BT plots switch to IP by 2008

BT has given itself four year to switch its entire telephone system from PSTN to IP networks, the company announced today. Following a trial at 18 exchanges beginning October this year, mass migration will take place in 2006 with completion scheduled for 2008. BT says that the switch will be seamless with equal or better call quality and will increase consumer choice and control, whilst saving $1bn a year by 2009. ...more

DVD watermark to curb piracy

A coalition of seven companies has developed the technology to add digital watermarks to DVDs. Hitachi, NEC, Pioneer, Sony, DigiMarc, Macrovision, and Phillips have formed the Video Watermarking Group. The companies have been in discussion for a number of months to combine their technological know-how to create the digital system. ...more

AOL makes 1Mbit broadband push

AOL is the latest ISP to announce a 1Mbit/sec service, following a two-month trial. AOL's offering will cost ?34.99 and the company will cover BT's charge for existing customers who want to upgrade from a 512K connection. ...more

UPDATED: Legal woes block UK online ink cartridge reseller

UK online ink cartridge reseller Recharge has agreed to stop selling Epson-compatible cartridges after facing legal proceedings. Epson claims that Bolton-based Recharge Inkjet Technologies Limited, which trades under the name CartridgeMonkey.com, will pay it a 'substantial settlement payment' and promise 'not to infringe Epson's patents and registered designs'. ...more

Nildram offers free ISP switching and broadband upgrades

Nildram is waiving the charge for customers of any other ISP who wish to switch to Nildram, though this only applies on a like-to-like basis. If you wish to convert from an engineer-installed to a self-installed service or change the connection speed, you have to migrate your existing service to Nildram first, before applying to re-grade their connection speed. However, the ISP is also offering its existing customers free upgrades to a faster ADSL connection, though 'free' of course does not inlcude the higher monthly rental for the faster services. ...more