Skype strikes out on 3G

Skype has clinched a deal with mobile operator 3 to provide free calls over the Internet from 3G handsets. After the conclusion of trials scheduled for the next few months, 3 will begin selling mobiles with Skype software pre-loaded. Users will be able to talk to each other and to computer-based Skype users for no charge over and above their mobile contract payment. ...more

Vegas unveiling for Windows Mobile 5.0

Bill Gates has officially unveiled Windows Mobile 5.0, a new version of Microsoft's software platform for mobile devices and phones. It is designed to give mobile operators more options to differentiate themselves from competitors in the services they can provide, and also support a wider range of device form factors. ...more

BT gets unmetered

BT has officially announced its unmetered Internet access package - it's called "BTinternet Anytime" and will cost you a monthly fixed fee of ?14.99. Available from January 2001, the package includes 10Mb of Webspace for building Web sites and one year's use of the Web filtering software CyberPatrol. ...more

Chancellor axes Home Computer Initiative

In his budget yesterday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown killed off the Home Computer Initiative. From 6 April companies who lend computers to their staff will have to pay up to ?200 per employee as well as the National Insurance payment. Introduced in 1999, the Home Computer Initiative was originally designed to encourage employees to get computers at home, improve their IT skills and, as a by-product, encourage the development of telecommuting. ...more

Industry giants combine to promote DVB-H

The market for TV on mobiles is hotting up further with the announcement of a new industry body to promote the DVB-H format for delivering video to mobile devices. The Mobile DTV Alliance consists of some of the biggest players in mobile and wireless communications including Intel, Motorola, Nokia and Texas Instruments. The companies say they are planning to promote the use of the open standard amongst mobile operators, which will allow subscribers to receive streamed TV and video to their mobile devices whilst keeping the bandwidth free to receive voice and data communications. ...more