Tech Bitch

A team of engineers at a British university have pimped broadband to make it 100 times faster and a quarter the price it is today.

Using existing telecommunications but channelling the data more efficiently, the machine will be able to download 15 full-length Hollywood movies a minute. That’s also a heck of a lot of prOn! The scientists at Bangor University are now set to build a prototype of their machine.

It is hoped their efforts will transform the communications industry, home life and the workplace. The new larger- and faster-capacity networks would revolutionise home entertainment, delivering high-speed high-definition films and television, high-power computer games and home video-conferencing facilities. It would also make boring things like remote working far easier.

Importantly, the device works with the existing fibre optic technology, so there is no need to rip out the cabling which runs the country’s telecommunications network. Projections have also shown a more efficient use of the network will cut costs for every user by up to 75%. Unfortunately it is too early to predict the high-street cost of the device, which will look very much like a DVD player and will sit between the broadband outlet and computer.

Anyone who thinks that downloading 15 feature films in a minute seems a trifle unnecessary should think again. I’m gagging for a piece of the action …

Be, the Internet provider everyone wants in their homes, has announced today that over the next four months the network coverage will be increased by 15% of the UK population, providing ADSL2+ broadband to a further 2,000,000 lines.

Be Un Limited, which is wholly-owned by O2 and one of the most innovative and technically-advanced UK broadband networks, will now cover 67% of the UK population.

Between now and June, 400 exchanges will be unbundled bringing the total number to 1245, making this the most widespread ADSL2+ network in the country offering some of the fastest speeds to Net junkies.

“This is the next stage in our development at Be as we believe that reliable high speed broadband takes continual innovation and investment”, said Oli White, Head of Marketing at Be Un Limited.

“These 400 new exchanges will mean that over 67% of the UK population will be able to experience faster speeds with ADSL2+. But it doesn’t stop there; we are already testing new technologies that will enhance not only the network but our speed.”

This is clearly great news for the discerning consumer. Be’s expansion into Northern Ireland and Wales will be particularly well received, as users there often have to rely on carrier pigeon.

Following today’s announcement from Ofcom regarding proposals to curb unfair additional charges levied by communications providers on consumers’ bills, you might want to watch out for hidden charges in the mean time.

The investigation is great and it couldn’t have come sooner. We all continually face the prospect of additional charges from our service provider, which are all too often buried deep in the small print of the contract.

I just hope that the proposals will ensure that extra charges are fair and up front. I also call on ISPs to clearly market the true cost of their service and not hide them away in the terms and conditions. Until Ofcom’s proposal is enforced you should be wary of the following hidden extras.

There are two types of broadband packages when it comes to downloads: ones with set, monthly limits or ‘caps’, and ones that are advertised as ‘unlimited’ but which are almost invariably subject to a fair usage policy. Both can end up costing you extra, or you may find you have the speed of your connection reduced.

Even if you’re signed up to an unlimited package, you could still be restrained under the conditions of your ISP’s ‘fair usage’ policy. If the ISP considers that your monthly downloading is excessive (or unfair to other users) then you could have your speed ‘throttled’ or ‘ports’ blocked, which will affect downloading. You may also have a fixed download limit, which may mean you end up paying an additional fee on top of your monthly rate for big downloads.

If you opt for a ‘no contract’ broadband deal it isn’t quite as straightforward as it seems. In order to cover costs, many ISP’s charge significantly more per month if no long-term contract has been signed. Other providers may charge you an exit fee if you leave during the initial 12 months.

Even if you’ve paid your bill just a few hours late you can still fall foul of late payment fees. Also, check your new contract carefully if you think you might need to cancel before the 12 month term is up. Even if you’re moving house and intending to use the same supplier again, this could still incur a charge. Finally, you’d think ISPs would be happy once they have your money, but additional charges can be incurred for paying by cheque or credit card. Make sure you read the small print and choose a payment method that won’t penalise you if you choose not to pay by direct debit.

Additional fees that are not part of the main service charge must be demonstrably fair and clearly sign posted on marketing materials and product information. Make sure you read through the small print and summarise all the hidden charges alongside the various package options to make an informed decision. I hope that Ofcom’s proposals will encourage companies to be open and straightforward about additional charges, and we’ll all be a little more vigilant when it comes to reading the small print.

With mobile broadband sales booming, are home broadband’s days numbered?Based on data from thousands of UK broadband package sales over the past six months, marketing types at Top 10 Broadband are currently tracking a paradigm shift in sales patterns towards mobile broadband and are foreseeing the eventual demise of home broadband.

Top 10 Broadband predicts that mobile broadband as a source of Internet connection will overtake home broadband by as early as 2010 to become the default way to access the Internet in the UK. What a load of toshiba!

Top 10 Broadband says mobile broadband sales have increased by over 50% month on month since adding them to its Web site. Mobile broadband now makes up over 10% of its total broadband sales from 0% only six months ago. Oh, that’s definitive then …

Come on! Even if laptop sales have boomed in recent years, the cost and hassle of mobile broadband means it’s still a long way off for mass market adoption. Even if major mobile broadband providers like Vodafone, T Mobile, 3 and Orange are competing hard, I just can’t see it happening any time soon.

The University of Bath has just made learning more accessible for all its students thanks to a ‘revolutionary’ blow-up pub high bandwidth connectivity. Made possible by H2O Networks’ FS Focus System, those students who have no girl/boy friends are actually resident on campus and those attending one of the University’s city centre student residencies and business centres can benefit from the speeds associated with next generation broadband. H2O Networks’ DARC fibre (Derestricted Access Route Connection), which delivers connectivity via its FS Focus System (Fibre Optical Cable Underground Sewer System), is used to deploy the cable through the City’s sewer network.

Keen not to cause too much disruption to the local area while the ultra broadband service was being rolled out to both the campus, students residences and education centres, the University’s IT department was over the moon at having more work that it could provide students with the fastest speeds available, yet still set up its own secure IT and telecoms network in case it all went tits-up.

Kris Shah, network manager, University of Bath commented: “It was important to us to ensure that all students attending the University could benefit from the same technology. Now all students attending the University of Bath regardless of whether they are on or off campus will be able to take advantage of ultra fast broadband access which is both reliable and scaleable for at least the next decade.

The new service now offers the kinds of bandwidth that students will really appreciate when it comes to prOn research and entertainment. According to boffins, the deployment process is at least 80% faster than traditional methods, resulting in operational networks within weeks rather than months. Every city and town has ready-made ducts that can be used without causing disruption - H2O wants to cash in big time…