Friday, December 21, 2001
At last Oftel announce that the UK needs stong competition to create a thriving BB market. The new thought is to route traffic though the BT network, rather than the competitiors having to buy BT wholesale products or install their own kit in exchanges. Oftel are saying this may happen by the summer.
Wednesday, December 19, 2001
A positive piece on BB satellie looking forward to 20002.
More DSL in Beijing
Continued development of DSL access in the Hebei province around Beijing.
VOD over DSL
Alcatel and Thomson multimedia demonstrated TV and VOD over DSL. Interestingly the article also mentions encoding units by Nextream, claiming video over less than 1Mb/s.
Thursday, December 13, 2001
BBC reject STB idea
News that the BBC has ruled out having their own set top box wasn't particularly surprising. Discussions with other UK broadcaster are still ongoing.
Wednesday, December 12, 2001
SonicBlue put pressure on TiVo
SonicBlue are now stepping up the pressure on TiVo (Sonicblue threatens to sue TiVo)) after the award of their patent covering a couple PVR feature, including the ability to pause live TV.
Microsoft announce new broadband streaming CODEC
Microsoft announced at Streaming Media East yesterday their 'Third generation' product - code named "Corona", that they are aiming at BB delivery.A smart play from Microsoft that will get Windows Media Audio and Video in to the chips that currently get put into 90% of the DVD made. Putting MPEG-4 decoders
EU money for Cornish broadband
Funded by the European Regional Development Fund and South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall will benefit from 33,000 ADSL connections
Tuesday, December 11, 2001
BBC announce 'Curriculum Online’
The BBC announce their pivotal role in the 'Curriculum Online’. It could be very positive for the UK industry, as long as the money is spread around rather than just placed with a small number of large broadcasters.
RealNetworks to support MPEG-4
Interesting to see RealNetworks are going to support MPEG-4. As long as it's going to be open standards MPEG-4, not the proprietary version Microsoft uses, this is good for the electronic video delivery generally.
This could also be interpreted that Real aren't that concerned about their format any more. As long as people view it though their player and through their subscription service (RealOne) - they'll be happy. Gives added weight to the perception of a major shift in their business, which has been happening for a while.
Enron broadband scams
Details are now coming out about Enron's BB division and the huge amount of money possibly misspent with an alleged only twenty deals having been signed.
Broadband via the drains
An interesting idea to deliver the last mile though the drainage system from a company called CityNet, which appears to be very well backed.
Wednesday, December 05, 2001
US Should Not Rush to Regulate Broadband
News: U.S. Should Not Rush to Regulate Broadband - Report - Yahoo news
Tuesday, December 04, 2001
Aramiska opens UK broadband satellite
News: Aramiska opens UK broadband satellite kimono - The RegisterComment: Another company start a BB satellite Internet service for SME'e.
UK government want UK to be a BB leader
There was a significant announcement from the UK government yesterday about their view on how the UK will become one of the leading BB nations by 2005. Given the state of the UK market currently, we all know this is hugely ambitious. It appears from discussions with people closely connected with it, that the IS actually a lot of political will behind this.This is the
general link to the Office of the UK e-Envoy and here is the Government’s response to Broadband Stakeholder Group recommendations a 367k PDF
Monday, December 03, 2001
3 airlines to drop Boeing's Connexion service
News: 3 airlines to drop Boeing's Connexion service - CNN.comComment: This was going to be Internet access from the seatback service on airplanes. Not a big surprise this has happened. post Sept. 11. Interestingly, Lufthansa are still working with them.
