Sony Computer Entertainment America Offers PSP(R)(PlayStation(R)Portable) Users T-Mobile(R) Hotspot Access
Sony has announced a deal with T-Mobile so PSP users can access the Internet via T-Mobile hotspots. This requires firmware v3.3 for the PSP (now available) which also adds further functionality like full screen video.
The offer allows 6 months "free" WiFi access, then a special price plan for PSP users.
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30 Mart 2007 Cuma
29 Mart 2007 Perşembe
Regulation of VoIP Services | Ofcom
Regulation of VoIP Services | Ofcom
Ofcom have today published initial regulations for VoIP providers.
The key points are: -
* If there is no 999 access the supplier must notify the user and get the user to SIGN to acknowledge it.
* If 999 services are not available there must be stickers/labels on hardware (or notices on software) which tell the user that they are not available.
* Ofcom wants everyone to offer 999 services. In doing so everyone will become PATS (public access telephony system). PATS means that they are compliant with various general conditions.
* Anyone offering a service in the UK is covered by the UK regulations whether operating from the UK or from a foreign country, however Ofcom does not have a solution for foreign operators who do not adhere to the regulations.
Anyone who is now PATS must accept porting requests immediately and can demand ports from any other PATS provider.
Ofcom is also going to consult on various other VoIP related issues in the coming months.
Ofcom have today published initial regulations for VoIP providers.
The key points are: -
* If there is no 999 access the supplier must notify the user and get the user to SIGN to acknowledge it.
* If 999 services are not available there must be stickers/labels on hardware (or notices on software) which tell the user that they are not available.
* Ofcom wants everyone to offer 999 services. In doing so everyone will become PATS (public access telephony system). PATS means that they are compliant with various general conditions.
* Anyone offering a service in the UK is covered by the UK regulations whether operating from the UK or from a foreign country, however Ofcom does not have a solution for foreign operators who do not adhere to the regulations.
Anyone who is now PATS must accept porting requests immediately and can demand ports from any other PATS provider.
Ofcom is also going to consult on various other VoIP related issues in the coming months.
28 Mart 2007 Çarşamba
71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz Self Coordinated Links | Ofcom
71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz Self Coordinated Links | Ofcom
Ofcom has made the 71-76 GHz paired with 81-86 GHz bands available for short range links. These paired bands are lightly licensed with a registration fee of £50 pa per link.
Anyone wishing to use equipment must first register the link (having obtained a license) in Ofcom's database. The license affords some measure of interference protection (though Ofcom will try not to get involved unless the interfering parties can not be contacted or resolve issues amongst themselves). A second link can not be registered if there is already a link in place. If a licensee complains of interference, Ofcom has the power to force a later (interfering) link to terminate operation.
The process of registration is currently manual, but this may change.
Though these bands have to potential to offer very high speed fixed links (there's 9GHz in each direction for a full-duplex operation) equipment is currently extremely expensive so it's unlikely to have widespread adoption. This is mainly due to exotic materials needing to be used as silicon does not function well (radio wise) above 10GHz.
There are also safety concerns as the radio waves are likely to be ionising.
However short-range point-to-point links can achieve multi-gigabit speeds suitable for LAN extension services.
Ofcom has made the 71-76 GHz paired with 81-86 GHz bands available for short range links. These paired bands are lightly licensed with a registration fee of £50 pa per link.
Anyone wishing to use equipment must first register the link (having obtained a license) in Ofcom's database. The license affords some measure of interference protection (though Ofcom will try not to get involved unless the interfering parties can not be contacted or resolve issues amongst themselves). A second link can not be registered if there is already a link in place. If a licensee complains of interference, Ofcom has the power to force a later (interfering) link to terminate operation.
The process of registration is currently manual, but this may change.
Though these bands have to potential to offer very high speed fixed links (there's 9GHz in each direction for a full-duplex operation) equipment is currently extremely expensive so it's unlikely to have widespread adoption. This is mainly due to exotic materials needing to be used as silicon does not function well (radio wise) above 10GHz.
There are also safety concerns as the radio waves are likely to be ionising.
However short-range point-to-point links can achieve multi-gigabit speeds suitable for LAN extension services.
27 Mart 2007 Salı
Adobe Creative Suite 3: Digit's in-depth guide
Digit Online
Adobe has announced what will be in the various CS3 packages.
The packages are: -
* Creative Suite 3 Design Standard. It includes InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, plus Acrobat 8 Professional which costs £760 plus VAT.
* The Design Premium bundle includes the above and the Extended version of Photoshop, and gains Dreamweaver and Flash Professional. It costs £1,199 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Web Standard is based around the ex-Macromedia core of Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks and Contribute. It costs £600 plus VAT.
* The Premium version includes the above and adds adds Photoshop Extended, Illustrator and Acrobat for £1,017 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Production Premium includes After Effects Professional, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, Encore, OnLocation, Ultra, Photoshop Extended, Illustrator and Flash Professional for £1,199 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Master Collection includes InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Contribute, After Effects Professional, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, Encore, OnLocation, Ultra, Acrobat, Bridge, Device Central CS3 for £1,675 plus VAT.
All Adobe software is version CS3 apart from Acrobat which is v8 (i.e. the currently released version).
The design and web versions will ship in April, Production Premium and Master Collection will ship late summer.
They'll run on MacOS X 10.4 (or higher) and XP and Vista. Some programs are Mac Intel only and some Windows only.
Adobe has announced what will be in the various CS3 packages.
The packages are: -
* Creative Suite 3 Design Standard. It includes InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, plus Acrobat 8 Professional which costs £760 plus VAT.
* The Design Premium bundle includes the above and the Extended version of Photoshop, and gains Dreamweaver and Flash Professional. It costs £1,199 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Web Standard is based around the ex-Macromedia core of Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks and Contribute. It costs £600 plus VAT.
* The Premium version includes the above and adds adds Photoshop Extended, Illustrator and Acrobat for £1,017 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Production Premium includes After Effects Professional, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, Encore, OnLocation, Ultra, Photoshop Extended, Illustrator and Flash Professional for £1,199 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Master Collection includes InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Contribute, After Effects Professional, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, Encore, OnLocation, Ultra, Acrobat, Bridge, Device Central CS3 for £1,675 plus VAT.
All Adobe software is version CS3 apart from Acrobat which is v8 (i.e. the currently released version).
The design and web versions will ship in April, Production Premium and Master Collection will ship late summer.
They'll run on MacOS X 10.4 (or higher) and XP and Vista. Some programs are Mac Intel only and some Windows only.
Community Audio Distribution Services (CADS): FAQs | Ofcom
Community Audio Distribution Services (CADS): FAQs | Ofcom
Ofcom has now made Community Audio Distribution Services (CADS) license exempt. CADS uses Citizen's Band Radio equipment and may be used to distribute live community events, such as religious services or council meetings. No commercial traffic/messages may be transmitted.
CB isn't as popular in the UK as in the US, but there are several tens of thousands of users.
Ofcom has now made Community Audio Distribution Services (CADS) license exempt. CADS uses Citizen's Band Radio equipment and may be used to distribute live community events, such as religious services or council meetings. No commercial traffic/messages may be transmitted.
CB isn't as popular in the UK as in the US, but there are several tens of thousands of users.
BT OSS Separation | Ofcom
BT OSS Separation | Ofcom
As part of BT's agreement with Ofcom (when BT Openreach was set-up) they have to seperate their OSS (operational support systems) so Openreach have completely seperate systems. Ofcom are proposing an ammendment to Section 5 (separation of systems shared between Openreach and the rest of BT) of the Enterprise Act Undertakings given by BT to Ofcom.
BT have to: -
* Physically separate Openreach OSS from the rest of BT by 30th June 2010
* Design all new Openreach systems to be separate from the rest of BT
* In the interim, until full physical separation is achieved, deliver a logically separate OSS capability for certain product groups according to binding milestones
* Review regularly with Ofcom a roadmap for achieving physical separation
Ofcom have also set-out interim measures for milestones up to the 2010 completion.
The consultation closes on 11/05/2007.
As part of BT's agreement with Ofcom (when BT Openreach was set-up) they have to seperate their OSS (operational support systems) so Openreach have completely seperate systems. Ofcom are proposing an ammendment to Section 5 (separation of systems shared between Openreach and the rest of BT) of the Enterprise Act Undertakings given by BT to Ofcom.
BT have to: -
* Physically separate Openreach OSS from the rest of BT by 30th June 2010
* Design all new Openreach systems to be separate from the rest of BT
* In the interim, until full physical separation is achieved, deliver a logically separate OSS capability for certain product groups according to binding milestones
* Review regularly with Ofcom a roadmap for achieving physical separation
Ofcom have also set-out interim measures for milestones up to the 2010 completion.
The consultation closes on 11/05/2007.
Procedures for the Management of Satellite Filings | Ofcom
Procedures for the Management of Satellite Filings | Ofcom
Ofcom's document describes the procedures that must be followed by companies or other organisations located in the United Kingdom (UK), British Overseas Territories, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, wishing to submit applications through the UK for the management and processing of satellite filings. It includes details of coordination and registration, in order to achieve international recognition under the ITU procedures.
Not very exciting, but an important document for anyone wishing to use satellite services.
Ofcom's document describes the procedures that must be followed by companies or other organisations located in the United Kingdom (UK), British Overseas Territories, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, wishing to submit applications through the UK for the management and processing of satellite filings. It includes details of coordination and registration, in order to achieve international recognition under the ITU procedures.
Not very exciting, but an important document for anyone wishing to use satellite services.
Ofcom announces new price controls on mobile operators
Ofcom has lowed the termination charges for mobile operators. O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone will now only be able to charge 5.1p per minute, while 3 will be able to charge 5.9p. It's the first time 3 have had termination charge controls.
BT has complained that the charges are still too high and the operators are subsidising their 3G licenses will termination revenue and that Ofcom has been pressurised by the operators. The EU has mandated that termination charges should be lowered and will look closely at Ofcom's business models to ensure that the pricing they set is realistic, if they feel Ofcom has favoured the operators the EU may force them to further lower termination charges.
This will take place from April 1st.
More importantly Ofcom are also going to hold a consultation into mobile number porting (MNP), currently mobile numbers can only be ported between the above "big 5" operators. There is a lot of industry interest in this as VoIP services come into play (mobile VoIP over wireless services) and also groups like the low power GSM (guard band) operators want porting, currently these types of players can not access the MNP systems.
BT has complained that the charges are still too high and the operators are subsidising their 3G licenses will termination revenue and that Ofcom has been pressurised by the operators. The EU has mandated that termination charges should be lowered and will look closely at Ofcom's business models to ensure that the pricing they set is realistic, if they feel Ofcom has favoured the operators the EU may force them to further lower termination charges.
This will take place from April 1st.
More importantly Ofcom are also going to hold a consultation into mobile number porting (MNP), currently mobile numbers can only be ported between the above "big 5" operators. There is a lot of industry interest in this as VoIP services come into play (mobile VoIP over wireless services) and also groups like the low power GSM (guard band) operators want porting, currently these types of players can not access the MNP systems.
Inquiry into premium rate telecoms services in television programmes | Ofcom
Inquiry into premium rate telecoms services in television programmes | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding an enquiry into premium rate services (PRS) in TV programs.
They will then publish results to ensure consumer confidence is restored.
Any PRS is already goverened by ICSTIS codes, but this is likely to expose some dubious practices by TV companies who use PRS for revenue generation.
Ofcom is holding an enquiry into premium rate services (PRS) in TV programs.
They will then publish results to ensure consumer confidence is restored.
Any PRS is already goverened by ICSTIS codes, but this is likely to expose some dubious practices by TV companies who use PRS for revenue generation.
Market investigation into the pay TV industry | Ofcom
Market investigation into the pay TV industry | Ofcom
Ofcom has received a submission from BT, Setanta, Top Up TV, and Virgin Media to investigate the pay TV industry and to consider whether they should be investigated by the Competition Commission under the Enterprise Act 2002.
Ofcom Consumer Panel and the National Consumer Council have also expressed concerned about BSkyB removing channels on Virgin Media's platform.
Sky have a virtual monopoly on a huge ammount of content and other payers want equal access. Sky will probably lose out in the long term, but in the meantime lots of Virgin Media customers are likely to migrate to Sky to gain access to prime shows like Lost, 24, BattleStar Galactica etc. Sky are even offering promotional pricing to attract cable customers. Virgin Media are not cash rich and losing droves of customers could put them in a very dangerous position in terms of city expectations.
Ofcom has received a submission from BT, Setanta, Top Up TV, and Virgin Media to investigate the pay TV industry and to consider whether they should be investigated by the Competition Commission under the Enterprise Act 2002.
Ofcom Consumer Panel and the National Consumer Council have also expressed concerned about BSkyB removing channels on Virgin Media's platform.
Sky have a virtual monopoly on a huge ammount of content and other payers want equal access. Sky will probably lose out in the long term, but in the meantime lots of Virgin Media customers are likely to migrate to Sky to gain access to prime shows like Lost, 24, BattleStar Galactica etc. Sky are even offering promotional pricing to attract cable customers. Virgin Media are not cash rich and losing droves of customers could put them in a very dangerous position in terms of city expectations.
Variation of UK Broadband Limited Wireless TelegraphyAct Licences
Last week Ofcom agreed to merge UK Broadband's 3 seperate 3.4GHz licenses into 1 national license. UK Broadband is owned by PCCW the Hong Kong company.
UK Broadband won 13 of the 15 regional 3.4GHz licenses, then acquired the other 2 and now these seperate licenses (which all the the same conditions etc, apart from region) will become a single license.
UK Broadband have also asked for the licenses to become technology neutral (as per Ofcom recent policy in-line with EU policy) and to change the conditions (which is likely to be to allow mobile/nomadic use - currently the license only allows fixed links).
Having a national license in the middle of the usable WiMAX spectrum range is a very valuable commodity, though PCCW may not have the resource to roll-out a national service (backhaul is extremely expensive), but as a single national license they could sell it on to another operator (like BT) who want to roll out mobility solutions (and high speed broadband to rural areas).
UK Broadband won 13 of the 15 regional 3.4GHz licenses, then acquired the other 2 and now these seperate licenses (which all the the same conditions etc, apart from region) will become a single license.
UK Broadband have also asked for the licenses to become technology neutral (as per Ofcom recent policy in-line with EU policy) and to change the conditions (which is likely to be to allow mobile/nomadic use - currently the license only allows fixed links).
Having a national license in the middle of the usable WiMAX spectrum range is a very valuable commodity, though PCCW may not have the resource to roll-out a national service (backhaul is extremely expensive), but as a single national license they could sell it on to another operator (like BT) who want to roll out mobility solutions (and high speed broadband to rural areas).
26 Mart 2007 Pazartesi
Symbian announces Symbian OS v9.5
Symbian announces Symbian OS v9.5
Symbian has released Symbian OS 9.5, this has their POSIX interface and a SQL database built-in. It also has improvements for memory management and processors meaning applications will run faster and more efficiently.
Symbian have also announced support for the new ® Cortex™-A8 processor currently running on Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) OMAP3430 application processor which can offer around 3 times the performance of current processors.
It will take a while for both the OS and devices based on the new CPU to appear though.
Symbian has released Symbian OS 9.5, this has their POSIX interface and a SQL database built-in. It also has improvements for memory management and processors meaning applications will run faster and more efficiently.
Symbian have also announced support for the new ® Cortex™-A8 processor currently running on Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) OMAP3430 application processor which can offer around 3 times the performance of current processors.
It will take a while for both the OS and devices based on the new CPU to appear though.
16 Mart 2007 Cuma
Microsoft buys Tellme
Tellme produce voice recognition software, companies like FedEx utilise their technology.
MS are likely to integrate the Tellme voice recognition software into their an on-line collaboration service or even LCS (live communication server) which was released in beta this week.
Tellme had solutions for Linux and other open source variants, but will MS now kill these as it has done in the past with other companies it has acquired.
MS are likely to integrate the Tellme voice recognition software into their an on-line collaboration service or even LCS (live communication server) which was released in beta this week.
Tellme had solutions for Linux and other open source variants, but will MS now kill these as it has done in the past with other companies it has acquired.
Cisco buys WebEx
Cisco bought WebEx the on-line conferencing company for $3.2bn, which values each of WebEx's 28,000 customers at $145,000.
Cisco certainly didn't buy them for the customers, but for the services and services revenue.
Cisco are now likely to be very interested in the IMS space.
Cisco certainly didn't buy them for the customers, but for the services and services revenue.
Cisco are now likely to be very interested in the IMS space.
15 Mart 2007 Perşembe
Award of available spectrum: 10 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz and 40 GHz—10 GHz and the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games | Ofcom
Award of available spectrum: 10 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz and 40 GHz—10 GHz and the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games | Ofcom
Ofcom are planning to auction the 10 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz and 40 GHz bands and have held various consultations on these bands and are proposing to make them available via various auctions (200 MHz of the 10 GHz band is utilised by the MoD).
The Olympic Games are due to be held in East London in 2012 and 10 GHz is suitable for video links and wireless cameras. Ofcom (as part of guarantees made by the UK government) is to make spectrum available for the Olympics free of charge.
Since there will be many broadcasters at the Olympics in 2012 and in test events in 2010, Ofcom are looking at making 10 GHz available, so if Ofcom issue a license or licenses the license(s) will have to take this into account.
Ofcom are holding a consultation and comments should be submitted by 12 April 2007.
Ofcom are planning to auction the 10 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz and 40 GHz bands and have held various consultations on these bands and are proposing to make them available via various auctions (200 MHz of the 10 GHz band is utilised by the MoD).
The Olympic Games are due to be held in East London in 2012 and 10 GHz is suitable for video links and wireless cameras. Ofcom (as part of guarantees made by the UK government) is to make spectrum available for the Olympics free of charge.
Since there will be many broadcasters at the Olympics in 2012 and in test events in 2010, Ofcom are looking at making 10 GHz available, so if Ofcom issue a license or licenses the license(s) will have to take this into account.
Ofcom are holding a consultation and comments should be submitted by 12 April 2007.
13 Mart 2007 Salı
1785-1805 MHz in Northern Ireland
Ofcom are holding an auction for a license in Northern Ireland for spectrum in 1785-1805 MHz.
Applications must be submitted to Ofcom on 21st march 2007 between 10.00 and 15.00. They can be made to Ofcom's London office at
Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA
or their Northern Ireland office at
Landmark House, 5 Cromac Quay, The Gasworks, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2JD
Applications must be submitted to Ofcom on 21st march 2007 between 10.00 and 15.00. They can be made to Ofcom's London office at
Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA
or their Northern Ireland office at
Landmark House, 5 Cromac Quay, The Gasworks, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2JD
Conditions regulating Sexual Entertainment Services
Ofcom statement
Ofcom has published a statement that will force all operators of sexual entertainment services (SES) to move from 08 numbers to a new 098 number range.
Currently there are also SES running on 0908 and 0909. Existing services can remain on those numbers, though the numbering of the range will facilitate migrating to the new numer range. No new SES will be allocated on 0908 and 0909.
All premium rate services (PRS) are regulated by ICSTIS and therefore 098 services will be covered by them (currently not all 08 services are covered). Though the ICSTIS regulations come into force imediately, SES migrating from 08 numbers will be given 4 weeks to comply (to ensure they have time to complete the registration process).
This should make it clearer for consumers that they are using a PRS service and there's a standard complaints procedure for misuse.
Ofcom has published a statement that will force all operators of sexual entertainment services (SES) to move from 08 numbers to a new 098 number range.
Currently there are also SES running on 0908 and 0909. Existing services can remain on those numbers, though the numbering of the range will facilitate migrating to the new numer range. No new SES will be allocated on 0908 and 0909.
All premium rate services (PRS) are regulated by ICSTIS and therefore 098 services will be covered by them (currently not all 08 services are covered). Though the ICSTIS regulations come into force imediately, SES migrating from 08 numbers will be given 4 weeks to comply (to ensure they have time to complete the registration process).
This should make it clearer for consumers that they are using a PRS service and there's a standard complaints procedure for misuse.
802.11n draft 2.0 approved
The IEEE 802.11 working group has reached consensus after 2 months of balloting by achieving over 75% majority.
Now that the draft is approved, it will go on sale by the IEEE and companies can start to modify existing equipment to ensure compliance.
Though the draft was approved there were 3,163 comments to the draft of which 1,441 are editorial and another 1,635 technical. This means that the draft is sound, though some changes may occur before it's ratified as a standard. Future revisions will still require a 75% majority vote.
This is good news for consumers who can start to buy 802.11n draft 2.0 equipment, knowing that the final version shouldn't be too different.
Now that the draft is approved, it will go on sale by the IEEE and companies can start to modify existing equipment to ensure compliance.
Though the draft was approved there were 3,163 comments to the draft of which 1,441 are editorial and another 1,635 technical. This means that the draft is sound, though some changes may occur before it's ratified as a standard. Future revisions will still require a 75% majority vote.
This is good news for consumers who can start to buy 802.11n draft 2.0 equipment, knowing that the final version shouldn't be too different.
7 Mart 2007 Çarşamba
'Online Photoshop' details emerge News - PC Advisor
'Online Photoshop' details emerge News - PC Advisor: "'Online Photoshop' "
Adobe is planning an on-line version of Photoshop, though it's aimed at consumers not professionals.
They've also announced their Remix service for video users.
Adobe is planning an on-line version of Photoshop, though it's aimed at consumers not professionals.
They've also announced their Remix service for video users.
Sony debuts video Walkman
Digit Online
Sony has announced a Walkman that can play video. It comes in 2, 4 and 8GB versions.
It supports ATRAC and MP3, though battery life is better with ATRAC and it comes with software to convert various formats into ATRAC.
Videowise it supports MPEG4 (H.264/AVC) and has a QVGA 240 pixels by 320 pixels display.
The 2GB version costs around £120, the 4GB £155 and 8GB £200.
Sony has announced a Walkman that can play video. It comes in 2, 4 and 8GB versions.
It supports ATRAC and MP3, though battery life is better with ATRAC and it comes with software to convert various formats into ATRAC.
Videowise it supports MPEG4 (H.264/AVC) and has a QVGA 240 pixels by 320 pixels display.
The 2GB version costs around £120, the 4GB £155 and 8GB £200.
Adobe Creative Suite 3 to launch March 27
Adobe has said it will release Creative Suite v3 on the 27th of March, however no details have been given about what will be in CS3.
They've been running a web video (available on YouTube) called "What's in the Box" for a while.
Currently standard Adobe CS2 contains Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2, InDesign CS2, Version Cue CS2 and Bridge and the Premium version adds adds Acrobat 8, GoLive CS2 and Dreamweaver 8.
They've been running a web video (available on YouTube) called "What's in the Box" for a while.
Currently standard Adobe CS2 contains Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2, InDesign CS2, Version Cue CS2 and Bridge and the Premium version adds adds Acrobat 8, GoLive CS2 and Dreamweaver 8.
Availability of Numbering Resource | Ofcom
Availability of Numbering Resource | Ofcom
Ofcom are holding a consultation on reducing the number block allocations on certain exchanges were numbers are running out.
Ofcom normally allocate blocks of 10,000 numbers. Ofcom are proposing to reduce this to allocations of 1,000 numbers where numbers are becoming scarce.
This affects 59 new geographics codes (as well as the 79 existing conservation areas). There are also another 32 that, though are not at risk at present will be in the future.
Ofcom are proposing 2 options: -
Option 1: take conservation measures now on all 91 geographic area codes
Option 2: take conservation measures now on the 59 geographic area codes with the
additional 32 geographic area codes to be given conservation status in January 2008.
The consultation ends of 5th April 2007.
Ofcom are holding a consultation on reducing the number block allocations on certain exchanges were numbers are running out.
Ofcom normally allocate blocks of 10,000 numbers. Ofcom are proposing to reduce this to allocations of 1,000 numbers where numbers are becoming scarce.
This affects 59 new geographics codes (as well as the 79 existing conservation areas). There are also another 32 that, though are not at risk at present will be in the future.
Ofcom are proposing 2 options: -
Option 1: take conservation measures now on all 91 geographic area codes
Option 2: take conservation measures now on the 59 geographic area codes with the
additional 32 geographic area codes to be given conservation status in January 2008.
The consultation ends of 5th April 2007.
BT Public Call Boxes | Ofcom
BT Public Call Boxes | Ofcom
BT have to provide call boxes under their Universal Service Obligations, this is something they'd rather not do.
Some call boxes are situated in remote regions and BT wish to trial varying pricing depending on the location of the phone box itself.
BT will have to publish what they are going to do in the trial and proposed tarrifs.
Ofcom wish to allow BT to trial this but are holding a consultation on the matter.
BT have to provide call boxes under their Universal Service Obligations, this is something they'd rather not do.
Some call boxes are situated in remote regions and BT wish to trial varying pricing depending on the location of the phone box itself.
BT will have to publish what they are going to do in the trial and proposed tarrifs.
Ofcom wish to allow BT to trial this but are holding a consultation on the matter.
Proposal to make the Radio Frequency Identification Equipment (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 | Ofcom
Proposal to make the Radio Frequency Identification Equipment (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation with regards the 865-868 MHz band which is used for RFID systems. Ofcom have previously made this band license exempt and CEPT (EU ITU) wants member states to make this permanent, which requires a law change.
Ofcom as part as CEPT (and under EU harmonisation rules) is proposing to make this happen.
Ofcom is holding a consultation with regards the 865-868 MHz band which is used for RFID systems. Ofcom have previously made this band license exempt and CEPT (EU ITU) wants member states to make this permanent, which requires a law change.
Ofcom as part as CEPT (and under EU harmonisation rules) is proposing to make this happen.
5 Mart 2007 Pazartesi
PNY launches Quadro FX 4600 for 3D pros
Digit Online
PNY had released the Quadro FX4600 which is an upgraded version of the FX 4500. It has 128 parallel 1.35GHz cores and 768MB of RAM a core clock speed of 500MHz and memory speed of 600MHz and the memory interface is not 384-bit.
The chip supports Vista's DirectX 10 graphics system. It also supports CUDA, nVidia's computing platform (where the GPU can be used for computational tasks, that may not be graphics related).
Frame and gen-lock are available through a daughter card (the Quadro G-Sync board). There's also a version of the card supporting 12-bit HD SDI (the Quadro 6400SDI).
Hopefully Apple will adopt this chipset as their high-end offering for the MacPro which currently uses a Quadro 4500.
PNY had released the Quadro FX4600 which is an upgraded version of the FX 4500. It has 128 parallel 1.35GHz cores and 768MB of RAM a core clock speed of 500MHz and memory speed of 600MHz and the memory interface is not 384-bit.
The chip supports Vista's DirectX 10 graphics system. It also supports CUDA, nVidia's computing platform (where the GPU can be used for computational tasks, that may not be graphics related).
Frame and gen-lock are available through a daughter card (the Quadro G-Sync board). There's also a version of the card supporting 12-bit HD SDI (the Quadro 6400SDI).
Hopefully Apple will adopt this chipset as their high-end offering for the MacPro which currently uses a Quadro 4500.
DVD download specification approved
The DVD Copy Control Association has had its protection scheme approved by the DVD Forum who met near Japan for downloadable content that can be burnt on to DVDs. It will require a new disk that's similar to a DVD-R disk which should work on most consumer DVD players.
Initially it's expected the technology will be used in controlled environments such as kiosks rather than on PC's, though if it works out it could be used on general PC systems.
Initially it's expected the technology will be used in controlled environments such as kiosks rather than on PC's, though if it works out it could be used on general PC systems.
3D virtual world Kaneva coming soon
Digit Online
Kaneva is sort of like Second Life, but a social networking (think MySpace) version.
Currently you can sign-up, but there's no guarantee that you'll actually be invited to participate in the 3D World. However on sign-in'ing up you'll be inundated with "friend requests".
There's no real view of how they're going to make money, maybe advertising in the 3D world itself, whether it competes with traditional social networking sites only time will tell.
Kaneva is sort of like Second Life, but a social networking (think MySpace) version.
Currently you can sign-up, but there's no guarantee that you'll actually be invited to participate in the 3D World. However on sign-in'ing up you'll be inundated with "friend requests".
There's no real view of how they're going to make money, maybe advertising in the 3D world itself, whether it competes with traditional social networking sites only time will tell.
1 Mart 2007 Perşembe
Replicability: the regulation of BT's retail business exchange line services | Ofcom
Replicability: the regulation of BT's retail business exchange line services | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation on whether BT can set its own pricing on certain business exchange line services to high value customers (£1m sales per annum).
Other telcos objected to this, as they still felt BT had SMP (significant market power) in this area. Ofcom has made BT change certain products so there is greater competition. Products affected are WLR (wholesale line rental), CPS (Carrier Preselect) amongst others.
This only affects a small part of the market, but they have significant spend power.
BT are making big inroads in being allowed to bunded retails products where one may susbisidise another.
BT Wholesale has been forced to maintain broadband pricing at a relatively high level to allow competition from new LLU entrants, but this is all going to change when 1.5m exchange lines are unbundled and ith will put further pressure on LLU operators.
Ofcom is holding a consultation on whether BT can set its own pricing on certain business exchange line services to high value customers (£1m sales per annum).
Other telcos objected to this, as they still felt BT had SMP (significant market power) in this area. Ofcom has made BT change certain products so there is greater competition. Products affected are WLR (wholesale line rental), CPS (Carrier Preselect) amongst others.
This only affects a small part of the market, but they have significant spend power.
BT are making big inroads in being allowed to bunded retails products where one may susbisidise another.
BT Wholesale has been forced to maintain broadband pricing at a relatively high level to allow competition from new LLU entrants, but this is all going to change when 1.5m exchange lines are unbundled and ith will put further pressure on LLU operators.
Licensing in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 64-66 GHz bands | Ofcom
Licensing in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 64-66 GHz bands | Ofcom
Ofcom is making these bands available for short-haul fixed links on 8th of March 2007. They could allow very high bandwidth point to point links.
Ofcom will maintain a database/registry of links so interference issues can be minimised, however it's expected industry will self-regulate.
Unfortunately there's very little radio equipment available that operates in these bands and equipment costs will be prohibitive for all but high end users (the spectrum available will allow gigibit or greater link speeds), so it's more suited to intra-building applications (LAN extensions) rather than any kind of backhaul network. The license cost is also relatively high - £50 per link - again suiting more to very short-haul LAN extension links rather than a multi-hop backbone network.
Ofcom is making these bands available for short-haul fixed links on 8th of March 2007. They could allow very high bandwidth point to point links.
Ofcom will maintain a database/registry of links so interference issues can be minimised, however it's expected industry will self-regulate.
Unfortunately there's very little radio equipment available that operates in these bands and equipment costs will be prohibitive for all but high end users (the spectrum available will allow gigibit or greater link speeds), so it's more suited to intra-building applications (LAN extensions) rather than any kind of backhaul network. The license cost is also relatively high - £50 per link - again suiting more to very short-haul LAN extension links rather than a multi-hop backbone network.