MySpace and Attorneys General Announce Joint Effort to Promote Industry-Wide Internet Safety Principles
Attorneys General Praise MySpace Safety Efforts and Call for Broad Adoption; Endeavor to Include New Protections for Teens and Tools for Parents
New York, January 14, 2008 – In a joint effort to increase the safety of teens online, MySpace and Attorneys General in the Multi-State Working Group on Social Networking representing 49 states and the District of Columbia today unveiled a Joint Statement on Key Principles of Social Networking Sites Safety (attached) designed for industry-wide adoption. This common set of Principles relates to online safety tools, technology, education and law enforcement cooperation.
The Attorneys General praised MySpace for its efforts to date, the progress it has made in improving online safety and its continued efforts to make specific improvements over the coming months. The Joint Statement on Key Principles of Social Networking Sites Safety recognizes that an ongoing industry effort is required to keep up with the latest technological developments and to find additional ways to protect teens. The Attorneys General called on other social networking sites and Internet providers with community features to adopt the Principles and bring their sites up to par with MySpace in terms of safety.
The Joint Statement on Key Principles of Social Networking Sites Safety was announced in New York City by Attorneys General Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Hemanshu Nigam, Chief Security Officer for MySpace and Fox Interactive Media. They were joined by Attorneys General Marc Dann of Ohio and Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania, members of the Executive Committee of the Multi-State who participated in the development and adoption of the Principles. Attorney General Anne Milgram of New Jersey and a representative of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo were also present to endorse the Principles.
On behalf of MySpace, Chief Security Officer Hemanshu Nigam, said, “We thank the Attorneys General for a thoughtful and constructive conversation on Internet safety. This is an industry-wide challenge and we must all work together to create a safer Internet. The Principles we have adopted set forth what the industry needs to strive towards to provide a safer online experience for teens and we look forward to sharing our ongoing safety innovations with other companies.”
The Principles of Social Networking fall into four categories:
• Site Design and Functionality. The Principles incorporate safety initiatives that MySpace has already implemented (Appendix A attached) and initiatives it will work to implement in the coming months (Appendix B attached). Examples of safety features MySpace has in place include reviewing every image and video uploaded to the site, reviewing the content of Groups, making the profiles of 14 and 15 year old users automatically private and protecting them from being contacted by adults that they don’t already know in the physical world, and deleting registered sex offenders from MySpace. Examples of improvements MySpace will make include defaulting 16 and 17 year old users’ profiles to private and strengthening the technology that enforces the site’s minimum age of 14.
• Education and Tools for Parents, Educators and Children. The Principles acknowledge that MySpace has already been devoting meaningful resources to Internet safety education including a new online safety public service announcement targeted at parents and free parental software that is under development. MySpace will explore the establishment of a children’s email registry that will empower parents to prevent their children from having access to MySpace or any other social networking site. In addition, under the Principles MySpace will increase its communications with consumers who report a complaint about inappropriate content or activity on the site.
• Law Enforcement Cooperation. The Attorneys General view MySpace’s cooperation with law enforcement, which includes a 24-hour hotline, to be a model for the industry. The parties will continue to work together to enhance the ability of law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute Internet crimes.
• Online Safety Task Force. As part of the Principles, MySpace will organize, with the support of the Attorneys General, an industry-wide Internet Safety Technical Task Force to develop online safety tools, including a review of identity authentication tools. While existing age verification and identity products are not an effective safety tool for social networking sites, the Task Force will explore all new technologies that can help make users more safe and secure including age verification. The Task Force will include Internet businesses, identity authentication experts, non-profit organizations, academics and technology companies.
Ernie Allen, President and Chief Executive of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has agreed that his organization will serve on the new Internet Safety Technical Task Force. Said Allen, "Today millions of teens use social networking sites. MySpace has taken significant steps to be more secure and private and to identify those who attempt to do harm on their site. The collaborative effort between MySpace and the Attorneys General is a major step that will make using social networking sites much safer for teens."
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Mobile music - transferring more than downloading
M:Metrics Reports Growth in Mobile Music Adoption
The rise in musicphones has spurred adoption of mobile music consumption across the United States and Western Europe, reports M:Metrics, the mobile media authority. The firm reports that sideloading accounts for 83 percent of mobile music usage across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. Among other methods, sharing music outpaces full-track mobile downloading in the majority of these markets.
With the exceptions of Spain and the United States, more mobile music consumers listened to music that was shared (for example, between phones via Bluetooth), than was downloaded directly to the phone using a music service. France and the UK posted the highest frequency of this activity, accounting for 12.5 percent of those who listened to mobile music in the month. At the other end of the spectrum was Spain, with only 7.1 percent of mobile music users transferring music between devices.
"Mobile music is quickly catching on, and the fact that consumers are sharing music demonstrates its potential as a social, viral phenomenon centered on mobile handsets," said Jen Wu, analyst, M:Metrics. "The proliferation of musicphones is causing a shift in digital music toward the mobile platform, which opens numerous opportunities for music-related content, services, hardware and accessories built to accommodate or enhance these mobile music activities."
The measurement firm found that 10.7 percent of mobile subscribers across the six geographies reported listening to music on their mobile device, ranging from 5.7 percent in the United States to 20 percent in Spain.
The rise in musicphones has spurred adoption of mobile music consumption across the United States and Western Europe, reports M:Metrics, the mobile media authority. The firm reports that sideloading accounts for 83 percent of mobile music usage across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. Among other methods, sharing music outpaces full-track mobile downloading in the majority of these markets.
With the exceptions of Spain and the United States, more mobile music consumers listened to music that was shared (for example, between phones via Bluetooth), than was downloaded directly to the phone using a music service. France and the UK posted the highest frequency of this activity, accounting for 12.5 percent of those who listened to mobile music in the month. At the other end of the spectrum was Spain, with only 7.1 percent of mobile music users transferring music between devices.
"Mobile music is quickly catching on, and the fact that consumers are sharing music demonstrates its potential as a social, viral phenomenon centered on mobile handsets," said Jen Wu, analyst, M:Metrics. "The proliferation of musicphones is causing a shift in digital music toward the mobile platform, which opens numerous opportunities for music-related content, services, hardware and accessories built to accommodate or enhance these mobile music activities."
The measurement firm found that 10.7 percent of mobile subscribers across the six geographies reported listening to music on their mobile device, ranging from 5.7 percent in the United States to 20 percent in Spain.
Monday, January 14, 2008
EU - MS antitrust
Antitrust: Commission initiates formal investigations against Microsoft in two cases of suspected abuse of dominant market position
The European Commission has decided to initiate two formal antitrust investigations against Microsoft Corp concerning two separate categories of alleged infringements of EC Treaty rules on abuse of a dominant market position (Article 82). The first case where proceedings have been opened is in the field of interoperability in relation to a complaint by the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS). The second area where proceedings have been opened is in the field of tying of separate software products following inter alia a complaint by Opera.
As regards interoperability, in its Microsoft judgment of 17 September 2007, the Court of First Instance confirmed the principles that must be respected by dominant companies as regards interoperability disclosures. In the complaint by ECIS, Microsoft is alleged to have illegally refused to disclose interoperability information across a broad range of products, including information related to its Office suite, a number of its server products, and also in relation to the so called .NET Framework. The Commission's examination will therefore focus on all these areas, including the question whether Microsoft's new file format Office Open XML, as implemented in Office, is sufficiently interoperable with competitors' products.
As for the tying of separate software products, in its Microsoft judgment of 17 September 2007, the Court of First Instance confirmed the principles that must be respected by dominant companies. In a complaint by Opera, a competing browser vendor, Microsoft is alleged to have engaged in illegal tying of its Internet Explorer product to its dominant Windows operating system. The complaint alleges that there is ongoing competitive harm from Microsoft's practices, in particular in view of new proprietary technologies that Microsoft has allegedly introduced in its browser that would reduce compatibility with open internet standards, and therefore hinder competition. In addition, allegations of tying of other separate software products by Microsoft, including desktop search and Windows Live have been brought to the Commission's attention. The Commission's investigation will therefore focus on allegations that a range of products have been unlawfully tied to sales of Microsoft's dominant operating system.
The European Commission has decided to initiate two formal antitrust investigations against Microsoft Corp concerning two separate categories of alleged infringements of EC Treaty rules on abuse of a dominant market position (Article 82). The first case where proceedings have been opened is in the field of interoperability in relation to a complaint by the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS). The second area where proceedings have been opened is in the field of tying of separate software products following inter alia a complaint by Opera.
As regards interoperability, in its Microsoft judgment of 17 September 2007, the Court of First Instance confirmed the principles that must be respected by dominant companies as regards interoperability disclosures. In the complaint by ECIS, Microsoft is alleged to have illegally refused to disclose interoperability information across a broad range of products, including information related to its Office suite, a number of its server products, and also in relation to the so called .NET Framework. The Commission's examination will therefore focus on all these areas, including the question whether Microsoft's new file format Office Open XML, as implemented in Office, is sufficiently interoperable with competitors' products.
As for the tying of separate software products, in its Microsoft judgment of 17 September 2007, the Court of First Instance confirmed the principles that must be respected by dominant companies. In a complaint by Opera, a competing browser vendor, Microsoft is alleged to have engaged in illegal tying of its Internet Explorer product to its dominant Windows operating system. The complaint alleges that there is ongoing competitive harm from Microsoft's practices, in particular in view of new proprietary technologies that Microsoft has allegedly introduced in its browser that would reduce compatibility with open internet standards, and therefore hinder competition. In addition, allegations of tying of other separate software products by Microsoft, including desktop search and Windows Live have been brought to the Commission's attention. The Commission's investigation will therefore focus on allegations that a range of products have been unlawfully tied to sales of Microsoft's dominant operating system.
USA - Do Not Call
Nation's State Utility Consumer Advocates Call for Making Do-Not-Call Registry Permanent
State advocates for telephone consumers have called for the national Do-Not-Call registry to be a permanent list. The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) will file its recommendation today at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). NASUCA also recommended that the FCC give permanent status to customers' direct requests to companies not to be called.
"The federal government should reduce the burden on residential consumers and make permanent their requests not to be called," said Charles Acquard, NASUCA's executive director. "In addition, many consumers may be unaware of when they told a specific company to stop calling. We recommend that those requests be honored unless the consumer directs the company otherwise."
In addition, many consumers may be unaware of when they told a specific company to stop calling. We recommend that those requests be honored unless the consumer directs the company otherwise.
The national registry went into effect in June 2003. Currently, consumers' registrations on the national Do-Not-Call list automatically expire after five years, which means they would need to re-register as soon as this summer. The idea of a permanent list has been the subject of Congressional and regulatory review, with the Federal Trade Commission saying it will not purge any telephone numbers until the issue is resolved.
State advocates for telephone consumers have called for the national Do-Not-Call registry to be a permanent list. The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) will file its recommendation today at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). NASUCA also recommended that the FCC give permanent status to customers' direct requests to companies not to be called.
"The federal government should reduce the burden on residential consumers and make permanent their requests not to be called," said Charles Acquard, NASUCA's executive director. "In addition, many consumers may be unaware of when they told a specific company to stop calling. We recommend that those requests be honored unless the consumer directs the company otherwise."
In addition, many consumers may be unaware of when they told a specific company to stop calling. We recommend that those requests be honored unless the consumer directs the company otherwise.
The national registry went into effect in June 2003. Currently, consumers' registrations on the national Do-Not-Call list automatically expire after five years, which means they would need to re-register as soon as this summer. The idea of a permanent list has been the subject of Congressional and regulatory review, with the Federal Trade Commission saying it will not purge any telephone numbers until the issue is resolved.
Pacific - undersea cable
Project Runway is cleared for take-off
see also presentation
PIPE Networks Limited announced today it has now signed sufficient contracts with keystone customers for the Board to approve the construction of a 6,900km, $A200m undersea cable system linking Sydney, Australia to the communications hub of Guam with a spur connecting Madang, Papua New Guinea, referred to as PPC-1.
Representing a significant enhancement to Australia’s international broadband capacity, the main trunk of the PPC-1 system will be a 2-pair fibre cable capable of delivering 1.92 Terabits of data per second.
see also presentation
PIPE Networks Limited announced today it has now signed sufficient contracts with keystone customers for the Board to approve the construction of a 6,900km, $A200m undersea cable system linking Sydney, Australia to the communications hub of Guam with a spur connecting Madang, Papua New Guinea, referred to as PPC-1.
Representing a significant enhancement to Australia’s international broadband capacity, the main trunk of the PPC-1 system will be a 2-pair fibre cable capable of delivering 1.92 Terabits of data per second.
Kenya - violence related losses
Kenya: Celtel Loses Up to Sh200m in Poll Violence
Mobile phone service provider Celtel Kenya lost between Sh150 and 200 million to the post-election violence that rocked the country recently.
The loss excludes damage to network infrastructure which is yet to be quantified. Total loss will include the cost of replacing base stations that were torched, airlifting of staff out of danger zones, and housing displaced staff in hotels.
"The actual costs that we incurred are not important. We are more focused on trying to help the peace initiatives," said Claire Ruto, head of Regulation and Corporate Affairs.
Last year, the firm invested Sh10bn in network infrastructure and boasts the largest regional coverage of any telecommunications firm, covering 85 per cent of the country.
Competitor Safaricom said it had lost Sh400 million, which it attributed to depressed earnings from the sale of scratch cards and M-Pesa services. Both firms have committed over Sh5 million to the Red Cross relief programmes taking place across the country.
Mobile phone service provider Celtel Kenya lost between Sh150 and 200 million to the post-election violence that rocked the country recently.
The loss excludes damage to network infrastructure which is yet to be quantified. Total loss will include the cost of replacing base stations that were torched, airlifting of staff out of danger zones, and housing displaced staff in hotels.
"The actual costs that we incurred are not important. We are more focused on trying to help the peace initiatives," said Claire Ruto, head of Regulation and Corporate Affairs.
Last year, the firm invested Sh10bn in network infrastructure and boasts the largest regional coverage of any telecommunications firm, covering 85 per cent of the country.
Competitor Safaricom said it had lost Sh400 million, which it attributed to depressed earnings from the sale of scratch cards and M-Pesa services. Both firms have committed over Sh5 million to the Red Cross relief programmes taking place across the country.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Glasgow - wireless underground
Subway to be first WiFi/3G transport network in UK
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and technology firm Arqiva are to provide a combined cellular and WiFi network for Glasgow's 15 Subway stations. Under the agreement, Glasgow will become the first UK city to provide rail passengers with combined 2G and 3G cellular mobile and WiFi access.
Arqiva Wireless Solutions division will begin deployment of the network later this month, with initial testing at Buchanan Street Subway station. The new network will enable Subway customers to access the internet and mobile phones at stations, and provide public access to WiFi services. SPT will make use of the new technology to update ticketing systems and other administrative applications.
Gordon Maclennan, assistant chief executive of SPT, said: “This is a real milestone for SPT as the state of the art technology employed will realise our ambition of continuous improvement to services on the Subway. Accessibility and connectivity are vital in today’s fast moving technology environment and I’m delighted that SPT has enabled Glasgow to set the standard of being the first city to provide both 2G and 3G phone and WiFi coverage on the Subway."
Howard Williams, business development manager for Arqiva Wireless Solutions Division, added: “As the UK moves closer to wirelessly-enabled areas the benefits that wireless networks, such as the one contracted by SPT, can provide are being recognised and cities need to capitalise on this. In its entirety, the network is not just about meeting the needs of the general public; it is also about generating cost savings and efficiencies for the organisation and its counterparts."
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and technology firm Arqiva are to provide a combined cellular and WiFi network for Glasgow's 15 Subway stations. Under the agreement, Glasgow will become the first UK city to provide rail passengers with combined 2G and 3G cellular mobile and WiFi access.
Arqiva Wireless Solutions division will begin deployment of the network later this month, with initial testing at Buchanan Street Subway station. The new network will enable Subway customers to access the internet and mobile phones at stations, and provide public access to WiFi services. SPT will make use of the new technology to update ticketing systems and other administrative applications.
Gordon Maclennan, assistant chief executive of SPT, said: “This is a real milestone for SPT as the state of the art technology employed will realise our ambition of continuous improvement to services on the Subway. Accessibility and connectivity are vital in today’s fast moving technology environment and I’m delighted that SPT has enabled Glasgow to set the standard of being the first city to provide both 2G and 3G phone and WiFi coverage on the Subway."
Howard Williams, business development manager for Arqiva Wireless Solutions Division, added: “As the UK moves closer to wirelessly-enabled areas the benefits that wireless networks, such as the one contracted by SPT, can provide are being recognised and cities need to capitalise on this. In its entirety, the network is not just about meeting the needs of the general public; it is also about generating cost savings and efficiencies for the organisation and its counterparts."
USA - most wired cities
America's Most Wired Cities
1. Atlanta
2. Seattle
3. Raleigh
4. San Francisco
5= Baltimore
5= Orlando
7. Charlotte
8. Chicago
9. New York
10. Portland
1. Atlanta
2. Seattle
3. Raleigh
4. San Francisco
5= Baltimore
5= Orlando
7. Charlotte
8. Chicago
9. New York
10. Portland
Africa - Millicom to invest US$ 1,000 millions
Africa: Millicom International to Spend US$1 Billion in 2008
Reports by Investor's Business Daily say Millicom International Cellular Company (MICC) expects to spend at least another $1 billion in 2008. Much of that spending is in Africa - Sierra Leone, Chad, Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and Senegal.
The company upped its guidance for capital spending in November 2007 to $1 billion from $800 million.
"I'm very optimistic for the outlook in the 16 markets where we operate," Millicom Chief Executive Marc Beuls said. "What I see is very strong GDP growth, which should continue in 2008. These countries are inviting in foreign investors, opening up their economies." Some analysts believe that for many developing countries like Sierra Leone, having wireless phone services available is a key part of modernizing economies.
Meanwhile, Beuls affirmed that by building a wireless network MICC helps create economic infrastructure, allows people to communicate doing business and helps create growth in the market.
However, while the company tries to make wireless services more affordable by charging customers on a per-second rather than per-minute basis, one of its challenges is that much bigger telecom firms are now eyeing small developing countries where wireless usage is still low.
Beuls is in agreement: "Africa is very much the flavor of the year, a lot of newcomers are coming into the market," and added. "But some companies underestimate what it means to operate mobile businesses there. It's a much different environment, and you need to adjust your business model."
Reports by Investor's Business Daily say Millicom International Cellular Company (MICC) expects to spend at least another $1 billion in 2008. Much of that spending is in Africa - Sierra Leone, Chad, Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and Senegal.
The company upped its guidance for capital spending in November 2007 to $1 billion from $800 million.
"I'm very optimistic for the outlook in the 16 markets where we operate," Millicom Chief Executive Marc Beuls said. "What I see is very strong GDP growth, which should continue in 2008. These countries are inviting in foreign investors, opening up their economies." Some analysts believe that for many developing countries like Sierra Leone, having wireless phone services available is a key part of modernizing economies.
Meanwhile, Beuls affirmed that by building a wireless network MICC helps create economic infrastructure, allows people to communicate doing business and helps create growth in the market.
However, while the company tries to make wireless services more affordable by charging customers on a per-second rather than per-minute basis, one of its challenges is that much bigger telecom firms are now eyeing small developing countries where wireless usage is still low.
Beuls is in agreement: "Africa is very much the flavor of the year, a lot of newcomers are coming into the market," and added. "But some companies underestimate what it means to operate mobile businesses there. It's a much different environment, and you need to adjust your business model."
Friday, January 11, 2008
India - Essar buys into Econet
Essar’s Telecom Business in Strategic Tie-up with Econet Wireless
Essar Communications Holdings Limited (ECHL), the telecom subsidiary of the Essar Global Limited, has acquired a 49% stake in Econet Wireless International Limited (EWI) by subscribing to fresh capital in the company. This strategic alliance will significantly benefit Econet Wireless Kenya (EWK), which is 70% owned by EWI, from a rollout as well as product offering perspective. Essar will actively participate with EWI in the network rollout of EWK.
Commenting on the new partnership, Don Rae, CEO, ECHL said: "I am delighted that Essar and EWI have entered into this strategic tie up, which will benefit both parties. We look forward to leveraging our deep understanding and experience of the mobile telecommunications industry and working with EWI as the company enters its next phase of network rollout in the Kenyan telecommunications market. Together we expect to bring to Kenyan consumers an entirely new experience in mobile telephony”.
EWI owns 70% of EWK with the balance held by local investors. Essar’s stake in EWI will not alter the shareholding structure of EWK. Essar has wide experience in financing telecom ventures, rolling out networks and marketing of telecom services. This experience will benefit EWI’s telecom business in Kenya.
“Through this alliance EWI is hoping to establish across African markets the successful business models which have emerged in countries such as Philippines, Pakistan, Indonesia and India. These were built around aggressive network rollouts and competitive pricing, resulting in high mobile penetration. We’re excited about our partnership with Essar and the possibilities which it opens up as we look into the future” said Mr. Zachary Wazara, Executive Director of the Econet Wireless Group.
About Essar - Essar Global Limited is a diversified group straddling the manufacturing and service sectors of Steel, Energy, Power, Communications, Shipping & Logistics, and Construction. Through its six holding companies, Essar Global has an estimated enterprise value of over USD 20 billion and employs 20,000 people worldwide.
With a firm foothold in India, Essar Global is focused on global expansion with projects and investments in Canada, USA, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South East Asia. Visit website www.essar.com
About Econet - Econet Wireless is an experienced South Africa-based diversified telecommunications Group with operations and offices in more than nine countries in Africa, Europe and the East Asia Pacific Rim. The Group offers products and services in the core areas of mobile and fixed telephony services, internet and satellite.
Essar Communications Holdings Limited (ECHL), the telecom subsidiary of the Essar Global Limited, has acquired a 49% stake in Econet Wireless International Limited (EWI) by subscribing to fresh capital in the company. This strategic alliance will significantly benefit Econet Wireless Kenya (EWK), which is 70% owned by EWI, from a rollout as well as product offering perspective. Essar will actively participate with EWI in the network rollout of EWK.
Commenting on the new partnership, Don Rae, CEO, ECHL said: "I am delighted that Essar and EWI have entered into this strategic tie up, which will benefit both parties. We look forward to leveraging our deep understanding and experience of the mobile telecommunications industry and working with EWI as the company enters its next phase of network rollout in the Kenyan telecommunications market. Together we expect to bring to Kenyan consumers an entirely new experience in mobile telephony”.
EWI owns 70% of EWK with the balance held by local investors. Essar’s stake in EWI will not alter the shareholding structure of EWK. Essar has wide experience in financing telecom ventures, rolling out networks and marketing of telecom services. This experience will benefit EWI’s telecom business in Kenya.
“Through this alliance EWI is hoping to establish across African markets the successful business models which have emerged in countries such as Philippines, Pakistan, Indonesia and India. These were built around aggressive network rollouts and competitive pricing, resulting in high mobile penetration. We’re excited about our partnership with Essar and the possibilities which it opens up as we look into the future” said Mr. Zachary Wazara, Executive Director of the Econet Wireless Group.
About Essar - Essar Global Limited is a diversified group straddling the manufacturing and service sectors of Steel, Energy, Power, Communications, Shipping & Logistics, and Construction. Through its six holding companies, Essar Global has an estimated enterprise value of over USD 20 billion and employs 20,000 people worldwide.
With a firm foothold in India, Essar Global is focused on global expansion with projects and investments in Canada, USA, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South East Asia. Visit website www.essar.com
About Econet - Econet Wireless is an experienced South Africa-based diversified telecommunications Group with operations and offices in more than nine countries in Africa, Europe and the East Asia Pacific Rim. The Group offers products and services in the core areas of mobile and fixed telephony services, internet and satellite.
Bangladesh - Blackberry
Grameenphone introduces RIM's BlackBerry 8700g and Pearl to Bangladesh
The BlackBerry wireless solution from Research In Motion (RIM), a wireless solutions provider, are being launched in Bangladesh this month by Grameenphone Ltd, a telecomms service provider in Bangladesh, to be provided through Grameenphone's Business Solutions, reportedly representing the first time BlackBerry smartphones have been available in the country.
Grameenphone will offer the BlackBerry 8700g and the BlackBerry Pearl smartphones initially, operating on its EDGE/GPRS-enabled GSM network, offered in conjunction with BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service.
The 8700g features a high resolution LCD, QWERTY keyboard, fast performance for wireless e-mail, web browsing and other mobile applications, light-sensing technology and supports SMS and MMS, instant messaging, Bluetooth and phone features such as conference calling, call forwarding and smart dialling.
The Pearl includes a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash and 5x digital zoom, a media player, trackball navigation system, expandable memory slot and RIM's SureType keyboard technology which merges a phone keypad with a QWERTY keyboard.
The companies said the BlackBerry platform will offer a new and powerful mobile solution to users in Bangladesh, allowing them to be more flexible and productive.
The BlackBerry wireless solution from Research In Motion (RIM), a wireless solutions provider, are being launched in Bangladesh this month by Grameenphone Ltd, a telecomms service provider in Bangladesh, to be provided through Grameenphone's Business Solutions, reportedly representing the first time BlackBerry smartphones have been available in the country.
Grameenphone will offer the BlackBerry 8700g and the BlackBerry Pearl smartphones initially, operating on its EDGE/GPRS-enabled GSM network, offered in conjunction with BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service.
The 8700g features a high resolution LCD, QWERTY keyboard, fast performance for wireless e-mail, web browsing and other mobile applications, light-sensing technology and supports SMS and MMS, instant messaging, Bluetooth and phone features such as conference calling, call forwarding and smart dialling.
The Pearl includes a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash and 5x digital zoom, a media player, trackball navigation system, expandable memory slot and RIM's SureType keyboard technology which merges a phone keypad with a QWERTY keyboard.
The companies said the BlackBerry platform will offer a new and powerful mobile solution to users in Bangladesh, allowing them to be more flexible and productive.
Europe - privacy and trust policies
Comparison of Privacy and Trust Policies in the Area of Electronic Communications
prepared by wik-Consult/Rand Europe, July 2007.(Published January 2008)
The study compares the systems in the United States and a number of advanced Asian countries to protect privacy and enhance trust in the realm of electronic communications. Additionally, it reports on the effectiveness of these arrangements and the perceptions of various stakeholders of these different systems.
prepared by wik-Consult/Rand Europe, July 2007.(Published January 2008)
The study compares the systems in the United States and a number of advanced Asian countries to protect privacy and enhance trust in the realm of electronic communications. Additionally, it reports on the effectiveness of these arrangements and the perceptions of various stakeholders of these different systems.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Europe - state aid for broadcasters
State aid: Commission launches public consultation on the future framework for State funding of public service broadcasting
The European Commission has published a consultation paper on the future framework which will apply to State funding of public service broadcasting. This consultation gives Member States and stakeholders the opportunity to submit their views at an early stage, before any Commission proposal, on the possible revision of the Broadcasting Communication – first adopted in 2001 (see IP/01/1429). Comments should be submitted by 10 March 2008. The consultation documents include a questionnaire as well as an explanatory memorandum which gives an overview of the current rules, the relevant Commission decision-making practice and the possible scope for amendments. Key issues for discussion are the public service remit in the new media environment and control of overcompensation. Having reviewed the comments, the Commission may come forward later this year with a proposal for a revised Broadcasting Communication, with a view to its adoption in the first half of 2009.
The European Commission has published a consultation paper on the future framework which will apply to State funding of public service broadcasting. This consultation gives Member States and stakeholders the opportunity to submit their views at an early stage, before any Commission proposal, on the possible revision of the Broadcasting Communication – first adopted in 2001 (see IP/01/1429). Comments should be submitted by 10 March 2008. The consultation documents include a questionnaire as well as an explanatory memorandum which gives an overview of the current rules, the relevant Commission decision-making practice and the possible scope for amendments. Key issues for discussion are the public service remit in the new media environment and control of overcompensation. Having reviewed the comments, the Commission may come forward later this year with a proposal for a revised Broadcasting Communication, with a view to its adoption in the first half of 2009.
OECD - Changing television
Changing television markets
By changing the distribution model for video content, television delivered over Internet Protocol (IPTV) is increasing pressure for a review of broadcast regulatory frameworks so as not to stifle innovation and the diffusion of new services. This paper examines current market trends and regulation for IPTV and also provides information on developments in the provision of IPTV service in a number of OECD countries.
By changing the distribution model for video content, television delivered over Internet Protocol (IPTV) is increasing pressure for a review of broadcast regulatory frameworks so as not to stifle innovation and the diffusion of new services. This paper examines current market trends and regulation for IPTV and also provides information on developments in the provision of IPTV service in a number of OECD countries.
UK - BT 10,000 line trial of FTTH
100 Megabits available at Ebbsfleet Valley from August 2008
Openreach – BT’s local access network business - today announced further details of its deployment of fibre at Ebbsfleet Valley in Kent. From August 2008, fibre-optic cable will be used instead of traditional copper to connect homes on Land Securities’ 1,000 acre new build project. Approximately 10,000 homes will be built at Ebbsfleet Valley, along with six million sq. ft of commercial space and three million sq ft of retail, leisure and community facilities.
From August, Openreach will offer industry a fibre based broadband product at Ebbsfleet Valley that can support data at speeds of up to 100Mbit/s – the fastest headline speed available to residential customers in the UK. This would allow multiple HDTV channels to be watched simultaneously, HDTV gaming, and near instant music downloads. Openreach will offer all its products on a wholesale basis to all UK communication providers allowing for competition at a retail level. BT already provides some 120,000 businesses across the country with fibre connections.
Steve Robertson, chief executive of Openreach, said: “This is our first deployment of fibre rather than copper to residential customers on a new build site. It will enable communication providers to gauge what demand exists for very high speed broadband, and to assess what commercial models may be appropriate in the future. Unlike many other countries, in the UK we offer all our products on a fully equivalent wholesale basis. We are very proud of that commitment, and its clear and positive effect on the overall market.”
Andy Freeman, head of project management at Land Securities commented: “Ebbsfleet Valley, which has been identified by the Government as one of four key ‘transformational’ projects in the Thames Gateway, is the first development site in the UK to initiate fibre to the premises technology to all new homes. It demonstrates our commitment to innovation and forward thinking; which are paramount when creating a development on the scale of Ebbsfleet Valley with a build period of 25 years.”
In the future BT would like to make greater use of fibre in suitable new build sites, and a significant opportunity is presented by the Government’s plan to build 3 million new houses by 2020. But this investment critically depends upon an agreement with Ofcom which is currently engaged in consultation about how best to extend the regulatory framework to accommodate future fibre deployment. All current regulation is based upon BT offering wholesale products over copper.
BT is also committed to increasing broadband speeds over copper, introducing services of up to 24 Megabits from Spring 2008.
Openreach – BT’s local access network business - today announced further details of its deployment of fibre at Ebbsfleet Valley in Kent. From August 2008, fibre-optic cable will be used instead of traditional copper to connect homes on Land Securities’ 1,000 acre new build project. Approximately 10,000 homes will be built at Ebbsfleet Valley, along with six million sq. ft of commercial space and three million sq ft of retail, leisure and community facilities.
From August, Openreach will offer industry a fibre based broadband product at Ebbsfleet Valley that can support data at speeds of up to 100Mbit/s – the fastest headline speed available to residential customers in the UK. This would allow multiple HDTV channels to be watched simultaneously, HDTV gaming, and near instant music downloads. Openreach will offer all its products on a wholesale basis to all UK communication providers allowing for competition at a retail level. BT already provides some 120,000 businesses across the country with fibre connections.
Steve Robertson, chief executive of Openreach, said: “This is our first deployment of fibre rather than copper to residential customers on a new build site. It will enable communication providers to gauge what demand exists for very high speed broadband, and to assess what commercial models may be appropriate in the future. Unlike many other countries, in the UK we offer all our products on a fully equivalent wholesale basis. We are very proud of that commitment, and its clear and positive effect on the overall market.”
Andy Freeman, head of project management at Land Securities commented: “Ebbsfleet Valley, which has been identified by the Government as one of four key ‘transformational’ projects in the Thames Gateway, is the first development site in the UK to initiate fibre to the premises technology to all new homes. It demonstrates our commitment to innovation and forward thinking; which are paramount when creating a development on the scale of Ebbsfleet Valley with a build period of 25 years.”
In the future BT would like to make greater use of fibre in suitable new build sites, and a significant opportunity is presented by the Government’s plan to build 3 million new houses by 2020. But this investment critically depends upon an agreement with Ofcom which is currently engaged in consultation about how best to extend the regulatory framework to accommodate future fibre deployment. All current regulation is based upon BT offering wholesale products over copper.
BT is also committed to increasing broadband speeds over copper, introducing services of up to 24 Megabits from Spring 2008.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
OECD - broadband and ICT use by individuals and in households
Broadband and ICT Access and use by households and individuals
DSTI/ICCP/IE(2007)4/FINAL
The Internet, and its most recent expression, broadband, is now part of everyday life for a billion people, but billions are still excluded from this major technological advance. This paper focuses on how ICTs, the Internet and broadband diffusion and use among households and individuals are sources of significant change and how these technologies have, and will continue to have, major economic and social impacts. The indicators and discussion presented in this paper shed light on selected areas of household and individual use. Other areas such as consumer-to-consumer electronic commerce, e-government, the blurring frontier between private and work life due to ICT, and associated impacts on production, organisation and productivity, are not the focus of this analysis.
Overall an increasing share of household income is devoted to communication. This is a general trend across OECD countries although there are differences among them (Section 1). Personal computers, the Internet and broadband have reached relatively high diffusion levels across and within OECD countries but again there are significant differences among them. This has driven major changes in people’s lives as these technologies are pervasive and powerful enabling tools. Focusing mainly on the Internet and broadband, diffusion and usage patterns are analysed by selected socio-economic variables, tracking pervasiveness and variety of use and the impact of broadband on patterns and frequency of use (Section 2).
With increasing frequency of Internet use there are clear signs of changes in time allocation patterns, with broadband having a significant effect on these patterns (Section 3). Finally, different rates of PC and Internet diffusion across different populations have resulted in digital divides (haves versus have-nots), and, as shown in previous OECD analysis, as the simple digital access divide declines a digital use divide is increasingly significant. How has this evolved? This second level use divide persists beyond connectedness and is increasingly important with increasing broadband access (Section 4).
Technology use and learning play a vital role, and background and socio-economic status have a direct bearing on how people use information technology in general, and broadband in particular. Some policy implications and proposals for future work conclude this paper.
DSTI/ICCP/IE(2007)4/FINAL
The Internet, and its most recent expression, broadband, is now part of everyday life for a billion people, but billions are still excluded from this major technological advance. This paper focuses on how ICTs, the Internet and broadband diffusion and use among households and individuals are sources of significant change and how these technologies have, and will continue to have, major economic and social impacts. The indicators and discussion presented in this paper shed light on selected areas of household and individual use. Other areas such as consumer-to-consumer electronic commerce, e-government, the blurring frontier between private and work life due to ICT, and associated impacts on production, organisation and productivity, are not the focus of this analysis.
Overall an increasing share of household income is devoted to communication. This is a general trend across OECD countries although there are differences among them (Section 1). Personal computers, the Internet and broadband have reached relatively high diffusion levels across and within OECD countries but again there are significant differences among them. This has driven major changes in people’s lives as these technologies are pervasive and powerful enabling tools. Focusing mainly on the Internet and broadband, diffusion and usage patterns are analysed by selected socio-economic variables, tracking pervasiveness and variety of use and the impact of broadband on patterns and frequency of use (Section 2).
With increasing frequency of Internet use there are clear signs of changes in time allocation patterns, with broadband having a significant effect on these patterns (Section 3). Finally, different rates of PC and Internet diffusion across different populations have resulted in digital divides (haves versus have-nots), and, as shown in previous OECD analysis, as the simple digital access divide declines a digital use divide is increasingly significant. How has this evolved? This second level use divide persists beyond connectedness and is increasingly important with increasing broadband access (Section 4).
Technology use and learning play a vital role, and background and socio-economic status have a direct bearing on how people use information technology in general, and broadband in particular. Some policy implications and proposals for future work conclude this paper.
ICANN - possible independence
ICANN Releases Its Submission to the Midterm Review of the Joint Project Agreement
see also ICANN and US Government, Department of Commerce's Midterm Review
ICANN Board believes that JPA Responsibilities are being met
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers today made its formal submission to the Midterm Review of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between ICANN and the United States Department of Commerce.
The submission's main point is that the conclusion of the JPA would be a further step in the transition envisioned since ICANN was established -- one of moving the Domain Name System to private-sector co-ordination.
"Ending the JPA will provide long-term stability and security for a model that works," stated Chairman Peter Dengate Thrush in the ICANN Board submission. "It will provide confidence to all participants that the investment of time, thought and energy for over nine years has secured an Internet coordination body that will always be owned by all stakeholders, not managed or overseen by any one entity."
see also ICANN and US Government, Department of Commerce's Midterm Review
ICANN Board believes that JPA Responsibilities are being met
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers today made its formal submission to the Midterm Review of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between ICANN and the United States Department of Commerce.
The submission's main point is that the conclusion of the JPA would be a further step in the transition envisioned since ICANN was established -- one of moving the Domain Name System to private-sector co-ordination.
"Ending the JPA will provide long-term stability and security for a model that works," stated Chairman Peter Dengate Thrush in the ICANN Board submission. "It will provide confidence to all participants that the investment of time, thought and energy for over nine years has secured an Internet coordination body that will always be owned by all stakeholders, not managed or overseen by any one entity."
USA - SMS texting
What Next for Texting?
Verizon Wireless announced this week that it was raising the price for a single text from $0.15 to $0.20 following the Sprint lead of a couple of months ago. By raising the prices, carriers are trying to push customer to bundled texting plans. Verizon bundled plans include 500 text and picture messages plus unlimited in-network messaging for $10 a month; 5,000 messages plus unlimited in-network messaging is available for $20 a month. These plans also motivate customers to be on the same network for unlimited messaging.
Carriers now see texting as a must-have for a number of their customers - and something they will pay higher prices for. It is especially important for them because overall voice average revenues per unit (ARPUs) are declining, there is added uncertainty in the economy, and many other data services have not taken off.
Interestingly enough, texting on Verizon Wireless prepaid plans remains between $0.02 and $0.10, allowing for some differentiation of this product.
Verizon Wireless announced this week that it was raising the price for a single text from $0.15 to $0.20 following the Sprint lead of a couple of months ago. By raising the prices, carriers are trying to push customer to bundled texting plans. Verizon bundled plans include 500 text and picture messages plus unlimited in-network messaging for $10 a month; 5,000 messages plus unlimited in-network messaging is available for $20 a month. These plans also motivate customers to be on the same network for unlimited messaging.
Carriers now see texting as a must-have for a number of their customers - and something they will pay higher prices for. It is especially important for them because overall voice average revenues per unit (ARPUs) are declining, there is added uncertainty in the economy, and many other data services have not taken off.
Interestingly enough, texting on Verizon Wireless prepaid plans remains between $0.02 and $0.10, allowing for some differentiation of this product.
OECD - Measuring the effects of ICTs
MEASURING THE IMPACTS OF ICT USING OFFICIAL STATISTICS
Policy makers everywhere want to know the impacts of ICT. They are interested in both economic and social impacts, though it should be noted that, in a statistical and policy sense, the former have generally received more attention – in OECD countries at least.
While it seems obvious that there are significant economic and social impacts of ICT, showing this statistically is not straightforward. This paper describes the findings of an OECD project examining ICT impact measurement and analyses based on official statistics. Both economic and social impacts are covered and some results are
presented.
The paper attempts to place the study of ICT impacts into the context of a broader conceptual framework of Information Society statistics and provides some suggestions for standardising terminology and methodologies.
Note that while it is not covered in this paper, the environment is also affected by ICT, with direct environmental impacts arising from events such as poor disposal of PCs and the role of ICT in modelling the impacts of climate change.
Policy makers everywhere want to know the impacts of ICT. They are interested in both economic and social impacts, though it should be noted that, in a statistical and policy sense, the former have generally received more attention – in OECD countries at least.
While it seems obvious that there are significant economic and social impacts of ICT, showing this statistically is not straightforward. This paper describes the findings of an OECD project examining ICT impact measurement and analyses based on official statistics. Both economic and social impacts are covered and some results are
presented.
The paper attempts to place the study of ICT impacts into the context of a broader conceptual framework of Information Society statistics and provides some suggestions for standardising terminology and methodologies.
Note that while it is not covered in this paper, the environment is also affected by ICT, with direct environmental impacts arising from events such as poor disposal of PCs and the role of ICT in modelling the impacts of climate change.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
South Africa - list of defined markets
Draft regulation defining markets for regulation in South Africa
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published draft regulations containing the list of possible markets identified by the Authority in identifying and defining retail or wholesale markets or market segments in terms of section 67(4)(a) of the Electronic Communications Act No. 36 of 2005 (“ECA”).
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published draft regulations containing the list of possible markets identified by the Authority in identifying and defining retail or wholesale markets or market segments in terms of section 67(4)(a) of the Electronic Communications Act No. 36 of 2005 (“ECA”).
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