Safer Internet Day 2010
Today is Safer Internet Day throughout Europe.
You can find more information here.
Today is Safer Internet Day throughout Europe.
You can find more information here.
"If radio is to achieve switchover by 2015 – as outlined in the Digital Economy Bill now going through parliament – then 50% of all radio listening must be via digital platforms by 2013. In other words, digital listening needs to grow every quarter at roughly the rate it is currently advancing every 12 months."Extract from this article examing the role of Ford Ennals, Chief Executive of Digital Radio UK.
So BT has now announced that it is ready to open up its ducts to competitors for the installation of optical fibre - more information here.
It remains to be seen exactly how much difference this will make - see survey here - but it will certainly help extend and accelerate roll-out of next generation access. Also BT's comments suggests that it expects others - like Virgin Media and the water, gas and electricity companies - to open up access to their ducts too.
Ofcom has four territorial advisory bodies: one each for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The relevant country member from the Ofcom Content Board and the Communications Consumer Panel attend these quarterly meetings, so I go along to the Advisory Committee for England (ACE) in my capacity as the Panel Member for England. Today I was at Riverside House for the latest ACE meeting.
There was an excellent discussion on the future of radio which highlighted that we now need to see radio as a format (audio) rather than as a platform (your radio set) because 'radio' is now being listened to on a variety of platforms including the television set, the personal computer, the mobile phone and the MP3 player.
We discussed Ofcom's work on mobile coverage and the work of the regulator's International Team and we were advised on planned changes to the advertising code for television.
Also we were given up-dates on the Digital Economy Bill - which will complete its Committee Stage in the Lords on Tuesday - and how the forthcoming General Election will affect Ofcom. I reported on the forthcoming work plan for the Consumer Panel.
Finally a couple of ACE colleagues talked about their visit in personal capacities to the annual Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas in early January. Apparently the buzz was all about tablet computers and 3D HD television.
All in all, a fascinating meeting.
The 2010 Deloitte TMT Predictions provide an in-depth look at the emerging issues that will impact the Technology, Media & Telecommunications sectors in the coming year. You can check them out here.
Society is split between those who embrace technology and those who don't have the skills – or the money – to live in a wired world. In this article in today's "Independent", Tim Walker explains the drive for cyber-equality.
For the six years 2000-2005, I was the first independent Chair of the Internet Watch Foundation, the self-regulatory body that combats child abuse images on the UK Internet. I continue to stay in touch with the IWF and will be seeing its Chief Executive Peter Robbins today.
It is timely therefore to remind ourselves of some key facts:
* 58% of child sexual abuse domains traced contain graphic images involving penetration or torture
* 69% of the children appear to be 10 years old or younger
* 74% of child sexual abuse domains traced are commercial operations
* 75% of these commercial domains are registered with 10 domain name registries or registrars
* It is still rare to trace child sexual abuse content to hosts in the UK (under 1%) but when it occurs it is removed within hours by the UK internet industry.