News and Events - December 2001

Wed 19th Dec, 2001

Sale to Elsevier Science

Forbidden Technologies announces a sale to Elsevier Science.

Mon 17th Dec, 2001

Debt engulfing NTL

In its editorial, the Sunday Business reports "The view in government circles is that BT has dragged its feet on fast internet access ... alternative suppliers of broadband services - the cable companies NTL and Telewest - are paralysed by debt." Indeed, the Lex column in the FT starts "The game may soon be up for NTL". The Sunday Telegraph informs us that "NTL, which has £12bn in debts and is struggling to avoid bankruptcy, has put off plans to sell its broadcast arm". The Guardian says "The company is also looking to scale back investment plans as it runs operations for cash rather than growth", whilst the Independent warns that "NTL's market value has fallen to about £150m - just over 1 per cent of its debt mountain". In its Inside Story column, the FT summarises the situation: "When you are in a hole, stop digging". Yesterday the Sunday Business headlined "NTL struggles to avert debt restructuring." but by today the FT's headline was "NTL is set for major restructuring". Forbidden Technologies is well financed and is insulated from the trauma in the broadband market as our video technology works over narrowband.

Fri 14th Dec, 2001

Broadband in the US

"About 10m American homes will have high-speed Internet access by the end of this year", says Richard Waters in the FT. Bob Crandall, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in the US reports "But a lot of people are saying: "Why do I need broadband?" " Forbidden's Mark 2 codec will have a broadband option.

Mon 10th Dec, 2001

Christmas Offer update

Password protection is proving to be the most popular feature of our Christmas Offer. You can specify a username and password that you would like to use for access when you send your tape in and include these in your Christmas cards or e-mail them out to friends and family.

Fri 7th Dec, 2001

"Father of the Internet" predicts a bright future for his offspring

In an interview with FT-IT, Vint Cerf estimates that "by 2010 half the world's population will have access to the Internet". Forbidden Technologies allows distribution of video to this rapidly growing community.

Tue 4th Dec, 2001

The trials and tribulations of broadband

Broadband is failing to connect consumers across much of Europe, says Dan Roberts in the FT. Even in the US, where initial penetration has been greater, the failure of companies such as Excite@Home has brought problems. This demonstrates the real need for the narrowband solutions that the likes of Forbidden can offer.