BT's Electric Vans

Openreach has begun testing four electric vans in Milton Keynes and East London, and, if successful, plans to roll them out more widely across the fleet of 23,400 vehicles. 

BT’s fleet management division has worked with green vehicle manufacturers to convert four zero emission vehicles that will be tested for a number of things, including suitability for engineers’ work patterns, battery life and energy usage.  As well as being trialled in Milton Keynes (one of the first cities and towns that are piloting charging points for electrical vehicles) the vans will also be tested at Openreach’s Stratford telephone exchange and nearby Olympic Park.

The vans have a restricted top speed of 70miles per hour and can cover up to 100miles between battery charges, considerably more than average 60 to 65 miles per day covered by an Openreach van, on a normal day.

Christmas Greetings from Adodo

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year, please click here to see our official ecard;  http://www.myvbook.com/vbook/b7e995ef/

Quote for the Week!

At Christmas play, and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year.


Thomas Tusser

Adodo’s Guide to Keeping Your Password Safe

Yahoo, Twitter and LinkedIn are amongst the online organisations that are encouraging their users to reset passwords in the wake of the recent hacker attack to Gawker.com.  With that in mind here are some top tips on resetting your password.

1. Never use the same password across lots of different websites.
2. Do not use a word that you – or a hacker – could find in the dictionary: these are susceptible to so-called ‘brute force’ attacks.
3. Try to include some digits and special characters to add a layer of complexity that will make life difficult for a criminal.
4. Pick a phrase or mnemonic that helps you to remember your password.
5. You can avoid having to remember passwords altogether by using a password manager program.  

Hack Attacks Prompt Password Resets

Whilst the WikiLeaks revelations continue to ripple and its founders appeal is pending, massive hacker attacks feature high in the headlines as they shut down yet another website, this time Gawker.com.

When the breach first happened to the online blogging community, some reports stated that they were in response to the WikiLeaks attack campaigns. However, this was later proven untrue. In reality, the attacks happened simply because of the Gawker Media overall stance on hackers and because of ongoing taunts by Gawker media staff.

Regardless, the repercussions of the hack have been felt across the web, as millions of web users are being asked to reset their passwords as concerns spread.  Yahoo, Twitter and LinkedIn have all asked users to change their details, there have been few other reports of damage directly linked to the breach.

That said; many companies have taken steps to identify users at risk and warn them to take preventative action. A spokesman for LinkedIn said it necessary to take "proactive security measures" to screen users thought to be in danger.

All-you-can-eat Smartphone data tariff

As the nations appetite for the smartphone market grows, mobile operator Three has adopted an all-you-can-eat data plan to encourage sales. 

Living in the fast lane has certainly increased the demand for on the go data.  More and more people use their handsets to connect to the web as well as to make voice calls.  The all-you-can-eat data plan has been designed so that individuals can make the most of their devices.

Three, is one of the smaller mobile operators, but there is a feeling in the industry that this move could force other operators to rethink data limits.

Earlier this year, Mobile operators, including Three, introduced data caps over fears that some users were consuming so much data it was putting unacceptable strain on networks.   The reversal of this decision by Three could put a massive strain on the operators network.  

A Nation of ‘online-a-holics’

72% of adults update their social networking profiles from under the duvet according to a survey conducted by Travelodge.  On average, we tend to spend an average of 16minutes per night checking Facebook, Twitter and other social sites.  The peak time for all this bed-based social networking was found to be 9.45am. 

The survey also suggested that Britons also spend an average of nine minutes per night sending text messages to friends and family.  You are in the majority if you check your mobile phone for texts or emails, before anything else on waking up in the morning. 

"We have become a nation of 'online-a-holics'," said psychologist Corinne Sweet. “But there is a time and a place for social networking, and that’s not between the sheets, as it can be detrimental to our wellbeing.  “By texting, tweeting and surfing the web in bed, we are nodding off with a busy mind which impacts upon our quality of sleep during the night.”

The results of this study came in last week, alongside the news that The Prime Minister was joining forces with Boris Johnson in a personal plea to Twitter to base its European HQ in London.

O-bit rings in VoIP security

O-bit Telecom has bolstered its VoIP portfolio with the launch of Purple Network Hosted Secure.  

Connecting directly into O-bit’s NGN, Hosted Secure allows VoIP traffic to run over a secure IP VPN rather than the Internet.

A key USP of Hosted Secure is its full integration with SpliceCom handsets, offering users the full feature rich services available on the platform.  O-bit is the only company able to offer full integration over a WAN for SpliceCom handsets.

To speak to one of our consultants today and find our more call 0800 092 1471

Quote for the Week!

“We must become the change we want to see”

Mahatma Gandhi

Ever wanted Everything Everywhere?

The company that runs Orange and T-Mobile now offer Everything Everywhere, as their customers can access both networks across the UK.

Under the new scheme Orange customers are able to make calls and send texts on the T-Mobile network whilst T-Mobile customers are able to do the same using the Orange network.

Customers who want to sign up and receive access to both networks can do so free of charge and with no change to their existing tariffs, calls or text charges. 

All this means that customers can use their mobiles in more areas than previously possible.  Two networks for the price of one means customers are starting to get exactly what they want; instant access to everything, everywhere. 

Want to find out more call us on 0800 092 1471

Google unveils OS for Notebooks

The world is ready for an OS for netbooks and notebooks that is built on cloud connectivity, Google has the product, but we will have to wait six or seven months to get our hands on it. 

Chrome OS is Google's boldest bid yet to challenge Microsoft's market dominance with Windows software.  The idea is that it will coordinate with cloud services, especially Google's, to minimise the amount of local storage required.  It also allows people to use any Chromium device to access the same cloud-saved data and synchronise locally-stored data to the cloud.

The operating system will power a new range of notebooks but will not be ready for Christmas as the system has too many bugs.  With this in mind, they have delayed the launch until “mid-2011” with no real indication of price. 

Whilst we all wait with baited breath for the launch of Chrome OS, a "pilot programme" has been launched "for people who live in the web" to keep us going.  Everyone who takes part will receive a Cr-48 notebook, a new piece of reference hardware for Chrome OS, and will be expected to tell Google how they progress. Unfortunately, you have to be 18 and based in the US!

BT to trial 1GB Broadband in Suffolk

BT has announced that early in 2011 they will be trialing one gigabit fibre broadband in Suffolk.  The trial will demonstrate the speed capabilities of BT's fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology, and if it goes well they will add 40 rural market towns to its current fibre roll-out.  Those towns have yet to be announced.

According to industry regulators Ofcom, less than 1% of UK homes currently have a super-fast broadband connection.  The move by BT should support the government's plan to create the best broadband network in Europe by 2015.

However, BT has been criticised for not offering FTTH more widely because most of its fibre roll-out will rely on slower fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) technology.  Only a quarter of the homes it intends to offer fibre to will be connected using FTTH.

The government is set to provide £830m for firms willing to offer fast broadband services in rural areas, which it will provide "over the course of this parliament and the next".

BT said that if it was to "win funds on that scale" it would be able to provide fibre to 90% of the UK, whereas, under current plans, its fibre will only extend to 66% of the UK.

Quote for the Week!

“When you're finished changing, you're finished.”

Benjamin Franklin

Adodo always deliver, despite the weather...

Yesterday our Managing Director and Director of IT travelled across country from Nottingham via Chesterfield to Grimsby to deliver on a customer promise. 


Yes; sometimes their sanity has to be questioned. It took well over 9 hours treacherous travelling but the customer was delighted. No wonder Openreach have made the following announcement:

"Following heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures, Openreach is now declaring a Matter Beyond Our Reasonable Control (MBORC)/force major event in the following Openreach operational areas: 

Highlands, North East Scotland,Tayside and Fife, South East Scotland, West Scotland, Newcastle and Northumberland, Tyneside, Durham and Wearside, Tees Valley."

Smartphone prices lowered across Europe

It seems Vodafone are catching on to what Adodo have been doing for years.  Not only simplifying their smartphone tariffs for use across Europe but they are also making them cheaper.

UK customers who occasionally travel to Europe can take their domestic plan abroad for an additional £2 per day.  Those that travel frequently can take on a price plan that includes data roaming within their monthly package.  Both options will be available for consumer and business customers.

Adodo can take all the hassle away.  If you talk to us about your needs, we will find the right mobile network and the right tariff for you.