High copper prices prompt BT rethink on fibre optics

BT is considering changing its policy on the installation of fibre optics, having previously rejected them as an alternative to its copper-based network. Bob Cowie, chief engineer of BT Openreach, said that the rising price of copper had prompted the telecoms company to reconsider. 'The most significant change in the last 12 months has been the price of copper on the world market, Cowie, told journalists in Tokyo. ...more

Microsoft outlines objections to EC ruling

As it prepares its appeal against the EC's recent antitrust ruling, Microsoft has published a paper outlining its objections. It describes the decision, which fined the company ?333mn and imposed tough rules on shipping Media Player with Windows and licensing its server protocols, as 'a troubling departure from international legal rules designed to encourage innovation through well-established intellectual property rights'. It says the EC has: invented 'new law in an effort to justify unprecedented regulatory intervention', in arriving at its decision; included measures rejected by the DoJ in the US antitrust process; and ignored international obligations set out by the WTO. ...more

Government gives go ahead for Internet-only pharmacies to dispense NHS prescriptions

The UK government is set to allow Internet-only pharmacies to dispense NHS prescriptions for the first time. Previously an online pharmacy had to have traditional premises in order to be able to dispense online. The move is part of a general overhaul of high street chemists following the recommendations of an Office of Fair Trading report earlier this year. ...more

Google attacked for 'hostility to privacy'

Google has an 'entrenched hostility to privacy', according to new report. The Web search leader's commitment to consumer privacy came under fire from Privacy International, a group that has previously singled it out for criticism. The London-based group released a report on Saturday entitled 'A Race to the Bottom - Privacy Ranking of Internet Service Companies'. ...more

Cisco tackles worms with network gatekeeper

Networking giant Cisco Systems has come up with a solution which will enable system administrators to block off computers and other devices from attaching themselves to sensitive networks. The Cisco Network Admission Control program has been developed in collaboration with a number of security companies including Network Associates, Symantec, and Trend Micro. Cisco has identified a problem whereby administrators have managed to prevent attacks through firewalls and mail servers yet have fallen victim to viruses and worms which are spread when an infected PC via a mobile or guest user logs directly into the network. ...more