UK number portability group publishes first report

UKPorting, the industry body that is working towards the two-hour mobile number porting time mandated by Ofcom for September 2009, has published its first report. It says the project is going well but it lacks resources, which could affect its ability to complete its work on time. Future updates will be published monthly.

New podcast from 'The Fonecast' now online

This week's downloadable podcast about the mobile industry (from TheFonecast.com in partnership with Mobile News), is now available to download from TheFonecast.com. Iain Graham, Mark Bridge and James Rosewell take a look at the latest mobile industry news and gossip, including a special review of the Mobile News Awards 2008. In addition, there's a quick look at the new Sony Ericsson Xperia X1... and there's even a competition at the end of the show. Each broadcast can be downloaded by including us in your RSS reader, by using iTunes, by visiting TheFonecast.com or by visiting the Mobile News website.

Ofcom proposes clampdown on mobile mis-selling

Ofcom is proposing a change to the law surrounding mis-selling mobile phone services. Its proposal covers customers being given incorrect information, 'slamming' (where consumers are committed to a new contract without their consent) and cashback schemes.

The new rules will require mobile service providers:

• not to engage in dishonest, misleading or deceptive conduct and to ensure that those selling their products and services do not mis-sell;
• to make sure the customer is authorised to, and intends to, enter into a contract;
• to make sure customers get the information they need when they buy the product;
• to ensure that the terms and conditions of all sales incentives offered by their retailers are not unreasonable; and
• to carry out due diligence and checks to ensure the soundness of their retailers.

Ofcom says these new rules - if implemented - will let them formally investigate complaints and impose sanctions for breaches of the regulations. They'd like feedback on their proposal by 29 April 2008.

German truck driver escapes 'driving with a mobile' offence

A German lorry driver has escaped a penalty for driving while holding a mobile phone - because he wasn't making a call, just using it to keep his ear warm. Walter Klein told a court in Hamm that he'd just recharged the phone and was using its warmth to sooth his earache. He produced an itemised telephone bill that showed he hadn't been using the phone when he was stopped by police. [Source: Ananova.com]

Ofcom and EU announce Mobile TV plans

Telecomms regulator Ofcom has said it’s going to auction the so-called L band of frequencies that run from 1452 to 1492MHz in the middle of the GSM spectrum. The EU has suggested that the spectrum should be reserved for mobile TV, although Ofcom hasn’t set any such criteria on the auction. The L band sale will probably take place at the end of April and – as well as being useful for Mobile TV services – is also likely to appeal to companies looking to offer satellite digital radio and broadband wireless access. A couple of days after this announcement came news that the European Commission was officially endorsing DVB-H as the recommended Mobile TV standard for all its members.

Carphone Warehouse and Handango sign deal

Smartphone software provider Handango has just announced a distribution deal with The Carphone Warehouse. Handango applications will be sold through Carphone Warehouse stores in the UK, starting with a special software package for the BlackBerry Pearl.

More customers using mobile shopping and mobile banking

A study from Harris Interactive says that mobile phone users are increasingly comfortable making banking and purchase transactions while on-the-go. 16% of mobile phone customers in the USA already use mobile banking services, with over half of these people using the services at least once a week. When it comes to shopping, about 25% of people with mobile access to the internet use their devices to buy goods and services online via a credit card. The biggest concern was security, with 66% being apprehensive about sending financial information online.

There are three types of mobile customer

American research firm InsightExpress says that mobile phone subscribers can be grouped into three distinct profiles according to their behaviour. 15% of users are Mobile Pioneers, who are first to adopt new features. Most of them are under 35, male and single. Mobile Wannabes make up 25% of all users. They’re not as confident about new features but would like to use them more, they’re mainly over 35 and they generally don’t have smartphones. Finally, 60% of all users are Mobile Traditionalists, who stick to talk and text. Two thirds of this group are over 35 years old.

iPhone update already hacked?

Last week on The Fonecast we were talking about the new iPhone update that’s scheduled for June. This week there are reports in Wired magazine that it’s already been unlocked by a group of software hackers called the iPhone Dev Team. Apparently the hacked version of iPhone 2.0 will allow customers to run any software on the phone and will keep the phones unlocked even if the customer receives a software update from Apple.

Vodafone to cut 450 jobs

Vodafone says it's going to cut 450 management jobs, mainly from its Newbury HQ, and will create 460 new retail, sales and service positions. The company says this will help it focus on data sales and other services. It's also planning to add an extra 30 jobs to its online business. [Source: Reuters.com, CNNMoney.com]

Vodafone's Indian court case postponed

Vodafone's challenge to its $2 billion tax bill at the Bombay High Court has been postponed until 23rd June 2008. Vodafone pointed out that the relevant section of Indian law was currently being amended, with the changes applying retrospectively. The case has now been deferred until after the law is changed, giving Vodafone time to file an amended petition. [Source: Business-Standard.com]

New podcast from 'The Fonecast' now online

This week's free podcast of The Fonecast, a weekly downloadable broadcast about the mobile phone industry (in partnership with Mobile News), is now available to download from TheFonecast.com. As usual, Iain Graham, Mark Bridge and James Rosewell provide their regular weekly look at the latest headlines and rumours. Freelance journalist Steve Gold explains the benefits of selling mobile email for dealers, and the Samsung SGH-F110 miCoach handset comes under the team's spotlight. Each broadcast can be downloaded by including us in your RSS reader, by using iTunes, by visiting TheFonecast.com or from the Mobile News website.

O2 man moves to Virgin Mobile

Former O2 UK general manager of channel support Ian Driver, who left his previous role in November last year, has been appointed to Virgin Mobile's indirect sales channel. [Source: Mobile News]

Spinvox considering flotation

Voicemail-to-text company Spinvox is said to be considering a stock market flotation as one of its options for raising funds. The five-year-old company now operates in seven countries and expects its sales to increase from from £40 million this year to £100 million in 2009. [Source: Sunday Times]

Networks see lack of profitability for mobile data

Mobile network operators expect to lose profitability on mobile data before long, according to a report on ZDNet from a Next Generation Mobile Networks meeting. Senior executives are quoted as saying the popularity of flat-rate mobile data tariffs means usage is set to increase at a greater rate than revenue. Networks also want to reduce the number of new base stations they need.

Vodafone goes to court in India over $2 billion tax bill

Vodafone is going to be at the Mumbai High Court this week, opposing a case by the Indian tax authorities that says the company is liable for around $2 billion in taxes following its acquisition of the Hutchison Essar network last year. Vodafone says it isn't liable to pay capital gains tax on behalf of Hutchison because the transaction didn't involve any Indian businesses. It says the deal took place between a Dutch-owned Vodafone company and a Cayman Island-based organisation owned by Hutchison. [Source: FT.com]

O2 and Vodafone in 'best employer' top 20

O2 and Vodafone both feature in the 2008 Sunday Times "20 Best Big Companies to Work For" survey. O2 - at 6th place - is the highest-ranked telecommunications company, despite dropping from 5th place last year. Vodafone is also in the top 20, dropping two places from last year's number 15 to 17th place. However, neither company ranks in the overall top 100. Top big company was financial advisory group KPMG, while overall top employer was central heating company Heat.

iPlayer for iPhone

A beta version of the BBC iPlayer is now available for the Apple iPhone. [Source: BBC blog]

Entertainment software is 2007's most-popular download

Smartphone software company Handango says entertainment products were last year's most-popular choice of download. Handango says entertainment software accounted for 17% of its 2007 sales - moving to the top of 2007's list from third place in 2006 - with business and professional content dropping from 18% in 2006 to 16% in 2007. [Press release]

New mobile photo blog service launched

A mobile photo blogging service called NowThen has been launched by UK-based Blinkx. Photos can be stored online and sent to any number of people for the price of a standard MMS message. [Source: BrandRepublic.com]