Ofcom Website | Update on the progress of the litigation in relation to the 2.6GHz award and the timing implications for the auction
Due to the continuing legal process, Ofcom is expecting the spectrum award to take place in March 2009 at the latest. Ofcom still believes it is in the public's best interest to award the spectrum as soon as possible.
O2 and T-Mobile have taken Ofcom to court about their decision to award this spectrum which is why the delay is there.
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31 Ekim 2008 Cuma
29 Ekim 2008 Çarşamba
Future of Mobile 2008 | London 17›18 November 2008
Future of Mobile 2008 | London 17›18 November 2008
The Future of Mobile is being held at Kensington Town Hall. This is another Carsonified event so should be good, the Future of Web Apps (FOWA) was buzzing which took place at Excel in Docklands earlier this month. At least Kensington is easier to get too if you get "stuck" at the party after ...
There's some interesting speakers and should be a good couple of days.
If anyone wants a 20% discount, use the following code "DIGLIFE" when registering (no quotes).
The Future of Mobile is being held at Kensington Town Hall. This is another Carsonified event so should be good, the Future of Web Apps (FOWA) was buzzing which took place at Excel in Docklands earlier this month. At least Kensington is easier to get too if you get "stuck" at the party after ...
There's some interesting speakers and should be a good couple of days.
If anyone wants a 20% discount, use the following code "DIGLIFE" when registering (no quotes).
28 Ekim 2008 Salı
27 Ekim 2008 Pazartesi
this is my website | Kevin Rose - blogg
this is my website | Kevin Rose - blogg
It's an interesting paradigm ... last from latest entry is all about "Why to start a new startup in a bad economy" which is all positive and nice.
Unfortunately latest entry is "Changes at Revision3" which is all about laying off people at Reveision3 ... how the world changes between blog posts :(
Though it probably is a good time to start a startup (services are cheap), it's still a difficult market and the economy is going to get worse before it gets better. Technology for technology's sake wont cut it and a sensible business proposition needs to be the basis of any successful company going forward - of course there's some guesswork, but without sound business models which works, there's no point even going there.
It's an interesting paradigm ... last from latest entry is all about "Why to start a new startup in a bad economy" which is all positive and nice.
Unfortunately latest entry is "Changes at Revision3" which is all about laying off people at Reveision3 ... how the world changes between blog posts :(
Though it probably is a good time to start a startup (services are cheap), it's still a difficult market and the economy is going to get worse before it gets better. Technology for technology's sake wont cut it and a sensible business proposition needs to be the basis of any successful company going forward - of course there's some guesswork, but without sound business models which works, there's no point even going there.
Sun Startup Essentials
Sun Startup Essentials
Sun are a hardware company (and a software company too, but mostly they give that away for "free" [as in beer]), but with Sun Startup Essentials Sun are (almost) giving hardware away too as well as hosting/training and other services.
The program has been introduced into the UK and Ireland so is available this side of the pond.
It's easy to join (web sign-up) and once approved (which can take a couple of days) customers get access to the discounted hardware/etc.
It's probably a very good move for Sun as though they're taking a risk in supplying hardware on the cheap, if the startup succeeds they're likely to continue using Sun hardware and software.
Many people are used to using a LAMP environment which consists of Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP/Perl/Python and Sun are trying to convert people to use SAMP which is the same stack based on Solaris instead of Linux. There are good reason to do this as MySQL is now owned by Sun so there's likely to be some Solaris optimisation on versions that come with Solaris (though MySQL's main development is still on Linux).
If x86 hardware is purchased the customer can still elect to run Linux rather than Solaris and even Windows.
It's a very cool program and Sun should be applauded for making it easy to join and use.
Sun are a hardware company (and a software company too, but mostly they give that away for "free" [as in beer]), but with Sun Startup Essentials Sun are (almost) giving hardware away too as well as hosting/training and other services.
The program has been introduced into the UK and Ireland so is available this side of the pond.
It's easy to join (web sign-up) and once approved (which can take a couple of days) customers get access to the discounted hardware/etc.
It's probably a very good move for Sun as though they're taking a risk in supplying hardware on the cheap, if the startup succeeds they're likely to continue using Sun hardware and software.
Many people are used to using a LAMP environment which consists of Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP/Perl/Python and Sun are trying to convert people to use SAMP which is the same stack based on Solaris instead of Linux. There are good reason to do this as MySQL is now owned by Sun so there's likely to be some Solaris optimisation on versions that come with Solaris (though MySQL's main development is still on Linux).
If x86 hardware is purchased the customer can still elect to run Linux rather than Solaris and even Windows.
It's a very cool program and Sun should be applauded for making it easy to join and use.
24 Ekim 2008 Cuma
22 Ekim 2008 Çarşamba
Thoughts on European Start Ups
Thoughts on European Start Ups
Really nice presentation on "Thoughts on European Start Ups", though the financial world might be in turmoil, there's still hopes for start-ups - easpecially in Europe.
Don't know who wrote it (cape), but worth viewing.
Really nice presentation on "Thoughts on European Start Ups", though the financial world might be in turmoil, there's still hopes for start-ups - easpecially in Europe.
Don't know who wrote it (cape), but worth viewing.
21 Ekim 2008 Salı
Sony E-Reader
A quick initial review of Sony PRS-505. It actually works really well. Download a book, sync the library and off you go.
Even on the smallest font it's quite readable and the E-Ink has a very high contrast that's easy on the eye. The black-on-white works, it's just a bit weird when changing pages as the screen seems to invert and then flip to the new page, but it's all relatively smooth and quick.
The reader came with an optional LED light casing (that has a plastic flap that lies over the screen) which makes it usable in dark environments.
Unfortunately it only works on a PC (no Mac support) and it requires downloading of Adobe Digital Editions.
Waterstones in the UK have a limited selection of Ebooks, though that's bound to increase and there's a lot of other stuff out there that will also work (it reads PDF docs).
However don't buy one !!! Sony have announced the next version (PRS-700) which has a slightly bigger screen, LED lighting built in and it's touch screen so no buttons to navigate with. It's out in the US in November (though no UK timescales announced).
Even on the smallest font it's quite readable and the E-Ink has a very high contrast that's easy on the eye. The black-on-white works, it's just a bit weird when changing pages as the screen seems to invert and then flip to the new page, but it's all relatively smooth and quick.
The reader came with an optional LED light casing (that has a plastic flap that lies over the screen) which makes it usable in dark environments.
Unfortunately it only works on a PC (no Mac support) and it requires downloading of Adobe Digital Editions.
Waterstones in the UK have a limited selection of Ebooks, though that's bound to increase and there's a lot of other stuff out there that will also work (it reads PDF docs).
However don't buy one !!! Sony have announced the next version (PRS-700) which has a slightly bigger screen, LED lighting built in and it's touch screen so no buttons to navigate with. It's out in the US in November (though no UK timescales announced).
20 Ekim 2008 Pazartesi
17 Ekim 2008 Cuma
Twitter seems to have started out as an SMS service allowing people to send messages to each other. Now it's been linked in to Instant Messaging systems and Twitter apps.
Having a Blackberry led to installing Blackbird which works, though was a bit clunky.
TwitterBerry is a bit more polished, but also slightly more quirky (using it on a Curve on the 4.2 OS which seems to work ok, though people are complaining it's doing odd things on 4.5 which is on the Bold).
It quite fun "following" people (such like Stephen Fry - who seems to be quite taken by his Twitterific client and uses it regularly) though it's also a bit voyeuristic (is that a word?).
Do people really want to know you're enjoying a glass of wine with a friend, or off to the pub? It does seem so...
Having a Blackberry led to installing Blackbird which works, though was a bit clunky.
TwitterBerry is a bit more polished, but also slightly more quirky (using it on a Curve on the 4.2 OS which seems to work ok, though people are complaining it's doing odd things on 4.5 which is on the Bold).
It quite fun "following" people (such like Stephen Fry - who seems to be quite taken by his Twitterific client and uses it regularly) though it's also a bit voyeuristic (is that a word?).
Do people really want to know you're enjoying a glass of wine with a friend, or off to the pub? It does seem so...
16 Ekim 2008 Perşembe
WITI Clean Tech Sessions - Oct. 15
By Mary Vincent - Follow on Twitter @MaryVincent
I was lucky to be a part of the WITI Clean Tech Conference Sessions yesterday. http://www.witi.com/conferences/schedule.php The following Speakers presented their Clean Tech and Clean Business insight.
Laura Shenkar Principal, The Artemis Project
Melanie Swan Principal, MS Futures
Cecily Joseph Executive Director, Corporate Responsibility, Symantec Corporation
Dana Smirin Chairwoman, CleanTechBay
Carolyn Coquillette Owner, Luscious Garage
Alison Van Diggelen interviewed a few of these women, and more information is on her Fresh Dialogues site: http://www.freshdialogues.com/?p=456
I was lucky to be a part of the WITI Clean Tech Conference Sessions yesterday. http://www.witi.com/conferences/schedule.php The following Speakers presented their Clean Tech and Clean Business insight.
Laura Shenkar Principal, The Artemis Project
Melanie Swan Principal, MS Futures
Cecily Joseph Executive Director, Corporate Responsibility, Symantec Corporation
Dana Smirin Chairwoman, CleanTechBay
Carolyn Coquillette Owner, Luscious Garage
Alison Van Diggelen interviewed a few of these women, and more information is on her Fresh Dialogues site: http://www.freshdialogues.com/?p=456
Social Media and the Enterprise - Nov. 8 - Palo Alto
I'll be attending this event. Social Media and Enterprise Collaboration Tools have significantly reduced the need for in-person meetings and thus greenhouse gas emissions. I chose to use a variety of enterprise collaboration tools for my global meetings for several years. As a result, many meeting attendees didn't have to fly across the world to efficiently participate in meetings, and the meeting effectiveness is still very high. I'm interested in seeing the latest innovations in this space.
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SIPACON 2008 Annual Event - Social Media & The Enterprise
Date: Saturday, Nov 8, 2008 - Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: HP Auditorium, 3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1185
www.sipa.org
Come listen to industry experts on exciting trends and prospects of Social Media and The Enterprise. Witness exciting and futuristic panels.
Key notes speakers and panelists include investors in Facebook, CXOs from Social and Mobile enterprises, Communication industry and leading organizations.
The Social networking concept has evolved to enterprise and business environments creating Social Work-places and Social Market-places. Businesses can participate in these "destination" social networks or even create, manage and sponsor their own using Web 2.0 tools and technologies. We are on the verge of defining new categories of discreet knowledge applications within and outside of business enterprises.
The Social Network model has come of age and is being used by businesses to build online communities connected by loyalty to its products and desire to market it. Blogs, wikis are employed to overcome barriers to efficient collaboration posed by a distributed workforce spanning geographies and time zones. With a myriad of applications, Social Media for The Enterprise is definitely poised for exponential growth!
Program Highlights -
Morning & afternoon Keynotes - Social Media & The Enterprise
Panel Discussions -
Generation Mobile: Social, Media & Advertising
Management consulting career for high tech professionals.
Web 2.0 collaboration models for the enterprise.
Speakers/Panelists -
Ravi Belani, Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Justin Fishner-Wolfson, Founders Fund
Ross Mayfield, President and co-founder at Socialtext
Andras Boross - CTO, Mobile Clarity
Ramneek Bhasin - CEO, Mobio
Anita Manwani, Carobar Business Solutions
Mohan Giridhardas - Senior Partner (Director) at Mckinsey
Anagha Kale, Agilent, Previously at Deloitte
Mark Dowds, Brainpark
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SIPACON 2008 Annual Event - Social Media & The Enterprise
Date: Saturday, Nov 8, 2008 - Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: HP Auditorium, 3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1185
www.sipa.org
Come listen to industry experts on exciting trends and prospects of Social Media and The Enterprise. Witness exciting and futuristic panels.
Key notes speakers and panelists include investors in Facebook, CXOs from Social and Mobile enterprises, Communication industry and leading organizations.
The Social networking concept has evolved to enterprise and business environments creating Social Work-places and Social Market-places. Businesses can participate in these "destination" social networks or even create, manage and sponsor their own using Web 2.0 tools and technologies. We are on the verge of defining new categories of discreet knowledge applications within and outside of business enterprises.
The Social Network model has come of age and is being used by businesses to build online communities connected by loyalty to its products and desire to market it. Blogs, wikis are employed to overcome barriers to efficient collaboration posed by a distributed workforce spanning geographies and time zones. With a myriad of applications, Social Media for The Enterprise is definitely poised for exponential growth!
Program Highlights -
Morning & afternoon Keynotes - Social Media & The Enterprise
Panel Discussions -
Generation Mobile: Social, Media & Advertising
Management consulting career for high tech professionals.
Web 2.0 collaboration models for the enterprise.
Speakers/Panelists -
Ravi Belani, Draper Fisher Jurvetson
Justin Fishner-Wolfson, Founders Fund
Ross Mayfield, President and co-founder at Socialtext
Andras Boross - CTO, Mobile Clarity
Ramneek Bhasin - CEO, Mobio
Anita Manwani, Carobar Business Solutions
Mohan Giridhardas - Senior Partner (Director) at Mckinsey
Anagha Kale, Agilent, Previously at Deloitte
Mark Dowds, Brainpark
Companies Tackling Climate Change Top $300B (GreenBiz)
GreenBiz.com, 14 October 2008 - Companies that produce goods and services aimed at battling climate change generated $300 billion in annual revenues, surpassing the biotech and software sectors combined, according to HSBC.
The bank clearly identified companies within the sector last year and formally launched its HSBC Climate Change Index in September 2007. There were 300 companies in the index at the time, compared to 390 today with an average value of $4.8 billion.
In its first year, the index grew as a percentage of global market capitalization to 4 percent from 2.5 percent.
A report from the bank suggests growth in the sector reflects the industrial base's transition to a low carbon economy and demonstration of outperformance over the long term.
"Climate change is set to be one of the defining investment opportunities in the years ahead and this is often underestimated," Kevin Bourne, managing director of equities in HSBC's Global Banking and Markets unit, said in a statement. "While more manufacturers are providing climate change products at all parts of the supply chain, the pace still needs to increase. Climate change is no longer an environmental or social issue, but a huge economic global opportunity."
The bank clearly identified companies within the sector last year and formally launched its HSBC Climate Change Index in September 2007. There were 300 companies in the index at the time, compared to 390 today with an average value of $4.8 billion.
In its first year, the index grew as a percentage of global market capitalization to 4 percent from 2.5 percent.
A report from the bank suggests growth in the sector reflects the industrial base's transition to a low carbon economy and demonstration of outperformance over the long term.
"Climate change is set to be one of the defining investment opportunities in the years ahead and this is often underestimated," Kevin Bourne, managing director of equities in HSBC's Global Banking and Markets unit, said in a statement. "While more manufacturers are providing climate change products at all parts of the supply chain, the pace still needs to increase. Climate change is no longer an environmental or social issue, but a huge economic global opportunity."
EETimes.com - Startup claims Gbit version of Wi-Fi
EETimes.com - Startup claims Gbit version of Wi-Fi:
Quantenna Communications has anounced a chipset capable of delivering 1Gb/s using modified 802.11n protocols. They use up to 8 aerials in a MIMO configuration to steer the beams up to 50m and through walls.
The system used both 2.4 and 5GHz.
The chipset is also small (2.5 x 2 inches) so it can be incorporated into consumer devices.
The chip consumes 10W and should cost around $20 when available next year.
If the technology really works and becomes readily available, it would allow for the distribution of HD video through the home and compete with systems based on 60GHz (which don't penetrate anything - including air for any distances).
Quantenna Communications has anounced a chipset capable of delivering 1Gb/s using modified 802.11n protocols. They use up to 8 aerials in a MIMO configuration to steer the beams up to 50m and through walls.
The system used both 2.4 and 5GHz.
The chipset is also small (2.5 x 2 inches) so it can be incorporated into consumer devices.
The chip consumes 10W and should cost around $20 when available next year.
If the technology really works and becomes readily available, it would allow for the distribution of HD video through the home and compete with systems based on 60GHz (which don't penetrate anything - including air for any distances).
Review of the 070 personal numbering range | Ofcom
Review of the 070 personal numbering range | Ofcom: "07|01|2009"
Ofcom is holding a consultation that closes on 07|01|2009 about 070 personal numbers.
Initially Ofcom wanted to move these to an 06 range, but this has now been dropped as it would not be economic.
There are also issues as alarm system utilise 070 numbers so pre-announcements indicating pricing is also not workable.
Phonepayplus and Ofcom are still receiving complaints about misuse of 070 numbers, but these have significantly reduced since Ofcom initially announced plans to change 070 services.
Ofcom are proposing a number of measures: -
* supporting and monitoring current enforcement action being carried out by PhonepayPlus in relation to scams on the 070 range.
* requiring originating communications providers to publish their tariffs for calls to 070 numbers more prominently and to make them easier to understand for consumers.
* amending guidance on the acceptable use of numbers in relation to compliance with General Condition 17 by ensuring Personal Numbering Service providers who provide 070 numbers to end users to carry out due diligence of sub-allocatees of personal numbers.
The consultation also covers Ofcom's plans to remove the requirements for pre-call announcements.
Ofcom is holding a consultation that closes on 07|01|2009 about 070 personal numbers.
Initially Ofcom wanted to move these to an 06 range, but this has now been dropped as it would not be economic.
There are also issues as alarm system utilise 070 numbers so pre-announcements indicating pricing is also not workable.
Phonepayplus and Ofcom are still receiving complaints about misuse of 070 numbers, but these have significantly reduced since Ofcom initially announced plans to change 070 services.
Ofcom are proposing a number of measures: -
* supporting and monitoring current enforcement action being carried out by PhonepayPlus in relation to scams on the 070 range.
* requiring originating communications providers to publish their tariffs for calls to 070 numbers more prominently and to make them easier to understand for consumers.
* amending guidance on the acceptable use of numbers in relation to compliance with General Condition 17 by ensuring Personal Numbering Service providers who provide 070 numbers to end users to carry out due diligence of sub-allocatees of personal numbers.
The consultation also covers Ofcom's plans to remove the requirements for pre-call announcements.
New MacBooks
Apple has released a new 13" MacBook and new 15" MacBook Pros. They are all hewn from solid aluminium and use a mini-displayport connection for connection to an external monitor.
They look very pretty.
Apple's also released a new 24" Displayport monitor to go with them (though not available yet).
The Macbook has USB interfaces, while the Pro has USB/Firewire and an ExpressCard/34 slot. Both have DL-DVD writers.
They look very pretty.
Apple's also released a new 24" Displayport monitor to go with them (though not available yet).
The Macbook has USB interfaces, while the Pro has USB/Firewire and an ExpressCard/34 slot. Both have DL-DVD writers.
14 Ekim 2008 Salı
13 Ekim 2008 Pazartesi
Update - October 2008 | Ofcom
Update - October 2008 | Ofcom
Ofcom amended General Condition 18 such that “Telephone number portability for consumers switching suppliers” would be achieved in under 2 hours. This has now been dropped as Ofcom lost a tribunal initiated by Vodafone (and joined in by the other big 3 GSM operators) which ruled Ofcom was acting unfairly.
This is a real shame as UKporting has now ceased too and the mobile operators can maintain their sluggish porting arrangements.
Ofcom amended General Condition 18 such that “Telephone number portability for consumers switching suppliers” would be achieved in under 2 hours. This has now been dropped as Ofcom lost a tribunal initiated by Vodafone (and joined in by the other big 3 GSM operators) which ruled Ofcom was acting unfairly.
This is a real shame as UKporting has now ceased too and the mobile operators can maintain their sluggish porting arrangements.
Ofcom statement on Channel 4 and DAB radio | Ofcom
Ofcom statement on Channel 4 and DAB radio | Ofcom
Channel 4 has pulled out of 4 Digital Group the national DAB multiplex that is made up of Bauer Digital Radio Limited, Carphone Warehouse Group plc, Sky News Radio Limited, Global Radio Ltd, UTV Radio (GB) Limited and UBC Media Group plc.
Ofcom recognises that in these economic difficult times companies have to make commercial decisions, but this must be a blow for them.
Ofcom are in discussion with 4 Digital and other multiplexes owners and the BBC to discuss options.
Channel 4 has pulled out of 4 Digital Group the national DAB multiplex that is made up of Bauer Digital Radio Limited, Carphone Warehouse Group plc, Sky News Radio Limited, Global Radio Ltd, UTV Radio (GB) Limited and UBC Media Group plc.
Ofcom recognises that in these economic difficult times companies have to make commercial decisions, but this must be a blow for them.
Ofcom are in discussion with 4 Digital and other multiplexes owners and the BBC to discuss options.
12 Ekim 2008 Pazar
9 Ekim 2008 Perşembe
Innovative uses of spectrum | Ofcom
Innovative uses of spectrum | Ofcom
Ofcom is consulting on a new license for radio spectrum, the Innovative Use Of Spectrum license which will cost £2,000 pa.
This license will be introduced to foster innovative spectrum use (as the name implies) where existing license regimes don't fit or are too cumbersome.
It is expected that spectrum will come from areas managed by public bodies such as the MOD.
The licenses will be issued on a first-come-first-served and a non-interference, non-protected basis.
They will cover the UK or smaller areas within the UK.
The consultation closes on 18/12/08
Ofcom is consulting on a new license for radio spectrum, the Innovative Use Of Spectrum license which will cost £2,000 pa.
This license will be introduced to foster innovative spectrum use (as the name implies) where existing license regimes don't fit or are too cumbersome.
It is expected that spectrum will come from areas managed by public bodies such as the MOD.
The licenses will be issued on a first-come-first-served and a non-interference, non-protected basis.
They will cover the UK or smaller areas within the UK.
The consultation closes on 18/12/08
7 Ekim 2008 Salı
6 Ekim 2008 Pazartesi
1 Ekim 2008 Çarşamba
Harmonised European Numbers For Services Of Social Value : Proposed allocation and charging arrangements for 116 numbers in the UK | Ofcom
Harmonised European Numbers For Services Of Social Value : Proposed allocation and charging arrangements for 116 numbers in the UK | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation on the UK's implementation of Numbers for Services of Social Value which will begin with the 116 prefix. 116 number will be followed by another 3 digits i.e. 116xxx. This is a European harmonised number range and the same services will be available in all EU member countries on the same number.
Three numbers have already been allocated, these being: -
* 116000 hotline for missing children.
* 116111 child helplines.
* 116123 emotional support helplines.
The EU has stated these should be "free" numbers, but the meaning of free is not the same across all EU countries, so pricing needs to be determined.
Also there may be several organisations who offer services and would want to offer the particular 116 service and Ofcom need to decide how the allocation to a particular organisation should be made.
The consultation closes on 10|12|2008.
Ofcom is holding a consultation on the UK's implementation of Numbers for Services of Social Value which will begin with the 116 prefix. 116 number will be followed by another 3 digits i.e. 116xxx. This is a European harmonised number range and the same services will be available in all EU member countries on the same number.
Three numbers have already been allocated, these being: -
* 116000 hotline for missing children.
* 116111 child helplines.
* 116123 emotional support helplines.
The EU has stated these should be "free" numbers, but the meaning of free is not the same across all EU countries, so pricing needs to be determined.
Also there may be several organisations who offer services and would want to offer the particular 116 service and Ofcom need to decide how the allocation to a particular organisation should be made.
The consultation closes on 10|12|2008.