While there has been justifiable excitement at the growth of broadband internet access, dial connections are far from dead and service providers will need to maintain support for their narrowband customers, says IDC. In its latest study, Western Europe Consumer ISP Forecast, 2002-2007, the research group predicts that the number of consumer broadband connections in… Continue reading ISPs Warned Not To Ignore Dial-Up Disciples

Online retail spend shot up by over 70% in the UK in December as a growing proportion of consumers eschewed the busy high street in favour of internet stores for their Christmas shopping. The Interactive Media in Retail Group claims that online sales totalled £1.324 billion last month, with electrical consumer goods and alcohol among… Continue reading Festive Boost For Online Retailers

Mobile data is driving further growth in the mobile market in Western Europe, with consumers taking up ever more sophisticated applications. A report from the Yankee Group has forecast continued growth in wireless data revenue as consumers move beyond text messaging to using data content services and applications. It estimates that mobile service revenue will… Continue reading Data Services To Boost Mobile Market

Centaur Communications is to be sold and floated on the Alternative Investment Market, it has been confirmed. Numis, the UK investment bank and stockbroker is to buy the publisher and conference organiser and immediately sell it on the AIM, a process known as an accelerated initial public offering. The deal, which is said to be… Continue reading Numis To Orchestrate Centaur Flotation

SMG has taken the decision to sell its 27.8% stake in Scottish Radio Holdings to Emap in a deal worth £90.5 million. The shareholding was acquired for £150 million at the end of 2000 but SMG has opted to cut its losses and will put the proceeds of the sale towards debt reduction. SRH is… Continue reading SMG Sells Radio Stake To Reduce Debts

The reclusive Barclay Brothers look set to take control of the Daily Telegraph after agreeing a £260 million deal to buy the global newspaper group headed by troubled media mogul Lord Black. The billionaire brothers are understood to have reached an “irrevocable” agreement to take over Hollinger Inc, in a move that will see them… Continue reading Barclay Brothers Agree Telegraph Takeover Deal

Beleaguered cable operator Telewest Communications has announced the resignation of its group managing director, Charles Burdick, after less than two years at the company’s helm. Burdick, who steps down with immediate effect, will stay on as a consultant to the company until the completion of its financial restructuring, but will then relinquish his directorship to… Continue reading Burdick Steps Down As Telewest Managing Director

Kelvin MacKenzie’s Wireless Group is planning to strengthen its position in the UK local radio market with the acquisition of Forever Broadcasting for £8.1 million. The Wireless Group already controls 16% of Forever Broadcasting, which owns a handful of local radio stations including Tower FM in Bolton, Peak FM in Chesterfield and The Wolf in… Continue reading Wireless Group Secures Forever For £8.1 Million

December saw a marked increase in activity at leading agencies as the account pipeline remained strong. There were a number of significant wins for Publicis which clinched the Lehman Brothers 2003 New Business Title. Following a strong November (see Strong Agency Account Activity In November), there was a 40% year on year increase in account… Continue reading Publicis Tops 2003 New Business League

Growth in US internet usage has slowed in recent years but demand for high-speed services remains high, according to new statistics from Harris Interactive. An end of year survey shows that 69% of Americans can now be classified as internet users, an increase of two percentage points over last year. The number of adults online… Continue reading More Americans Taking The Broadband Route