Product Reviews Net » BT http://www.product-reviews.net Information on the latest gadgets, technology, news and product reviews Sat, 26 May 2012 11:39:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 TalkTalk take ASA ad ban ruling as positive http://www.product-reviews.net/2012/01/04/talktalk-take-asa-ad-ban-ruling-as-positive/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=talktalk-take-asa-ad-ban-ruling-as-positive http://www.product-reviews.net/2012/01/04/talktalk-take-asa-ad-ban-ruling-as-positive/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:41:14 +0000 Chris Maugham http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=146955 A recent ruling by the ASA to ban a TalkTalk broadband advert has been viewed by the company as a positive despite the fact that they can no longer use the publication. After a complaint was made by BT that suggested false advertising infringements by TalkTalk, the ASA ruled that three of their ads should be banned as they had used the term ‘UK’s safest broadband’ very loosely.

Tele communications giants BT as well as two other companies were quick to question the term which got the national press, poster and TV commercials banned, yet TalkTalk are seemingly delighted with the outcome. After trying to defend their case for using the term, arguing that it was based on them being the only home UK broadband provider that supplies network level security features, they were overruled by the ASA who feel the term refers to ‘the safest online experience’ rather than the highest network security.

To everyone’s surprise however the company has come out gleaming as they believe the ASA has done them a favor and confirmed ‘once and for all, that TalkTalk offers the UK’s safest broadband connection.’ They claim that all they have to do in future advertising is emphasize the network aspect to avoid them being in the wrong. This is why the company views the ruling as a victory.

Of course BT had nothing further to argue as they had actually won their case against TalkTalk and got the adverts banned, although the confirmation that the company does provide the safest broadband could not have been foreseen and may in fact have worked against them. Check out the Guardian for more details on the ban.

What do you think of this ruling? Is it a victory for BT or TalkTalk?

More About: , ,

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2012/01/04/talktalk-take-asa-ad-ban-ruling-as-positive/feed/ 0 British Telecom joins attack on Google and Android with lawsuit http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/12/19/british-telecom-joins-attack-on-google-and-android-with-lawsuit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=british-telecom-joins-attack-on-google-and-android-with-lawsuit http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/12/19/british-telecom-joins-attack-on-google-and-android-with-lawsuit/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:35:49 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=146472 Google has seen massive success with its Android mobile platform since it became available. Trouble is there are many other companies that are accusing the search engine giant of copying their ideas. Now British Telecom joins the attack on Google and Android with a lawsuit.

According to The Guardian, BT are claiming billions of dollars from Google after the company filed a lawsuit in the US. They are claiming that the Android operating system is breaking a number of the company’s key patents.

British Telecom filed the lawsuit in the state of Delaware in the US, and covers six different patients that BT says have been infringed. These include location based advertising, Google Music, Google Maps, and Android Market products on the platform.

If British Telecom is successful with their lawsuit it could mean that Google or manufacturers of the handsets paying BT royalties on every Android device already in use, and ones they produce. This could mean BT receiving millions as Android is currently the most successful smartphone platform, and equates to over 40 million handsets produced every quarter.

The lawsuit could also be repeated in Europe and joins a whole host of other companies currently filing lawsuits against the Android platform. These include Apple, Microsoft, Oracle, and eBay amongst others. The company was one of the original providers of mobile phone services and was part of the Cellnet venture in the UK during the 1980s.

Some of the infringements that BT is claiming against the Android platform could also apply to some of the Apple iPhone and iPad devices. One of these is the ‘Busuioc Patent’ that detects when a mobile device is connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network, and then allows streaming of content.

Does it surprise you that another company is suing Google over the Android platform?

More About: , ,

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/12/19/british-telecom-joins-attack-on-google-and-android-with-lawsuit/feed/ 0 OnLive launches with BT customers getting free games http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/09/22/onlive-launches-with-bt-customers-getting-free-games/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=onlive-launches-with-bt-customers-getting-free-games http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/09/22/onlive-launches-with-bt-customers-getting-free-games/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:40:06 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=141020 We told you last month that the OnLive gaming service would be starting today in time for the Eurogamer Expo 2011 event. We now have news that OnLive launches in the UK with BT customers getting free games.

If you don’t already know the OnLive gaming service has been available in the US for a while now, and today it is launching as expected in the UK. Thinkbroadband are reporting that the online gaming service is been launched in partnership with BT. Users can play games via Android devices, HDTVs, PC, Mac, and the iPad. All the games are streamed to your device so you can even play games that are not originally meant for the device.

Users will need a minimum of 2Mbps broadband speed, but it is recommended to have 5Mbps for quality play. Those lucky enough to have superfast broadband will find the service runs smoothly without any glitches. For others it would be a good idea that no one else is sharing your connection while you are trying to play.

BT is the main partner and it has been announced that BT Infinity and BT Total users will get a PlayPack subscription free for three months. This represents a saving of £20.97, and users just have to visit here to register before January 31st 2012. Customers of BT will also be offered their first Full PlayPass Onlive game purchase for only £1. To qualify all they need to do is purchase before 11:59pm on October 9th 2012, games normally cost between £1 and £39.99.

Graphics won’t be as great as a games console or PC, but the big attraction of the service is the on-demand features, and the access to a vast range of different games. BT Infinity and Total users who use the OnLive service won’t see their gaming time take up their broadband usage until January 2nd 2012.

Will you be signing up to OnLive?

More About: ,

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/09/22/onlive-launches-with-bt-customers-getting-free-games/feed/ 0 British Telecom accused of building new empire http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/09/12/british-telecom-accused-of-building-new-empire/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=british-telecom-accused-of-building-new-empire http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/09/12/british-telecom-accused-of-building-new-empire/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:33:19 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=140471 Years ago BT had a monopoly in the UK providing consumers with a telephone service and access to the internet. This all changed and even though most of the equipment is still owned by the company, consumers in the UK can get a service from a variety of different providers. BT is expanding its fiber-optic broadband network across some of the country. But British Telecom has been accused of building a new empire by a rival provider.

According to an article on The Guardian, TalkTalk’s David Goldie has accused BT of building a monopoly with fiber-optic broadband that will leave the country with a sub-standard network that will fall behind other developed nations. The company has promised to invest £2.5 billion in the technology to supply two thirds of the country’s 25 million homes.

It is also hoping to secure a £360m government subsidy to get the technology into more rural areas. These will be awarded by local councils across England and Scotland over the next year. Goldie stated “At all times BT is thinking about how it can recover the monopoly position that it lost many years ago”.

There are other companies looking to secure the same funds as well, which include Fujitsu. TalkTalk and Virgin Media have promised to back Fujitsu as they want to see a serious competitor emerge to BT. The Japanese electronics company will be hoping it can persuade BT to reduce the fees it charges for renting the company’s infrastructure, which will carry the fiber-optic technology across the country.

BT will reveal interim prices this month, and telecoms regulator Ofcom it will make a move if these prices turn out to be too high. Fujitsu are believed to be hoping BT drops its prices by fifty percent, over a period of up to five years.

The UK has already fallen behind other European countries such as Holland and Hungry, but is still on a level playing field with France and Germany who have yet to build such a network. Do you think BT will have a monopoly with its fiber-optic network?

More About: ,

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/09/12/british-telecom-accused-of-building-new-empire/feed/ 3 Heineken/BT Openzone deal delivers free Wi-Fi to UK pubs http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/08/23/heinekenbt-openzone-deal-delivers-free-wi-fi-to-uk-pubs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=heinekenbt-openzone-deal-delivers-free-wi-fi-to-uk-pubs http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/08/23/heinekenbt-openzone-deal-delivers-free-wi-fi-to-uk-pubs/#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:14:27 +0000 Chris Maugham http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=139396 Here is some exciting news for those of you who prefer to retreat to your local for a pint of lager rather than be stuck at home all day, as Heineken and BT Openzone have teamed up to provide 100 pubs in the UK access to Wi-Fi. Now users of the service can enjoy a drink whilst having access to the internet. The deal will also see another 200 pubs and bars with access to Wi-Fi by the end of 2012.

The news comes from an article at The Register, which says that the Wi-Fi pub is a big improvement from the Wi-Fi café or coffee shop that we’ve seen in the past. Despite the improvements, it is thought that one major issue still remains and that is there will not be allocated power sockets for each individual who wishes to use their Wi-Fi enable device in the location, whether it’s a mobile phone or a laptop. This means using the service may only last as long as the battery of the devices does.

The 100 new Wi-Fi hotspots that have been allocated to these properties are part of 200,000 sites which BT has added in the last few months, to their already 3 million strong Wi-Fi areas in their UK network. Access to BT Openzone is free to existing customers who already pay for BT Broadband and is expected to cost those who aren’t customers a subscription fee of some kind.

Heineken and BT’s new deal has also incorporated i, the mini-independent newspaper, so the content for the news providers can be found online as part of the ‘Heineken hub.’ Other public places which have access to BT’s Openzone include Roadchef and Welcome Break Costa motorway services, Ramada Jarvis and other major hotel chains and Starbucks.

Will you be enjoying a pint whilst surfing the net in future?

More About: , ,

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/08/23/heinekenbt-openzone-deal-delivers-free-wi-fi-to-uk-pubs/feed/ 0 BT ordered to block file sharing website Newzbin 2 http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/28/bt-ordered-to-block-file-sharing-website-newzbin-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bt-ordered-to-block-file-sharing-website-newzbin-2 http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/28/bt-ordered-to-block-file-sharing-website-newzbin-2/#comments Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:53:24 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=137835 In what some quarters are worried could lead to a dangerous trend, BT have been ordered to block file sharing website Newzbin 2 by a High Court Judge in London. The website is alleged to provide links to pirated movies and is a victory for the Hollywood studios.

The ruling could lead to other websites being blocked in an attempt to crackdown on internet piracy, and is the first time an ISP has been made to prevent access to such a site. The BBC is reporting that the Judge Justice Arnold said “In my judgment it follows that BT has actual knowledge of other persons using its service to infringe copyright”.

The Motion Picture Association was responsible for bringing the case against the UKs biggest broadband provider, and will be back in court in October to sort out how the blocking will actually work. The ruling won’t be opposed by BT and describes it as “helpful”.

President of the Film Distributers Association Lord Puttnam said that they now “have a way to deal with rogue sites which will benefit the film industry”. BT said in a statement “It clearly shows that rights holders need to prove their claims and convince a judge to make a court order. BT has consistently said that rights holders need to take this route”.

Sites similar to Newzbin 2 have grown in popularity with people who want to download free content instead of traditional peer-to peer downloading methods. Previously a court ruled that Newzbin 2s predecessor must stop directing people to free content, but a new site was quickly started away from the UK laws.

BT will now have to use its CleanFeed technology that is currently used to stop child abuse websites, to stop access to the Newzbin 2 website. But before the ruling was passed Newzbin 2 threatened to break the BT filters. A BT spokesman responded by saying “We would be appalled if any group were to try to sabotage this technology as it helps to protect the innocent from highly offensive and illegal content”.

The Internet Service Provider’s Association has often been criticizing web blocking, and feels the technology used to stop images of child abuse won’t be up to the job of stopping websites such as Newzbin 2. The recent Digital Economy Act which allows ISPs to write letters to users downloading pirated content has been called unenforceable by the likes of BT and TalkTalk.

If users continue and ignore warnings they could then face court action, but the British Government is looking into widespread website blocking. This includes the idea of a voluntary scheme between the rights holders and ISPs.

More About: ,

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/28/bt-ordered-to-block-file-sharing-website-newzbin-2/feed/ 0 BT to reduce broadband rates, not all will benefit http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/21/bt-to-reduce-broadband-rates-not-all-will-benefit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bt-to-reduce-broadband-rates-not-all-will-benefit http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/21/bt-to-reduce-broadband-rates-not-all-will-benefit/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:37:34 +0000 Peter Chubb http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=137306 The price of broadband could fall because Ofcom have now told BT that they have to cut wholesale rates to ISPs in areas where there is just the one network. Broadband rates are still a constant pain for some, as they just do not have enough to pay for the high costs. In the regions we could expect to see wholesale fees fall by 10.7 to 14.7 percent.

Once Ofcom gets their way this will pave the way for more ISP competition, which as we know is a key factor with the cost of broadband. Not all will benefit from this latest move though, only customers in certain parts of Cumbria, Northumberland, Northern Ireland, Norfolk, Scotland, south-west of England, Wales and Yorkshire.

It’s not always about price though, we have seen in these areas that the quality of service is not as good as you would get if you were in the south-east. However, this move is expected to improve the service that you get, as customers will then be offered more bandwidth. When broadband was first launched it was capped, then BT and others started to offer unlimited for an extra cost. It now seems like we are going back again, as ISPs and phone networks are now trying to force bandwidth capping one again.

We have to wonder where BT will find the money to make a loss in these other areas, and it does not take a genius to know where. It will not be new customers signing up, it will existing ones who will have to subsidize others. This is a constant issue, as those loyal to BT always seem to get the raw end of the deal.

ZDNet UK has spoken to one BT Wholesale customer, and said that Ofcom’s move will not have the desired effect that it hopes. He notes that prices may go down a little, but the idea of more competition will just not happen. However, what it will do is deter broadband wholesale investors, as they will not want to invest in something that is going down in price.

In the short term we will not see any changes, but then again this could be something that just gets forgotten about. The only way you will know is when your price of BT broadband starts to increase if you are loyal customer – maybe it is now time to switch?

One of the best deals at the moment in the UK is from Sky, as they offer a package that will give you broadband for a fraction of the price of BT.

More About: ,

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/21/bt-to-reduce-broadband-rates-not-all-will-benefit/feed/ 0 BT and Everything Everywhere to trial LTE in UK rural areas http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/05/25/bt-and-everything-everywhere-to-trial-lte-in-uk-rural-areas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bt-and-everything-everywhere-to-trial-lte-in-uk-rural-areas http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/05/25/bt-and-everything-everywhere-to-trial-lte-in-uk-rural-areas/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 09:20:00 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=132060 While parts of North America are already experiencing 4G mobile services the UK are somewhat lagging behind. But now we have news for you that BT and Everything Everywhere are to trial LTE in UK rural areas.

Matt Warman from The Telegraph is reporting that the first trials to be carried out will take place in areas just south of Newquay in Cornwall. These areas are currently unable to get any broadband service at all. BT and the owners of Orange and T-Mobile have teamed up to trial the LTE service.

Tests have shown that 4G is capable of speeds up to 150mbs, but Sally Davis of BT Wholesale has warned that lower speeds are more likely with both companies aiming for closer to 10mbps. Similar services are already in parts of Europe as well as America, but this new trial will be the first to mix fixed line and wireless broadband.

To start with a hundred people will get the chance to use the service free with specially modified mobile phones. It will use parts of the 800 MHz spectrum band which is now available following the digital switchover. This frequency is ideal for wide ranging networks making it first choice for areas where a broadband or mobile signal is not available, as well as areas where signal quality is poor.

It will probably be a long time though before residents across the UK will have access to a 4G service.

More About: ,

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/05/25/bt-and-everything-everywhere-to-trial-lte-in-uk-rural-areas/feed/ 0 Almost 250,000 high-speed broadband lines now in the UK http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/04/14/almost-250000-high-speed-broadband-lines-now-in-the-uk/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=almost-250000-high-speed-broadband-lines-now-in-the-uk http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/04/14/almost-250000-high-speed-broadband-lines-now-in-the-uk/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:19:31 +0000 Marlon Votta http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=127935 Broadband access continues to grow with the news that almost 250,000 high-speed lines have so far been installed in the UK. High-speed broadband is currently only available to one percent the United Kingdom, but a plan is in place to make the UK one of the main high-speed broadband users.

As the quarter of a million mark is about to be made in high-speed lines this coming month, we have information that there’s about 236,000 lines currently in use. Analysts Point Topic feel that by the end of the month there will be about 250,000 lines distributing a speed of 25Mbps or more, as noted in a report by Chris Smith on TechRadar.com.

With BT and Virgin Media heading the charge, other internet service providers are using 4,000 lines, where Virgin Media have 86,000 and BT has 136,000 broadband lines, with over 75,000 new broadband lines installed since the start of the year. This might be good news but don’t get carried away, as this is step forward but it is also only a drop in the ocean.

Point Topic’s views are of high expectations looking at the forecast with recent upgrades since the beginning of UK broadband, with Point Topic saying “We went on from about one per cent to reach over 13 million broadband lines within five years. Now we have over 19 million.”

Do you feel this will give UK users a broader horizon?

More About: , ,

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/04/14/almost-250000-high-speed-broadband-lines-now-in-the-uk/feed/ 0