A BBC Survey into 3G reveals Shocking Results

A BBC survey designed to look at the state of Mobile Networks in Britain has revealed shocking results. Mobile operators claim that we can get 90% or more 3G coverage. The survey has revealed that there are still many “not spots” these not spots include even towns and cities.  as a result of the survey the BBC was able to find out that the people who took part were only able to get a 3G signal  75% of the time , the rest of the time smart phone users had to rely on the older 2G technology which is much slower than 3G

Areas where data was collected (C) BBC

With an increase in the use of smart phones mobile coverage is becoming more of an issue as people rely more on their smart phones. The BBC created an app which allowed users to test their coverage. 44,000 people participated in the experiment which aimed to create a map of coverage.

To check your coverage you can view an interactive map here.  I have an xperia x10 mini phone which is on the O2 network, I have found recently that I have rarely been able to get 3G and I live in a fairly big town. According to the map there are only a few 3G hotspots in my town, the only place in my town I have ever got a 3G signal is at the station. Clearly a lot needs to be done to improve 3G signal.  

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By Robert Leat
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Apple Faces Lawsuit

Apple is facing a lawsuit brought by 27,000 South Koreans who are angry over the collection of location data on iPhones and iPads.

Each is seeking 1m won (£533) in compensation for privacy violations.

Apple has faced criticism since in emerged in April that its iPhones and iPads stored locations which could be used to create a map of the user's movements.

The lawsuit could pave the way for others around the world.

Earlier this month the South Korean communications regulator Korea Communications Commission ordered Apple's local operation to pay 3m won (£1,600) fine for violating the country's location information laws.

Kim Hyeong-seok, the lawyer representing the group, himself took Apple to court earlier this year and was awarded 1m won.

The issue came to light when security researchers found a hidden file on the devices containing a record of everywhere they had been.

Used with certain software, the file could generate a map of all a person's movements with the phone.

Apple denied that it has used the information to track user location, saying that the handsets were simply recording information about mobile phone towers and wi-fi hotspots with a view to using it at a later date to "improve services".

Following criticisms, it quickly issued an update which cut the amount of time stored data was kept to just a week and no longer transferred it to the owner's computer.

It also allows users to disable the location services setting on their iPhone or iPad.

Permission for the tracking was given by users among the many pages of terms and conditions for the iTunes store.

By: Matthew Slack
Guest Writer

iPhones Track your Location

                                                 

                                                              O'REILLY discussion 

It has come to light that iPhones  and 3G iPads regularly record  the devices location in a hidden file.  This has apparently been happening since the release of iOS 4. This has caused a lot of panic; the big question is What is Apple using this data for?    

This is nothing new mobile phone companies have been storing data from your phone for years, but don’t worry the data is protected and in order to access the data you will require a court order.

Post a comment below, are you happy that Apple are doing this?