Consumers benefit from better telecoms services and higher investment levels in countries where the national telecoms regulatory authority has strong powers and is active in using them, according to a report that will be published tomorrow by ECTA.

The pro competition body’s annual Regulatory Scorecard, which benchmarks the telecoms regulatory framework in 20 European countries, found that the effectiveness of regulation varies significantly across Europe and that the actions of the regulator have a strong influence on the development of high-speed broadband. The report also highlights how the competitiveness of multi-national European firms is being undermined by the variations in regulation, which push up the cost of building networks across Europe

 
The Scorecard will be launched by the European Competitive Telecoms Association during an event in the European Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday 28 January). Countries found to have the most effective rules for telecoms competition across a broad range of measures were the UK and the Netherlands, whereas entrants in the Czech Republic and Poland faced the most difficult market conditions. (Full rankings are shown below).

Of particular concern is that different approaches are being taken in different countries on the regulation of ‘next generation’ fibre access networks ranging from explicit restrictions on access in Spain to measures to ‘unbundle’ fibre to allow more choice for consumers in the Netherlands. Moreover inconsistent availability of essential high speed business connections makes linking together European multi-national corporations very difficult. Regulators’ powers to enforce competition rules also vary widely, with some NRAs lacking even basic powers to fine dominant firms for breach of their obligations. 

ECTA urged the European Parliament and Council to use the opportunity of the Review of the Telecoms Framework to send a clear signal supporting the need for consistent and effective regulation to address dominance in the telecoms sector and to fully empower national regulators.

Recent figures from the European Commission and investor reports show that competition in the broadband market has stalled. For the last two years incumbents have maintained on average around 50% share of the market whilst some dominant firms such as Telefonica in Spain have increased their market share (from 51.5%-57%) whilst reporting strong financial results. At the same time investment has slowed.

Amongst more than 100 questions covered in the annual survey, divergences include:

• Time to port a telephone number ranges from 1 day in Germany and Ireland to more than 45 days in Poland.  
• The price for a competitor to access the ‘local loop’ of a dominant firm ranged from approx €100 annually in the Netherlands to approx. €200 in Ireland, based on a two year subscription.
• Price for a basket of services for a ‘low user’ of mobile ranged from €7 in Sweden to €24 in the UK.
• Some NRAs have no power to fine dominant firms directly whilst others can apply penalties of up to 10% turnover.
• Three NRAs have the possibility to achieve some form of structural or functional separation of the incumbent, but the scope of their powers varies 
   

UK fixed-line incumbent BT may return to the mobile sector as part of a joint venture with UK operators T-Mobile and 3, The Observer newspaper reported yesterday. The report claimed the three companies have held "informal talks" around areas such as branding, costs and revenue, but noted that discussions are at an early stage. BT exited the mobile business in 2001 following the demerger of its mobile arm, Cellnet (now O2 UK). However, BT is reportedly keen to re-enter the sector in order to take advantage of the migration of Internet services to mobile devices and to protect its core fixed-line business, which is under threat from products such as mobile broadband. In 2005, BT attempted to enter the mobile market via 'BT Fusion' - a device that used BT's broadband network in the home and switched to Vodafone UK's mobile network elsewhere. However, the initiative was wound down after two years due to weak customer demand.

Meanwhile, The Observer noted that T-Mobile UK - owned by Germany's Deutsche Telekom - and Hutchison-owned 3 UK are keen on a deal that would strengthen their position in the UK, believed to be one of the most competitive markets in Europe. 3 has been struggling to make a profit and has long been viewed as a possible takeover target, the report said. The two mobile operators already have an existing relationship in place via Mobile Broadband Network Limited, a 3G network sharing joint venture.

Think about this product in CAT-iq. Should be no problem, and probably a better audio quality. 

Parrot is proud to announce its latest Zikmu wireless speakers designed by the world-renown designer Philippe Starck have won the  1st prize at the 4th annual Bluetooth SIG Best of CES contest in Las Vegas. These eminently modern wireless speakers, with its pure and deep black color, seduced a large audience at the CES 2009 as well as the Bluetooth SIG jury.

In addition to its iPod / iPhone docking station, the Zikmu speakers benefit from Wi-fi and Bluetooth wireless technologies. Its immersive 360° sound provides listeners with a pure designer musical experience.

According to a recent study from IDC, mobile broadband has grown rapidly in popularity among European consumers during the past 18 months. This rapid consumer uptake has been catalyzed by four main factors: the upgrading of 3G networks with HSPA, the availability of small USB connection devices, a fall in the price of subscriptions, and a rise in consumer penetration of portable PCs.

"Mobile broadband presents a big land-grab opportunity, both now and for several years to come," said John Delaney, IDC's European director of consumer mobile research. "But although the service is simple in concept, its role in the consumer services market is complex. Mobility is only one among a variety of reasons why consumers like mobile broadband. Success in the market will depend critically on a clear understanding of how mobile broadband should be positioned in the spectrum of mobile and Internet services."

Mobile broadband is a new source of revenue for mobile operators and improves the use of 3G networks; unlike other new mobile services such as TV and gaming, it relates directly to a telcos' core business. "However, it also substitutes for fixed-line broadband in some circumstances, cannibalizing existing revenues," said Delaney. "As such, it is important for operators with both fixed and mobile networks to understand what factors are driving demand for mobile broadband, what is likely to happen to those factors over the next few years, and what strategies they should adopt to take maximum advantage of the opportunity."

The various ways to find Internet Radio and devices that can stream it through your home. Internet Radio—it’s free, it’s easy to access, and it has some serious advantages over tuning into available FM/AM stations. In addition to streaming Internet Radio content via desktop or laptop there are a growing number of compact and/or portable devices capable of streaming Internet radio content directly to your home entertainment system. 

Station Identification
There is no shortage of Internet Radio sources to be found on the web. Live365.com, Pandora, Slacker—these are but a few of the many sites where ad-phobic listeners can search for and stream music by genre and interest or find live broadcasts from all over the world.

see the full article.

DSP Group introduced its CleaRange technology for extending the effective range of clear voice communications for CAT-iq DECT and U.S. DECT 6.0 cordless telephones. Strengthening DSP Group's rich portfolio of telephony performance enhancements, the innovative technology plays an integral role in the Company's continuing efforts to push the boundaries of DECT coverage without increasing power consumption and radiation. Expanding clear audio range while not degrading audio quality, CleaRange technology complements DSP Group's state-of-the-art and ever-improving RF technology, which provides excellent receiver sensitivity for cordless telephony products.

CleaRange technology for voice coverage improvement is now offered to DSP Group's customers, which include the cordless telephone providers. The technology is available across DSP Group's broad cordless chipset portfolio for PSTN and VoIP telephony, covering both narrowband and wideband voice communications.

Enhancing CAT-iq DECT and U.S. DECT 6.0 technologies, the Company believes that CleaRange will set a new performance standard for cordless telephones.