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Ofcom helps protect customers against unexpected roaming charges

Ofcom helps protect customers against unexpected roaming charges

UK service providers must notify customers when they connect to a different network

New rules from UK telecoms regulator Ofcom will protect customers when they use their mobile phone on a foreign network. In addition, customers will be alerted if they are inadvertently roaming, perhaps because they're near an international border.
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Global smartphone market is set for recovery, says new forecast

A new forecast from research specialists Canalys shows the smartphone market is set to recover next year. Worldwide shipments declined by 12% last year but that decline is expected to slow to 5% this year.
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Vodafone and Three plan to merge their UK businesses

Vodafone and Three plan to merge their UK businesses

New Hutchison/Vodafone network would be biggest UK operator

Vodafone Group plc and CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings Limited have agreed to combine their UK telecommunication businesses, respectively Vodafone UK and Three UK. The merger will create a large new network operator to compete with Virgin Media O2 and EE.
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UK mobile payment service Paym to close in March 2023

UK mobile payment service Paym will close on 7th March 2023. The service, which allowed users to make and receive payments using their mobile phone numbers, was launched in 2014.
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Qualcomm legal action moves forward in the UK

Qualcomm legal action moves forward in the UK

Which? seeks payout for Samsung and Apple smartphone owners

Consumer protection organisation Which? has been given permission by the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal to represent Apple and Samsung smartphone buyers in a legal case against chip manufacturer Qualcomm.
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Opinion Articles

Friday, January 8, 2010

Ten tips for mobile working at home

Mark Bridge writes:

So you’re stuck at home because the snow’s made your journey to work too hazardous?  Or perhaps you just needed a little peace and quiet to finish an important project?

Well, technology can certainly make your life easier – but how can you make the best of it?  Here are my top ten tips… all gathered from personal experience. So switch on your BlackBerry, connect to your VPN and let’s do some telecommuting.

1. Set a timer
Home can be distracting. Suddenly, all those domestic chores you’ve been putting off – from painting the skirting to doing the washing up – seem rather more appealing than a PowerPoint presentation. Sitting down with your kitchen timer and working for 45 minutes before getting up and walking to the imaginary photocopier or making a cup of tea can make you surprisingly productive. And on the subject of the imaginary photocopier…

2. Don’t just sit there
When you’re at work, you don’t usually spend all day sitting at your desk. There are meetings, there are stairs, there’s that photocopier – okay, it’s not quite the same as having a personal trainer but at least you don’t seize up. So make sure you stretch your legs occasionally. Whilst on the subject of sitting…

3. Get the right kit
The desk and chair from your office are designed for work. Your kitchen table probably isn’t. Watch your posture and invest in some office furniture if you’re going to be doing this for any length of time. It’s about comfort, not appearances – although…

4. Dress for success
If you usually work in a shirt and tie, you may not want to do the same at home… but wearing ‘proper clothes’ is likely to make a positive difference to the way you feel. It’s hard to take work seriously if you’re wearing shorts and a novelty t-shirt.

5. Stay in touch
Make sure you don’t ignore your colleagues. They may not be in the same building as you but you’re all still part of the same team. Call them, instant message them, teleconference them, videoconference them, send them a text. Whatever suits you (and them). But, on the other hand, it’s also important to…

6. Don’t stay in touch too much
The internet can be a beguiling creature, especially when no-one’s looking over your shoulder. Sometimes it’s best to switch off your broadband connection for a bit. No email. No Twitter. No RSS. No web. And no distractions.

7. Take care of business
Remember – this is work. You’re being paid for it. So take it seriously. If you’re using your own computer, you may want to acquire an external hard drive to keep your work separate. Or keep your files online in the ‘cloud’. It’s certainly worth asking for advice from your organisation’s IT department. After all, you wouldn’t want to lose anything, would you?

8. Don’t mix business with pleasure
Keeping one eye on your children and the other on work means compromise. You can probably get away with it occasionally but it’s not a permanent solution. In fact, if there’s anyone else in the house, you need to ask them to leave you alone!

9. Get into the habit of working
You have a routine at work. Perhaps you grab a coffee before you sit down at your desk. Perhaps you don’t have breakfast until you’ve checked your email. You also need a routine when you’re working at home. Ditching the novelty t-shirt is a good start. Picking a time to formally ‘arrive at work’ is another. Make sure you pick a finishing time as well. Plan your day – and if necessary, plan when you’ll do essential domestic jobs.

10. Enjoy it!
Have some fun. Go for a lunchtime walk. Pop out for coffee. Start early and finish early… or start late and finish late. You can probably bend a few rules… as long as you get the work done.

 

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