Ofcom today announced some measures intended to combat silent calls, a problem we’ve paid a little attention to here, thanks mostly to the efforts of David Hickson.
Ofcom said:
Silent calls occur when automated calling systems used by call centres for telemarketing, market research, debt collection and other purposes, generate more calls than the available call centre [...]
I work with a Polish attorney who uses a VoIP service called Gadu-Gadu. So, today, I stopped into her office and she gave me a quick overview of the service: It basically functions like Yahoo IM with voice, combined with Yahoo groups, and Skype-out (for a fee).
Anyway, the new version of Gadu-Gadu [...]
I forgot to mention in my post below:
While waiting for my flight to Brussels at LHR Terminal 4, I used one of the coin-operated internet access terminals. The access terminal blocks OfcomWatch!!! The message said OW was blocked because of inappropriate content.
I checked Roger Darlington’s CommsWatch – blocked too! I didn’t even [...]
I just returned from the Telecoms Regulation and Competition Law conference put on by our friends at VIB events. Here�s the report:
* About 70-90 attendees. Most were telecoms/mobile operators or regulators.
* The talk was all about VoIP and how NRAs will incorporate that technology into their regulatory frameworks for telephony. [...]
This morning, the Westminster Media Forum held an half-day seminar on Media Literacy at Millbank Tower in London. Media literacy is defined by Ofcom as �the ability to access, understand and create communications in a variety of contexts�. I would always have attended this event since I�m very interested in the subject, but I was [...]
Ofcom has released a consultation paper (PDF) setting out its proposal to remove the requirement in the licences for digital terrestrial television (DTT) multiplexes B, C and D that any services carried are provided on a free-to-air basis, other than with Ofcom’s prior consent. Multiplex B is operated by a wholly-owned BBC subsidiary, and C [...]
It seems the folks at Gartner (Comms industry researchers and analysts) are blogging. They have a nice Communications Industry blog focusing on mergers and acquisition (M&A) ” This blog will cover news and analysis on carriers, equipment vendors and cable and wireless providers � discussed by Gartner�s experts in the telecom arena”.
Ofcom published today a consultation on a proposed amendment to its Guidelines on acceptable use of 070 numbers (the ‘Guidelines’).
070 numbers are designated solely for Personal Numbering Services (PNS). PNS allow end-users to be contacted via a single telephone number, regardless of location, and to receive these calls at almost any telephone number, including mobile [...]
Surfing some news of earlier this month I have come across this:
�The European Commission has appointed Professor Neil Barrett, a computer scientist, as the Trustee who will provide technical advice to the Commission on issues relating to Microsoft�s compliance with the Commission�s 2004 Decision (see IP/04/382).�
In March last year the European Commission fined Microsoft with [...]
Today it was the second and last day of the Cable & Satellite International event titled “The Multi-Channel TV To Handhelds Conference” held in London. Some of the highlights were as follows:
Today’s keynote speaker was Mike Short, Vice Presaident R & D at O2. He pointed out that the UK now has more active UK [...]
The BBC Governors today released a consultation paper on Service Licences and a “public value test”.
The Government’s Green Paper on the BBC Charter stated that “Every BBC service would be held to a detailed service licence against which performance could be measured”. The Governors envisage that the Service Licences would set out the budget, remit [...]
The European Commission’s Competition Directorate has opened a formal investigation, to assess whether public funding for a new fibre-to-the-home (FttH) network in the municipality of Appingedam, located in The Netherlands, complies with EC Treaty State Aid rules.
This is the first time that the European Commission is opening (’has had to open’ – as it is [...]
Today and tomorrow, Cable & Satellite International are holding “The Multi-Channel TV To Handhelds Conference” in London. Thanks to one of tomorrow’s speakers – fellow OfcomWatcher Monica Ariño – I’m attending much of the event which is about a new subject for me and most consumers. But, make no mistake, mobile television is coming soon [...]
A community radio toolkit, created by Manchester-based community radio charity Radio Regen, was launched by Creative Industries and Tourism Minister James Purnell, MP last week at the 2nd annual Community Radio conference Community FM.
The toolkit includes everything from advice on applying to Ofcom for a community radio licence to technical help and tips on securing [...]
Normally, OfcomWatch doesn’t post job adverts, but I thought we could make an exception:
Playboy TV is looking for a person experienced in viewing programmes for
television broadcast for compliance with Ofcom regulations, ideally with an
understanding of the rules applied to late-night erotica.
The ideal candidate will be available immediately to work for about one
month, although this may [...]
If anyone would like to read my account of the Liverpool Broadcasting Conference at which the revision of the TV Without Frontiers Directive was discussed, it is now available at http://www.politics.co.uk/campaignsite/public-voice-$3436683$8.htm
or from me by email at don.redding@pop3.altohiway.com
The European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (EPRA) held its semi-annual meeting in Budapest last week. Once the meeting was over, Russ Taylor and I met with Joan Botella, member of the CAC (Catalan Audiovisual Regulator) and president of EPRA since May 2005. Our meeting was fun and revealing. A full interview with Mr. Joan Botella [...]
I spent most of last week in Budapest� a good autumn getaway in any case, but work-related because I was invited by fellow OfcomWatcher Dr. Monica Arino to give a lecture to students in the master�s in public policy course at the Central European University (CEU). Here are my reflections / thoughts on the [...]
Earlier this week (Thursday), the Westminster eForum held a full-day seminar on the digital divide. I attended most of the event and offer the following headline points:
Many commentators felt that the issue of the digital divide had slipped down the agenda, partly because politicians have confused availability with actual take-up and partly because most politicians [...]
Ofcom has ended its investigation of the case it opened in December 2004 following complaints from the Wireless Group (operator of talkSPORT) that an agreement between the Football Association and the BBC, for the supply of national radio rights to FA cup games, infringed Chapter I of the Competition Act.
Ofcom’s Competition Bulletin gives only a [...]
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