Advanced Television

Regulation

€14K damages for Sky Sports infringement

Following successful legal action taken by Sky, Atlantic Ocean Sands Hotel Limited, the licensee of Ocean Sands Hotel, Enniscrone, in the Republic of Ireland, has been ordered to pay damages of €14,616 for infringing Sky’s copyright by showing Sky Sports programming illegally in the premises. The company was also ordered to pay costs. Sky was […]

May 21, 2019By Colin Mann

Broadband Forum publishes open source USP Agent

Faster time-to-market for interoperable, standards-based Connected Home solutions which help operators unlock additional income has been made possible, as Broadband Forum published its Open Broadband – USP Agent (OB-USP-Agent) implementation. Giving vendors a code base to either integrate into their devices or use as a reference implementation as they utilize User Services Platform (USP), OB-USP-Agent […]

May 21, 2019

UK begins £200m full fibre rollout

The starting gun has been fired on a programme to roll out gigabit-capable full fibre broadband to the most rural and remote locations in the UK, Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright has announced. In the summer of 2018, the UK Government identified that approximately 10 per cent of UK premises, largely in rural and remote areas, […]

May 20, 2019By Colin Mann

US satellite licences have “outlived usefulness”

Some US regulators are seeking to end satellite’s unique ‘STELA Act’ which provides for US homes to receive signals from satellite broadcasters. A US consumer has three ways of receiving TV signals; Over the air, by cable and by satellite (and increasingly via broadband). The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA) was […]

May 17, 2019By Chris Forrester

Spanish consumers challenge Movistar Plus price rise

The Consumers Association, FACUA, has filed a complaint before the Ministry of Economy and the Consumer authorities against Movistar for its latest price rise – the second this year and the eight since 2015. The Consumers’ Association has urged the Administration to halt the price increase as, according to the legislation, “it is not for […]

May 16, 2019From David Del Valle in Madrid

CBA answers complaints from Disney, CBS, Discovery

Major US broadcasters including CBS, Discovery, Disney, Fox, Univision and Viacom, have written to the FCC following up meetings they had regarding the C-Band Alliance’s (CBA) scheme to sell off 180 MHz of C-band satellite capacity. They are concerned that their long-established satellite feeds will be impacted by the proposals. They are asking for assurances […]

May 16, 2019By Chris Forrester

EC harmonises 26 GHz for 5G deployment

The European Commission has adopted the Implementing Decision to harmonise the 26 GHz frequency band for wireless networks, which it says is a big leap towards the deployment of 5G across Europe. The decision finalises the EU-wide coordination of all three pioneer bands (700 MHz, 3.6 GHz and 26 GHz) needed for 5G rollout in […]

May 16, 2019

HbbTV Association adds 7 new members

The HbbTV Association, a global initiative dedicated to providing an open standard for the delivery of advanced interactive TV services through broadcast and broadband networks for connected TV sets and set-top boxes, has announced that seven new companies have joined the industry association in the past six months. The new members are leading technology, conditional […]

May 16, 2019

Ofcom introduces ‘best deal’ rules

Broadband, phone and TV customers must be told when their contract is coming to an end, and shown the best deals available, under new rules announced by UK comms regulator Ofcom. Ofcom wants customers to be able to take advantage of choice in broadband, phone and TV, and get the best deals for their needs. […]

May 15, 2019

BBC extends Orkney 5G broadcast trial

The BBC’s 5G broadcast radio trial in Stronsay, Orkney, has been extended until the end of September 2019. The trial began in February with residents in Stronsay becoming some of the first people in the world to receive live radio broadcasts over 5G mobile networks. The trial has proven extremely popular with participants, with initial […]

May 15, 2019By Colin Mann