NTL sees broadband value in local loop unbundling

NTL is planning a major expansion of its ADSL broadband services by unbundling 300 of BT's busiest exchanges. The cable provider has decided that since BT cut the cost of local loop unbundling by 70 per cent DSL is now a more cost effective way of growing the business than widening cable coverage. On completion of the LLU programme, NTL will have added around two million potential customers to the eight million homes currently within reach of its cable network. ...more

Microsoft preps MSN Messenger for significant upgrade

With March totting up 100 million active users, Microsoft believes it's ready to put some clear water between MSN Messenger and its closest rivals, with what it describes as a 'significant upgrade' for the summer. According to the companies, independent research firms put MSN Messenger in the top spot for free instant messaging services in 11 countries. This certainly puts it at the top for Europe, holding sway in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. ...more

Dell foresees gloom and then doom

Dell has moved to lower earnings expectations by issuing a profits warning for its fourth quarter. And the outlook is so tight that its CEO has forecast that at least two of the current top ten PC makers will be out of business by the end of the year. Michael Dell is reported to have made the dire prediction regarding PC builders at a conference call organised to announce the company's revised financial expectations. ...more

Beta code of 'Office 11' emerges

Microsoft sets off along the road to 'Office 11', the next version of its massively popular office software suite. The company has now officially announced the release of Beta 1 code. Don't rush, however, to get your hands on the software. ...more

DTI allocates ?30m broadband cash

Although 13 million homes in the UK are connected to broadband-equipped exchanges the service has just 160,000 users, leaving the UK languishing ninth in the European table of broadband Internet coverage. In an attempt to rectify this, the government announced earlier this year that it would be making ?30 million available to Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to develop schemes to make rolling out broadband services in rural areas financially attractive for operators. Douglas Alexander, E-Commerce Minister, announced today where the money will be allocated. ...more