Categories
Close
Menu
Menu
Close
Search
Search

Featured Articles

RSS
123

Opinion Articles

Opinion

This week at The Fonecast: 20th March 2011

Mark

Share:

Print

Rate article:

No rating
Rate this article:
No rating

Mark Bridge writes:

The last seven days have seen the UK mobile industry coming to terms with Ofcom’s plans to cut mobile termination rates from next month. Some think the reductions should have been larger and faster-acting, others say they’ll mean higher call charges for prepay customers. The reality will become more obvious from 1st April.

Also industry-wide – but voluntary – is the traffic management code for UK fixed-line and mobile broadband services. Although Everything Everywhere is a notable exception, most of the big network operators have committed to providing better information to consumers about internet traffic management. Expect explanations on web sites from this summer.

Talking of the mobile internet, Three UK has taken a bold step by making its adult filtering opt-in rather than opt-out for ‘pay monthly’ customers. It’s bound to prove popular with many consumers who – as part of signing a contract – have already proved they’re over 18.

O2’s implementation of its mobile web filtering caused well-publicised concerns a few weeks ago… but this week it’s been hitting the headlines with some good news. Following Ofcom’s new spectrum rules, it’s claiming to be the first UK network to boost capacity by reusing its 900MHz frequencies in London for 3G services.

In the world of mobile retailing, a majority share in Phones 4U has been sold to private equity firm BC Partners by owners Providence Equity Partners. The reality is likely to be ‘business as usual’ for the company’s 500 shops, although founder John Caudwell is thought to have made a little more cash from the deal.

Nothing as dramatic at The Carphone Warehouse, although it has confirmed it’ll have an exclusive launch deal on the LG Optimus 3D and is also now selling Amazon’s Kindle eBook reader.

Finally, this week saw the annual Mobile News Awards taking place in London. The event, hosted by TV presenter and comic Jason Manford, had 19 different categories - with Vodafone, 20:20 Mobile and Lebara each picking up two awards. We’ll have more details in our podcast on Wednesday.


To receive this report in your in-box every week, simply register on our web site. You'll find the 'Register' link at the top right-hand corner of the page.

Comments

Collapse Expand Comments (0)
You don't have permission to post comments.

Recent Podcasts

ExclusivePodcast - 4th August 2010

This week we discuss the UK government's forthcoming mobile spectrum auction, BlackBerry problems in the Gulf states, universal mobile chargers, the new Amazon Kindle ebook reader and the 'religion' of Apple. There's also an interview with Milly Allen, who's planning to broadcast her London talent shows via mobile phone.

ExclusivePodcast - 30th July 2010

In a special extended interview, Ross Catley speaks to Mark and James about smart metering in the UK. He explains the basics of 'smart meters', talks about the benefits for consumers and discusses the ways this technology will affect the mobile phone industry.

ExclusivePodcast - 28th July 2010

Iain, James and Mark take their regular look at the week's mobile industry headlines - from quarterly results to texting sharks - and also talk to Ross Catley about the problems and opportunities with smart metering.

ExclusivePodcast - 21st July 2010

Apple's "antennagate" press conference, Microsoft lets developers see Windows Phone 7, Motorola sells much of its network infrastructure business, Vodafone goes open source with sat-nav software, the Spanish go mad for SMS when they win the World Cup... and much more!

ExclusivePodcast - 14th July 2010

The week's mobile industry headlines - from mergers and partnerships to legal action and departures - plus a review of the BeeWi solar handsfree car kit.

RSS
First6364656668707172Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Archive Calendar

«August 2026»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
272829303112
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31123456

Archive