Ecommerce sales fall in January, claims IMRG
2024 has got off to a very slow start for ecommerce sales, with online revenue falling -7% Year-on-Year (YoY) in January against a decline of -3.5% last year, according to the IMRG Online Retail Index, which tracks the online sales of over 200 retailers. While that is not the sharpest rate of decline in the…
Virgin Media revives interest in TalkTalk, Google One hits 100 million subscribers
Ding, ding.. round two. News reports claim that Virgin Media (VMO2) has allegedly revived its interest in a takeover of budget broadband ISP TalkTalk. But this time they’re reportedly focusing much more specifically upon the internet provider’s consumer division. The long-established internet and phone provider – home to almost 4 million UK broadband customers (2.4m on FTTC/P) – is…
The Future of Internet Speed: What to Expect in 2024 and Beyond
Once upon a time, in the age of dial-up, even one megabit per second was considered a fast internet speed. Today, that’s barely enough to register on an internet speed test, and the average US internet speed is now a sprightly 171 mbps — many times faster than just a few years ago. Plus, many…
Ring rinses customers with 43% price hike for subscription
Users of Ring video doorbells have reacted angrily to a huge price hike set to be introduced in March. After buying the devices, customers can pay a subscription to store footage on the cloud, download clips and get discounted products. That subscription is going up 43%, from £34.99 to £49.99 per device, per year, for basic…
FCC makes AI-generated ‘robocalls’ illegal, Google Bard becomes Gemini
The federal agency that regulates communication in the US has made robocalls that use AI-generated voices illegal. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the move on Thursday, saying it will take effect immediately. It gives the state power to prosecute any bad actors behind these calls, the FCC said. It comes amid a rise in…
Ofcom investigates Virgin Media over migration from analogue to digital landlines
Ofcom has opened an investigation into Virgin Media’s compliance with its rules while migrating customers from analogue to digital landlines. In a statement it said: "We have been clear that during this process telecoms companies must ensure they identify, protect and support vulnerable customers. We are concerned about Virgin Media’s compliance with our rules requiring providers…
UK Space Agency announces funding to extend satellite life and tackle space debris
Satellite Applications Catapult’s In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing facility, Westcott Space Cluster. Image shows the robot tracking equipment, with a target satellite and the Airbus VISPA robotic arm. Credit: Airbus Defence and Space The UK Space Agency has announced funding for work that aims to prolong the life of satellites, as part…
Disney invests $1.5 billion into maker of Fortnite, Nuclear Fusion energy record set
Disney's chief executive, Bob Iger, has announced a series of moves which he hopes will bring "significant growth" to the entertainment giant. The plans include streaming an exclusive version of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concert movie on Disney+. The firm will also invest $1.5bn (£1.2bn) in Epic Games, the maker of the hugely popular video…
Sky hikes annual prices by average of 6.7%
Sky internet, phone and Pay TV customers have today been told to brace for an average annual price hike of 6.7%, down from 8.1% last year. This will be introduced from 1st April 2024. While Sky has traditionally shunned the inflationary (CPI/RPI) linked price hike policies of their rivals, which in recent years has resulted…
Drive Electric expands EV benefits for EDF customers
DriveElectric is lowering the cost of driving an electric vehicle (EV) even further, it claims, by launching additional new cost-saving features to expand the benefits of its salary sacrifice scheme for EDF’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business customers. The salary sacrifice scheme can now include the option of a Pod Point home charger, a…
