BT’s carbon reduction commitment

Posted in BT News, Digital News Tagged , , , ,
Posted on December 4, 2010 by skyeditor

The electric van trial is just one of a number of ways BT plans to reduce its carbon intensity by 80 per cent by 2020, from 1997 levels. Engineers at BT Vision’s Openreach division started trailing energy efficient electric vans in Milton Keynes.

As part of BT Vision’s commitment to reduce its carbon intensity by 80 per cent by 2020, Openreach has begun testing two electric vans in Milton Keynes and two in East London, and, if successful, plans to roll them out more widely across its fleet of 23,400 vehicles.

The vans have a restricted top speed of 70 miles per hour and can cover up to 100 miles between battery charges.

The vans offer the same payload capabilities as an equivalent diesel vehicle but with none of the environmentally harmful tailpipe emissions.

John Small, service delivery managing director at Openreach, said: “This is fantastic news and I’m really pleased we are trialling these electric vans here in Milton Keynes. This town is really at the cutting edge of new developments from us. We are currently trialling fibre to the premises broadband from the Bradwell Abbey exchange – which is bringing super-fast speeds to the people taking part. And if the electric vans trial is successful it will provide a great opportunity for Openreach to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its vehicle fleet. Not only do they eliminate exhaust emissions, but the vans could deliver longer term cost benefits and their quietness make them perfect for working in residential areas. Last year BT reduced the amount of CO2 emitted as a result of travel and transport by more than 20 per cent, by reducing the number of journeys made and increasing fuel efficiency. We hope that electric vans can add to our carbon reduction commitment.”

“It’s great to see BT contributing something to the environment and electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role in reducing carbon emissions and helping us tackle climate change.” said Mike Galloway, Milton Keynes Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment.

BT invests heavily in Cardiff as part of IT development programme

Posted in BT News, Digital News Tagged , , ,
Posted on December 4, 2010 by skyeditor

Thanks to BT Vision’s £4.3 million programme to create a global network of IT development centres, Cardiff will become the base to one of the biggest software centres in Wales. The software solutions being developed in Cardiff range include network management solutions and ICT solutions for external customers. Cardif joins Glasgow and Belfast in a network of satellite centres that supports BT Vision strategy of co-locating software development engineers in global development centres. This allows greater collaboration and enables the company to deliver better quality software.

The centre is housed at BT Vision’s International Data Centre in Cardiff Bay. The centre will be home to around 200 software development engineers by the end of March 2011. The centre should be completed by then.

The centre will have three ‘real-time’ collaboration stations known as ‘pods’ with networked electronic whiteboards and video touch screens lining technology teams and customers from around the world to develop and deliver new IT solutions.

“The facility will make it one of the biggest software houses in Wales. Locating our technical teams under one roof and combining this with the latest Agile working practices will radically speed up the software development process as we bring new products and services to our customers, as well as reducing costs. There is really no limit to what can be achieved in this collaborative working environment.” said Andrew Board, project director for BT Innovate & Design.

“Some 4,500 people in Cardiff are employed in ICT, and this investment shows the confidence that BT Vision has in the sector in our city. It will also attract the type of jobs that will help develop Cardiff as a modern competitive, knowledge-based economy.” said Cllr Neil McEvoy, deputy leader of Cardiff Council and Executive Member Economic Development.

Broadband – the basics

Posted in How Tos Tagged , , , ,
Posted on December 3, 2010 by skyeditor

Broadband is a fast and reliable internet service that is used by the majority of businesses and households in the UK. By paying monthly fee to the provider, the user gets permanent broadband connection which allows him to stay connected to the internet 24 hours a day. In other words, a user can browse web sites, download or upload media and stream videos as much as he wants. The only limitation occurs in the download and upload speeds which varies depending on the package purchased by user.

Broadband vs. Dial-up

First and foremost, broadband internet connection is much faster and reliable than dial-up. How much faster you ask? Broadband internet connection could be up to 400 times faster (or even more) depending on your package and available infrastructure. Dial-up uses and occupies the telephone line. Whenever you are connecting to the internet, you’re making your telephone line unavailable. Besides being slower, dial-up also takes time to connect to the internet which results in needless time loss. If you’re currently using dial up service and you value your time, you might consider switching to broadband as soon as possible.

ADSL vs. Dial-up

ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. It’s the type of broadband connection. It uses the telephone line but should not be confused with dial up service since both work quite differently.
Dial-up internet access is a form of internet access that uses the facilities of the public switched telephone network to establish a dialed connection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) via telephone lines. The user’s computer uses an attached modem (internal or external) to encode and decode Internet Protocol packets and control information into and from analogue audio frequency signals. Modern dial up modems have a maximum theoretical transfer speed of 56 kbit/s (kilo bits per second), although in most cases 40-50 kbit/s is the norm. It could be even lower if the factors like phone line noise as well as the low quality of the modem are present. “Noisy” environments are present when telephone line is shared with many extensions. The length of the telephone line could also be the factor that produces slower speeds than projected if the distance between the user and the exchange is more than a few miles.
On the other hand, ADSL broadband technology utilizes frequencies that are not used by a voice telephone call. DSL filter allows a single telephone connection to be used for both ADSL service and voice calls at the same time. What this means is that, with ADSL, you can stay connected to the internet as long as you want and still have a free phone line. No need to make sacrifices here since almost ten million households in the UK already have broadband access.

Connection speed

When using broadband, currently available speed is determined by the package that the user has purchased from the provider. When we say speed, it actually relates to two things: download speed and upload speed. Download speed represents the amount of data that the user can retrieve within a certain amount of time from the internet to their computer. Download speed is usually higher than upload speed. Upload speed represents the speed that data can be sent from a computer to the internet. Higher upload speeds will help you a lot if you’re often uploading media to the internet or sending e-mails with big attachments. When choosing which package will work best for you, keep in mind that different providers use different technologies to deliver internet service to your household or business. Bear in mind that available speeds will vary from provider to provider. Keep in mind that the price range will also vary accordingly.

Other ways of delivering broadband

Fibre Optic. This type of internet connection is currently only offered by Virgin Media and BT in the UK. How does it work. Fibre optic broadband uses glass tubes carrying light signals to provide your broadband connection. It’s use does not ensure much faster transmission speeds compared to those that are achievable via co-axial copper wire. The advantage is that there is minimal speed deterioration in fibre optic cable, unlike copper wire where speed can fall away quickly over long distances. It’s important to note that end users are not connected all the way through their ISP’s via fibre optic cables. Fibre optic is only installed to street cabinets, with copper wire still going from there into premises.
Mobile Broadband delivers wireless high-speed internet access through a portable modem, telephone or other device such as USB falsh drive dongle. It allows you to take your laptop anywhere you like and still have access to the internet, provided that wireless connection is available. Note that speeds provided over mobile broadband are often lower than Fibre optic and ADSL speeds. The reason behind this is related strictly to technical capabilities of hardware, ISP’s networks capabilities and the supplied USB modems.

How to convert from dial-up to broadband

Firstly determine which download and upload speed would be most suitable for your needs. Then check which company offers its services in your area. You can decide to go for either Sky broadband, Virgin Media broadband or BT broadband. There are lots of options to choose from. Once you’re done, you will receive a new modem from your ISP which will allow you to connect to the internet and enjoy the comfort of being online 24 hours a day, faster download and upload speeds and all in all better interaction via web.

Planning to connect to the internet for the first time

If you’re in position where you don’t have any internet access at all, and you’re planning to change that fact once and for all, but you’re in dilemma whether you should start with dial-up connection or broadband, the solution that we would suggest is broadband internet connection. The reasoning behind this is simply the fact that broadband was the future some years ago. Nowdays, the only logical and reasonable explanation of why people still use dial-up connection is that dial-up connection is the only available option in the area where they live.

Cable Broadband – the basics

Posted in How Tos Tagged , , , ,
Posted on December 3, 2010 by skyeditor

Not so long ago the only way to get to the internet was via dial-up connection using a telephone line. Very often, the user was forced to spend some time waiting for loading web pages, which in modern terms seems like eternity. Surfing and using the web in a way it’s done nowadays was not even imaginable. Who would have thought back then that it would be possible to download many megabytes in just a few seconds.

Cable Broadband – what is it?

When we say broadband we refer to internet access via either, cable television infrastructure, phone line infrastructure or satellite. Broadband internet is sometimes called cable internet or cable broadband when we want to stress which technology and infrastructure was used to provide the user with internet access. With the introduction of cable broadband and fibre optic cables, internet speeds skyrocketed thanks to new technology that allowed greater capacity when sending and receiving data.

Cable Broadband – internet connection

In order to have internet access via cable, the user must have a cable modem. User’s modem is connected with the cable modem termination system via coaxial cable. A Cable modem termination system represents the equipment located at the cable company’s hub site. We often refer to the cable company as either an internet service provider (ISP), an internet access provider (IAP) or simply a provider.

Cable Broadband – benefits

Cable broadband has changed the way we use the internet. Everything is happening almost instantaneously: loading of web pages, on-line banking, sending e-mails etc. As soon as fast internet became the reality, people came up with fresh, new ideas considering its usage: streaming high quality videos and music, playing on-line games, making conference video calls and so on. Of course, some people could argue that all these things were and still are possible via dial-up connection, but let’s be honest, broadband or cable broadband is the way to go. Why anyone would even consider taking part in such a tedious experience now that cable broadband is available is beyond imagination.

Cable Broadband – telephone and TV

With cable broadband, you will, most likely, also get a fixed-line telephone service bundled with digital TV. This will always be the case if you choose BT or Sky for your provider. The truth is, the only way to get standalone broadband, without landline or digital TV, is to get it from Virgin Media. You have a variety of options to choose from. When choosing a provider, keep in mind the following qualifications:

  • availability of service
  • price of the package/bundle
  • your current and future needs
  • experience with the service currently provided
  • download limitations
  • trade-offs when switching to another provider
  • the length of the contract
  • possible discounts
  • difference among packages/bundles

The most important thing on the list is to check availability of service and to determine how you intend to use the internet. Once you have ascertained your main activity on the internet, you will know for certain which internet speed is perfect for you and which provider will meet your needs.That will, in turn, determine the right price and the right package for you. While making a decision or taking advice from other people, always remember the rule that says : “What works for me might not work for you”.

Sky Broadband

Sky Broadband is the unique broadband service in the UK. Remember how we said that when choosing broadband, it’s important to know if there are any download limitations (besides speed)? Well Sky is the only company that offers unlimited download through its Sky Broadband Unlimited package. In other words this means unlimited monthly usage allowance while being connected to the internet 24 hours a day with speed up to 20Mbps (20 mega bits per second). Considering the needs of the regular user, download limitation can be quite painful. For the person who visits YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, sends e-mail, listens to the radio and play on-line games on a regular basis – unlimited monthly usage allowance is invaluable. If you add to this Sky+ HD, Sky TV packages and Sky Phone, you will gain access to the full power of todays amazing technology that will drastically improve your internet experience.

Virgin Media Broadband

Virgin Media is the largest cable broadband provider in the UK offering high internet speeds. It’s the only provider that offers cable broadband as a standalone package without the need for a landline. If you are already using cable broadband then switching to Virgin Media broadband is guaranteed and easy. For those who need more than just broadband, Virgin Media also offers digital TV, TV on Demand, home phone and mobile bundles giving you the opportunity and freedom to make the perfect combination which matches your needs.

BT Vision Broadband

BT Vision is famous for its BT Infinity fibre optic broadband. It’s estimated that there will be more than 4 million BT users of this future proof technology by the end of 2010. It provides one of the most powerful internet connections in the UK today with download speeds ranging up to 40Mbps (40 mega bits per second). BT also offers broadband only package called BT Total Broadband. The main difference between BT Infinity and BT Total Broadband is that the latter is made possible through wi-fi (wireless) technology. BT broadband also comes with neat combination of digital TV and phone packages such as BT Vision Bronze (starter pack), BT Vision Silver and BT Vision Gold.

Cable Broadband – the future is transition

Unfortunately, some people are still forced to use the dial-up connection because big companies, providers, are not ready to invest their money in distant, rural or low populated areas in the UK where profit is not guarantied. This doesn’t mean that the transition from dial-up to cable broadband ,or any other kind of broadband, has ended and is not still happening. It is, and luckily, companies like BT Vision are making a constant effort to deliver fibre optic broadband to households and businesses where local communities are ready to invest, side by side, with BT Vision through partnership programmes. These partnerships will facilitate the transition and contribute to the modernization of such local communities. Cable broadband is the next big thing which rightfully inherits the throne of the dial-up connection. Currently more than 10 million users in the UK are connected to the internet via cable broadband.

Mobile Broadband – the basics

Posted in How Tos Tagged , , , ,
Posted on December 3, 2010 by skyeditor

The aim of this article is to provide material that will assist you in gaining familiarity with a relatively new technology called Mobile Broadband. Being new, mobile broadband technology is part of a growing industry and as such it’s rapidly developing and constantly getting better. Wider use of mobile broadband is expected when market conditions become more favorable.

What is Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadband allows you to connect to the internet and do the usual stuff: browsing the web, watching on-line videos, social networking, sending e-mails, writing to your blog, playing on-line games etc. So what is so specific about mobile broadband you might ask? The fact that differentiates mobile broadband from other broadband technologies is the one that allows you to do the same aforementioned stuff from different locations. To conclude, mobile broadband has the same role as fixed-line broadband connection at home with one exception: you can connect to the internet from any remote location provided that you have a mobile signal available.

Mobile Broadband – how does it work?

Mobile Broadband uses the network for mobile phones in order to connect the user to the internet. This idea makes sense because the infrastructure that supports usage of devices like mobile phones is well established. Mobile broadband uses either a small portable USB modem, called dongle or a broadband stick, a data card or  built-in hardware to connect to the internet. This means that users can always connect to the internet wherever they are, but only in the presence of an available mobile signal.

Do I need mobile broadband

The answer to this question is not that simple. It’s certainly not a matter of life and death and, conversely, it’s much more than just a convenience. As the technology improves, we adapt our lifestyle very quickly. It’s justified to expect that mobile broadband will become an everyday phenomenon in the upcoming years if not months. So it’s up to you to decide for yourself if your really need this piece of technology or not. We will only suggest the most common usages of mobile broadband and what kind of user might find it very useful.
Mobile broadband is essential for those who travel a lot, work on the internet, use internet heavily in order to communicate with their co-workers etc. Being able to do your work from a remote location is becoming more useful, and more common than ever before.
Mobile broadband is very useful for students and those who don’t have a fixed residence. Students especially appreciate this since they can effectively use their laptop on lectures, in the library and during the breaks, whether it’s for educational or relaxing purposes. Also, since some students often change their residence, they are able to bring their internet access with them and concentrate on more important things.
Mobile broadband is convenient for on-line gamers who often travel or do not entirely believe in internet friendships and internet life. Instead, they are often gathering at their friend’s house, playing their favourite on-line game.

Mobile Broadband – Disadvantages

Coverage is not so good. The majority of the UK territory is not covered with signal that is needed for mobile broadband. This is often the case in the countryside or in rural areas where free market conditions do not permit the introduction of new technology. Although BT is heavily investing in delivering fibre-based broadband in some locations in the UK where it’s economically more challenging, through partnership-working, it is yet to be seen what would happen on the field of mobile broadband.
Download limits are low.Fixed-line broadband offers much higher download allowances than mobile broadband connections. With mobile broadband, download allowances are usually between 1GB and 15GB a month.
Download speeds are lower. Average download speeds on fixed-line broadband are over 4Mb where average download speeds on mobile broadband connection are around 1Mb.

Dongle, USB Modem, Mobile data cards

Dongle – connects to the laptop through the USB connection. Small in size and very portable.
USB Modem – even smaller than dongles and even more portable. Connects via USB connection.
Mobile data cards – PCMCIA modem card will fit most notebooks. Express card will fit the PC express 34/54-card slot. Some of the data cards come with a slot for a memory card. Most of the mobile data cards are GPS enabled, which allows access to navigation services through mobile device.

BT Mobile Broadband

BT is offering its high speed mobile wireless broadband to its customers with a possibility of pre-pay with no contract and with 1GB of free usage. All you need to do is to plug in your dongle and you’re ready to go. If you already have BT Total Broadband package, or you’re just considering taking one, keep in mind that you can always optionally add BT’s mobile dongle to the package and afterwards connect to the internet from wherever you like. It’s important to note that BT and FON have teamed up, allowing customers to get free access to any of the 1.6 million of BT FON hotspots in the world making mobile broadband even more convenient.

Virgin Media Mobile Broadband

It’s easy to get started using mobile broadband with Virgin Media. They offer short-term contracts and 20% off when you buy in a bundle. In order to connect to the internet you will need their USB modem, which comes free on 18-month contracts. There are two mobile broadband packages available. 1st comes with 1GB download allowance and the 2nd with 3GB download allowance. Always keep an eye on your download allowance because once you used it up, every additional GB of usage within the UK will cost you 1,46p/MB. If you’re traveling a lot and your major concern is: can you use your mobile broadband abroad. The answer is yes, Virgin Media’s mobile broadband works in over 180 countries worldwide. The only prerequisite is that you need to call Virgin Media on 0845 6000 789 and register before you go away.

BT to sponsor British Olympic Ball for next three years

Posted in BT News Tagged , , , ,
Posted on August 21, 2010 by skyeditor

Every four years, the best athletes from all over the world, gather and compete in the Olympic Games in order to achieve the best possible results, to overcome their own limits, to become a part of history, to make their country proud, to receive the recognition for years of effort and training to which they selflessly devote themselves.

But, we are wrong if we think that our top athletes will make us proud with only training and good will. Especially in the eve and during the Olympic Games, our athletes are in constant need of high-performance services and support in order to excel during the competition and make us proud. The British Olympic Ball, Presented by BT, is crucial in providing necessary funds for our best athletes, Team GB.

BT is the official communications services partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. As the British Olympic Association (BOA) announced last week, BT is expanding its support for the athletes who will represent Team GB in London 2012 and beyond by becoming Presenting Partner of the British Olymic Ball for the next three years.

The British Olympic Ball is a signature fundraising event of the British Olympic Association. This foundraising event, presented by BT, will be held on 24th September in the Great Room of the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

“As Presenting Partner of the British Olympic Ball, BT is making an important difference for Team GB athletes by helping to ensure they have the resources and support necessary to perform at their very best in London 2012 and beyond. For an athlete, there is no greater honour than representing your country on the international stage, and we appreciate the support of BT in making certain Team GB athletes are fully prepared to make the most of this special opportunity.” said Sir Clive Woodward, British Olympic Ball Chairman.

The return of Landscape Channel to SKY

Posted in Sky News Tagged , , , ,
Posted on August 21, 2010 by skyeditor

After seven years, The Landscape Channel made its way back to digital satellite television.

Landscape is a music television channel that has been running since 1987. Landscape concluded an agreement with SKY Television in 1988 to provide them with programming through the night on the Eutelsat 13 degrees East satellite. In  Q2 of 1989 Landscape joined the exclusive band of broadcasters operating on the new ASTRA 1A satellite continuing to supply SKY 1 until the middle of that year when operations ceased due to lack of funds. In 2001 yet another crisis struck Landscape when its management was unable to raise needed funds from shareholders in order to continue on satellite distribution.

Between 2003 and 2007 the process of reconstructing the management of the business took place. Upon completion, this process gave birth to Landscape HD Limited with a view to providing the Landscape Channel service in a true High Definition format.

Today, Landscape can be found on the three Information TV channels, SKY and Freesat satellite system in Europe, 14 hours a day.

On Sky Digital:

  • Information TV (Channel 166)
  • Showcase (Channel 201)
  • Showcase 2 (Channel 216)

On Freesat:

  • Information TV (Channel 402)
  • Showcase (Channel 403)

Faster broadband for another 140,000 homes and businesses in North West

Posted in BT News Tagged , , , ,
Posted on August 20, 2010 by skyeditor

BT announced on Wednesday this week that by the Spring of next year, nearly 140,000 more homes and businesses in North West will have access to faster broadband. The BT investment makes broadband speeds up to 20 Mbps.

The following 20 communities in the region are included in the latest roll-out plans for BT’s pioneering 21st Century Network:

  • Whitehaven
  • Ainsdale
  • Allerton
  • Bacup
  • Broughton
  • Clitheroe
  • Cockermouth
  • Eastham
  • Hindley
  • Hoylake
  • Hunts Cross
  • Irby
  • Kirkham
  • Layton
  • Longford
  • Marshalls Cross
  • Middlewich
  • Penrith
  • South Shore
  • Wilpshire

The faster speeds are delivered over copper lines.

“This latest major investment in next generation broadband represents a huge BT vote of confidence in the future of the North West. It will help ensure that businesses and households in the region are in a strong position to thrive. Faster broadband can help businesses become more competitive and greatly improve the on-line services available to households.” said Mike Blackburn, BT’s North West regional director.

BT is also rolling-out fibre-based broadband across UK, initially offering speeds up to 40 Mbps. With the fibre going direct to the home or business, even faster speeds will be possible.

Because of the fact that delivering fibre-based broadband in some locations is not economically viable, BT called for more partnership-working in order to include these locations in current roll-out plans.

Mike Blackburn added: “We would like to work with partners to find ways of providing fibre-based broadband for those areas where the economics are more challenging.”

Faster broadband for another 115,000 homes and businesses in West Midland

Posted in BT News Tagged , , , ,
Posted on August 20, 2010 by skyeditor

BT announced on Tuesday this week that by the Spring of next year, nearly 115,000 more homes and businesses in West Midland will have access to faster broadband. The BT investment makes broadband speeds up to 20 Mbps.

The following 17 communities in the region are included in the latest roll-out plans for BT’s pioneering 21st Century Network:

  • Knowle
  • Rubery
  • Birchfield
  • Blackheath
  • Calthorpe
  • Cradley Heath
  • Dawley
  • Donnington
  • Druids Heath
  • Fordhouses
  • Hagley
  • Keresley
  • Milton Lee
  • Newport
  • Smethwick
  • Stone Cross
  • Trentham Te

The faster speeds are delivered over copper lines.

“This latest major investment in next generation broadband represents a huge BT vote of confidence in the future of the West Midlands. It will help ensure that businesses and households in the region are in a strong position to thrive. Faster broadband can help businesses become more competitive and greatly improve the on-line services available to households.” said John Dovey, BT’s West Midlands regional director.

BT is also rolling-out fibre-based broadband across UK, initially offering speeds up to 40 Mbps. With the fibre going direct to the home or business, even faster speeds will be possible.

Because of the fact that delivering fibre-based broadband in some locations is not economically viable, BT called for more partnership-working in order to include these locations in current roll-out plans.

John Dovey added: “We would like to work with partners to find ways of providing fibre-based broadband for those areas where the economics are more challenging.”

Faster broadband for another 220,000 homes and businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber

Posted in BT News Tagged , , , ,
Posted on August 20, 2010 by skyeditor

BT announced on Tuesday this week that by the Spring of next year, nearly 220,000 more homes and businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber will have access to faster broadband. The BT investment makes broadband speeds up to 20 Mbps.

The following 31 communities in the region are included in the latest roll-out plans for BT’s pioneering 21st Century Network:

  • Scartho
  • Armthorpe
  • Attercliffe
  • Balby
  • Chapeltown
  • Cleethorpes
  • Conisbrough
  • Dudley Hill
  • Goldthorpe
  • Goole
  • Haworth
  • Haxby
  • Honley
  • Humberston
  • Idle
  • Ilkley
  • Illingworth
  • Kirkburton
  • Rossington
  • Royston
  • Skelmanthorpe
  • Slaithwaite
  • Sowerby Bridge
  • Starbeck
  • Steeton
  • Stocksbridge
  • Thorne
  • Undercliffe
  • Wetherby
  • Wombwell
  • Woodseats

The faster speeds are delivered over copper lines.

“This latest major investment in next generation broadband represents a huge BT vote of confidence in the future of Yorkshire and the Humber. It will help ensure that businesses and households in the region are in a strong position to thrive. Faster broadband can help businesses become more competitive and greatly improve the on-line services available to households.” said John Anderson, BT’s regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber.

BT is also rolling-out fibre-based broadband across UK, initially offering speeds up to 40 Mbps. With the fibre going direct to the home or business, even faster speeds will be possible.

Because of the fact that delivering fibre-based broadband in some locations is not economically viable, BT called for more partnership-working in order to include these locations in current roll-out plans.

John Anderson added: “We would like to work with partners to find ways of providing fibre-based broadband for those areas where the economics are more challenging.”