Broadband | Finance

Spotify reduces illegal downloading

Napster and LimeWire have been havens for illegal downloaders in the past, but the introduction of Spotify, a free music download site, is curbing the habits of illegal downloaders. Almost two thirds (62 per cent) of those who admit to illegally downloading, say using Spotify has encouraged them to reduce the amount they download illegally or kick the habit altogether.

Children hooked on digital content

A new generation hooked on digital content is shunning traditional playtime in favour of watching TV and surfing the internet, according to new research from uSwitch.com, the independent comparison and switching service. The report also reveals a high proportion of children using the internet and watching TV unsupervised in their bedrooms after being sent to bed, while an alarming number of parents have yet to set up the necessary control measures to protect them from viewing unsuitable content.

Ofcom grants Freedom4 licence variation for mobility

Freedom4, the joint investment between Daisy Group plc and Intel Capital, has been granted a licence variation by Ofcom that enables it to offer mobile wireless broadband services to its customers using its nationwide 3.6GHz spectrum.

Thousands of Hotmail accounts hacked

Following the news that thousands of Hotmail accounts have been targeted in a phishing scam and details posted on pastebin.com, life assistance company CPP, warns consumers to change their passwords immediately, ensuring they are difficult to guess.

Virgin Media to offer short term mobile broadband contracts

Commenting on the recommendation by the Communications Consumer Panel, which advises Ofcom, for a "try before you buy" period in mobile contracts; and the decision by Virgin to Media to offer short term broadband contracts, James Parker, broadband manager at moneysupermarket.com said: "Both the proposal from the Communications Consumer Panel and the new contract offer from Virgin Media represent a shift in the market. A move to short term broadband contracts and allowing mobile users to ‘try before they buy' will give more people the power to trial a service or provider and its product.

World Cup qualifier to be shown exclusively online

Michael Phillips, product director of Broadbandchoices.co.uk, comments: "Whilst armchair fans may be disappointed that no TV broadcaster has stepped in to acquire the broadcast rights to this match, it is an opportunity for broadband users who have never watched TV online to broaden their horizons and experience what an internet connection can offer beyond the usual surfing and emailing.

Connected Britain offers £31.7 billion savings to UK business

UK business could save up to £31.7 billion by helping workers fulfill their ideal work/life balance, according to a report by Orange into the impact of universal connectivity on the future of living and working in the UK. The report, based on YouGov research and insights from futurologist James Bellini, reveals that 16% of respondents would be willing to take an average of £6,900 salary cut and 42% would be happy to forfeit their company car if it meant they could live and work in their ideal location. In addition, many more would be willing to forfeit the seniority of their role (27%) or future job progression (25%) to make their ideal work/life balance scenario a reality.

Doubts cast over Digital Britain tax

Michael Phillips, product director at Broadbandchoices.co.uk commented: "The government's apparent indecision over the proposed broadband tax is to be expected. The cash raised from such a tax would not be enough to fully finance a next generation network, and it would also be unfair on those consumers who have a landline but choose not to have access to broadband.

Martha Lane Fox leads search for Britain's digital heroes

Martha Lane Fox, the UK’s Digital Champion, is leading a call for Britain’s unsung Digital Heroes to come forward as part of a scheme run by TalkTalk, biggest provider of broadband to Britain’s homes.

Online dating comes to TV

BT LogoSingles can now search for love on their televisions thanks to new BT Vision and match.com relationship.

BT speeds up super-fast-fibre plans

BT has revealed the next locations where it will make super-fast fibre broadband available . The new locations cover more than a million homes and businesses across the UK.

Michael Jackson's death sparks off spam

IT security and control firm Sophos is warning users to be wary of spam messages using the untimely death of music legend Michael Jackson to harvest unsuspecting computer users' email addresses for future spam campaigns.

moneysupermarket.com: Digital Britain report

James Parker, manager of broadband at moneysupermarket.com, said: "The report states that funding for the rollout of the Universal Service Commitment (USC) will come from the surplus funds from the Digital Switchover.

PayPal tips, video and advice to fight phishing

Following the news this week that 77% of people in Britain have been targeted by internet phishing scams during the past year and 88% of UK internet users are unable to distinguish a phishing site from an official page when presented side by side, Garreth Griffith, Head of Risk Management at PayPal UK comments:

BT ups the ante by offering free 20MB broadband boost

Michael Phillips, product director at BroadbandChoices.co.uk commented: "This is great news for consumers - research we have conducted in the past has shown that broadband customers do not want to pay extra for a faster connection so BT has definitely upped the ante by giving a free broadband boost. Offering increased speeds at an existing price structure will put pressure on O2, Sky and Virgin Media who all charge a premium."

uSwitch: BBC broadband speeds report

Jason Glynn, Communications Expert, uSwitch.com comments on the BBC's broadband speeds report: "The BBC's investigation into broadband speeds in UK homes paints a worrying picture considering the government has promised to provide all homes in the UK with speeds of at least 2Mbps by 2012. Our own research has found that a quarter (25%) of broadband users have speeds of 2Mb or less and 45% are not happy with their broadband speed. While traditionally regional areas suffer the most, the BBC's research has found that many people in suburban areas are also suffering. Six months ago Ofcom introduced a voluntary Code of Practice to offer broadband customers greater clarity on what speed they will receive, yet almost half (44%) of customers do not know what speed they are actually getting.

Time for Twitter

We will spend an average of 7.2 years of our adult life online, which equates to 6.1 weeks a year or 19.6 hours a week on the internet, according to research by smile, the internet bank from The Co-operative Bank.

Brits leave themselves open to online security threats

The internet is an integral part of everyday life in Britain, from banking to shopping, buying music to keeping in touch with friends. Almost all essential services are now available online, yet millions of people fail to adequately protect their accounts or personal information according to new research from moneysupermarket.com.

moneysupermarket.com: Brits turned off by movies

Commenting on a survey out today from BT on subscription movie viewing habits, James Parker, broadband manager at moneysupermarket.com said: "The survey from BT shows a significant amount of people are paying for movie channels, standalone or with a bundle, that they never use. Bundled packages are a great way to cut down your monthly bills - for broadband, phone and TV - but adding a subscription movie channel to your package can really drive up the cost. People need to be sure they're using these services or it is money down the drain.

Movie fans consider switching off from Sky-high prices

A fifth of subscribers to Sky Movies – at least 891,000 UK households – hadn’t watched a single movie on the service in an entire month, a major YouGov survey on subscription movie viewing habits conducted on behalf of BT revealed today.

Hanging on the technical support line

Calling technical support lines can be a costly business, says Which? Computing - particularly if you're a Tesco broadband customer.

uSwitch.com: Super fast broadband

Jason Glynn, communications expert at uSwitch.com comments on the Ofcom announcement allowing providers freedom to develop super fast broadband: "The move by Ofcom to allow providers the freedom to price super fast broadband without regulatory constraint is a positive step in its roll out. This type of large investment during a recession time will create jobs, stimulate the economy, and help the UK stay competitive against other European countries who already deliver, on average, higher internet speeds than we can currently offer. Both Consumers and businesses will benefit from increased internet speeds, which will help to meet the needs of high speed on demand services such as BBC iPlayer.

BT's new broadband package a ‘consumer friendly move’

The new BT home and mobile broadband package, announced today, sets out to be the cheapest bundle of its kind and is a consumer friendly move, says uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service.

BT launches UK's cheapest home and mobile broadband package

BT has launched the UK’s cheapest home and mobile broadband package from just £15.65 a month.

Talk Talk exclusive offer to Tiscali customers

Commenting on Talk Talk's offer to Tiscali customers, James Parker, broadband manager at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Issuing Tiscali customers with a ‘come and get me' offer is a bold move by TalkTalk and Carphone Warehouse. Understandably Tiscali customers may be concerned with the financial situation of their broadband provider, however they should be reassured that there are plenty of good deals on the market so it really pays to look at all the offers available.

Consumers urged to be aware of download limits

With the launch of the new high definition service for the BBC iPlayer, BroadbandChoices.co.uk urges consumers to be aware of download limits on their broadband package.

Public are sceptical over Carter's Digital Britain

26 million people think Lord Carter's planned universal service of 2Mbps will be too slow for a minimum speed and 10 million people think the policy will actually limit consumer choice, according to a new report from leading price comparison site moneysupermarket.com.

TalkTalk's acquisition of Tiscali's UK operations

Michael Phillips, product director of BroadbandChoices.co.uk comments: "In our two most recent Customer Satisfaction Surveys, TalkTalk has repeatedly scored higher than Tiscali so this should bode well for Tiscali customers who will now be part of the same group."

UK broadband customers name favourite providers

A record number of over 10,000 people have given their opinion of their broadband provider in the latest Broadband Customer Satisfaction Survey from BroadbandChoices.co.uk.

Net knows best for modern mums

Modern motherhood is as much characterised by social networks and online communities as traditional coffee mornings and conversations across the washing line, according to research out today from Post Office Broadband.