Within the next year or so the number of telephone calls made from mobile phones are likely to outstrip those made on traditional landlines. We are clearly becoming more and more dependent on our mobile phones. That means it's really important that we get good service from the mobile phone companies.
Ofcom, the UK's telecoms regulator has just launched a consultation to see how happy people are with their mobile phone service.
You'll remember that MEPs recently cracked down on mobile roaming charges, and it's looking increasingly likely that further action will be taken on text message charging from abroad.
However another important problem area concerns so called 'mobile termination rates'. These are the charges that mobile phone companies charge each other for routing calls over their networks. Mobile termination rates are the reason why it's almost always more expensive to call a customer on another phone network than on your own network. It's often hard to know how much you're likely to be charged for calling another network.
Both Ofcom and the European Commission are looking at tackling these charges. That way calling between mobile phone networks should be cheaper and the prices more transparent.
What would you like to improve on your mobile phone service? Or are you happy with the service you get for the price you pay?
You can find out more about Ofcom's consultation (and even contribute yourself) on the links below.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/msa08/
Showing posts with label Ofcom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ofcom. Show all posts
Monday, 1 September 2008
Monday, 21 July 2008
MEDIA AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Last year a Conservative MEP organised a screening in the European Parliament of the discredited Channel 4 documentary "The Great Global Warming Swindle".
The documentary caused a huge controversy when it was broadcast on TV and it caused a similar stir when it was shown in Parliament.
Following Channel 4's broadcast of the programme last year, there were some 265 complaints to Ofcom, the UK's media regulator. Ofcom have just ruled that the documentary did break broadcast rules and was "unjust and unfair" in the way it represented individuals' views in the documentary. The ruling went on to say that "the programme made some significant allegations without offering an appropriate and timely opportunity to respond"
Whilst some of the complains were upheld, Bob Ward, the former head of media at the Royal Society said that "The programme has been let off the hook on a highly questionable technicality".
He was complaining because Ofcom defines a misleading programme as one where the audience is "materially misled so as to cause harm or offence" and the ruling said the programme didn't meet that test.
However, Channel 4 has been ordered to broadcast a summary of Ofcom's findings about the programme. I don't expect the Tory MEP to acknowledge the programmes' errors though.
It's a shame that some Tory MEPs are still questioning the existance or cause of climate change.
On balance I think I'll take my scientific advice from Britain's Royal Society rather than a bunch discredited Tory MEPs!
You can read more about Ofcom's ruling at the following links:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/21/climatechange.carbonemissions
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7517509.stm
The documentary caused a huge controversy when it was broadcast on TV and it caused a similar stir when it was shown in Parliament.
Following Channel 4's broadcast of the programme last year, there were some 265 complaints to Ofcom, the UK's media regulator. Ofcom have just ruled that the documentary did break broadcast rules and was "unjust and unfair" in the way it represented individuals' views in the documentary. The ruling went on to say that "the programme made some significant allegations without offering an appropriate and timely opportunity to respond"
Whilst some of the complains were upheld, Bob Ward, the former head of media at the Royal Society said that "The programme has been let off the hook on a highly questionable technicality".
He was complaining because Ofcom defines a misleading programme as one where the audience is "materially misled so as to cause harm or offence" and the ruling said the programme didn't meet that test.
However, Channel 4 has been ordered to broadcast a summary of Ofcom's findings about the programme. I don't expect the Tory MEP to acknowledge the programmes' errors though.
It's a shame that some Tory MEPs are still questioning the existance or cause of climate change.
On balance I think I'll take my scientific advice from Britain's Royal Society rather than a bunch discredited Tory MEPs!
You can read more about Ofcom's ruling at the following links:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/21/climatechange.carbonemissions
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7517509.stm
Thursday, 3 April 2008
MOBILE TV VERSUS FACEBOOK
According to a recent report from Ofcom, a quarter of 8-11 year olds who are online in the UK have a profile on a social network
Earlier this week the European Parliament Culture and Education Committee referred to media literacy amongst young people in a discussion of new media technologies such as mobile TV. Technology is moving fast and could have enormous educational benefits.
I have always taken an interest in the advancement of new technologies, particularly with regard to how we can protect children from associated dangers. I will be keeping a close eye on the Parliament's discussions on the regulation of such new technologies, being careful to protect young people without generating fear about their use.
I would be very interested to hear whether you think mobile TV could replace Facebook as the next technological fad or will it flop? Please contact me with your response.
Earlier this week the European Parliament Culture and Education Committee referred to media literacy amongst young people in a discussion of new media technologies such as mobile TV. Technology is moving fast and could have enormous educational benefits.
I have always taken an interest in the advancement of new technologies, particularly with regard to how we can protect children from associated dangers. I will be keeping a close eye on the Parliament's discussions on the regulation of such new technologies, being careful to protect young people without generating fear about their use.
I would be very interested to hear whether you think mobile TV could replace Facebook as the next technological fad or will it flop? Please contact me with your response.
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