The number two and three provider of broadband in Korea have suspended merger talks. The feeling is that both Hanaro Telecom and Thrunet are concerned about current levels of their individual debts.
Month: February 2002
Bredbandsbolaget raise charges
Bredbandsbolaget the Swedish broadband operator is raising its monthly charge from EU21 to EU35. They say the higher than expected costs of installing the fibre and the current lack of income from content have lead them to not be able to cover costs with their current charge.
Capital Radio and UBC Media form JV in DAB
An exciting area that hasn’t arrived on most people radar is data-over-DAB. Most people aren’t aware that it can be used to broadcast pure data, making it an interesting way of getting content to a lot of people for a fixed cost. Today Capital Radio and UBC Media announced they are forming a Joint Venture to develop data over DAB.
Sony to launch Broadband PlayStation 2
Sony will be launching its PlayStation 2 on Broadband service in Japan in April. Through recent deals it now has access to 70% of Broadband users and is talking about offering general entertainment (music, films, etc) as well as downloading and playing games.
Liberty Media interested in NTL
Rumours are circulating that Liberty Media is in talks with debt-laden NTL about buying a stake of between 25-51%. Interestingly Liberty already own 25% of Telewest and would try to merge the two. Given they are the biggest two cable companies in the UK by far, I would imagine it may be investigated by the Mergers and Monopolies commission but given the fragile nature of the cable business in the UK, they just might pass it.
Digeo announce ‘broadband media center’
A potentially interesting clash of old friends is brewing. Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft and over the last five years has bought a large number of cable companies that he amalgamated into Charter Communications, making it the fourth largest cable provider in the USA with around seven million customers.
He also has a company called digeo which has just announced with Motorola. their ‘broadband media center’. It’s comprehensively equipped with PVR, photo, music, games and telephony facilities. Using an interesting approach, it will initially be an add-on box that works with Motorola’s widely used DCT2000 set-top box, later moving to one box that performs all of the functions. I imagine it will have a period of exclusivity on Charter, then be sold into the large number of other cable companies that run on Motorola hardware – leading to a pretty formidable platform.
We await its launch in May with interest and look forward to the ensuring battle.
Sega innovating in gaming
Having now got out of the console market, Sega are innovating in gaming again. They are providing content and equipment to enable the distribution of games and PC software between ISP and their Broadband customers, thus avoiding any bottleneck their may be over the Internet.
Microsoft wants d-cinema
Korea roll-out wireless
Is there no stopping South Korea? A number of companies have now announced the roll-out of wireless services up to 11Mbps. Prices of the service vary with provider but current subscribers to Korea Telecom broadband service pay an extra just under £20 uk pound per month. KT aim to have 10,000 sites functioning by the end of the year.
BT rumoured to slash the cost of broadband
Can it be true? Rumors that BT will slash the cost of broadband, possibly up to 50% off the wholesale price. Its chairman is going to dragged over the coals in front of a committee of MPs this week and the new CEO is to announce the third-quarter results on Thursday. If it’s true, it would be a great entrance for the CEO.