World-News

Todays Sunday times brings Some Very Good News Indeed!

But, who will turn off the masts when they go bump? Blair/Gordon/Prescott? Or will they just be allowed to idle on and destroy the ozone layer, and use up the sparse energy, as they are in the process of?

Regards.

Agnes


The Sunday Times

July 30, 2006

Vodafone heeds critics and goes cool on 3G

Paul Durman

VODAFONE appears to have finally accepted what its critics have long told it: the revenue uplift from putting fancy 3G phones in its customers’ hands does not justify the cost.

Along with the rest of the mobile industry, Vodafone had hoped that 3G mobile networks would encourage customers to spend more money on services such as browsing the internet, downloading music and watching video clips.

However, less than two years since launching these services, Vodafone has discovered the incremental revenue they generate does not justify the hefty subsidies it has to offer on expensive 3G handsets. It has recently cut the level of subsidies it offers retailers, causing a sharp fall in the proportion of 3G phones it is selling.

After last week’s trading figures, James Barford of Enders Analysis estimated that sales of 3G phones have “plummeted ... from 20% of all handset sales in the prior quarter to just 12%”.

Vodafone would not confirm the size of the fall but said the Enders assessment was “reasonably accurate”. A spokesman said: “3G is being de-emphasised. You’re seeing a commercial evaluation.”

Vodafone said it had seen some revenue uplift from early adopters, and it is still promoting services such as mobile television and music downloads. But for the mass market, 3G networks will increasingly be used to offer cheaper voice calls to win market share from landline companies such as BT.

Claire Enders, who heads the analysis firm that bears her name, said Vodafone’s rethink on 3G was “the first good news we’ve had in a long time”. It showed Arun Sarin, the group’s chief executive, was prepared to listen to his critics, she said.

There was more bad news for 3G in a market-research report commissioned by Enders. This found that 63% of adults were not at all interested in 3G services, and a further 18% were not very interested.

Even those with a 3G phone showed little interest in the possibilities. Seven out of ten had either never made a video call, or had done so only once. More than half of 3G phone owners had never watched a video clip or downloaded music after an initial test. Three-quarters of consumers said they were unwilling to pay £5 a month to watch mobile TV.

The telephone study, conducted by BMRB, also makes grim reading for 3, the newest of the mobile networks and the only one dedicated to 3G. Only one third of 3’s existing customers plan to resubscribe with the network — less than half the loyalty displayed by its principal competitors.

O2 has the most loyal customers, with 81% planning to stay with it. Virgin Mobile also scored well, its 76% loyalty score putting it ahead of Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile. 3 said it did not consider the findings statistically significant because only a “very small” number of its customers were interviewed. It said the level of its customer “churn” was in line with its rivals.

Copyright 2006 Times Newspapers Ltd.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2769-2291142,00.html

I often wonder what happened to T Mobile who were caught by the BBC putting up 3G phone masts illegally. Were they ever fined? Does anyone know? And who are the body that would deal with it?

My complaint to OFCOM was regarding exactly the same situation here in my village - Orange turned up to upgrade without notifying anyone - said it was maintenance (which I have in writing), then said they were upgrading but that it was not altering the site because they were swapping the antennae for dual purpose ones.

I have beaten the door down at OFCOM - and now DCLG - but it looks like the phone operators have both of these departments in their back pocket (when Orange were told that I was challenging their "OFCOM given right to transmit" they immediately contacted OFCOM).

What we need to be doing is bombarding OFCOM and DCLG with complaints of unlawful upgrading everywhere - because you can be certain that they have done this covertly in most areas. Orange, buoyed by this success, are now planning to install a "temporary mast" in another location in my village - then will apply to make it permanent. They are claiming "emergency" powers because of the loss of a site in a totally different location. I have complained to our Council who have contacted the Agent, telling them it would be unlawful and would send out a wrong message to the Community - then add that if they do go ahead with the installation, they would have to submit a retro application and if this goes against them the mast would have to be removed!!! Yeh.

I feel another Ombudsman form coming on.

Sylvia

You may probably already know that tomorrow is the annual shareholders meeting by Vodafone. Sorry, don't, as yet, know where it is to be held but it could be a great opportunity for a demonstration!! Many of the shareholders are very unhappy with the performance of Vodafone and want to see the back of Sarin. Vodafone aren't doing well.

Trawling through bbc.co.uk and going into business site and looking at Vodafone, all kinds of things came up. Particularly heartbreaking, under the heading "Rural Africa joins mobile revolution"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4036503.stm is a picture of an African woman wielding a hoe under the shadow of a phone mast. "their land surrounds a 50 metre mobile telecommunication transmitter, part of a modern network which is gradually opening up some of Tanzania's poorest and most remote regions to mobile telecommunications.

3 operators, Vodacom, Celtel and Mobitel, are busy rolling out networks while a fourth, Zantel is based on the island of Zanzibar." Siemens is overseeing the building work of base stations in Tanzania. "Mr. Lyakurwa's team of riggers, all of whom are Tanzanian, scale the base stations, installing communications equipment, which link the towers and create a mobile network." There's lots more on this, too much to put on an email, but interesting and horrifying. Many of the very poor can hardly afford to eat, but will soon feel pressurised to buy a mobile. And we can bet the Operators won't tell them about the dangers of the technology - only how good it all is. Still on the bbc.co.uk business, did you know that Hutchison Whampoa which controls the 3UK network is suing one of its partners - the Dutch firm KPN. "We have instituted legal proceedings in London against KPN mobile for breach of contract and to claim damages for that breach" a Hutchison spokeswoman said. AND Hutchison have sent out a circular saying they have acquired the entire issued share capital of Indusind Telecom Network Ltd., (a company incorporated in India) Reading through that, it is interesting to note that one of the vendors is Hinduja TMT, (along with lnNetwork Entertainment, Kumbat and Pacific Horizon. (Is this the Hinduja that Blair and his cronies were associated with and there was a huge embarrassment?)

Where there's muck there's money, and the telecom industry, along with the politicians are very mucky. If you want to read loads and loads on the telecom businesses, use the bbc. site whilst it is still there.

Vivienne B.

Wednesbury Action for the Removal of Telephone masts. http://www.w-a-r-t.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5195910.stm

With the population becoming addicted to having either a mobile pressed to their head or an MP3 player plugged into their ears most of the time, it's no wonder they are becoming oblivious to the world around them and getting mugged. They are totally absorbed in their own parallel universe cut off from reality, where TV, film and DVD's constantly treat bad language, under age sex and violence as normal behaviour. With so called "Celebrities" encouraging and promoting loutish behaviour, bad language, promiscuity etc on these "Reality" TV shows, it's no wonder we have an increase in crime when there is no respect for values and good taste. Even program writers constantly depict disrespect of police, teachers and anyone in authority by the actors in the programs.

Youngsters are unable to speak the Queens English (don ya fink vats ry ? ), have the retention span of a Goldfish, and are loosing the ability to read anything other than TXT mssg wrds. And these are the generation that will be taking "Media Studies" at skule an goin inta va telly bisnus. Sorry for banging on.

God help us.

A Grumpy Old Man

Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA

15th July 2006


Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: Complaint about interference to TV/video facilities

When I telephoned the appropriate department some 10 days to two weeks ago, I was informed that a complaints form would be put in the post that day.

To date I have not received it. Therefore please treat this letter as a complaint about interference to video facilities from the 02 Airwave police communications system TETRA.

In the past many people, including ourselves, were unable to watch our TVs due to direct interference to the picture and sound quality when TETRA was being used/tested.

The many people across the UK who are sensitive to TETRA – and there are some who are only mainly sensitive to TETRA – can “feel” the presence of TETRA in their homes when this occurs, so we know it is purely TETRA and not atmospheric pressure or some other feeble excuse.

These same sensitive people across the UK have noted at least 3 changes to TETRA since then, each affecting us differently and not pleasantly.

The most recent change has meant that when we video TV programs we like to view at a more convenient time, they have been unwatchable due to a distinct pulsing interference which blocks out most of the picture and sometimes affects the quality of the sound. The sequences have changes 3 times over several weeks, which suggests testing, but always part of it contains a one second on and one second off pulsing which is impossible to watch.

Since your department did not even have the decency to send out a complaint form, and because I know that no one in authority cares if we cannot watch TV when we wish, or record programs when we wish, I have now cancelled the TV licence.

In the future, when it is finally proved that this technology, and especially TETRA, does harm people and animal life, and interfers with people lives and health, I will ensure that Ofcom is named, alongside many others, as being obstructive in the search for the truth.

I will also help others to claim compensation for the absolute destruction of their lives and human rights, unless Ofcom addresses the interference problems TETRA causes, so that people can enjoy the material things they buy for pleasure/necessity.

Ofcom is supposedly there to serve the people, not to serve the purposes of big companies or the Government. The people elected the Government to manage the country in the best interests of the people.

I would also suggest that Ofcom ensures accurate registration of ALL masts, to include TETRA and those put up without planning permission, if it wants to avoid its present bad reputation with those in the majority – the people of the UK.

I will be writing to the BBC to explain why I have cancelled my TV Licence and I will include a copy of this letter.


Sandi Lawrence

by 'Hedgehog'
Private Eye
7 July 2006

Stacking the odds against rail freight in favour of lorries is a tradition going back at least half a century and despite all the fine official talk about cutting greenhouse gases and improving road safety, little has changed.

Some lorry drivers are concerned about temporary electromagnetic interference in their vehicles control systems. In other industries including rail, problems of this nature would trigger official investigations, suspension of affected equipment or practices and new safety rules or standards..

The official response to this disturbing fault on lorries is that new standards will be applied ...... but not until 2014. Possibly.

Long distance lorry driver Peter Orr told the Eye how his modern truck, equipped with a high-tech engine control unit (ECU) suffered brief loss of control as it passed through areas of interference: "Interference from powerful radio signals is knocking out the brakes and gearbox in my truck and others. In the last two years there's been a massive boost in radio aerial power. We've had serious issues with our trucks. It affects the gearbox and braking of 44 ton trucks, but it doesn't leave a memory in the computer system. It just says - There's a fault on your ECU"

He said the problem was acute in France but also occurred in Britain. including at a motorway service station, where there were communication masts either side of the road. He had reported the issue to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, the government body overseeing vehicle safety, in February 2005, but feels he was brushed off.

VOSA refused to tell the Eye how many drivers or businesses had reported the problem to it.

On its testing programme for interference, VOSA said:

"VOSA does not currently do any tests on electromagnetic interference for vehicle systems such as gearbox controllers. There are EC Type Approval Directives on the subject but they are not currently part of the mandatory EC Type Approval requirements for the registration of any class of motor vehicle other than private cars and motorcycles.

However part of the type approval requirement for anti-lock braking systems usually fitted to heavy goods vehicles requires that these systems only are not adversely affected by magnetic or electrical fields, although it does not reference directive standards. Many of the goods vehicles sold in the UK now are type approved elsewhere in the EC".

Which in english means that nobody bothered to define minimum standards which trucks have to meet to ensure the systems controlling brakes and gearboxes are immune from electromagnetic interference.

VOSA added: "For the future, EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) testing for all vehicle systems as well as the existing anti-lock braking system is likely to become a mandatory requirement for type approval for heavy gooods vehicles, potentially from 2014."

(article gives contrasting detail of the very stringent standards being applied to railway stock ....... keeping it out of service until all performance uncertainties are resolved)

Such are the safety standards in an industry with segregated rights of way (rail).

Road vehicles run through residential streets , pass schools and share routes with pedestrians and cyclists, but applying but applying stringent safety standards there is just too difficult, apparently.

'Hegehog' @ Private Eye

from artjar

I would like to request that anyone who is electrosensitive, to take part in a survey questionnaire about your condition.

I am acting on behalf of a lady by the name of Sarah Dacre, who would like to gather as much information as possible, on people with electro-sensitivity. This will then be presented to Sir William Stewart of the National Radiological Protection Board.

If you would like to take part in the survey, please send me an e-mail and I will send you a word document to complete and send back.

ryanaw@myway.com

Thank you for your cooperation

Ryan



http://freepage.twoday.net/search?q=Sarah+Dacre
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Sarah+Dacre

Tonight West Kirby residents, along with Wirral West Parliamentary candidate, Esther McVey, and Conservative Councillor Jeff Green, celebrated success in Wallasey Town Hall. Over 40 residents attended Wirral's Planning Committee to hear the committee refuse planning permission for a 15 metre high telecommunications mast and ancillary equipment in Orrysdale Road, West Kirby.

Speaking on behalf of local residents at the Planning committee, Cllr. Jeff Green, Conservative Councillor for West Kirby and Thurstaston outlined the concerns of the residents and asked that the Planning Committee refuse the application.

Cllr Green said: "The location identified by 02 is clearly totally unsuitable. The mast would be five metres higher than any of the existing street lights this along with the 1.5 metre high cabinets would create clutter and clearly be detrimental to the visual amenity of the area.

West Kirby resident and mast campaigner, Kate Evans said, "I am delighted by this decision, too often planning permission is given for the erection of poorly-located masts, I have real concerns about the health implications caused by the use of these masts, it's a pity that the Government will not allow the Council to refuse applications on health grounds. Unfortunately because of the current system there is a presumption in favour of development which overrides local, environmental and safety concerns. Clearly on this occasion common sense has prevailed." "I would like to thank all those residents who came together and organised the opposition to this application. It is thanks to their pro-active and robust work in organising the petition of opposition that the officers have recommended refusal. I would also like to thank all the people who attended the planning committee this evening, those who signed the petition and sent in letters opposing the application as well as those who gave their support in many other ways", added Esther McVey 02 have the right of appeal against the planning committee's decision.

Esther and the West Kirby and Thurstaston Councillors have pledged to keep residents informed of any appeal or future planning applications by 02 or any other telecommunications companies.

http://www.wirralwestconservatives.co.uk/West-Kirby-residents-defeat-02.html


Well done to West Kirby residents.

W-A-R-T Wednesbury Action for the Removal of Telephone masts. http://www.w-a-r-t.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk