Oftel to review UK dial-up deals

Oftel, the UK telecoms regulator, has begun a review of the UK's dial-up market to gauge whether or not there is effective competition. Oftel says that 25 per cent of UK homes access the Web via dial-up connections and is investigating how pricing compares with the UK's main rivals. Although it believes we have some of the best off-peak deals in Europe, it is looking into ways of making peak-rate access better value. ...more

mmO2's quiet Revolution

The mobile operator rolls out interactive portal in preparation for mobile data boom In contrast with the closed Vodafone Live service, O2's Revolution will be open to anyone on any network. The operator is currently finalising the last of its 40-odd applications with which it is launching. The applications cost ?1. ...more

The future looks bear for hi-tech stocks

It was a Black Monday yesterday, as far as hi-tech shares were concerned, on stock exchanges around the world. The darkening financial state of the technology sector - whether it be the dot-com collapse, the shrinking demand for desktop PCs or the billion euro debts of 3G-bidding telcos - is now familiar, but a collection of statistics from the last 24 hours underlines the situation. A selling of technology-related stocks in the US saw the NASDAQ composite index fall over six per cent, taking it under the 2000-point for the first time in two years. ...more

Mac and Linux viruses to rise 'significantly'

There will be a significant rise in virus attacks on both the Mac and open-source platforms, according to renowned security expert, Eugene Kaspersky. The co-founder and head of anti-virus research at Kaspersky Labs claims that Vista's lukewarm reception will drive more customers towards alternative platforms, making them a more attractive target for malware writers. 'Home users are not so loyal to the OS. ...more

EU officials raid Intel's UK HQ

Investigators carried out dawn raids on Intel offices across Europe yesterday, including the company's British headquarters in Swindon. Officials visited Intel premises in other countries across Europe including Germany, Italy and Spain. The raids are said to be connected to the recent allegations of business malpractice and monopoly activity alleged by rival AMD. ...more