority shareholder, are unwilling to invest any more money into the company. Source: Silicon URGENT: Those Using IE 5.5/6.0 Need To Install This Patch Microsoft has given the patch a maximum severity rating of 'critical' especially for those using I.E. 6.0, as a hacker can easily alter a HTML file so that it runs an executable file -i.e a program - without prompting the user for confirmation. The other two problems affect both IE 5.5 and 6.0. Firstly, a glitch in the software could allow a site operator to open two simultaneous browser sessions, one on the site domain and the other on the users local system. Information could then be passed from the latter to the former allowing the operator to read but not alter any system file viewable within IE. The second flaw enables a hacker to misrepresent file names in the 'file download' dialogue box, duping users into accepting malignant files from a trusted site. To download and install the patch, follow the instructions given here SOURCE: Accounting Web Locust Mobile Community Saved From Closure The plug was going to be pulled on the service this Tuesday. Orange issued an ultimatum that either subscribers pay for each text message received or they will cease to support the service. Jon Anderson, the founder of Locust, issued this statement: Locust has made contact with a group internal to Orange, called OrangeImagineering, which is exploring forward thinking applications and enablers for such services. Oftel Backs Telecom Comparison Sites With Kitemark Scheme Websites that meet the standard, will be awarded a ‘kitemark’ giving consumers the assurance that those websites will enable them to compare the price of competing telecoms services easily and accurately. Accredited websites would need to be independent and provide price information on a wide range of telecoms suppliers. They need to be designed to make it easy for consumers to compare prices of different telecoms services as well as being fully accessible to people with disabilities. Oftel has already offered its backing to price comparison services through its support for the phonebills.org.uk website. This site was launched by the industry in response to consumer demand and has proved valuable in helping consumers. Head of Oftel, David Edmonds, said, "Well-informed consumers are more likely to shop around for a better deal which in turn encourages telecoms companies to ensure that their prices are competitive. There are already companies offering price comparison services but consumers want assurances that the information they provide is independent and accurate.” He added, "Creating an accreditation scheme to recognise other good quality price comparison services is the natural next step to improve consumer information still further." Oftel has launched a consultation to identify what these standards should be and will see feedback on how accreditation could be extended to include other information sources such as leaflets and advice provided over the phone. The consultation ends in February 2002 and Oftel intends to introduce the accreditation scheme in the first half of next year. Free Bonus Pack For XP Users The new add-on has been named Windows Media Bonus Pack for Windows XP, and the basic aim of the download on offer is to increase the potential of the new operating system's built-in media player. In the separately sold 'Plus' pack for XP, there is an MP3 Audio Converter utility for transforming MP3 files to Microsoft's Windows Media Audio (WMA) file format, and a cut down version is available in the free enhancement download. Analysts are of the opinion that the included MP3 audio converter may not be of benefit to customers, but is placed more to benefit Microsoft themselves. Microsoft describes the software as being a valuable asset as users as they will be able to "double the amount of music they can store on their PC by converting their MP3 files quickly and easily" to WMA format, which is reported to deliver better sound quality per bit rate. However, Gartner analyst Michael Silver challenges the claims, and remarked: "I think if you read the fine print you'll find you won't double your disk space and get the same quality as MP3, the benefits may be a lot less." MP3 is more widely used as opposed to the WMA format, and users may come across limitations if they convert their digital music files over as not all digital music players support WMA, while virtually all play MP3 files. Also included in the download is a version of Microsoft's popular PowerToys utility for Windows Media Player, allowing users to tweak and enhance the interface of XP, and access hidden features. Other entertainment enhancements include new visualisations and skins, playlist-to-spreadsheet export utility, and extra tools for amateur moviemakers. Those interested can download the Windows Media Bonus Pack for Windows XP from here. Source: Vnunet New Worm Attempts To Disable Anti-Virus Software Gokar even attempts to disable any anti-virus software that may be installed on the user's system, and an infected machine will have KAREN.EXE within the Windows directory. The email arrives with the attachment which always has the extension of PIF, SCR, COM EXE or BAT and the body of the message can read: 'You should like this, it could have been made for you, hey and speak to you later'. An infected system produces variable subject fields that range from 'If I were god and didn't believe in myself would it be blasphemy?', 'The A-Team VS KnightRider ... who would win?', and 'I like this calm, moments before the storm'. F-Secure describe the virus as a level 2 risk category, and anyone who becomes infected can look here for details of how to remove the worm. Source: Vnunet Energis Confirms Shift In Contract With ISP Freeserve Speculation of the contractual relationship between the two companies has resulted in Energis confirming that ISP Freeserve has requested termination of a contract involving the provision of metered Internet services. The contract in question will now expire in November 2003, and the two companies are discussing a revision of the arrangements to meet future needs. Mac Users Prefer Demon Internet Bill Allan, CEO of parent company Thus, is very pleased with the vote and added: "The end-user is the crucial focus point in this industry, and it is particularly rewarding to receive such recognition from the people who use our service." All new Macs sold in the UK have Demon installed on the system as part of the Internet setup software for consumers to use. Source: Macworld NTL Admin Error Reveals Personal And Private Details Of Employees Unfortunately, the admin mismanagement resulted in the private details of more than 800 employees being published and then sent out to around 50 other people without prior consent. Although the incident happened on the 2 November, the problem has only just come to light because of a posting on a forum on nthellworld.com. Instead of sending out a list of vacancies within NTL, it is reported that a spreadsheet containing names, addresses and other private details of 820 employees were sent to more than 50 people who were already on "gardening leave" from the company. It is also reported that a few personal comments had been written alongside some of the names on the spreadsheet. One of those who received the email, but asked not to be named, told The Register: "I'm exceedingly annoyed that these details went out - but I'd be even more annoyed if I was one of those people with a comment next to my name. This is just typical of the lack of organisation within NTL." It is unclear whether any official complaint has been made, but unconfirmed reports claim that the Information Commissioner's Office (IC) which enforces data protection regulation in the UK has been notified of the incident. Meanwhile, an NTL spokesman has apparently apologised for the fault and described the error as an "honest mistake" by a new employee who had only been doing the job for a week. Source: The Register Broadband Users Are Not Geeks - Official Half of the broadband customers surveyed said their social life had improved since adopting broadband Internet. Many said the technology allowed them to work from home more often, which increased flexibility and generated extra time for leisure activities. They said broadband encouraged them to develop new hobbies and meet new people online who shared their interests. More than 90 per cent of broadband users surveyed said they now used the Web to research hobbies, with 75 per cent of them doing this more frequently since connecting to broadband. The number of broadband users who regularly play online games is 47 per cent, compared to 24 per cent of narrowband respondents. Three-quarters of broadband users (74 per cent) download music regularly, compared to just over one quarter (29 per cent) for narrowband. Half of broadband users (53 per cent) regularly play or download videos from the Internet. Broadband users also spend more time shopping online and 38 per cent said they had switched some traditional shopping tasks to the Web. Half of broadband households frequently use online education services. The survey showed broadband users are starting to spend more time online in peak-rate daytime hours, due mainly to the flat-rate and removal of telephone call charges. In addition, households with broadband are now keeping their computer connected to the Internet on average three times longer than narrowband users. Just over half of them have increased their use of online communications to replace phone, fax and letters. Since they pay a fixed monthly fee, broadband customers tend to view the Internet as an information and entertainment tool for the whole family, rather than a time-sensitive commodity. LLU Access Arrangements Confirmed By Oftel Oftel said that escorted access will only be necessary where BT requires its own contractors to be accompanied by a member of BT. The arrangements will help ensure that operators are not subject to unnecessary costs for providing broadband services over unbundled local loops. Oftel’s David Edmonds said, "Oftel has decided that approved staff working for an operator must be treated in exactly the same way as an approved contractor working for BT. These arrangements will not jeopardise the security at BT's exchanges or of the wider telecoms network.” Operators were concerned that if BT had insisted on escorted access at all exchanges this would have led to a significant increase in their costs. MSN Launches Unmetered Packages With BTopenworld The MSN portal is initially offering customers three unmetered packages: - 24/7 access with a monthly limit of 10 hours per month priced at £4.99 per month. Aimed at the 'daily email checker', new users and light users.After the users' maximum hours are reached the usage will revert to a Pay-as-you-go rate of 2p per minute. This tariff applies regardless of the time of day. These new access packages, based on FRIACO (Flat Rate Internet Access Call Origination), will be branded Freeweb, the brand MSN already uses for its Pay-as-you-go service. Geoff Sutton, Director of MSN.co.uk, commented, "Through BTopenworld's wholesale VISP offering, we can offer our customers a quality Internet solution without moving into the ISP business. By partnering with a best-of-breed service provider like BTopenworld, we're able to concentrate on developing content and core services." Catherine Hawley, Senior Vice President of BTopenworld, added, "The new MSN packages show how leading web sites can take advantage of quality VISP solutions to offer their customers all the advantages of flat-fee Internet access solutions, without diluting their core business." MSN.co.uk will promote the new flat-fee Internet access packages through a banner advertising campaign to attract both existing and new MSN customers to the service. 8 Million Brits Surf The Net From Work It reports that that British workers are accessing a large number of websites with non-work related content. bbc.co.uk experienced 2.3 million visitors from work during October 2001, amazon.co.uk 1.5 million visitors and friendsreuinited.co.uk had nearly 1.5 million people access their websites while at work. The survey also shows that nearly 15 million people in the UK have home Internet access. NetValue reports that people spend more time on certain websites at work than at home. Online visitors to Tesco, Egg and Lloyds TSB spend much more time on those sites at work than at home. lloydstsb.com's customers, for instance, visited the website on average 10.7 times per month while at work, whereas home visits amounted to only 4.1 times per month. New BT Payphones To Provide Net Access BT Payphones will install 28,000 new terminals which will offer full Internet access, e-mail and text messaging. Rollout will begin in April 2002 with 3,000 terminals expected to be in place within a year. Pierre Danon, chief executive officer of BT Retail said, "We are continually striving to meet our customers changing communications needs and although more than 20 million adults have logged on to the Internet many people are still excluded from using the web because they don't have access to a PC." The new phones will offer a range of services including e-mail, text messaging, maps, directions, location-based services and retail opportunities - as well as classic voice services. The new design of terminal is robust enough to be installed in high street phone boxes as well as shopping centres, rail, tube and bus stations, airports and motorway service areas. Featuring its own built-in keyboard and trackerball, the terminal will offer video images as well as still pictures. It is expected that the new network of terminals, which will be installed by BT engineers, could realise 56 million hits a week. BT Announces New Chief Executive Verwaayen is 49 and is currently vice chairman of Lucent Technologies in the US. He will join BT as CEO- designate on January 14th 2002 and will become CEO on February 1st when Peter Bonfield leaves. Bonfield said, "I have known Ben for many years in the communications business. I wish him every success in continuing to drive the changes in BT." BT Reveals Broadband Project For Rural Businesses ACT NOW, a partnership between BT and key public sector organisations including the South West of England Regional Development Agency, is a £12.5 million project to assist small and medium sized businesses in Cornwall. It is expected to lead to the creation of up to 1,000 jobs in the county. The project will provide support and advice for 3,300 Cornish businesses and the rapid roll out of ADSL broadband technology to a further 12 Cornish telephone exchanges. The roll out is expected to place 93,000 households and 14,000 businesses within ADSL enabled exchange areas. The project was welcomed by Douglas Alexander, government minister at the Department of Trade and Industry, who said, "UK businesses need to seize the opportunities that new technologies offer if they are to be competitive in the 21st century. Broadband technologies like ADSL bring high-speed, always-on connections, so this scheme can open up opportunities for Cornish businesses to access new markets and improve productivity." Sir Peter Bonfield, chief executive of BT, added, "We hope that this partnership approach with a whole range of key public sector players in the region will also boost the demand for broadband in Cornwall and hence justify the considerable investment involved. As the Broadband Stakeholders Group concluded last week, the way forward in making broadband Britain a reality will depend on partnerships such as this, with a range of private and public players working together." ACT NOW, an acronym for Access for Cornwall through Telecommunications to New Opportunities Worldwide, is one of the largest private and public sector partnerships in Cornwall since the county was granted Objective One status by the European Union last year. It will try to break Cornwall out of a 'vicious cycle' of low demand leading to the lack of a commercial case for the installation of broadband services. BT Chief Warns Broadband Revolution Is Another Five Years Away He also warned that this would only be achievable if the government, content developers and telecoms suppliers begin to work in unity and put the required effort into developing the future of broadband, -"to grow adoption it will take a lot of effort by a lot of people, there's no silver bullet for this," he remarked. He also pointed out that very few users are migrating from narrowband to broadband services despite the fact that more than two thirds of the UK are able to receive high-speed services. Bonefield noted that people want a more affordable pricing structure for broadband, and although the government are happy for BT to cut prices, any hint of a reduction brings about an investigation by the telecoms regulator Oftel. He claims that each investigation by Oftel costs BT considerably, the price tag being around £1million, and confirms that the telco would like to cut down the cost of broadband for subscribers: "We would like to reduce prices because broadband is price-elastic to a certain extent, but we are not allowed to cross-subsidise. The long term trend is that the price will come down and broadband will be a relatively inexpensive option," he added. Those who have already chosen broadband have certainly become attached to it, as BT research discovered that 61 per cent of users would sooner see their television out of the door before their high-speed connection. Surprisingly, 86 percent of users felt that even if narrowband was free, that they wouldn't want to go back to it. Research also indicates that broadband users spend twice as much time online when compared to those with narrowband. Source: VNUnet Rise In UK Internet Use Brings A Boost To Online Transactions The survey, carried out by Internet bank Egg, found that more than a quarter of UK users are willing to replace the wallet paying method for 'virtual' payments via their computers. Over another quarter indicated their preference for digital payment solutions bringing added online security via fingerprinting or iris patterns for correct identification of users. Other results showed that use of the Internet, digital TV and WAP phones by adults has risen up from April figures of 48 percent to more than 54 percent. This has no doubt contributed to the boost of online banking which is currently used by 5.5 million adults - a 37.5% rise in numbers since April. The most popular financial or 'serviced' product is motor insurance, closely tailed by credit cards and savings accounts, with over 50 percent having purchased/used such services. As user confidence increases, the above figures will increase heralding a whole new age of payment methods that are likely to become standard practice within the home. Digital TV will play no small part in raising the number of online transactions either, as it is expected that those who may not own or wish to use a PC will use the differing payment methods and transactions via their TV sets. As reflected in the results, people are becoming more comfortable and receptive to new technology, and during the winter months, the thought of shopping and sorting finances online appeals more than entering the cold and often wet outdoors. Source: Anannova Users Will Create Future Broadband Services Erol Ziya, a member of the Broadband Stakeholder Group, says that the next big ideas will come from creative home users, and he urged them to tell their telcos to "deliver broadband to me, because only I can create compelling services using it". Current broadband services are disappointing today, and this is reflected in the slow take-up of high-speed services because not enough attractive content and services are being developed to entice users. This brings an ironic conflict within the market because media companies are unwilling to invest in broadband services as the market is too small, and one of the reasons the market is small is because there isn't enough high-speed content. The high prices linked with faster Net access also plays another factor in the diminishing market, as many of AOL's narrowband users claim that they would be prepared to make the move if it was more affordable. Another irony here is that ISPs are promising that if more users would connect to broadband and see the benefits, prices will be reduced over time because the demand will grow. A stagnant situation has now been reached as far as the high-speed market goes, and something has to give to create more demand that will justify the supply. The Broadband Stakeholders Group (BSG) full report gives recommendations to the government that, if implemented, will help positively reverse the current broadband trend. The report outlines that the government should support the supply of broadband applications and services by encouraging interest and provide tax benefits for broadband content creators and credits to schools. Source: ZDNet Robots To Lay Cables In Sewers To Aid UK Broadband Access The company, Citynet International, has already managed to sign contracts for Seville and Vienna, and says it can carry out the work with minimal cost and disruption by utilising the robots. Citynet hopes to contract the UK before the end of the year, and will link homes to a high-speed network which will speed up delivery of faster Net access, providing a possible solution to the slow roll-out of broadband within the UK. The firm already operates a system in Albuquerque and has begun work in Indianapolis and Omaha. It claims negotiations are under way with 20 other cites in the US and Europe. Citynet is on the brink of securing its first UK deal according to what company president Larry Berent disclosed to ZDNet, although he declined to reveal which city is involved or when a system might be up-and-running. Source: Ananova NTL Slash 2000 More UK Jobs The company have said compulsory and voluntary redundancies will reduce the current 17,000 number of its UK workers to 13,000. At the beginning of 2001, NTL had 21,800 employees in the UK, and previously estimated that their UK staff would be dropped to 15,000 by the end of 2002. Source: Bloomberg Wales LEA Dumps Microsoft In Favour Of Linux Microsoft applications have literally been thrown out of the classroom door in favour of Linux, giving the schools in Wales the advantage of saving thousands of pounds, and early next year, the Authority also plans to use Linux-based desktop applications in a pilot scheme. Dr Martin Williams, co-ordinator, ICT support services for Powys LEA, is among the first to explore a system called "idiot-proof DIY web building package for schools", which the Authority has launched and includes a SchoolWeb Builder, which takes Open Source software together with in-house PHP (personal home page) scripting. Under the system, Williams explained that "All schools have to do is insert the filenames of pictures and text they wish to be placed into templates and it does the rest." He also added that savings of more than 75 per cent for each primary school, and 85 per cent per secondary school have been achieved by utilising the Open Source. Williams is also aware of another advantage of the software, being that it has the ability to run on low end systems. He further commented: "These factors combined to give us a web and email server that, software and all, cost less than £300 apiece - a price we could not have got near without using Open Source software at every turn. I don't think total Microsoft domination is healthy. It is wonderfully ironic that the main competition is coming from an intrinsically non-competitive background, Open Source." It is also reported that other LEA's are also drifting away from Microsoft in a bid to meet the government's NGfL target of giving 50 per cent of pupils email access by April 2002. Source: Silicon New Unmetered Service For Residents Of Hull  Hull based Giacom World Networks, the company behind 0800 Dial and UK Fantastic, is to take on Hull’s only telephone company for low cost internet access with its new service, Hull24.The city is mostly served only by Kingston Communications for unmetered Internet access because the area is outside the reach of BT, meaning all the current FRIACO services are not available. Being the only telephone provider, Kingston operates an untimed local call plan at 5.5p + VAT, which is used as the basis for the new service. Hull24 offers home users 24/7 unmetered access with a 2 hour cut-off for £12.99 inclusive per month. For business users, there is a 24/7 package with a 3 hour cut-off available for £19.99 plus VAT per month. Nick Marshall, managing director at Giacom World Networks said, “For low cost Internet access people have until now only had one choice for a fast and unmetered service. We felt that if Hull was to achieve it much talked about ‘Digital City’ status there needed to be more competition. Having a point-of-presence in Hull has helped us to eliminated some of the major barriers to operating this service and with substantial direct lines out onto the Internet we are operating a real alternative ISP service.” He added, “We have made significant investments in hardware to be able to offer Hull24 and we are so confident that this will appeal to home and business users in the city and surrounding areas, we are already working on tripling the service capacity in early January.” The new service has just completed six weeks of successful trails with a number of local Hull Internet users. The service goes live to Hull users today just in time for the Christmas holidays. Oftel Survey Shows UK DSL Still Too Expensive The survey shows that the UK compares favourably to other countries surveyed for residential narrowband Internet services, although for DSL the UK came out at the most expensive.During October 2000 and August 2001 the pricing trend for DSL in the UK was up 10% while elsewhere there was a downward trend. France for example was down 29% and the US down 21%. The head of Oftel, David Edmonds, said, "The results of the new survey show that while the UK is doing well in some areas, such as narrowband Internet access and cable modems, there is still progress to be made in other areas, notably DSL.” "Over the past months we have seen price reductions for cable modems and strong growth in the number of both cable modem and DSL users. Since December 2000 we have seen cable modem users increase by over 500% and DSL users by over 400%.” The results of the survey show that the UK came out the most expensive for DSL at £49 per month. Whilst the same service costs £35 in France, £30 in Germany, £28 in the US and Sweden just £23. Although when it came to cable access, the UK was the second cheapest at £26 per month with France being the dearest at £34. Sweden was the cheapest at just £19 per month. Edmonds added, "Oftel is working to encourage a competitive market for broadband services delivered through a variety of channels including DSL and cable. We are now seeing active competition between cable modems and DSL which should help drive down DSL prices." The benchmark study can be found here. Web Content - Should We Pay? The latest Silicon.com 'Hot Topic' has been launched to collect thoughts and keep up with the subject on whether you think that you should pay for various web content. Can publishers get away with charging instead of relying purely on advertising? Do you think that it is the right time to pay? Do you think that paying for content will work out to the benefit of all? Silicon is of the opinion that many online publishers as well as internet-only publishers who seek profitability will introduce a 'paid for model' and this will affect almost every consumer. Those interested can keep up with the latest developments and ongoing articles on this subject by visiting here, and to complete a survey and express your feelings, click here. BT Tells IT Contractors To Take Pay Cut Or Leave An anonymous contractor who is working for mm02 has told silicon.com that he was asked last Friday to accept the new pay cut or work his four-week notice and quit his job. All contractors involved have been given until the 12 December to make up their mind about the pay cut, and notify BT accordingly. The decision to slash pay packets will affect approximately 2,500 IT contractors, who either must accept the pay cut or leave the company. It is reported that the contractors are unhappy with BT's "bully boy" tactics, but, in the current downturn, BT and mm02 are not the first companies to cut contractor rates. IT contractors who work for HP, IBM and a number of city banks are soon to endure the same scenario. BT Group and mm02 are served by a number of agencies including Hays IT, MBT, Spring IT and Elan, and BT did not give comment on the situation. Source: Silicon Have You Ordered From Jungle For Christmas? Current news indicates that Jungle.com has decided to cancel the orders because they are unable to complete them before Christmas due to various reasons. Although Jungle have emailed most of their customers, some yet do not know, and should receive notification today. As the average order at Jungle is around £100, it is reported that Jungle will be losing £250,000 worth of 'festive' revenue. In fairness, Jungle decided that as they couldn't complete delivery of the orders, they would give people time to purchase elsewhere, as marketing director Andy Singleton points out: "It's a fair decision not to keep them waiting any longer, we're making the assumption that most of them are Christmas presents." There are a number of reasons for cancelling the 2,500 orders ranging from incorrect customer data, to products that are out of stock. Christmas orders are still being taken and Singleton says that customers should have no fears about ordering items for Christmas. The last order date for Christmas delivery for goods in stock is 20 December. Source: The Register BTopenworld Respond To ASA Ruling Now BTopenworld have issued the following statement: BTopenworld has modified its online and print BTopenworld Anytime advertisements to make it clearer that customers' online sessions carry some limitations. Locust Mobile Community Under Threat From Orange Since 1996, Locust has allowed subscribers via text messages and their mobile phones to obtain emails anywhere in the world, as well as join 'virtual social groups' all for a flat rate charge of £3.00 a month. But Orange will be pulling the plug on the service on 18th December when the current flat-fee agreement comes to an end. Instead they issued an ultimatum that either subscribers pay for each text message received or they will cease to support the service. The owner of Locust Cellular Services, Jon Anderson, said the service has quickly developed into the largest, most successful and most vibrant text message community anywhere in the world. The decision by Orange comes a matter of weeks before Orange are planning to launch new SMS services of its own. Locust are asking for support with the first ever text messaging petition by texting 'SURVIVE' to 07973 410933. Britain Avoids LLU Crisis Although a majority of those present felt there wasn't a full-blown crisis, many expressed concerns and frustrations about LLU. Some suggested that the UK could still be plunged into a perilous state unless some issues, such as the regulatory environment, were resolved. Instead, there seemed to be a general agreement that broadband Britain - LLU included - was in its infancy. In time, broadband services would be made more widely available and more cheaply. Earlier in the day David Brown, chairman of management consultancy Schema, told delegates that the worst of the delays which have hampered the deployment of local loop unbundling (LLU) in Britain were over. Richard Greco, the head of Bulldog Communications and one of the few operators still involved in LLU, seems convinced that there is a future. Source: The Register Europe’s First 3G Mobile Network Goes Live Manx Telecom are beginning trials of the 3G mobile phone network which has been built in partnership with Siemens and NEC which is made up of 24 transmitters covering 85%of the 76,000 people on the 30-mile (48km) by 10-mile (16km) island. The trials are limited to only a small handful of users with roll-out depending on availability of handsets which could be as late as 2003. Users with laptops would be able to use their 3G phone as a high-speed, portable modem, allowing them to play sophisticated games and download large files. Source: ZDNet NTL To Introduce Charges For Unmetered Service From 7th January NTL will be charging new customers £10 per month. Existing customers will pay £5 per month until the end of 2002 or they can opt for a 1p per minute service. This will also apply to customers in ex C&W areas, although BT customers will remain unaffected. NTL have said that the market and industry is moving towards paid-for Internet services. Customers want faster speed services and are spending increasing longer periods of time on-line. To allow NTL to keep up with this trend, they have to find revenue to re-invest in the ntlworld service. The ntlworld site goes on to say that at only £10 per month they still remain the best value ISP - BT Anytime is £14.99, AOL is £14.99 and Freeserve Anytime is £12.99. BT Anytime But Not All The Time – ASA BT’s advertisements included statement such as, “Access the web with BTinternet and you won't have to worry about the time you go online anymore” and “WITH BTinternet ANYTIME YOU CAN HAVE THE INTERNET WHENEVER YOU LIKE, AS OFTEN AS YOU LIKE FOR A MERE £14.99 A MONTH." The complainants from all across the country challenged the claims because they believed the offer was subject to restrictions and that heavy users were penalised. BT pointed out that the name "Anytime" distinguished it from their alternative access products, such as pay as you go. Also the claims were based on users being able to log on at any time during a 24-hour period. They said, because they had not intended the Anytime service to be an "always on" service, they had not marketed it as such. The ASA noted that users were disconnected from the service after two hours but could reconnect immediately. The Authority considered that consumers could infer from the advertisements, particularly the claims "... no more clock watching ..." and "... you don't have to worry about the time you go online anymore ...", that they could access the Internet for any length of time with no time limitations. The ASA welcomed the advertisers' decision to amend the advertisements to make clear that online sessions carried limitations. It told the advertisers to ensure that future advertisements did not imply that consumers could access the Internet without time limitations. BT Offers Unlimited Free UK National Calls At the moment customers can already receive unmetered local off-peak calls. From 7th November, BT will be adding new options to the BT Together scheme: - BT Together with unlimited UK calls: £18.50 per month including line rental, unlimited free evening calls to all land line national and local numbers and discounted rates at other times.Along with the existing unlimited free local and Internet calling schemes, the new national calls package will offer discounted local, international, and home-to-mobile phone calls during the daytime. Managing director of BT Retail's consumer division, Angus Porter, commented, “This move transforms the face of call charging in the UK for good. Unlimited free UK calls bring great value for households across the country and it's another example of BT listening to its customers.” It has also been reported today that BT are to make sweeping job cuts in the region of 4,000 at its BT Retail division by March 2003. This will bring the total to about 13,000 over a year period. Government Releases ‘Upbeat’ Broadband Report The UK Online initiative, launched by the Prime Minister in September 2000, has the task of getting UK citizens online, in e-commerce and e-government. Hewitt stated that they now have the highest Internet use among major European countries with 51% of the people in the UK now regularly logging on. Obviously hitting back at a recent EC survey saying that the UK was lagging behind in broadband Europe. Patricia Hewitt welcomed the achievements in the report. She said, “I’m delighted by the progress of not only the Office of the e-Envoy, but also businesses, voluntary organisations, the community and most of all citizens, in taking advantage of the knowledge economy.” She continued, “Two years ago the Prime Minister said that British industry needed to be ambitious in responding to the challenge of e- commerce, that Government needed to put in place the right framework and lead by example and the British people needed to have the confidence and skills to exploit the opportunities. All this is happening – and more. But there is more to be done – particularly to make broadband available across the country.” The UK Online annual report can be read here. Aramiska Launches UK Broadband Satellite Service Today Aramiska launched its satellite-based broadband business packages for UK SMEs. Aramiska offers a full range of service packages for businesses. Entry-level packages start at £99 per month and support up to 30 PCs. High-end packages that include guaranteed bandwidth and support for up to 100 PCs, are also available. All packages include full ISP services such as Web Caching, Web Space, Mail Server and 24-hour customer support. To increase security, firewalls are placed at both the customer’s premises and Aramiska’s Internet Data Centre. According to Aramiska’s CEO, Philippe Bodart, “Businesses are increasingly demanding high-speed, always-on Internet access, particularly with Internet services and e-mail now playing such a key role at the heart of all businesses - from SMEs right through to major corporations. Aramiska’s solution is the first to use the open DVB-RCS standard to provide business broadband. With prices starting from just £99 per month, we're specifically addressing a general perception that broadband satellite is too expensive for UK SMEs. We're introducing our new Aramiska service at an exceptionally competitive price, and for that we're offering a service that competes directly with terrestrial solutions both in terms of functionality, performance and pricing.” Bodart went on to say that Aramiska have chosen the UK to launch its service because of the large number of companies that require broadband Internet access. Further details about the new service, UK pricing and availability can be found on Aramiska's new website at www.aramiska.com. New Government Campaign To Tackle Internet Child Safety Issues Named 'Wise up to the Net', Beverley Hughes will use a press conference later today to lay out the government's latest campaign, which is being launched in the hope that child safety on the Internet and in chatrooms can be substantially improved. It is reported that Hughes will draw a distinction between the Internet itself and the dangers of child abuse and in her speech and say: "Paedophiles are dangerous - not internet chatrooms, Internet chat rooms have given young people, in particular, a virtual playground, an international school and a place to meet and make friends. But sadly, the Internet is not immune from criminal abuse, and can bring its own dangers. We all need to ensure that taking sensible precautions to protect ourselves and our children online should become as commonplace as it is to lock our doors or not talk to strangers in the offline world." Parents can find out more about the campaign by visiting here, and a special booklet is available from UK Online on 0800 77 1234. Source: Silicon.com Dreamcast Screensaver Contains Virus The game on the CDROM includes a screensaver which is infected with the virus and although the virus does not affect the dreamcast console, if the screensaver is installed on a PC, the computer will become infected. The virus works by erasing the CMOS setup and then it attempts to corrupt the BIOS chip of a PC in a similar way to the CIH (aka Chernobyl) virus. The damage caused will cost the user the price of having to replace the BIOS chip, as well as loosing all their data, as the virus overwrites all files on local hard drives. An unpleasant surprise on christmas day is in store for those who have load the screensaver on their computers, as the virus activates on the 25 December. The virus is over 12 months old, and a technology consultant at anti-virus firm Sophos, Natasha Staley, believes that an infected machine has been used during the development of the game. The Register advises that although the infected version of the game is only likely to have been widely distributed in Japan, anyone with a copy of the game should either return it or destroy it. The game has been recalled by the Japanese developers, Kool Kizz. To learn more about the virus, please click here Source: The Register Broadband Britain Could Be Pie In The Sky Advisers say that "only radical action can get us anywhere near our competitors," and a report from the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) mirrors the same assumption as it shows a domestic broadband penetration of just six per cent by 2005. This would place the UK behind its key competitors in the market, like US and Germany. A leading member of the BSG said: "If we implement the recommendations of the BSG we will creep above France and Italy but we will still be behind. The government targets are unattainable and something radical is needed." Last week 'Computing' launched its 'Broadband Britain' campaign which has received support from numerous organisations and users, in a bid for the government to take action and support the high-speed market with a view to implementing the BSG proposals. Source: Vnunet Angry Demon Internet Subscribers Terminate Contracts Demon Internet has many business customers subscribed to its service, and a loss of connection of 20 November causing yet another outage, was the last straw for a number of those customers, who became furious about the service. The director of ebusiness firm Morpheous, Bleddyn Williams, explained that his connection to the Internet was critical to his business. Williams told ZDNet: "This was the final straw, we're changing provider. In January we lost our leased line for about nine days. It's the anchor of our business, and we were just left sitting there. When the first major outage happened we suggested Demon set up an ISDN backup so we could keep working. They did, but it's not automatic, so we have to call them to switch the service. If an outage occurs during the night, the sites just go down." This year, Williams has experienced five major outages, and, not prepared to let his business suffer any longer, after the last outage in November, he terminated Morpheous's contract with Demon. It is also reported that another Demon business customer who prefers to remain anonymous, has received emails that he said "were quite clearly not addressed to us." Mails that are sent to someone other than the addressee represent a breach of contract, according to George Gardener at law firm Buchanan Ingersoll. Other complaints have been rolling in, including one particular customer, Mark Jordan of Compuhir, who said that when his company's leased line was upgraded, Demon forgot to bill the company for six consecutive months. When he contacted the ISP, nothing was done to rectify the problem, and eventually he was sent a "huge bill that did not define the period it covered." Jordan has also cancelled his contract with the ISP. ZDNet reports that a Demon spokeswoman said: "We have been in direct contact with these customers and regret any inconvenience that may have been caused." Source: ZDNet |
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