I may be pointing out the obvious to some, but it came as news to me. I have poor to non existent mobile coverage at my home and office. At no extra cost I now have coverage. How you may ask? If you have wireless broadband, a BlackBerry which is WiFi enabled, and you are on the Orange or T-Mobile networks you can set up your BlackBerry to choose your own WiFi network at home or work and you will be able receive and make calls on your phone. How good is that?

I understand that this is only applicable to BlackBerry, but suspect that other mobiles with WiFi capability may well work. I also assume that the other networks, Vodafone, Three and O2 will be able to offer this in due course.

As reported today in various parts of the media, Avaya has apparently been selected to acquire the enterprise business of Nortel for $900 million with an extra $15 million set aside for staff retention. This bid is an increase from the initial one of $475 million. The acquisition will make a business to give Cisco a serious run for their money!
I hope Avaya can take full advantage of their purchase and leverage the Nortel channel partners and technology.

Avaya has bid $475m for their enterprise division. This stalking horse bid was designed to flush out further interest. Siemens is obviously interested through its complicated ownership set up. Private equity firm Gores Group (majority owner of Siemens Enterprise Communications and Enterasys Networks) has formed a joint venture with Siemens AG, called Enterprise Network Holdings. Canadian and US law allows “Qualified Bidders” to outbid Avaya. The result, as I understand will be announced in September.

It is interesting to note that both bidders are interested in Nortel’s customer base – not surprisingly as it is huge! Neither seem interested in their technology as they both have their own technology in bucket loads.

The mobile/wireless unit looks as though it may be sold to Nokia Siemens Networks for $650m. I wonder if this will help pave the way for the Siemens deal.

As reported in Comms Dealer magazine and other media recently, Nortel is in advanced negotiations to sell some of its business units. The deal to sell its mobile/wireless business to Nokia Siemens Networks for $650 m could trigger the sale of the rest of the company. “Many suitors have been knocking at our doors,” said a Senior Executive for Nortel in Ottawa. “We have to recognise the realities that we are in.”
According to speculation Nortel is about to sell its enterprise systems unit, which makes network equipment for businesses and other organisations, for about $500 m. The favoured bidder is thought to be Avaya, the already privately owned company that was spun out of Lucent Technologies in 2000, which in turn was spun out of AT&T in 1996. Some observers note that Siemens Enterprise Communications could emerge as the buyer if Avaya pulls out. I personally think that this is unlikely unless Siemens have had a major change of heart, as not so long ago rumours circulated that they were trying to sell the fixed line communications systems business.
Nortel’s demise has come about after years of poor performance, financial scandal and lack of focus on its core businesses. Partners have often been forced to form allegiances with other companies with better channel models and clear go to market strategies.

Apologies in advance for this rather long, detailed and dry blog, but it is relevant to most of us.
Important Changes to 08 Numbers from August 1st.
Following an Ofcom review, changes to some number ranges beginning 08 will be implemented on August 1st 2009. The changes will affect both callers and recipients of calls to these 08 numbers, and this blog is intended to provide an overview of these changes.
Ranges affected are many numbers beginning with 08, and the ranges which will be affected from this date are: 0870 0871 0872 0873 (Please note that other 08 number ranges may become the focus of further reviews in the future.)
0870 Numbers
These numbers are used to provide a national presence for companies trading across the UK, regardless of their actual geographic location. Over the years, they have become revenue-generating numbers for those receiving calls. The intention of Ofcom’s review was to make these numbers revenue neutral. What the changes mean, at present they are charged at around the BT standard rate for national calls. This cost will vary across different networks, but will typically be around 6.9 pence per minute. This clearly bears little relation to the national rate charged by most service providers, of around 1 to 2 pence per minute, or less if we negotiate rates for you.
From August 1st, service providers will have to charge callers to 0870 numbers the same rate as they charge for geographic national calls. What the changes mean to recipients of calls made to 0870 have been receiving, and up until August 1st will continue to receive, a rebate comprising some of the difference in charges that have been applied hitherto. Because callers will no longer be paying an inflated charge, this means that not only will any rebates disappear, but recipients will actually have to pay to receive these calls.
The amount charged will vary, depending on individual circumstances, but may be expected to be in the range of 2.5 to 3.5 pence per minute. Options available to recipients (businesses) that do not wish to incur charges to receive calls made to their numbers have the following options available to them: Alternative 08 ranges can be utilised which can still generate rebates. A new number range starting 03 has been introduced, and these numbers are revenue neutral. A brief outline of this number range can be found below. Geographic numbers can often deliver the same functionality as that provided by 0870 numbers.
03 Numbers
Ofcom have also introduced the 03 number range into the market. The purpose of this range is to provide clarity to consumers. Calls to all 03 numbers will be charged at the standard national rate to callers, and recipients will not receive any rebate. However, they will also not have to pay to receive calls to these numbers. Businesses using 0870 numbers should be able to replace them with the equivalent 03 number (for example, 0870 12345678 can be replaced by 0370 12345678).
0871, 0872, 0873 Numbers
Ofcom have ruled that these numbers, which are charged at varying rates from 6 to 10 pence per minute, should be treated as premium rate numbers. This means that these numbers will be regulated by PhonepayPlus from August 1st. PhonepayPlus regulates all premium rate numbers, such as those beginning 09. The numbers themselves are considered to provide access to information services and generate rebates for those receiving calls.
What the changes mean to callers Callers to 087 numbers
They will not see any changes in the charges they incur when calling these numbers. What the changes mean to recipients Businesses using 0871, 0872 and 0873 numbers will have to comply with PhonepayPlus regulations (see below) from August 1st. Revenues and rebates will continue as they are currently applied.
PhonepayPlus regulations
Wherever an 087 number appears, it should be accompanied by pricing information. This includes everything from websites and print promotions, to listings and van liveries etc. Pricing information must be clear, close to the telephone number and prominent. In the short term, PhonepayPlus will accept a spoken message, explaining the tariff, at the beginning of every call as an alternative, although they expect everyone to change their collateral as soon as is practicable.

Phew! The end.