28,000 network tests of the UK’s five mobile broadband suppliers were conducted throughout March, April and May 2008 at a number of independently selected locations around the UK. The Vodafone UK network was found to be the fastest and most reliable for file downloads and web page loading when using one of their data cards or USB modems.

Test sites included indoor and outdoor venues, towns and cities, railway stations, tourist spots, airports and motorway service stations. The fastest available equipment from each operator was used.

The results of the test were:

Average download speeds (2MB file)

Vodafone – 1.2Mbps/13.54 seconds

T-Mobile - 993kbps/16.15 seconds

O2 - 812kbps/20.17 seconds

3 - 764kbps/21.44 seconds

Orange - 683kbps/23.99 seconds

The results of LCC International’s tests come soon after Vodafone announced that it would be much clearer on the actual speeds you can get when using their mobile broadband.

ISPs are in a unique position of being able to monitor the online habits of their subscribers. That position does, however, raise important questions about the principles involved, such as: are ISPs the ones who should be told to police their customers downloading behaviour, and, are they the ones who should ultimately be held accountable if they don’t?

Although there seems to be a broad consensus on combating piracy, who surveys it is another matter. In the end it might be the case that if ISP’s don’t keep their customers in check, who else can – or will? Although there’s an ongoing debate that perhaps self, rather than enforced legislative regulation, is a preferred option.

This comes at a time when the government is taking a wider interest in the issue of broadband in this country; in particular, reviewing the possible costs involved in helping networks update inadequate cabling.

From today, all new customers who sign up online to BT Total Broadband before the 19^th March will receive a Black version of their popular Home Hub – worth £89.99 – absolutely free.

The extension of this fantastic offer is great news for those wishing to purchase a complete broadband package. The benefits of BT’s Home Hub include being able to access the internet wirelessly from anywhere in your house, download at speeds of up to 8Mb, as well as being able to get BT Vision.

This offer is available exclusively online with all Total Broadband options – 1, 2 and 3 – on either a 12 or 18 month contract, starting from just £8.95 a month.

Pre-pay customers taking advantage of the offer will need to agree to a 12 month contract on the broadband service and the discount is automatically taken off the 02 broadband bill so long as they keep meeting the £10 every three months top up rule. If the £10 rule is not met then they will be charged the non-discounted price for the broadband service on that particular bill.

Three broadband packages are available from O2, Standard at £7.50 for an up to 8Mbps connection, Premium for £10 per month with up to 16Mbps connection speeds and finally Ultimate with an up to 20Mbps connection for £15 a month. Standard and Premium offer an upstream speed of up to 1.3Mbps, Ultimate increases the upload speed to 1.6Mbps. The non-discounted prices work out at £5 a month more. There is no defined usage limit, but a fair use policy applies to all three products.

The majority of mobile phones now come with the 3G capabilities that allow users to access the internet. However, as anyone who’s got one of these phones will no doubt understand, browsing the web on a mobile is not that straightforward as it perhaps should be. It’s not merely a case of finding a smaller version of home broadband.

So is the internet on every mobile phone difficult to navigate?

Apple’s iPhone may be one of the exceptions. The fact that Apple are new to the mobile market means they’re at an advantage when it comes to introducing comparatively easier to use forms of technology and improved functionality. The design and innovation they apply to their computers is equally applied to their mobile device, arguably making accessing and browsing the web much easier. Hopefully others will follow.

It’s been reported this week by The Times newspaper that internet service providers may have no choice but to enforce a “three strikes” and you’re banned policy; introduced to dissuade the millions of users in Britain who go online to download and share music illegally.

Piracy has an enormous effect on the industries involved, costing millions in lost sales and revenues, and arguable undermines both new and established artists. It is also seen as an unfair practice when the majority of people download legally through dedicated websites.

However, there are concerns over some technical aspects that could feature in the proposals. For example, the issue of peoples’ wireless internet access being hijacked by others is a source of contention for the user and for ISP’s who will ultimately be responsible for imposing the rules.

How issues such as this will be tackled are still to be deliberated, and it may be some time yet before any final conclusions are reached.

The BT Home Hub gives you high speed wireless access to broadband; connecting multiple computers and consoles to the internet from anywhere in your house. What’s more, your Home Hub enables you to enjoy BT Vision: BT’s on-demand digital service allowing you to pause, rewind and record live TV and watch films from just £1.99 – all with no annual contract.

The BT Home Hub is not only designed to provide reliable wireless connectivity to the web, but also lets you make cheap calls over the internet, either through a BT Hub Phone, or through a touchtone phone you already have. You can also feel safe in the knowledge that a BT Hub also keeps you secure against the threat of hackers, updating automatically and containing a built-in firewall to protect your personal files.

Until now, the Home Hub has only been free with Options 2 and 3 – or at an additional price of £30 – but is now included with the Option 1 package, available at just £8.95 for the first 6 months.

* Offer lasts until 29^th February 2008.

Being able to connect to the internet wirelessly maybe nothing new, but the places you can connect and the reliability at which you can surf, are. With newer laptops and handhelds such HotSpots will be quickly detected.

For a monthly subscription of £20, T-Mobile customers can check and send emails, shop, download music and videos at many popular locations including Starbucks, Borders and hotels.

Wi-Fi makes browsing the net quick and hassle free, and now T-Mobile have made it even easier to go online at some of your favourite and the most convenient spots – even airports.

Find out more at www.t-mobile.co.uk.

2007 was a year that saw more people than ever connect to the internet through broadband instead of dial-up. With an plethora of networks and service providers on the scene, there has never been so much consumer choice and awareness.

The last 12 months may have represented a turning point in the broadband industry. Consumers in the UK may be benefiting from favourable internet packages compared with other countries, but a question mark has also been raised and continues to remain into 2008 over the issue of broadband speeds and deals offered by companies.

As broadband becomes increasingly popular with all ages and demographics, and more easily accessible (although much still depends on where you live in regards to an internet exchange), the demand for high-speed and high-performance is revealing that speeds of “up to” may not be realistic for all users. By the end of last year Ofcom and the government intervened and made their feelings clear on how ISPs need to better inform customers on broadband speeds and clarify the deals they provide.

So, what does the new year hold in store for broadband?

Speeds, download limits and network infrastructure are subjects that look set to stay in the news throughout the next year, and are at the top of the consumers agenda. Mobile broadband and ‘tailored packages’ are also reaching out to new and specific users.

Yet, although broadband had its contentions in 2007, many companies are looking towards the future with the possibilty of an impending broadband revolution. Virgin Media is perhaps one of those companies to look out for in 2008. The past year saw Virgin trial 50Mbps broadband in particular areas of the country and they are widely reported to be launching the service commercially within the year.

It seems that for some, next generation broadband could be just around the corner.

The independent regulator also found that 40% of homes in

This report shows that the

Source: www.ofcom.org.uk. Title of report: ‘