UK Broadband

Vodafone launches broadband deal

Vodafone has become the latest phone group to enter the UK broadband market.
Its £25 per month Vodafone At Home deal offers up to 8Mb unlimited broadband and inclusive landline calls to those on a monthly Vodafone contract.

A number of other mobile firms like Orange now offer bundled packages of broadband services to their customers.

Carphone Warehouse and BSkyB also recently entered the UK broadband market, which now accounts for more than 69% of all internet connections.

Stiff competition

Analysts Point Topic predict that there could be as many as 2.5 million new broadband customers up for grabs in the first six months of 2007.

But surviving in this competitive marketplace is a challenge, and the intense level of competition prompted the UK’s second-largest telecoms group, Cable & Wireless, to leave the retail broadband market recently.

Unlike many rivals, Vodafone will rent internet access from BT rather than build its own broadband network.

The explosion of broadband deals has led to some customers complaining that they have not received a good deal.

In December 2006, telecoms regulator Ofcom vowed to crack down on mis-selling by phone and broadband providers.

Ofcom said it was prepared to use large sums to fine firms which broke industry rules, to ensure public confidence in the sector was maintained.

Rules making it easier for people to change supplier come into force in February and firms flouting these rules, and other regulations will potentially face a maximum penalty of up to 10% of their turnover.

NTL offer free digital TV

ntl: currently has a great customer offer.

Customers that buy a cable phone line from ntl: will receive FREE digital TV.

Customers will have access to a library of TV programmes and films to watch at anytime.

The FREE TV pack includes ITV2, BBC3, E4 and More4 plus a collection of other popular channels including Sky One and CBeebies.
You will also get exclusive access to the great new ntl: on demand service - with its superb collection of hit movies and programmes. You choose what you want and when, so you can pause, rewind and forward shows just like a DVD!

more info

Vodafone Broadband

Mobile phone operator Vodafone has said it is to enter the UK fixed-line broadband market after striking a deal with BT Group.

Vodafone said it hoped to launch the new service before the end of the year.

The company said the move would enable its customers to benefit from bundled packages of mobile and broadband services nationwide.

It added that the deal was a “strategically important step in the evolution of Vodafone’s business”.

Busy market

A number of other mobile operators have begun offering bundled packages of services to their customers.

Both Carphone Warehouse and Sky have announced cut-price broadband packages.

But surviving in this marketplace is a challenge. Stiff competition in the sector prompted the UK’s second-largest telecoms group, Cable & Wireless, to leave the retail broadband market recently.

Virgin Broadband

Everyone is doing up to 8 Mbps broadband these days, but only Virgin.net give you The Whole Caboodle. That is super-fast broadband with everything else you could possibly dream of (depending on what sort of dreams you have).

• Up to 8 Mbps broadband
• No 12 month contract
• Top marks for broadband reliability
• Free modem or take our Wireless Kit option for £69.99
• Free activation
• Free anti spam and email virus protection

There are three broadband services available:

* Virgin.net Broadband Plan Three - up to 1 Mbps
£14.99 a month (with a 3 GB monthly download allowance)
* Virgin.net Broadband Plan Two - up to 8 Mbps
£17.99 a month (with a 6 GB monthly download allowance)
* Virgin.net Broadband Plan One - up to 8 Mbps
£24.99 a month (unlimited monthly downloads)

Virgin.net also offers a 256 Kbps service (24seven) and dial up from only 1p per minute.

All plans also come with these additional features: Free Webmail, Google Web search, 5 free Virgin email addresses, 10 MB free webspace and Free online customer support.

Virgin.net Wireless Kit
Virgin.net Broadband customers can also get their hands on the Virgin.net Broadband Wireless Kit. It contains a wireless router, 2 ADSL filters and includes firewall and loads of other features and is only £69.99 (including VAT and P&P).

Pipex - Powering David Hasselhoff

Pipex TV Advert
If you were watching Big Brother the other night you may have witnessed Pipex’s first live to air 60 second TV commercial. Pipex have invested more than £3 million in offline advertising bookings for August starring David Hasselhoff being ‘Powered by Pipex’,

This advert can be seen on the www.pipex.com home page - it’s very funny.

Prices Slashed!
Also, as of a couple of days ago, Pipex slashed their prices - the Pipex stand alone broadband products ‘Go’ and ‘Max’ have reduced from £23.99 and £33.99 to £19.99 and £24.99 respectively.

Pipex Product Packages now all 8mb as standard

Pipex Stand Alone Broadband
- Pipex Start £14.99/mth
- Pipex Go £19.99/mth
- Pipex Max £24.99/mth

Pipex Package Broadband & homephone- Pipex Start Plus Anytime from £6.99/mth
- Pipex Go Plus Anytime from £9.99/mth
- Pipex Max Plus Anytime from £14.99/mth
- Pipex Go Plus Hometime from £19.99/mth
- Pipex Max Plus Hometime from £24.99/mth

All packages include:
- FREE Napster for 30 days
- FREE 8 DVD rentals from Screen Select
- FREE 30 prints from Snapfish

For more information see the new website www.pipex.co.uk

The Broadband Boom

Do you remember the days of “dial-up”?

The strange electronic white noise, the waiting to connect, and the painful process of wading through web pages?

The cheapest broadband offer may not be the best

Nine million households in Britain have turned their backs on these slow internet connections, and switched to broadband, freeing up their phone and allowing them to really surf the web.

Some 70,000 homes are now signing up for broadband every week, making it one of the fastest growing consumer products yet.

Offer boom

As Google and eBay have become a bigger part of our lives, the business of delivering them to our homes has become more competitive.

If you all start uploading files at the same time, you’ll probably feel nostalgic for your old-fashioned modem

Open University: The cost of “free” broadband

However, there is more to this than just consumer demand.

Last year, an important regulatory decision changed the way broadband is supplied.

BT, which largely controls access to the internet via its copper wire telephone network, was told by Ofcom to open up its infrastructure to the competition.

Other companies can now control the wire that runs from your telephone socket to the pole on your street, and on to the local exchange.

The telecom term for this is “local loop unbundling”, or LLU, and it sparked a process that has come to fruition with this summer’s incredible boom in broadband offers.

Free broadband

The first company to seize the LLU opportunity was Carphone Warehouse.

It is known for being Britain’s biggest mobile phone retailer, but its fixed line business Talk Talk has also been a success.

Many people have been disappointed with the “free” offers

Its chief executive, Charles Dunstone, decided on a bold move into broadband internet.

He wanted to change the conventional way people were billed for broadband.

Previously, customers were charged separately telephone line rental and calls on the one hand, and internet connections on the other.

If he could get control of the telephone wire into customers’ homes, he would be able to offer a £21-a-month package that provided the first two - with broadband included in the cost.

He turned this strategy into a bold marketing claim - his broadband was “free”.

Trojan horse

In April this year, as the offer opened to the public, the Talk Talk website crashed under the weight of demand.

Within days, the offer had created a media storm, and it was becoming clear that the 170,000 new customers Dunstone had banked on had been conservative.

Talk Talk started the “free” broadband war

By June, he announced that 340,000 people had signed up for the offer.

As the thermometer rose this summer, the broadband boom really took off.

A feeding frenzy began, as big companies like O2 snapped up small and medium-sized internet suppliers.

Mobile operator Orange absorbed internet service provider Wanadoo - also owned by Orange’s parent, France Telecom - and shortly afterwards joined the “free” broadband bandwagon by offering it to customers on a £30 per month tariff.

As with the Talk Talk deal, Orange were offering broadband as a kind of “loss leader”, attracting customers with something “must-have” in return for tying them into a lengthy 18-month contract.

For mobile and landline telephone companies, broadband had become a kind of Trojan horse to get into their homes.

Unsuccessful attempt

We have followed three families as they tried to find their way through the maze of new deals and offers.

Chris Harris and his family found that the increased competition meant they could ditch their dial-up for broadband and still save money, but they also discovered there was a downside.

Like others who signed up for the Talk Talk “free” broadband offer, Mr Harris found himself in a call centre queue, trying to find out why he had to wait for more than a month for the service.

Mr Dunstone apologised and offered to speed up the process.

However, confusion at the local BT exchange meant that at the end of July the Harris family were still without their broadband.

Broadband TV

Dave Wilson and family had already been on broadband for 3 years through NTL.

Despite having their own cable network to pipe broadband into their customers’ homes, NTL, which recently merged with Telewest, is not immune to the fierce competition in the broadband marketplace.

Mr Wilson considered switching to the Orange “free” broadband offer, but was persuaded to stay with NTL after they offered him a large price cut.

NTL has just announced a new package, offering broadband alongside TV, landline and mobile calls, which they hope will attract new customers, as well as hanging on to people like Mr Wilson.

And what about BT?

In June, the company launched Total Broadband, which includes lower introductory prices and things like virus checkers included in the price.

BT also showcased new broadband services, which it claims offers customers the broadband of the future.

Key to the strategy is a new television service via broadband, still in the pipeline but due to launch in the autumn.

Hot market

We met up with Maureen Harrison as she tried out another BT broadband gadget - a videophone.

She was attracted by being able to see as well as speak to her daughter and grandchildren, but was not keen on having to pay for separate BT subscriptions for her family.

By mid July, Sky launched a much anticipated broadband offer of their own.

Last year Sky’s parent, BSkyB, acquired a broadband supplier called Easynet, which had expertise in gaining access to BT’s broadband network.

The BSkyB offer, under boss James Murdoch, continues the “free” theme by offering it to their TV subscribers as part of the package.

However, only around a third of them get to receive this at present.

Analysts believe that the summer of 2006 will be remembered not just for its scorching temperatures, but also as the coming of age of broadband Britain.

Sky Broadband

Sky Broadband is here, exclusively for all Sky TV Customers.

Sky Broadband offers EASY, HIGH QUALITY broadband combined with AMAZING SAVINGS. Sky are offering three broadband products to our customers in Sky Broadband network areas: Base, Mid, and Max. For those Sky TV customers whom the network hasn’t yet reached, they can offer you Connect.

HOW DOES SKY BROADBAND COMPARE?

There are so many Broadband deals available in the market place today.

Compare the prices of Sky Broadband products available in your area with others out there and you’ll see how Sky could start saving you money.

HERE’S A HANDY LIST OF THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Will I have to sign up to an 18 month contract?
A - No, Sky’s is 12 months

What’s the cost of the broadband package when you’ve added up all the extras?
A - Even if you look at Sky Broadband Base with a £40 activation fee and FREE subscription, you could still save £157 over a year when compared to AOL Silver

What is the maximum download speed available to you?
A - Sky’s state-of-the-art broadband network could allow you to go up to 16Mb

How much is it for broadband equipment and extra security?
A - Whichever product you choose, Sky offers a FREE wireless Sky Broadband box and FREE 12 months’ McAfee security package

SKY BROADBAND PRODUCTS

BASE
Excellent for everyday browsing, with up to 2Mb speed and 2GB monthly usage allowance.
£40 Activation Fee, £50 Home installation option, Monthly Price: Free

MID
With up to 8Mb speed and a monthly 40GB usage allowance, perfect if you’re a regular user and want to download music and short video clips.
£20 Activation Fee, £50 Home installation option, Monthly Price: £10

MAX
Great for the whole family downloading music, movies, sports clips with speeds of up to 16Mb and unlimited* usage, plus FREE professional home installation.
FREE Activation Fee, FREE Home installation option, Monthly Price: £10

CONNECT
If you aren’t in one of our network areas yet, don’t worry we still have a great value broadband product for you with up to 8Mb and 40GB usage allowance.
£40 Activation Fee, £50 Home installation option, Monthly Price: £17

*Subject to Fair Usage Policy

Sky customers can save more with Sky Broadband

Whichever Sky product you choose, over a year, you will SAVE money versus many other equivalent broadband products.

Get more information and apply at www.sky.com/broadband

BT Broadband Talk

Free Calls via Broadband

With BT Broadband Talk, you simply make calls over your broadband connection via your BT Home Hub, using your BT Hub Phone, a normal touch-tone or DECT phone. Sign-up to BT Total Broadband and get Free evening and weekend calls through BT Broadband Talk.

With BT Broadband Talk, you get:
• Free Evening and Weekend UK1 calls
• inclusive Anytime calls for only £7 a month
(in addition to the BT Total Broadband subscription).
• many of the benefits of an additional phone line
• great low International call rates
• free calling features including 1471 and BT Answer

Plus FREE Video calls2

If you don’t have BT Broadband you can still benefit from BT Broadband Talk.

For more information on BT Broadband Talk, please go to www.bt.com/btbroadbandtalk

1. Means Local and National calls. Excludes non-geographic calls (0845, 0870), premium rate numbers, information services, calls to mobile and the Channel Islands. Other exclusions apply. Calls are charged at 3p a minute after one hour. Redial before one hour to avoid call charges. BT Broadband Talk is subject to status. The quality of the reception on the phone line may not match that of a normal landline and may vary depending on internet traffic. Service restrictions apply. Certain call types are not guaranteed, e.g. 999, 112 emergency calls. Service will fail if there is a power failure. Abuse policy applies. Touchtone telephone required.

2. Both callers require BT Softphone and webcam to make free video calls over the internet. Applies only to calls made to other registered Softphone Instant Messenger contacts. Calls may deplete usage allowance.

BT Home Hub

The BT Home Hub is a stylish and powerful device, and is the heart of the digital home. It supports BT’s full range of services and connects wirelessly to PCs and other broadband devices.

The Home Hub is future-proofed, updating automatically to work with cutting-edge broadband-based offerings as they’re introduced or enhanced, including the intelligent mobile service BT Fusion, and the next-generation TV service scheduled for launch in Autumn 2006 - BT Vision.

BT Total Broadband now provides its most comprehensive broadband packages ever with BT customers now getting more for their money..

The revolutionary BT Home Hub brings together:
• up to 8Mb download speeds1
(subject to local availability)
• wireless broadband options
• our best-ever online security packages
• internet voice calls with BT Broadband Talk
• free video calls3
• 250 inclusive Wi-Fi minutes a month4
(for the duration of the minimum term)
• online gaming capability

The BT Home Hub is provided free of charge to all new customers taking BT Total Broadband Options 2 or 3 online (£25 by telephone with Option 2). Option 1 customers can buy it separately for £30.00 online or for £50.00 via the BT call centre. A matching BT Hub Phone is included with Option 3 or is available to buy separately for £49.99.

1. 8Mb speed is subject to various factors including local availability, distance from exchange and line test. If your line won’t support up to 8Mb, we’ll offer the best speed available on your line. Conditions apply.

2. Means Local and National calls. Excludes non-geographic calls (0845,0870), premium rate numbers, information services, calls to mobile and the Channel Islands. Other exclusions apply. Calls are charged at 3ppm after one hour. Redial before one hour to avoid call charges. Subject to status. The quality of the reception on the phone line may not match that of a normal landline and may vary depending on Internet traffic. Service restrictions apply. Certain call types are not guaranteed eg 999, 112 emergency calls. Service will fail if there is a power failure. Abuse policy applies. Touchtone telephone required.

3. Both callers require BT Softphone and webcam to make free video calls over the internet. Applies only to calls made to other registered Softphone Instant Messenger contacts. Calls may deplete usage allowance.

4. Opt-in required. Voucher will provide for all free minutes available during the minimum term (4,500 or 3,000). Wireless-enabled laptop or PDA with LAN capability required. Minutes can be used, subject to coverage, in range of hotspots and wireless cities. Conditions apply.

Prices correct at time of going to print but may be modified or changed at any time, without notice.

New BT Total Broadband Packages

BT Total Broadband Option 1	BT Total Broadband Option 2	BT Total Broadband Option 3
Fast and secure surfing plus free calls	Family surfing and free calls	Power surfing and free calls
£9.95 for 6 months then £17.99	£14.99 for 3 months then £22.99	£22.99 for 3 month then £26.99
Free BT 220v Router	Free BT Home Hub	Free BT Home Hub and handset
*Free Evening and Weekend UK BT Broadband Talk calls **Free video calls
2GB usage allowance	6GB usage allowance	40GB usage allowance
250 free Openzone a month minutes for the length of the minimum term
Download speeds of up to 8Mb
24/7 Helpdesk support
18 month contract	12 month contract	12 month contract