Norwich sets UK broadband first

Norwich is to be the first UK city with its own dedicated high-speed broadband network. A system that will cover the city centre, business parks and Norwich Airport could be up and running in 2004. By using existing installations such as sewers, river beds and spare ducting, the project is expected to save some 60 to 70 per cent on schemes that involve digging up the roads, and is designed to provide small and medium-sized businesses - who might be put off by the high cost of leased lines - with affordable broadband access. ...more

BT chooses Microsoft for TV over broadband solution

BT has opted to use Microsoft's TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform for its mooted TV over broadband service. Microsoft says that the IPTV Edition software platform allows broadband suppliers to deliver engaging, high-quality video content and services to their customers using their existing and next-generation broadband networks. The platform supports standard- and high-definition channels, on-demand programming, digital video recording and interactive program guides. ...more

Correction: Music publishers license guitar tabs for the Web

Please note that there was an error in last week's story about the licensing of websites to reproduce guitar tabs. Music publishers license guitar tabs for the Web reported that the tabs were being licensed by the Music Publishers Association. In fact a separate organisation, the National Music Publishers' Association, is licensing them through its subsidiary, The Harry Fox Agency (HFA). ...more

BSkyB snacks on ITV shares, casting a shadow over NTL takeover plans

BSkyB has taken an 18 per cent share in ITV in what is widely considered to be a spoiler to prevent a takeover of the terrestrial broadcaster by NTL Telewest. The satellite broadcaster's ?1 billion stake falls just short of the 20 per cent limit that the 2003 Communications Act places on cross-media ownership. BSkyB chief executive James Murdoch stressed that he was not interested in a place on ITV's board, though whether this will be enough to placate industry-regulator Ofcom remains to be seen. ...more

Dell leads with Lexmark

Dell Computer to enter the printer market with a Lexmark alliance. Dell Computer has ended months of speculation with the announcement that it is to launch its own range of 'imaging products' in the new year. Rumours began when Dell dropped Hewlett-Packard as a partner and the only real question is not 'whether?' or even 'when?' but 'with who?' Over the past few months, Dell has been engaged in a beauty contest with all the leading printer manufacturers before settling on Lexmark. ...more