The cascade of announcements about the future of telecommunications in the UK continues.  Here is ABC’s take on recent events.

Press release on 8th June 2004:

Measuring the breadth of Broadband Britain

The latest Ofcom broadband report, issued 2nd June, shows a steady increase in the take-up of broadband with almost 40% of Internet users now connected by broadband. But are these statistics the whole picture? The risks of a ‘never mind the quality; feel the width’ feel-good factor are high says the ABC. Read full press release here.

BT Announcements

On Friday June 11th the ABC Exec swung into action to reply to the 21st Century statements from BT. Read their statements for yourselves here:

BT Announces Network Transformation Timetable

BT to switch voice calls to IP as 21st Century Network takes shape

Brian Condon released the following statement in reply:

Life in the Slow Lane Continues

BT’s announcement regarding its transition to a ‘21st Century Network’ is welcomed but it demonstrates a lack of ambition says the UK’s leading broadband campaign group. They argue it is:

• Not ambitious enough – reluctant to launch Fibre to the Home in the 2010 timescale
• Vague – no clarity on the sorts of services they expect to launch, the types of data speeds they envisage. No clear statement of the potential benefits to customers
• Heavy on benefits for BT and its shareholders and light on benefits for users. The massive cash savings seem not to be destined to reduce costs to end users but to grow BT's cash generating ability. Read full press release here. 

Next ABC Conference in Scotland

On Friday 11th June Brian Condon CEO, Andrew Macdonald Event Organiser and Richard Rymill ABC Office and Conference Marketing all met with the Scottish Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise to work out the details of the next ABC Conference to be held at Aviemore in the Highlands, in a brand new state-of-the-art conference facility, on 2nd and 3rd November 2004.

MARK YOUR DIARIES YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS EVENT!

While strongly featuring Scotland, it is YOUR UK conference with powerful input from the UK government. All the English RDAs will be there, plus OFCOM, DTI and other Government bodies. Plus the usual rich mix of Community Activists and Solution providers.

Scotland is a very exciting place when it comes to digital innovation; it is home to 200 software and computer game companies, Biotech industries, tourism and more traditional industries. Scotland has numerous examples of exceptional solutions to technical, geographical and legislative challenges.

BUT even more importantly they have 400 of the 600 UK exchanges that BT have not set triggers for… which means that without intervention these communities will never see what can be achieved with Broadband.

Sounds like a job for the ABC… who along with all our supporters in Government, Industry and the community can seek out the solutions needed where access is still a problem, then go on to sharing the delights of what can be achieved for the economy and the individual with true Broadband!!!!.

The provisional conference program is here.

Sponsors should give the ABC office a call to establish their interest and receive details of the sponsorship opportunities. Call 01937 541 553 or email ABC-office@rapidresponsemarketing.co.uk

We mentioned that the situation after the BT announcement on LLU plus the latest from BT and OFCOM has stirred up a hornets nest but for most of us (including the ABC office) the potential outcomes are not at all clear!

Fortunately for us, we have Erol Ziya and Lindsey Annison among our executive team and we enclose two brilliantly written articles by them that make the situation clear in plain language.

Network contention ratios and network congestion

A simple analogy, by Erol Ziya, June 2004

RABs – a good idea or have they ADIT?

By Lindsey Annison, June 2004

So what else is happening?

The Royal Show at Stoneleigh 4-7 July 2004

The ABC Broadband stand will ...

• Deliver a clear message to rural communities about the opportunities

• Help businesses plan how to implement broadband for business advantage
• Demonstrate the different technologies that deliver broadband-enabled services to rural locations.

New diary date - Broadband Seminar, 12th July, Harrogate

Digital Dales will be running a one-day Seminar with a wide appeal for both the starter and the expert.  Starting with an intro and update covering what’s happening on the UK broadband scene, there will be a series of workshops that include:

• Hardcore Wireless
• VOIP and internet Telephony
• Broadband and Video for business and leisure use (one of the fast developing applications)
• Interactive content. BT & the BBC will be there to show us how the BBC archives are to be delivered over the web on demand.
• Community content. Tveyes, an innovative search engine service for TV and radio, will show you their amazing press, radio and TV Media cutting service.
• Getting started. There are still many of you who are still struggling to get access for your business or community. This workshop will show you how and offer practical advice and assistance.

The Seminar will be priced at a really affordable level, the venue (The White Hart Hotel) is conveniently located and there is free parking.

If you want to book your attendance now, please e-mail ABC Office ABC-office@rapidresponsemarketing.co.uk ASAP and we’ll get the programme and registration form to you shortly.

On Tuesday 14th June in Harrogate, Brian Condon and Lindsey Annison spoke to the newly formed Harrogate Digital forum about the benefits of digital technology and our work within it. A good example of how we are working with all the broadband stakeholders to help them to achieve their objectives.  www.harrogatedigital.com

Watch out for your invitation to the Scottish Conference at Aviemore but put the date in your diary right now! 2nd & 3rd November 2004.