Final call for old numbers

Well, if you've so far managed to ignore the Big Number campaign and carried on life using the old mobile numbers that have been kept on, it's time to wake up and smell the digits, because, as of Saturday, they'll all be switched off. Old numbers for mobiles and pagers have been kept on, running alongside the new numbers since the campaign began in September 1999. However, users trying to dial outdated numbers after Saturday will not be connected and receive a recorded message. ...more

Antivirus revenues continue to climb

According to research group Gartner, antivirus revenues are continuing to climb, despite consolidation of the market and the entrance of Microsoft. Year on year, the revenues from the market have grown some 13 per cent to more than $4 billion. However, Gartner says it has changed the way it tots up the figures: whereas previously it collected data on new sales, it is now accounting for subscription renewals and managed services, which will naturally lift the figures. ...more

Microsoft hits eight bootleggers with lawsuits

Microsoft has stepped up its campaign against the counterfeiters by issuing eight lawsuits against companies in the US, who allegedly have been selling bootleg copies of Windows software. Each of the companies that are being sued by Microsoft is accused of distributing counterfeit versions of Windows, other Microsoft software or the Certificate of Authenticity. Over the past couple of years, Microsoft has tightened up the loopholes that made it easier for counterfeiters to operate. ...more

US VoIP firms form industry body

A group of US companies involved in the emerging VoIP sector have banded together to publicise the benefits of voice over the Internet and drive up adoption and usage. The initiative, to be known as the Internet Voice Campaign, is part of the VON Coalition. The founding members of the Internet Voice Campaign include EarthLink, Google, Level 3, Pulver. ...more

Music sales slump 10.7 per cent

Worldwide music sales were down almost 11 per cent in the first half of 2003, according to the latest figures from industry body the IFPI. Inevitably, unauthorised copying and downloading have been blamed. The IFPI claims that the USA, Germany, Japan and Canada have seen 'the numbers of unauthorised downloads of tracks and copied CDs reach, and in some cases exceed, the levels of legitimate track and CD album sales. ...more