The Management Consulting Group

A new website launched by the government will now enable people to freely access the huge amounts of official data in the public sector.

Developed under the aegis of Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the ‘inventor of the web’, the project went on floor in mid-2009. The project was aimed at allowing free access to the information gathered by the government authorities with respect to varied aspects of the public sector including traffic statistics. Last September witnessed the launch of a beta version of the website that was tested by a number of developers, who responded with their feedback.

The data can be used in a number of contexts including display of school locations on the basis of their Ofsted ratings, a mechanism for reporting road risks such as potholes and PlanningAlerts applications that would enable people to register and get details of all the planning applications in a particular area.

The website, data.gov.uk came up as a solution to the problem of unused information that has been collected by the authorities but has never been put up for access by the public. Speaking to BBC, Sir Tim pointed out that it is more important to disburse government information as expenses on the same have already been incurred.

According to Professor Nigel Shadbolt of Southampton University, a key participant in the development of the website commented that if the data can be made available to the public under a Freedom of Information request, it can very well be published online. He also pointed out that the site is all set to experience growth with the addition of more data and newer applications for the usage of such data, and turn into a good public resource.

If you are unsure of broadband, or simply want to learn more about mobile broadband, refer to a dedicated broadband website for information and advice, and offers such as pay as you go mobile broadband. On Mobile Broadband Genie you’ll find all you need to know on mobile broadband, dongles and laptop deals on their comparison table of broadband UK providers. Everything you need to get up and running on the broadband internet, to check out the new government website.

Apple has always shown great aptitude in finding what people actually want. It launched iPhone sometime back, which is now a gadget that almost everyone wants to possess. In fact, half of the smartphone users all over the world use iPhone. However, it has to be remembered that iPhone accounts for half of smartphone usage and not sales.

AdMob, a mobile advertising company, recently published a report stating that iPhone is becoming the most popular type of smartphone. It also said that smartphones which use Google’s Android operating system are a lot in demand and accounted for three fourth of the mobile broadband traffic in the USA last month.

AdMob recently compiled its data regarding smartphone advertisements and applications for purchase of the same. Apart from the above conclusion, the data also suggested that other smartphones are still struggling to make a mark in the market. Blackberry device could account for only 12% of the traffic while Palm Pre users made up only 5 % of traffic in the month of October. In fact, the data traffic on Palm Pre has gone down by 5% from last month.

This study has also been supported by other previous reports, which state that a majority of mobile internet traffic comes from iPhones. This growing trend of smartphones is causing trouble for the service providers who have already started looking for ways to manage the growth of data traffic.

Freerunner CEO Owen Geddes believes that internet access is a fundamental right for all to perform equally in today’s times. However, he noted that this basic right is still not available to everyone. To make internet accessibility to the masses a reality, his company has now launched a fund to invest in Wi-Fi hotspots in residential areas of remote regions in the UK. The telecoms firm has also announced cheap Wi-Fi prices for commercial hubs.

The company has proposed the setting up of 50 such Wi-Fi hotspots across remote areas in the country. It is seeking applications from residents, asking them to suggest their locations. Residents can either drop a mail at connectmenow@freerunr.com or call on 0800 860 0815 for making a hotspot request. Applications should be of not more than 150 words and should clearly mention where and why the hotspot is needed. Applicants whose requests are approved will be informed by the company and their names will be posted on its website on or before October 1, 2009.

In addition, the company has joined hands with the internet-based charity JustGiving.com and has announced its proposal for setting up Wi-Fi hotspots across 500 UK-based charities.

Speaking on the occasion, Geddes said the company is ready for the first fifty installations and that it really does not matter where they are. He added that the company is seeking sponsorships to increase Wi-Fi access to other locations.

Freerunner’s initiative may bring Britain a step closer to the dream of 2 MB broadband service for everyone in the country.

If you require more information on either broadband or mobile broadband, a good place to check out is the independent consumer website Broadband Genie. They offer information and free advice, and have some really good rants and raves from consumers on the ISP’s. It

Gone are the days when going holidaying or camping meant going incommunicado, except for the occasional phone call, and then return all refreshed only to find a heap of communication awaiting your attention.

In the holiday season coming up, especially around the August Bank holiday, the Internet Service Provider BT has announced that it will be providing free WiFi access at popular holiday destinations and leisure parks all over the UK with an aim to target the increasing number of holiday goers and campers.

More than 50,000 visitors are expected to go holidaying around the August Bank holiday. BT has announced that any Openzone member using any of the close to 80 WiFi enabled camping and caravanning destinations can access the internet, as long as he carries a wireless enabled device (click here for the latest free laptops offers from the internet service providers). All internet and entertainment services like surfing, playing online games and even making cheap VoIP calls will now be easily possible.

Commenting on the launch, BT General Manager, Chris Bruce said that all-round internet connectivity while on a holiday can be very useful in obtaining information about the place of stay. It can also help in keeping you entertained, should there be any bad weather.

This service is exclusively available to all BT Openzone users, however other mobile broadband users with WiFi services enabled or O2 iPhone users can also avail these services. For such people, BT Openzone vouchers are easily available online.

Lord Carter’s Digital Britain report, which was officially unveiled recently, will have to prove its worth by the government announcing a definite plan of action on how it is going to realize all the ambitious schemes that it has set out to achieve.

The interim version of the report released early this year, with its emphasis on nationwide hi-speed broadband connectivity, seemed like a happy prelude to the final report. However, even the final report was strangely silent on what concrete plans the government would undertake in order to achieve its targets.

The report’s recommendations are no doubt ambitious and released in the interests of the public. These include mobile broadband network on the Tube, new rights to be granted to communications industry regulator Ofcom, fail-safe plans to check the menace of net piracy, hi-speed broadband connection for all, and mobile broadband facility to be given to residents living in areas where fixed-line connections haven’t reached yet. The government is going to spend an astronomical sum of £200 million on revamping and further developing the broadband infrastructure of the country.

Carter’s right hand man Kip Meek’s allocation plans for mobile broadband spectrum have also received due attention in the report, with support towards the adoption of his plans. According to Meek’s plans, the 900 MHz spectrum will stay with Vodafone and O2.

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In a new study conducted by American Airlines and HP, it was found that the most important thing for a business traveller is getting an internet connection while he or she is on move.

The survey shows that most of the business travellers would be happy to be plugged onto the internet with their laptop dongle and working away at their gadgets. Nearly 90% of American business travellers who were interviewed confirmed that they always carried a notebook and a phone. 85% of the respondents worked while waiting at the airport and 53% continued even inside the flight. It seems catching an in-flight nap is clearly a thing of the past now.

Almost 50 percent of the people who were interviewed stated that they considered an internet connection to be the topmost amenity while travelling, and even food came after that. Carlo Hess-Nickels, director of marketing for HP’s notebook arm said that the study revealed how business travellers considered internet connectivity to be essential for their functioning, rather than just as an added comfort.

In fact, more and more travellers will now be seen slogging over their laptops in their cramped flight seats. Airlines are using the in-flight internet facility to woo travellers and according to a market research company, In-Stat, about 800 planes from all over the world would have mobile broadband in about a year’s time. This will go a long way in satisfying the requirements of those 70 percent travellers who are eager to have broadband connection on-board.

Personal and business communication is booming. The digital advances offered by cellular phone service providers have made the cellular phone essential to our way of life. Whether users are in Providence, RI or San Francisco, they can now conduct business, exchange text messages, photos and e-mails or browse the Internet. Thanks to that amazingly efficient little hand-held miracle manufactured and serviced by a cellular provider of your choice, the world is a lot smaller than it used to be.

Businesses are well aware of the power of cellular phones as transactions are happening around the globe and around the clock. A representative on the beaches around Providence can put together a deal with a client in London, England without a glitch. The communication is clear, timely and seamless.

Providence is fortunate to have many cellular providers, and each cellular provider has unique calling plans. The cellular phones all have distinctive features. Reliability and customer service are essential criteria when selecting a cellular provider. Cellular phones can be personalized and typically have a wide variety of exciting options.

Each cellular provider will have minute-to-dollar plans. These plans may include long-distance calling, free mobile-to-mobile minutes and various calling rates. The cost of these services has decreased significantly in the competitive cellular phone marketplace. Most cellular phone plans now include nationwide service at no additional charge.

A cellular provider will also offer a variety of new-age cellular phones in a wide range of prices. Users must be selective and opt for a phone that satisfies their needs and is easy to use. Users who do not need to access the Internet or who do not intend to use the camera on their phone should not purchase these expensive features.

Cellular providers should have strong customer support networks in place. Usually this support is accessed directly from the cellular phone. No matter how efficient the cellular provider is, the user will require support along the route to cellular happiness at some point. Do your homework and make sure to select a cellular provider with a strong customer support network.

With the recession hurting everyone, be it a business or a consumer, people are looking to save money and avoid any long-term commitments. Reacting to the situation, Easynet Connect has come up with ‘no minimum term’ Internet packages for its businesses customers.

This is really good news for all businesses that are looking to purchase a new broadband Internet service and with this offer, Easynet Connect is trying to meet the popular demand for a flexible Internet package. The offer allows broadband customers to pay for the service on a rolling one-month contract basis, with a 30-day cancellation notice that is free of a penalty.

Moreover, the features of Easynet Connect packages are not going to be affected by this new short-term contract. For example, all customers who buy the EtherStream package will still get speeds of up to 40Mbps, and other packages like SDSL and SureStream are also available under this new offer without any alterations in the package features. Services that are delivered over BT’s network, however, will not be available under this offer, and all new contracts under the offer must be signed before the 30th of April 2009.

Chris Stening, MD of Easynet Connect said after the announcement that this was their way of breaking the industry norm and fulfilling customers’ need of more flexible internet services. He also added that this will help small businesses through the economic downturn by letting them connect to the internet without much hassle.

T-mobile has kick started the New Year with a banger of a new deal for customers signing up for T Mobile Broadband. The netbook + broadband bundle costs £25 per month on a 24-month contract; for this you get an Asus Eee PC904HD laptop with a free USB modem stick, 3GB monthly fair use amount, 200 free texts and Wi-Fi hotspot.

The laptop comes with an 8.9-widescreen display, an Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM, an 80GB HDD, WiFi, a card reader, Windows XP Home and a webcam. Download speed is expected to reach up to 4.5mbps. It may not have the appeal of a sleek design of some of the other free laptop mobile deals nor an integrated 3G card, but if you are considering signing up for a new mobile broadband contract, then what you get for your £25 per month is a pretty solid deal.

The data limit is capped at 3GB, making this more suitable for everyday Internet browsing and not for heavy downloading, but if you were going to sign up for a wireless broadband plan it’s a deal not to be passed over. Should you want other laptops, T-Mobile is expected to launch two other models fairly soon.

Now I’m having difficulty keeping up with the array of offers for mobile broadband just at the minute. The mobile internet providers are certainly doing a good job trying to compete for our attention.

To keep up with the fast pace of mobile broadband deals being offered by other providers Orange has followed O2 and Virgin in coming up with a home and mobile broadband combination, named quite obviously Orange Home and Mobile Broadband.

Well you can’t complain that that’s not an apt name because that exactly what they offer; according to their press release the new ‘Home & Mobile Broadband’ offer provides customers with the best in broadband connectivity whether at home or on the move - all for £20 per month. At home you will get up to 8 Mbps with a 10 GB download limit, a free wireless router and inclusive evening and weekend calls to UK landlines (starting with 01, 02 and 03).

You will still be able to connect to the internet when on the move with the inclusive USB dongle with download speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps and a 3 GB per month data usage allowance through the Orange mobile broadband network.

We’re all looking for a good deal these days and with Orange recently listed in the UK’s top three ISP list for fixed line broadband download speeds by Moneysupermarket.com and in October this year voted the top provider for ‘overall mobile broadband service quality’ and ‘best mobile broadband network’ by a YouGov mobile broadband UK wide survey, I think it might be worth giving Orange mobile broadband a second look.