Monthly Archives - November 2005

This is an update on the report by Oftel on Broadband Quality Of Service, published for the BSG on 30 July 2003

Ofcom report – Broadband Quality of Service, November 2004

Europeans are signing up for broadband faster than ever research reveals.

The report by analysts Datamonitor said high-speed net services were popular because intense competition was driving awareness to new highs and prices to new lows.

Datamonitor said it expected the dash for broadband to peter out in two years time when European user numbers topped out at 60% of households.

It predicted that up to 8 million UK households will have broadband by 2008.

Home broadband sign-ups ‘soaring’

London, 23 November 2005

BSG Chairman to take Ofcom Role

Philip Graf CBE has been appointed as the new Deputy Chairman of Ofcom, taking effect from January 1st 2006. He will therefore step down from his role as Chairman of the Broadband Stakeholder Group at the end of the year.

Commenting on his new appointment, Philip Graf CBE said “I have enjoyed chairing the BSG over the last year. I am sure the insights I have gained will prove invaluable in my new role.” He added: “The sector is changing rapidly; and it is more important than ever for industry to engage with policy makers and regulators. The BSG provides a unique forum for that dialogue and will have my continued support in my new role at Ofcom.”

Antony Walker, CEO of the BSG said, “I’d like to thank Philip for the fantastic contribution he has made as Chairman of the BSG over the last year. With his background in the media, Philip brought unrivalled expertise to the BSG and helped shift the debate towards the exploitation of broadband by the public and private sectors and the development of new content, services and applications. It has been a pleasure working with him and I’d like to wish him every success in his new role.???

The BSG will to appoint a new Chairman early in the New Year.

November: Telecomms

One of a series of five thought-provoking seminars hosted by Intellect and the WDA (Welsh Development Agency):

Thursday 17 November 2005 – TELECOMS

From 17:00 – 20:00 hrs @ Intellect Conference Suite, Russell Square House 10-12 Russell Square, London WC1B 5EE
The ‘After 5’ seminar series looks at topical issues relating to: outsourcing; telecoms; data security; GRID computing and telematics – highlighting different perspectives on offer to nimble technology companies.

The Speakers for this Thursday 17 November will be:

Andy Williamson, CTO, Broadband Wales and Ann Benyon, Director, BT Wales

The telecoms industry is responding to demand for broader-band services, but what happens next? Join us at the ‘After 5′ Telecoms seminar which will take a look at issues surrounding this topical subject.

Broadband Wales’ CTO, Andy Williamson will examine the future of communications, mobility and convergence and how these increasingly impact on today’s sophisticated IT systems. Andy will explain how Wales is gearing up its broadband infrastructure to meet these imperatives.

Ann Beynon will give an overview of BT’s investments in Wales, such as the 21st Century Network (21CN) – the world’s most radical next generation network transformation programme – and the challenges this presents. Ann will set this against the backdrop of BT’s significant investments in Wales, such as its datacentre.

Dates for future seminars in 2006:

• Thursday 19 January: Data Security
• Thursday 16 February: GRID Computing
• Thursday 16 March: Telematics

The homeless should be given broadband internet access, John Prescott’s office has said in a new report.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister believes digital technology could be a lifeline for people on the streets.

It says many homeless people already use the internet and mobile phones to look for work and accommodation.

And it wants to build on this by encouraging homeless hostels and community centres in deprived areas to install broadband access.

Call to give broadband to the homeless