BT considering mobile internet service?

The Guardian says BT is considering setting up a mobile phone or mobile data service in partnership with T-Mobile and 3. It currently offers some mobile services as an optional extension of its broadband package.

T-Mobile and 3 sign BT backhaul deal

T-Mobile and 3 have signed a deal with BT Wholesale to link their base stations to the UK telecommunications networks, freeing them from managing the connections themselves. The deal - technically with the joint-venture partnership between T-Mobile and 3's network operations -lasts for 5 years and echoes similar deals with Vodafone and O2 earlier this year. [Source: FT.com]

20% of second-hand mobiles contain sensitive data

New research from BT, the University of Glamorgan and Edith Cowan University in Australia has revealed that a significant number of second-hand portable communication devices still contain sensitive company and personal information. The survey of over 160 used devices found a range of information including salary details, financial company data, bank account details, business plans, meeting details and personal medical information. BlackBerry devices were found to contain the greatest amount of unprotected data; 43% contained information that could identify organisations or individuals. [Press release]

Consumers using mobile web for high-street bargains

Mobile internet users (well, users of the BT ToGo smartphone, really) are using their mobiles to check prices and product reviews when they're on the move, according to new research. 45% have browsed for goods or services, with one in three checking prices or looking for a review. Consumers spent an average 2.5 hours a week using the mobile internet, with 71% visiting search sites, 66% visiting news sites and 45% visiting travel & transport sites. 22% of users visited price comparison sites. [Press release]

UK's mobile networks owe BT millions

The Competition Appeal Tribunal says BT is owed millions of pounds by Britain's mobile phone networks. It says BT was overcharged by the mobile networks when its customers called mobile phones from a fixed-line phone. The ruling dates back to 2006 but could also affect the tribunal's current investigation into mobile termination charges. [Source: Guardian.co.uk]

O2 increases iPhone WiFi coverage

O2 and BT have done a deal to let iPhone customers use BT Openzone WiFi hotspots free when the 3G iPhone launches. This adds around 3,000 hotspots to O2’s existing deal with The Cloud, which means customers will now have over 9,000 free WiFi hotspots in the UK. [Source: vnunet.com]

BT and O2 do connectivity deal

O2 has announced an agreement that'll see BT providing and managing the connectivity between most of O2's base stations and its UK network. It's a five-year agreement that follows a similar deal between BT and Vodafone that was reported last month. [Press release]

BT launches mobile broadband service

BT has launched a new combined home-and-mobile broadband service called out BT Total Broadband Anywhere. The package costs £29.99 monthly and offers a free smartphone plus BT’s Total Broadband service in the home. Customers can choose between two devices, both christened BT ToGo: the HTC S620 or the HTC S710. Both devices can use compatible WiFi hotspots for VoIP calls and browsing; they'll use the mobile network at other times. [Press release]

Vodafone does connectivity deal with BT

Vodafone UK has signed a 5-year agreement with BT that involves BT Wholesale providing and managing the connections between Vodafone’s base stations and its national network. The deal will enable Vodafone to handle the increasing amount of data that's sent and received on its network. [BT press release]

BT Fusion on the way out?

The Daily Telegraph reports that BT is no longer promoting Fusion, its fixed/mobile convergence service. Customers can use the BT Fusion handset as a home phone (on WiFi via their home broadband ), with it switching automatically to Vodafone's mobile network or using BT WiFi hotspots outside the home. However, the newspaper says only 45,000 people have subscribed, rather than the millions forecast.