0800 numbers to be free from mobiles following Ofcom proposals

Major overhaul on geographic and premium rates as well

Communications watchdog Ofcom has put forward proposals that will see 0800 numbers becoming free on mobile phones.

Currently mobile users can pay up to 40p a minute to call the toll-free standard, but the new proposals seem set to scrap that.

Under the proposals, Ofcom has also called for more transparency over the prices of calling 118 and non-geographic business numbers, with “clearer marketing and advertising” requested, whereby customers will be informed when they take out network contracts of exactly what they’ll be expected to pay.

Ofcom has also appealed for businesses to take advantage of the 03 geographic code, that was introduced in 2007, which is on the same price structure as standard 01 and 02 landlines.

Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, said: “There is clear evidence of widespread uncertainty and confusion about the cost of calling these numbers. Consumers need to have far more transparency about the price they are going to pay for calls so that they can make more informed choices and so competition can work more effectively.

“Making 0800 free from a mobile and giving people clarity about what they are paying for 118 directory enquiry services will improve transparency, improve competition and enhance trust in these important services”.

You can read the full Ofcom consultation (PDF) on its website.

The proposals are based on new powers which will be introduced as a result of revised European telecoms legislation.

We’ll keep you posted as to if and when these proposals become a reality.

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Tags: 0800 Numbers, 118, Mobile Phones, Non-Geographic Numbers, Ofcom

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The mobile landscape – More smartphones, more data

The annual International Communications Market report from Ofcom is out today. It reveals that, amongst the countries surveyed, the UK has seen the highest rise in smartphone ownership since 2009 with a 70% jump. Over a quarter of people in the UK (26.5%) now have a smartphone, more than double the number two years ago. The influx of smartphones is also changing the way we use our phones. People are texting more than calling now and mobile internet use has jumped up 27% in the UK since 2008.

Despite the increase in smartphones and better 3G networks there’s still a reluctance to download music on handsets. The majority of tunes are downloaded to PC and then “sideloaded” to the phone.

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Tags: 3G, Data, Mobile Internet, Ofcom, Smartphones, UK

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UK to lead in 4G LTE roll-out, regulator Ofcom predicts

While Verizon may have been the first to wow us with its LTE speeds, the US carrier may not hold the lead for long. Communications regulator Ofcom has predicted that within a couple of years the UK will be the world-leader in adopting LTE, with James Thickett, Ofcom’s director of market research, suggesting that the push toward 4G connectivity is a result of “the extent to which UK users are embracing themobile internet in such a big way.”

Still, with no 4G networks in operation currently, versus the US’ trio of HSPA+, WiMAX and LTE, it seems the UK has plenty of room to catch up. Although the technologies being rolled out in the US are arguably not true 4G, and only using the nomenclature as a convenient shorthand to differentiate from existing 3G networks, as we’ve seen with Verizon’s LTE service they do offer comparatively huge speeds: we recorded 12.4Mbps downloads and 6.73Mbps uploads.

Ofcom’s prediction is part of the regulator’s annual International Communications Market report, which also found a greater tendency for UK users to get online via laptops rather than desktops, and that the growth of smartphone adoption was – at 70-percent in the last year – the highest of the countries covered. However, HDTV adoption has been lower than in most countries, which Ofcom blames on relatively poor service availability.

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Tags: 4G, 4G Networks, HSPA+, LTE, Ofcom, UK, WiMAX

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4G airwaves to be auctioned in 2012

Following past delays it has now been confirmed that the 4G airwaves auction for the UK is set to take place in the first half of 2012, which means that the spectrum will become available from 2013.

With so many people keen to see 4G being rolled out across the UK many will be pleased to hear that a date has now been set for the auction of the airwaves that will enable the 4G networks that so many consumers and businesses are keen to see rolled out.

Existing 3G networks have made it possible for many people to enjoy the ease and flexibility of mobile broadband services, but demand for mobile internet access has grown and this has resulted in capacity problems with 3G networks, resulting in slower speeds, unreliable connections, and low quality mobile broadband services.

Ed Richard, the chief executive of the UK’s communication regulator, Ofcom, has said that the airwaves will now be auctioned off in the first half of 2012, and this means that the spectrum will become available for use in 2013. However, he did add that further litigation against the government or Ofcom would result in further delays.

One official said that this move was urgent, and added that even 4G networks could run out of capacity because of high demand. He said: “Mobile data traffic is already on track to exceed the capacity that will be available in forthcoming LTE and 4G networks. Consequently, buying new spectrum is no longer a speculative move for mobile operators, it’s an absolute necessity.”

Are you keen to see 4G networks rolled out in the UK? Leave your comment to let us know

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Tags: 4G, 4G Spectrum Auction, LTE, Mobile Broadband, Ofcom, UK

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Ofcom expect LTE to go live in the UK in early 2014

Ofcom are hoping to have licenses established for the 800MHz and 2.6GHz Spectrum by Q2 2012 according to Ed Richards (Ofcom Chief Executive), allowing 4G networks to be up and running by early 2014, over 3 years behind some other European cities. The process, to be run more quickly than the 3G auctions, should see details of the auction and regulations announced next year with bids invited in Q1 2012.

The spectrum in question will be used for LTE (Long Term Evolution) deployments which offer faster mobile broadband services and are often termed next-generation mobile broadband. Current 3.5G technologies such as HSPA (high speed packet access) can support theoretical maximum speeds of around 14Mbps whilst LTE will offer 100Mbps and may be a real competitor to fixed-line access.

The government must look to the future with the legislation to be drawn up for this and ensure the spectrum can be used for upgrades to LTE as well as current technology that is rolling out. If 2014 is the likely go-live date then we may be able to skip the first generation of LTE and jump straight to LTE Advanced which offers true 4G services with peak data rates of 1Gbps.

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Tags: 4G, 4G Networks, LTE, LTE-Advanced, Mobile Broadband, Ofcom

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Tiscali and Talk Talk get Ofcom spanking

They’ve been very naughty little boys

Tiscali and Talk Talk have been summoned to the communications headmaster’s office for a firm telling off after breaching rules that are in place to protect consumers.

A statement from the communications watchdog stated that it had received over 1000 complaints already this year about the companies issuing bills to customers for services that were not provided.

Both Tiscali and Talk Talk have been told to fall in line by 2 December or “face further enforcement action”. They could be fined up to 10 per cent of their turnovers.

One example that was named in the report was of a customer who complained to Ofcom that he had cancelled his broadband account with Tiscali UK in 2008, but was still being billed 2 years later and was contacted by a debt collection company saying he owed £353.99.

Ofcom’s director of consumer affairs, Claudio Pollack said: “Ofcom is determined to stand up for consumers and take action against companies that break the rules. Our investigation into TalkTalk and Tiscali UK found that they had billed customers for cancelled services; this is unacceptable which is why we have ordered them to clean up their act or face the consequences”.

If you’ve been affected by poor communication company practices (oh er, we’ve come over all Watchdog haven’t we?) then you can contact Ofcom via Consumers.ofcom.org.uk.

Update: A Talk Talk representative contacted Pocket-lint to say:

“We identified an issue with the cancellation process for ex-Tiscali customers caused by an error on a legacy billing system. We are resolving this by migrating all ex-Tiscali customers onto one network and billing system which will allow us to process cancellations much more effectively. TalkTalk Group has co-operated fully with Ofcom’s investigation and we apologise for the inconvenience caused to this limited group of former customers.”

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Tags: Ofcom, TalkTalk, Tiscali

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£10 million owed to consumers in unclaimed credit

Ofcom are advising consumers to check that they are not owed money from switching to a new communications provider following data showing that around 2 million consumers left their previous provider without claiming at least £10 million that was held as credit on their accounts. Often, the amounts due are from paying for line rental in advance or for promotional credits that customers should have received during their contract.

Ofcom have been working with providers to encourage them to change their processes for refunds. Currently, only three major providers are squeaky clean and will refund the credit to customers automatically. These are BT, Orange and the Post Office. After discussions, T-Mobile has agreed to automatically refund outstanding credit, and Vodafone will do so for customers who pay by direct debit. Virgin Media and Virgin Mobile will refund any credits over £1 and from December, this will be an automated process. O2 will automatically credit amounts over £20 whilst Sky, TalkTalk (and subsidiary brands), and Three customers will need to contact these provider to arrange a refund.

“Consumers were telling us that they found it difficult to claim unused credit from their providers when they left their contracts. Taken together, people have been millions of pounds out of pocket as a result.

We hope that automated refund processes, clearer signposting by providers and our new consumer guide should help consumers claim back money that is rightfully theirs.”

Ed Richards, (Chief Executive) Ofcom

Ofcom have created a useful guide (pdf) which advises consumers how to claim credit if a refund is due.

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Tags: BT, Ofcom, Orange, Post Office

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Virgin Media keen to climb BT’s poles

Ofcom guidelines opens up broadband possibilities

Following Ofcom’s report and outlines for the UK’s super-fast broadband network, Virgin Media has welcomed the news that competitors will be given access to BT’s underground ducts and telegraph poles.

A Virgin Media spokesperson said: “This is an important step that rightly focuses on opening up areas of the country not already served by super-fast broadband, removing one of the hurdles that make such developments near impossible at present”.

Virgin Media and BT did try to do a deal earlier this year which would have seen the cable company using the existing BT infrastructure, but the two telecoms giants couldn’t iron out the details. The new Ofcom guidelines should make any future deal much more straight forward.

Ian Watt, analyst at Enders Analysis, told The Financial Times that Ofcom’s outline could see Virgin Media expanding its network to almost 16 million homes.

BT has its own super-fast broadband plans though, with an aim of 4 million homes by the end of the year and a target of 17 million by 2015.

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Tags: Broadband, BT, Fibre Optic, Ofcom, Virgin Media

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BT required to open fibre network by Ofcom

Ofcom has required BT to allow competitors control of its fibre cables in a move designed to promote the take-up of superfast broadband services.

The regulator has also told BT that it must give rival ISPs access to its underground ducts and telegraph poles to build their own fibre networks.

BT, the UK’s largest ISP, will be able to set its own prices for access.

The regulator said its decision would support the government’s ambitions to roll out superfast broadband.

But it warned that there was still “a long way to go to deliver the networks of the future that the UK needs”.

The government wants all homes to have access to basic 2Mbps broadband by 2015.

However, this target – originally planned for 2012 – means it will fall foul of the European Union.

The EU wants member states to provide citizens with a minimum of 30Mbps broadband by 2020 and basic broadband connections by 2013.

‘Room to improve’

Ofcom’s decision follows a consultation which began in March this year.

It said that the new measures recognised the fact that “different areas require different solutions”.

“In areas where BT invests in fibre, the remedies will enable other providers to offer competing services, based on BT’s facilities,” it said.

“Elsewhere, access to BT’s ducts and poles should encourage investment by other providers, enabling the provision of superfast services and increasing competition.”

TalkTalk, the second-largest provider of internet access in the UK, will be one of the first ISPs to start selling superfast broadband by relying on BT’s line.

It welcomed the regulations but said that it thought there was “room to improve” the deal further.

Ofcom hopes that others, such as Sky, will now follow.

Andrew Ferguson, editor of broadband news site ThinkBroadband, said the framework should increase the amount of fibre in the UK, and particularly in rural areas.

“Access to BT ducts makes it a lot easier and a lot cheaper and faster to rollout fibre,” he told BBC News.

“Access to poles has a good chance of providing extra infrastructure in the last third of country where no one has said they will specifically [roll out services].”

BT has committed £2.5bn to next-generation broadband, which aims to reach 17m homes by 2015. Around 4m homes will be connected by the end of the year.

Last week, the firm announced that it would roll out fibre to up to 90% of homes in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, in the biggest rural fibre optic roll-out in the UK to date.

The project, due for completion in 2014, was part funded by the European Union.

The firm said that it was “pleased” with Ofcom’s “regulatory clarity and certainty”.

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Tags: Broadband, BT, Fibre Optic, ISP's, Ofcom

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Ofcom partner with Epitiro to test mobile broadband speeds

Ofcom have announced today that it has partnered with Epitiro to measure throughput speeds on mobile broadband networks. The company will set up testing to evaluate the performance of mobile broadband on the five main network in the UK 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone.

Epitiro carried out research in the first half of 2009 and found that the average download speed of mobile broadband users in the UK was under 1Mbps, only around 25% of the average advertised download speeds. For this analysis which will be run for Ofcom, Epitiro will set up over 1,000 devices around the UK and Northern Ireland which will be used to test both the availability of mobile broadband and the available speeds. The testing will emulate consumer experience and testing will take place at different times of the day which should help identify some of the problems which can cause slow downs on mobile broadband. These include low signal strength, contention at the cell site from too many users, insufficient backhaul capacity, as well as cell handoff and traffic management issues.

The testing will take place between September 2010 and January 2011 with a report to be published by Ofcom expected in early 2011.

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Tags: Epitiro, Mobile Broadband, O2, Ofcom, Orange, T-Mobile, Three, Vodafone

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