Energy innovation is stagnating and the implications for growth are stark October 3, 2013 EVERY day seems to bring better websites, cooler startups and niftier smartphones. But there’s one area where technological progress is barely crawling along. Unfortunately, it’s one race we cannot afford to lose. I’m talking, of course, about energy. To get an idea of the problem we face, consider two stories from last week: Ed Miliband’s [...]
UK to test white space technology October 2, 2013 Ofcom has announced that the UK is to be one of the first countries in the world to test white space technology. 20 public and private organisations will be participating in Ofcom's pilot program in the next six months. White spaces are the gaps in the frequency band used to broadcast digital terrestrial TV. Ofcom [...]
Advertising to hit £12.5bn in 2013 September 30, 2013 UK advertising spending is expected to grow to more than £12.5bn in 2013 on the back of the 4G promotional push by mobile operators, and BSkyB and BT’s campaigns around rival TV sports packages. Media buying agency ZenithOptimedia said the 2.9 per cent jump in 2013 is spurred by growth in mobile ads and higher [...]
Internet provider Kcom admits to debt rise in first half results September 30, 2013 COMMUNICATIONS and IT services provider Kcom Group yesterday said that it has performed in line with expectations ahead of its interim results due on 26 November. The Yorkshire-based company said that its net debt has increased since 31 March (reported at £88.2m), but that it expects to reduce its debt in the second half of [...]
Warburton could lead Celtic exodus amid Euro impasse September 30, 2013 LINGERING uncertainty over the future of European club rugby is causing a financial inertia that could prompt Wales and Ireland’s best players to flee their domestic clubs for rivals in England and France. British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton is among the Pro12 stars whose contracts expire at the end of the season but [...]
BT hits back over contract critics September 26, 2013 FIXED line operator BT has hit back against yesterday’s report from the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that claimed the government had mismanaged the rollout of rural broadband contracts. “We are disturbed by today’s report, which we believe is simply wrong and fails to take on board a point-by-point correction we sent to the committee [...]
Dividends will be key for Royal Mail September 24, 2013 Private investors can choose from a wide variety of stockbrokers if they fancy investing in Royal Mail shares IN THE biggest privatisation since the 1980s, the government plans to sell a majority stake in Royal Mail. Analysts are divided over the attractiveness of the stock – with key details such as share price yet to [...]
Should we all just stay in bed? September 23, 2013 NASA is paying guinea pigs to work from their bed – but how productive can we be outside of the office? Melissa York investigates the pros and cons of homeworking THIS week, US space agency NASA announced it was looking for regular guys like you and me to join a special project. Hold on before [...]
English and French clubs lack respect, says Euro rugby boss September 23, 2013 HEINEKEN Cup chiefs ERC have accused English and French league bosses of a lack of respect in their attempts to form a rival competition. ERC chairman Jean–Pierre Lux also called Premiership Rugby’s contract with BT Sport to broadcast the new tournament “questionable”. An Anglo-French breakaway, which would be called the Rugby Champions Cup, has gathered [...]
Media groups seek improved service from BT Openreach September 22, 2013 BT OPENREACH, the infrastructure arm of the telecom giant used by BSkyB, TalkTalk and others to run their home phone and broadband offerings, has been labelled “consistently poor” by those who rely on the service. Ofcom, which is closing a consultation on BT Openreach’s performance on Wednesday, has been inundated with complaints from the industry. [...]