Businesses urged to prepare for super-fast broadband traffic

Many businesses may be unprepared for the surge in traffic that super-fast 4G mobile broadband could bring, it has been claimed.

Summit to be held to discuss cloud benefits for government

The second Open Government Summit, to be held later this week, will discuss how the open source model is opening up more cloud computing opportunities to benefit government departments.

Business phone number charges to be made clearer

Ofcom has said it will take action to make the cost of calling business phone lines clearer.

Connectivity and convergence a key mega trend affecting businesses

Connectivity and convergence is one of the ‘mega trends’ that will affect businesses and the UK over the coming years, new analysis has said.

Northumbrian businesses to get faster business broadband

Thanks to European investment, Northumbrian businesses are set to benefit from superfast broadband.

The ERDF has invested £2.74 million in the iNorthumberland Digital Economy Programme – this should mean faster business broadband for over 2,600 businesses in Northumberland.

Skype used for 2 billion minutes a day

New figures from Microsoft have revealed that Skype, the popular VoIP service, is now used for over 2 billion minutes every day.

Broadband speeds improving

Broadband speeds across the UK are getting faster, according to Ofcom, the telecoms industry watchdog.

In November 2008, the average broadband speed was around 3.6Mbit/s. Now, in 2013, this has speeded up to an average of 12Mbit/s, Ofcom figures show. This is the equivalent of a 234 per cent increase.

Cloud usage shooting up in Asia Pacific

Businesses across Asia Pacific are currently embarking on a “rapid cloud take-up,” according to technology experts in the field.

Cloud-based applications are rapidly becoming the “service mode of choice for many big Australian businesses,” science and technology correspondent Jake Sturmer reported for Radio Australia.

Rising demand for technology as remote working soars

A dramatic rise in the demand for workplace equipment such as computers and telephones has been put down to the increase in remote working.

Workplace equipment supplier, Slingsby, revealed that the rising number of firms looking to allow their staff to work from home has led to soaring demand for remote communication equipment.

Global private cloud spending on the up, research finds

The growing interest in public cloud-based solutions has also sparked a new focus on the private cloud.

Microsoft poll shines spotlight on remote working

Technology such as VoIP, instant messaging and video-conferencing is boosting employees’ ability to be productive by working remotely but bosses still need to trust them more, new research has shown.

VoIP sees major global growth

The use of VoIP is growing and bringing more and more benefits to companies worldwide, new analysis suggests.

A new report from ReportLinker suggests that adoption of VoIP is growing faster than ever globally, particularly as the options on offer are improving all the time and more firms and individuals become aware of the benefits VoIP can offer.

CIA signs major cloud deal with Amazon

Amazon could be set to develop a cloud computing system for the CIA, new reports suggest.

Canary Wharf to become technology enterprise hub

A new development opening in Canary Wharf is set to make the area one of London’s key financial enterprise hubs.

Google ramps up cloud computing efforts

Tech giant Google is going head-to-head with rivals Microsoft and Amazon by pushing forward to enhance its cloud computing services.

Home working to boost technology innovation, council believes

A London-based local authority has rolled out increased remote working opportunities for staff in a bid to lower costs and boost technology innovation across the organisation.

Better Broadband for Suffolk project to speed up internet access

A new programme has been rolled out to ensure that Suffolk businesses and residential properties will receive far faster broadband services by the end of this year.

Technology restructured to suit workplaces of the future

The latest TechWatch report from technology and networking firm Cisco has found that 76 per cent of companies across Britain and Ireland are keen to make changes to their technological and communications set-up over the coming three years, basing those changes around the most efficient use of resources and skills.

Cloud infrastructure efficiency boosted by new research

A new technology development, designed by computer scientists based in California, could boost the efficiency of the cloud computing infrastructure dramatically.

ONS reveals rise in home working

According to the Office of National Statistics, (ONS) the number of people choosing to work from home is continuing to rise, fuelled mainly by the accessibility of technology and communications.

The figures revealed that the number of home workers has increased from 9.2 per cent of workers in 2011 to 10.7 per cent in 2012.

Mass internet usage boosts VoIP take-up

According to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of people using the internet has more than doubled in the last six years, meaning that web-based communication tools are more relevant than ever.

New business start-ups boosted by the cloud

Cloud-based computing is helping new businesses get off the ground, as well as bringing myriad positive benefits to existing organisations, new research has found.

Firms need to focus on home working, communications giant finds

Many British businesses are failing to reap the benefits of flexible working, according to new research from a major telecommunications firm.

Japan leads world in terms of VoIP usage

A new study has analysed VoIP usage across the globe, highlighting the growing importance of - and worldwide reliance on - the communication system.

Shell pushes cloud computing into mainstream

The largest company in the world by revenue has introduced cloud computing at 'multiple levels' of its operations, highlighting the ever growing importance of the concept to large scale corporations.

Poor mobile coverage forcing firms to rethink telecommunications

New figures from YouGov have revealed that many businesses across the UK are suffering from poor mobile coverage and are seeking an alternative telecommunications solution.

Remote working increasingly popular thanks to technology

Remote working is continuing to increase in popularity as businesses seek to reduce overheads and rising take-up of new technologies make it even easier to keep in touch.

Cloud computing 'key platform' for applications, expert says

One of Microsoft's senior researchers has confirmed the importance of cloud computing to the technology sector, saying that it stands to be the 'key platform' for most applications over the next 10 years.

VoIP offers major cost savings, VoIP Review finds

Businesses that are making use of VoIP could see major cost savings, a new report has revealed.

Firms must ensure they are making the most of VoIP, expert says

Companies must be as prepared and well equipped as possible before implementing VoIP services, a technology expert has suggested.

New cloud computing algorithms to improve computing, says expert

An IT expert has outlined the way in which new cloud computing algorithms could help to make computing networks more ecologically friendly and more efficient.

Digital technology grows in importance for global business, expert finds

The importance of digital technology to businesses located across the globe will only continue to grow, according to an expert.

Major global bodies turning to VoIP

Highlighting the importance and potential of VoIP to major organisations across the globe, the Queensland parliamentary service is planning to roll out an IP-based unified communications structure.

Cloud computing 'ideal' for small businesses

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has highlighted the positives of cloud computing for small businesses across the globe.

Cloud computing is fast becoming an essential component of contemporary business life, with increasing numbers of organisations – of all sizes – making use of the concept.

Capacity management 'underestimated' in cloud computing

The problem of capacity management is the most underestimated issue in cloud computing, recent comments from Morgan Stanley’s executive director of IT strategy have claimed.

Cloud computing contracts set to remain popular

The number of IT services contracts that have included some form of cloud computing has increased three-fold since 2010, according to a new report that underlines the popularity of cloud computing.

Report claims that home working can boost morale

Allowing staff members to work remotely and from home can help to engage and motivate staff, according to the latest survey on the subject from Hays Recruitment.

Digital technologies 'top priority' for 2013, say CIOs

Facebook proves popularity of VoIP

VoIP has been given the ultimate seal of approval as social networking giant Facebook rolls the service out to its Facebook Messenger users in the U.S.

Alternative EU cloud strategy suggested by EESC

According to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the European Commission’s (EC) cloud computing strategy does not do enough to boost the development of cloud services.

Government develops cloud computing catalogue

The government has invited suppliers to apply to be listed in a cloud computing catalogue which has been developed for its acquisition of IT services.

The government wrote a blog on the HM Government website which detailed the launch of the ‘G Cloud iii’ – so called as it is the third framework of its type to be launched.

VoIP 'ideal' for business travellers, research shows

Frequent Business Traveler magazine recently reported that business travel is set to increase steadily throughout the course of 2013.

Amazon predicts rise in cloud computing demand

Online retail giant Amazon has announced that it is to expand its Amazon Web Services division, which supplies cloud computing and storage facilities to other organisations.

Awareness of VoIP on the up across UK

According to a new report from Ofcom, the number of consumers who are aware of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology has risen, but actual user numbers remain fairly low.

The report, entitled ‘The Consumer Experience of 2012,’ took into account around 2,000 consumer opinions and experiences of the telecommunications industry.

Govt digital director mulls digital policy

The Government Digital Service’s (GDS) executive director believes that current government policy is preventing the delivery of ‘user defined digital products.’

Mike Bracken has blamed the policy for delaying – and in some cases even preventing – the delivery of such products throughout government buildings at Whitehall.

Widening skills gap affecting cloud computing, experts warn

New research has revealed a widening skills gap within the cloud computing arena which could have a negative impact on the sector over the coming years.

UK university researching 5G technology

The University of Surrey is researching fifth generation technology (5G), which it says has the potential to “revolutionise mobile and internet access”.

Half of EU companies provide remote workers with devices

Some 48 per cent of companies in the EU have provided their staff with portable devices to allow them to work remotely when needed.

Startup businesses urged to use VoIP

Startup firms have been strongly urged to try using VoIP technology, which stands for voice over internet protocol.

It’s ideal for small businesses on a budget because it allows them to make calls using the internet, either for free or for a small monthly fee. Writing for Business2Community, Leiden Johnson, a freelancer herself, describes VoIP as a “game changer”.