As the consumer appetite for broadband and extra TV services continues to grow, we are seeing more and more of these so called “bundle†deals. These deals “bundle†all of the three services together, and are offered to the consumer at a “reduced†rate, but do they really offer as good a value as some may have you believe?
While many have mocked the promotion of “Green†issues designed to help the environment and improve standards of living, does “Going Green†really equate to massive savings for the consumer?
In response to the recent rise in interest rates, the UK rate of inflation for May fell from 2.8% to 2.5%, the lowest rate for some 7 months. The performance of the retail price index (the main statistic used when considering wages increases) was a little less impressive, falling from 4.5% to 4.3% in May. There is much scepticism about the RPI and inflation figures, as the authorities have a tendency to add or remove certain items in order to give the best figures.
While there have been many developments in the area of internet communication, few have the potential to have such an enormous impact as Skype - the prominent VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephone service provider.
For those unaware of VoIP, this is a system which works over your existing internet connection allowing you to phone both fellow Skype users as well as traditional landline user. The system has been on the way for at least 20 years, although it is just recently that sufficient data transfer speeds became available (at affordable prices) and voice data quality improved. Technology has also been introduced which allows Skype users to enter the landline network and call landline members - this is done via a system of audio to digital switches which allow the data to be converted, sent via the internet, then converted back at the receiving end.
So how can Skype save you money?
The European Union have again flexed their muscles in a move which has sent shock waves throughout the Mobile Phone industry - but who will be the real winner?
The EU recently announced plans to introduce a limit on the so called “roaming†charges in the mobile phone industry - these are the fees that local operators charge each other to ensure worldwide coverage. These “roaming†charges are now a massive part of overseas call charges, and the impact on the income of mobile phone companies has been substantial.
After a long investigation into the industry, the EU have forced through “roaming†price reductions of up to 75% - saving mobile phone users millions of pounds!
While the majority of homeowner’s / tenant’s either pay their electricity bills by direct debit, or send a cheque when the bill comes in, there are still some homes who use the power card system.
This involves the purchase of prepaid cards which are scanned into a special meter, transferring the cash from the card to the homeowner’s / tenant’s electricity meter. The meter then shows the value of electricity left in sterling so that homeowner’s / tenant’s are able to track and budget their electricity use. But does it really help?
