Unsatisfied with service - Broadband Users
March 31, 2009
According to latest research, it has been found that more than 40% of the broadband users are unhappy with the service they receive.
Nearly 6.3 million consumers using broadband are still not happy with their service even though the broadband speeds are 18% faster than what it was 1 year back and the bills are cheaper up to 5%.
Research has revealed that despite the above fact, the consumers are presently spending £2.6 billion a year on broadband.
The name –‘Best broadband provider’ was given to O2 Broadband (www.O2.co.uk) who has won a total of 9 awards out of 11 and up to 92% customer satisfaction.
AOL Broadband (www.AOL.co.uk), Orange Broadband (www.Orange.co.uk) and BT Broadband (www.BT.com) have taken the bottom three positions for overall satisfaction in spite of owning 50% of the market between them.
The gap between the best and worst broadband providers has found to hit the highest point ever up to 26% with over 8 million consumers believing that their providers do not give them the best deals possible.
Broadband Security
March 30, 2009
It quiet obvious that one confuses oneself with the various technical jargons related to broadband security. Some knowledge about what it really means and how to protect it from security issues leaves you tension free.
Broadband security as an issue
Since internet is a place where unlimited information is available, there is a high risk from viruses and hackers. Accessing information from the internet is possible while at the same time your personal details can be easily tracked down as internet is a open portal. This practise is quite normal for those who use broadband as it is an always on connection, whereby others can use your details when you are not surfing the internet.
Some common terms
Cookies - Cookies act as a marker on your hard drive so that you will be remembered by certain websites which you visit. This is used for websites which one uses often so that you will be relived from remembering the password and this is harmless for that matter. A perfect example is MSN Messenger.
Firewall - Firewall refers to a boundary or a system of boundaries within the computer and the internet-borne viruses that is susceptible to. It offers a defence mechanism whereby it blocks out known viruses and recognises the weakness of the system. This allows you to repair the whole thing.
Spam - Junk mails send by unknown senders who tell you something is referred to as spam. They could be a miracle for hair lose or solution for a problem and so on. Spam also comes with good news like you have won a competition which you never had entered.
Spy ware - There is a programme which is able to keep an eye on the user and tell exactly the websites visited and traces the personal details. This is called as Spy ware.
Viruses - Virus can be very destructive and harmful as it infects programmes existing in your computer with a copied version of itself. This results in the theft of private information and it is transferred to your computer when you try to download from unauthorized websites.
Wireless Broadband Security - This is one of the most talked about issue and is nowadays related to home wireless broadband. Thus securing your wireless network becomes very important as it can pave way to hacking your personal details if not protected.
Hackers who are indulged in the wireless network security flaws are known as ‘war drivers’ and they carry out ‘war driving’. This can be prevented if the user enters a “WEP” key (WEP is short for ‘Wired Equivalent Privacy’ and acts as a password) when setting up home wireless network. While setting up a wireless network take guidance it read the instruction manual properly.
In order to secure your computers privacy you will need to invest in internet security software and set up your wireless network properly. For combating new viruses more reputed software packages are available. The ones produced by companies such as McAfee and Norton which include features such as anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall are popular at the same time very productive. While setting up wireless network with your wireless router and software instruction should be followed carefully.
Security software is available with pre installed in computer; otherwise you can always contact your broadband ISP for a security package. AOL provides you with free McAfee security software when you go for their broadband packages and some others have their own security software such as Virgin Media’s PCGuard software.
Mobile broadband - Shift to ‘no contract’ packages
March 29, 2009
It has been said by T-Mobile that mobile broadband is going to see a move towards ‘no contract’ packages and attract more and more consumers.
The head of mobile internet and entertainment at T-Mobile Broadband, Richard Warmsley, said to that they will shift towards pay-per day/week/month options for fresh customers. According to him, this will provide the mass market a chance to try mobile broadband and they can purchase their preferred package and pay for usage as per their conveniences.
He also said that he could see mobile broadband and mobile phone internet bundles being offered by the operator.
According to him, a customer will get an apt package in which the tariff will be inclusion of ‘internet on the phone’ minutes,”, if he/she chooses mobile broadband and a high end G1-internet phone.
He says that the bills would be clear if things are bundled together. He added that he couldn’t see mobile internet as a competitive market to mobile broadband and that it is just the same consumers who prefer both for different uses to perform distinct tasks.
According to him, these customers would spend more hours using a laptop and mobile broadband when out while they spend less time on mobile internet.
He added that the main focus of T-Mobile is to see to the customer’s exact needs and how they preferred to use mobile broadband. As a result of which they would stick on to cost per day/month based tariffs instead of pricing on the amount of data used by customers.
He said, “It’s not right to make customers work hard - we’re not going to catch you out”.
As per his belief, he said that the maximum speed achieved by any customer so far is 4.5Mb and it is attainable in bigger cities, while 1-2Mb is typical and 2-3Mb is achievable on their network.
The only mobile broadband which provides fair usage limits on its packages, T-Mobile doesn’t right away charge its customers for exceeding their limits.
Drop of broadband prices in Europe
March 28, 2009
European Commission’s Latest report reveals the drop in broadband prices up to 19% between the year 2007 and 2008. Up to 75% of EU countries are able to access speed of 2 Mb and more with price of a package between 1Mb and 2Mb dropping from €38.02 in 2007 to €31 by the year 2008.
The prices of broadband fell between 29% to €37 per month for speeds between 2Mb and 4Mb. On the other hand the price dropped by 4% for speeds between 4Mb and 8Mb. Whereas the UK broadband has identified a constant hike reaching up to 28.4% of the total residents by January 2009 which marks an increase of 2.7% on the previous year.
EU telecoms commissioner, Viviane Reding said that European users are now able to enjoy higher broadband speeds at lower prices due to the high competition in the broadband market. When there is perfect blend of competition and regulation, the prices naturally come down with an increase in the speed. Most of the European broadband users avail speeds greater than 2Mb, speed at which TV over internet is made possible at cheaper rates.
She also added that the trend was good, but distinction in rates between the countries still prevailed. She ensured a Single Market for telecoms with reliable set of telecoms regulations for the entire EU.
New broadband mobile services made possible in the Ofcom Proposals
March 20, 2009
Ofcom, communication regulator has come up with this proposal of change in the UK’s spectrum usage, which will result in the creation of new mobile broadband services. According to the telecommunications watchdog, a change in policy on spectrum usage, UK will witness new mobile broadband services.
Proposals published by Ofcom suggest that the country is aligning in its “digital dividend”, the provided free space on the spectrum and following the digital television switchover with other countries in Europe. Spectrum necessarily means the range of frequencies at which devices communicate; television gets a slice, mobile phones another, radios a third and so on.
UK is known as the first country to plan a dividend; it was in the year 2003. It decided to release two different bands including the 806 to 854 MHz. Wider block was planned to be released by Finland, France, Sweden and Switzerland and more will follow their tracks.
This made Ofcom propose UK to free the same frequency. Improved mobile broadband and cheaper equipment can be attained by doing so, cleared the organisation. At the same time, adoption of this method will need many of the digital terrestrial television viewers to re-tune their set-top boxes, which is a simple process, added Ofcom.
Ofcom is all set to release a statement on this September issue and is looking forward to auction off the dividend in 2010.
