Vodafone UK has extended the access of its broadband services with an incredible speed of up to 76 Mbps to nearly 22 million British premises. This is being bundled with a free year long subscription to the popular entertainment service known as Netflix.

This particular service till now was available to existing Vodafone mobile customers only. The Vodafone spokesperson said, “The service, which has only been available to existing Vodafone mobile customers, is now available to all potential customers.” Thus, Vodafone’s fiber optic is now available to existing, as well as potential customers.

The company has been using the latest technology to boost the experience of the customers. This particular boost enables the customers of Vodafone to supercharge any device which is connected to the network at their home. Beamforming technology, which is used by Beam, puts its focus on Wi-Fi signal to devices which are compatible no matter where they are in their home. The new router, which is included in the offering, can focus on specific devices in the network and also offers family control on them. According to Vodafone’s UK consumer director Cindy Rose, “Controlling the supply of home broadband from smartphones and tablets will be a major differentiator.” She also added, “With the introduction of Vodafone home broadband combined with our ultra fast 4G, Vodafone is now well positioned to satisfy all of our customers’ connectivity needs, both at home and on the go.”

The new Vodafone router features a new ‘Plug and Play’ feature. With the help of this feature subscribers can easily manage the new features by themselves with the help of the updated Vodafone Connect mobile app.

There is another feature, much to the surprise of the Vodafone customers, and that allows the power to grant Guest wifi access. With the help of the Connect app, the head of the house can now control the potential for speakers like speakers, printers and phones. As of now, this feature is only available for Android users, but, the Vodafone spokesperson has assured that it will be available for iOS soon.

To thank their existing customers, Vodafone UK has decided that £5 off their standard broadband, regardless of their current package will be provided.

According to The Competitive Carriers Coalition (CCC) indicates that the ACCC’s decision for dropping the prices that Telstra charges on other telecos because of using its copper network is supposed to bring down internet charges in mobile.

It’s still not sure if the access charges will be passed on to customers with cheap mobile phones; and internet charges by telecommunication provider are being waited to be seen for any change.

Responding to the rivalry watchdog’s decision earlier Friday needing a one-off uniform fall in price of 9.4% for extensive access to Telstra’s legacy network, the CCC has stated in its most recent statement that Telstra’s charges to competitors by means of its domination of connections to customer’s house “should provide a welcome step down in prices.”

In the words of Matt Healy, he stated that it was significant to notice that a yearlong delaying has made Telstra to an unexpected gain of near to $200 million.

“money that has come straight from consumers to fatten the pockets of Telstra.”

The final decision by on Friday by ACCC has met a stiff opposition from Telstra for changes to cost of competitors for accessing its network. However the large telco is now into considering if it would appeal the decision.

On Friday Rod Sims, ACCC chairman said that “The ACCC has dealt with a number of complex issues during this inquiry, including the unique circumstances of the transition from Telstra’s copper network to the NBN. Our final decision on prices is the result of a number of considerations, with downward pressures more than offsetting upward pressures.”

While contemplating on the effect on customers, Sims also said, “importantly, users of Telstra’s network should not pay the higher costs that result from fewer customers as NBN migration occurs. If there is no adjustment for these higher costs then customers who have not yet been migrated to the NBN will ultimately pay significantly higher prices for copper based services.”

By this final decision from ACCC, the other telcos will now pay new prices to Telstra for using its network, which will come into effect from 1 November of this year till 30^th June of 2019.

“The 9.4% reduction represents an overdue change, nevertheless the Commission deserves praise for holding the line in the face of unprecedented pressure to allow Telstra to continue to enjoy monopoly rents,” said Healy.

“This decision will have no impact on the transition to the NBN, which is far more dependent on the speed of the rollout than the cost of legacy services.”

“Anything less would lack credibility, and would have had terrible economy wide consequences, as the Australian economy struggles to move from the mining boom to a digital economy.”

Considered as one enormous leap in improved broadband services for Australia’s regional and remote areas, NBN took the help of Arianespace for successfully launching its first satellite into space.

Bill Morrow, CEO of NBN said that this satellite will provide admission to very fast broadband in different needful areas of Australia.

“With the launch of Sky Muster, we’re one step closer to changing the digital face of our nation.”

“The ability to video-conference friends and family, study courses online and visit doctors from your lounge room will all be possible in areas which have traditionally struggled to access basic internet services like online banking and shopping.”

Launched into an altitude of 36000 kms from Earth, Sky Muster was launched by Arianespace from Guiana Space center in South America.  This is being regarded as one of the most advanced communication satellites which will play a significant part in providing fast broadband services to 400,000 homes in Australia.

“Many homes and businesses in regional and rural Australia still rely on dial-up level speeds and have little or no access to a commercial broadband service – this satellite will help to close the divide and ensure no-one gets left behind.”

During the upcoming months, the satellite will be tested for its technical capabilities and is expected to release in mid 2016. After launching its services, it is believed that wholesale speeds will be provided at a much faster rate than the current times.

“Satellites will provide broadband services to three per cent of premises in Australia, primarily in regional and remote areas including the islands that make up Australia.”

“ACCAN congratulates NBN and Arianespace on the successful launch of the Sky Muster satellite”

Advocate of telecoms consumer, ACCAN or Australian Communications Action Network supported the successful launch of Sky Muster and also highlighted the current status of Australia’s regional broadband service.

“Consumers in these areas currently have poor to no broadband, with many facing difficult situations created by the lack of adequate services and exorbitant costs.”

“Current satellite services offer low speeds and data allowances, usually up to 6Mbps download speeds and up to 20GB of data a month.”

“These services often come with very high set up costs, making them unaffordable for many consumers.”

Teresa Corbin, CEO of ACCAN said, “People increasingly need a reliable and affordable internet connection for essential services, such as education, banking and health. The successful launch of Sky Muster is an important milestone in the delivery of fast broadband services to regional and remote Australia”.

The state read “Consumers have had very mixed experiences with these services, often reporting very slow speeds or insufficient data to last the month. In some areas, consumers are unable to receive even basic internet services”

“When these services become available to consumers in the first half of 2016, ACCAN hopes they will meet consumer need and be sold at a comparable cost to services sold in the rest of Australia.”

This new major development has sparked many hopes and people are waiting for availing its services.

Summary: The above content gives us an idea regarding NBN”s new satellite launch, which is being considered as a massive leap in the development of broadband facilities. It also highlights the services which are expected to provide after its launch in mid 2016.

Apple has successfully launched the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s plus model. This was one of the most awaited moments for the Apple users. With a long queue continuing to grow outside the retailer shop, let’s point out what Telstra and Vodafone execs spoke about their launches. The undying passion for the Apple iPhone 6s series the Apple’s staffs began their countdown for the most awaited phone of the year. With the long queue out every dealer’s shop, there were no other smartphone models or brand that came to our notice.

This reaction indeed proves that even after years of business Apple has not lost its value to its users. This is mainly because of the variety of innovative features that they bring every time they launch a new series. Somewhere or the other there people who look up to the variations and the advancement that each iPhone brings to the world of smartphones.

When it comes to iPhone people hardly give it a second thought. However, this time Apple has fixed few of the bugs in the iOS 9 and has hinted about the new features in the iOS 9.1. Therefore, this was both a launch and promotional event where they launched the Apple iPhone 6s and announced the prototype for the iOS 9.1 which is due to release late this year in the iPad air.

The atmosphere was absolutely a different one, in the morning of the Apple iPhone 6s launch. People were waiting in an extended queue to buy the new Apple iPhone 6s. one of the most memorable moment was the one when all the people clapped and rejoiced the moment when the clock ticked and it seems people were unleashed to the Greek demi-god Bellerophone, who is about to bring about a massive change in the world (of Smartphones). Well, this might sound hyped expression but it isn’t, people were waiting for the launch of iPhone in a way like never before.

People were simply waiting for the launch of this and after hearing about the iOS 9.1 they are now eagerly waiting for the launch of the iPad. This is the biggest marketing strategy of Apple; they always announce the upcoming iOS or model of smartphone. What matters the most is that people are so Apple savvy that they always desire to know what is going on in the Apple Company and what is the next step Apple is going to take to impress its customers.

After the launch of the iPhone 6s and 6s plus, Telstra’s Executive Director of Mobile, John Chambers, had to say lot about the launch of the new iPhone. Here is a small video about it:

On the same context the Vodafone’s Director of Sales, Ben McIntosh, had to say few things about the Vodafone’s iPhone launch. Here is a video on it:

This new launch of both the iPhones has just blown the smartphone market and people are pushing their expectation a bit higher when it comes to iPhone. There is no doubt that Apple had been and will be feeding those expectations. iPhone, which was not more than a luxury initially is now a necessity. This is people who have been using iPhone for many years now are not willing to settle for anything mediocre.

Summary: This blog is about the new launch of iPhone 6s and 6s plus. This launch has just moved the world and people are now looking up to the new iPad launch late this year.

Bill Morrow, the NBN boss is researching on different ways to reduce the amount payable by smaller internet service providers to access the national broadband network in a move that is likely to anger big telecom companies.

In a speech delivered to the National Press Club, Morrow said that the national 121 points of interconnect (PoI) of around 40 NBNs are quite expensive these days for all small SPs to reach out to. As of now, the retail providers of NBN either build their own individual links to PoI or purchase the backhaul process from a provider of all existing infrastructure. This latter option is more likely to be a cost effective option for smaller players in the industry.

According to Morrow, for those 40 PoIs, distance of the backhaul makes connection expensive. His concern is the fact that the costs might create a barrier to the entry of small ISPs that can ultimately restrict the choice for all end users. He “If this turns out to be the case, there are a number of options we could explore to boost competition however before we do anything NBN – our preference would be to see the market respond,” he added.

In August, Fairfax Media reported that NBN was considering the ideas of connecting PoIs and also offering wholesale services directly to small companies in the market. He said that talks are on with other players in the market who see opportunity in solving all remote regional points of entry.

After all, the aim is leveling the playing ground and ensuring the fact that there is a low barrier at the entry point and hopes are there that the market is capable of doing this. All small ISPs had put forward a request to ACCC in 2012 for reconsidering the 121 point of interconnect model in fear of the price of renting backhaul might just push them out of the market completely. Matt Healy, the policy director of Macquarie Telecom, labeled this issue as a “chicken and egg problem”.

Anger of The Large Telcos

According to experts, all Morrow’s plans might draw the wrath of the large telecommunications companies like Optus, Telsta that have already spent almost millions of connecting cables to 121 PoI. After all, wholesale services are all huge businesses for all the existing telcos. According to David Epstein, the vice president of Optus regulatory affairs, this telco was always very keen on learning a lot about the proposal from NBN. “It appears to be reopening a policy decision that was settled several years ago,“ David added.

The established Telcos have already put in a significant amount of investment in the network configuration and also have made certain decisions assuming the fact that they could trust the original decision of NBN. The announcement about change in the decision requires a lot of consultation.

According to a spokesperson of Telstra, the ACCC had already reviewed the PoIs of NBN and discovered that there was sufficient amount of backhaul competition. ACCC found that more than 94% of PoIs have around 3 or even more competitors in the backhaul, all of which have two or even more competitors for each. The recent draft decision of ACCC to lower down the cost of backhaul is likely to assist the retail service providers to compete in the competitive market of backhaul from all there PoIs.

He also said that there is actually no need for NBN Co for an extension into this particular market. NBN Co and ACCC must refrain from making the decisions that challenge any continued investment in the market.

No change in any aspect of life is actually implemented without any external restriction or protest. If this particular issue has drawn a lot of buzz, it is bound to be worth it. We will be waiting eagerly to see the consequence.

Smart Cities are no more a future development project; rather, it is now a priority for local, regional and countrywide governments. It is a thriving business area both the technological firms and the CSPs with interests in the loT market.

The European Union has so far taken maximum interest in the development of the smart city project and they have made sure that they can take the project a step ahead the sooner they can. They are the best who has scrutinized every step before landing into conclusion and also guarantees that they have abided by all the rules and regulations that was predefined by the European standards. This smart city is an amalgamated project of various legislations, but the areas like environment and mobility are solely under Union Level. This decision has eased out the path and created a more similar standard for Smart Cities. This in the process helps European Union to bid for different project in different countries.

Telefonica basically has four major points or guidelines that serve as the best guide of turning cities into Smart Cities. The pillars are:

• Go Hand In Hand With Citizens – The citizen of the would be Smart City must perceive the allowances and accept the changes a s apart of the advancement. Smart Cities must evidently improve the prior condition so that the people of the Smart City knows that the improvisations are for the betterment and will not have a negative impact whenever something new is being added.

• Open For Business – Smart Cities should be open for businesses as well. The best option is to opt for open standards that will help in holistic development which leads to the easy integration of any potential technological partners in the Smart City platform and also ensure continuity of time. Each layer is set in such a way that all the platforms are covered as the hierarchy. Sensors > Connectivity > Management Platform > Analysis and Intelligence. This is trhe process by which all the businessmen can avail the facilities of Smart Cities.

• Best Partnership Will Provide The Best Result – Having strong technological partners with help in creating a strong network and also make sure that all the facilities are met of the citizen. Where a project solely concentrates on providing good network to its citizens. It is necessary to make sure that they all get the facilities that are offered to them. As the saying goes expect the best from the best. It is important to make sure that the experts and market leadership implements solutions to make a smooth movement and result in optimal result.

• Involve Start Ups and SMEs – It takes experts to deploy and maintain a Smart Cities. Inexperienced people should not be allowed to tamper and disrupt the entire technology. If it is necessary to make sure that the Smart Cities do real good things for the people of the city then it is important to choose the best from the industry. Trusting anyone at random is equally bad for the impression of Smart Cities and for the citizen who rely on it.