December 11th 2003
By: Russ
Self-Promotion by Celebrity Regulators
Just a quick observation on Luke's post (UK Broadband Takeup Passes 3 Million) of December 10th. How true to form for a regulator to take substantial credit for the actions of private industry. Ofcom's press release states, among other things:Consumers are seeing the benefit of ...
December 10th 2003
By: Luke
Evening Standard On Bowe
The DMGT group-owned Evening Standard reports on Tuesday's appointment of Colette Bowe as Chair of Ofcom's Consumer panel. They say:
"You can't keep a good City woman down. Colette Bowe is one of the great survivors, having worked for Michael Heseltine during the Westland imbroglio, as a City ...
December 10th 2003
By: Luke
Lib Dems Highlight Small Business DQ Issues
Small firms are losing potential business because their details are not correctly listed, according to Brian Cotter, the Liberal Democrats' small business spokesman, and directory service providers in the UK are to blame.
Of the new 118 providers Cotter said, "Many of these companies ...
December 10th 2003
By: Luke
N-TeLewest?
NTL and Telewest are likely to merge before the end of 2005, according to The Guardian quoting �a source close to both companies�. Apparently, NTL boss Simon Duffy and his Telewest counterpart Charles Burdick met last week for the first time and held informal discussions.
December 10th 2003
By: Luke
UK Broadband Takeup Passes 3 Million
Oftel/Ofcom today released figures revealing UK broadband take-up had reached 3 million.
According to Oftel's latest 'Internet and Broadband Brief', broadband adoption rates are now running at record levels and ahead of previous predictions, with more than 40,000 households and businesses a week installing an ...
December 10th 2003
By: Luke
Oftel/Ofcom Launch CISAS
Oftel yesterday launched the Communications & Internet Services Adjudication Scheme - a new dispute procedure scheme proposed by Orange, Telewest, T-Mobile & the Internet Service Providers Association.
CISAS has met a rigorous set of criteria to provide a free, independent & effective service to consumers who are unable ...
December 10th 2003
By: Luke
Watching ITV?
FT Reports:
Executives at Viacom, the US media conglomerate, boasted on Monday about the company's $2.5bn-$3bn in annual free cash flow but said they remain cautious about using the money for large acquisitions.
Richard Bressler, chief financial officer, acknowledged that Viacom is under leveraged and said it would consider buying US ...
December 10th 2003
By: Luke
BT Launch VoIP Product
BT has gone on the offensive against cable firms NTL and Telewest.
The telco has launched Broadband Voice, which allows customers of the cable companies to make cheap telephone calls over the internet � via the BT network.
All customers need do is attach a special box ...
December 9th 2003
By: Luke
Ofcom Gets First BT-related Complaint
Netimperative reports:
New communications uber-watchdog Ofcom has reached its newest milestone after receiving what is believed to be its first complaint about telco incumbent BT. Wireless ISP FDM Broadband has lodged a complaint claiming that roll-out of its service to rural communities is being hindered by persistent ...
December 9th 2003
By: Luke
Bowe Gets Consumer Chair
Ofcom today announced the appointment of Colette Bowe as the Chairman of its independent Consumer Panel.
Colette Bowe is currently Chairman of the Council of the Telecoms Ombudsman Service (Otelo) - the alternative dispute resolution service for the telecoms industry - and will stand down from this post ...
