Broadband Britain came a step closer yesterday with news that BT is converting almost 100 of its phone boxes into special Wi-Fi hotspots. The telecoms operator plans to have installed BT Openzone access points in 91 broadband enabled pay phones by the end of this week and more than 200 kiosks will have the service… Continue reading Broadband Britain Boosted By New Wi-Fi Hotspots

The next generation of mobile phones, dubbed ‘smartphones’, are set to be commonplace by 2007 and by 2008, most will have built-in digital cameras as the two handset technologies become merged into one. However, according to a new report from InStat/MDR, whilst these two mobile categories should have a bright future, there are still a… Continue reading Smartphones Struggle For User Acceptance, Says InStat

Figures for July show that broadcast advertising is picking up in the US and prospects for 2004 are even brighter with political and sporting events likely to act as a springboard. At its recent annual forecasting conference, the Television Bureau of Advertising re-iterated that spot TV advertising would increase by 1-3% this year with growth… Continue reading Nielsen Confirms Upturn In TV Adspend

BSkyB chief executive, Tony Ball, could leave the satellite broadcaster as part of a wider management shake-up implemented by Rupert Murdoch. Murdoch, whose News Corporation controls over 35% of BSykB, is reported to be in talks with Ball about his future at the television company following the expiry of his contract in June next year.… Continue reading Ball Could Depart BSkyB After Management Restructure

A strong performance in the US has helped international magazine publisher Future Network to achieve a rise in first half pre-tax profits of 22% to £1.1 million, on a rise in turnover of 9% to £80.6 million. The company said that UK profits, down by 0.1% to £6.0 million, were held back by increased launch… Continue reading Future Network Profits Up 22%, Buoyed By Strong US

Advertising groups WPP and Publicis have been linked with sports rights agency Sportfive, which is reported to have been put up for sale by its current owners. According to Reuters, potential bidders have been sent a prospectus on the business which matches up corporate sponsors with sports teams and individual players. It also sells the… Continue reading Advertising Giants Pursue Sportfive

Advertising expenditure in the UK increased by a nominal 1.2% year on year to almost £3.5 billion during the three months to June, as weaker than expected business conditions and the war in Iraq continued to weigh heavily on the market. The latest figures from the Advertising Association and World Advertising Research Centre (WARC) show… Continue reading Growth In UK Adspend Slows During Second Quarter

US radio advertising is continuing to show slow but steady growth, with July’s figures reporting a 3% rise over the previous year, according to the latest data from the US Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB). This follows 4% growth during June (see US Radio Revenue Strengthens With 4% Growth In June). Local revenues remained flat in… Continue reading US Radio Advertising Rises 3% In July

The wireless LAN sector is set to benefit from a surge in notebook sales and mobile workers will account for a majority of users in five years time, according to a report from Strategy Analytics. The technology research firm claims that enterprises will comprise 70% of all embedded-WLAN notebook PC sales globally through 2008. It… Continue reading Businesses Waking Up To WLAN Solutions

Global communications network, Aegis Group, has acquired the international research business Censydiam in a deal worth up to £8.75 million. Censydiam is based in Belgium but has offices in six other European countries as well as the US and Hong Kong. The company had revenues of approximately £15.7 million in 2002. Aegis will pay an… Continue reading Aegis Snaps Up Belgian Market Research Firm