Ashley Solutions

The Digital Economy Act, which heralded compliance trouble for many mobile broadband service providers and small ISPs such as Wi-Fi owners, will now have exemptions for these kinds of network providers, letting them heave a sigh of relief.

When the Digital Economy Bill was initially introduced into parliament, it was meant to do away with the practice of illegal file sharing and downloads of music, videos, movies etc that are currently rampant on the internet. The law necessitates close inspection of networks, and requires offenders to be sent a warning letter. Repeat offenders may be punished not only by restricting broadband, but also by disconnection of networks on a temporary basis.

However, the Bill has come under the scanner for many obvious issues with the execution. A primary objection was that owners of free Wi-Fi networks could be held responsible for any illegal activity on their networks. Moreover, it is often tough to determine exactly which customer is responsible for an unlawful download. Therefore, execution of the law in its entirety meant problems for many mobile broadband providers, small ISPs and Wi-Fi owners.

The impending exemptions, therefore, will bring joy to all such providers. Ofcom has been given the duty of creating a Code of Practice, under which the exemptions may be included. Further, a basic compliance threshold may also be set up. Although the regulator has not confirmed these facts, speculation exists that these exemptions may be included in the practice of the Digital Economy Act soon enough.

For more information on this topic, and in fact anything broadband related, a useful resource is the Broadband Genie website, where consumers can learn about broadband and mobile internet. The site maintains reviews and consumers can compare broadband prices for the UK broadband providers and mobile broadband networks; a useful resource for those requiring introductory help and worth look at for the pay as you go broadband offers – handy for web browsing on the move.

A market analyst firm has released research that shows strong indications that music stars appearing on X-Factor will see a significant leap in the number of sales after the show. One example given by the firm was that of Shakira. The star appeared on X-Factor and next week saw an uplift of 358 percent in sales. Another example was for Leona Lewis. The star’s showing on X-Factor led to a 253 percent increase in the sales of her single.

It is becoming more apparent that the X-Factor show has a huge impact on the success of any artist. Not only do single sales increase but X-Factor appearances are also proven to increase the amount of radio airplay an artist is likely to receive.

Whereas in the 1980’s and 1990’s a song’s success could often depend on the quality of the music video produced, since the advent of the internet it is now mass television shows that are driving sales.

Leona Lewis is one clear winners of being on X-Factor. While you can watch free Leona Lewis music videos online, they generally haven’t received the same sort of traction as when she appears on the reality TV shows where she made her name.

This Christmas saw a backlash against reality TV show contestants when a group managed to persuade people to go and buy an old song by Rage Against The Machine to stop another X-Factor Christmas number1.

Dressed as T Rex meets Chewbacca in a shiny black bodysuit with hairy fringed arms, style icon Natasha Khan (the woman behind Bat for Lashes) tells the audience “I’m glad you’ve taken down your umbrellas, now I can see all your beautiful faces”.

More importantly, now we can see hers.

For as much as her voice moved effortlessly and magically through the torrential downpour, she’s a woman you want to see. That’s because watching Khan is a visual and sensual experience. She makes the tambourine, harpsichord and auto-harp sexy.

And I think we all fell in love with her a little bit.

Unfortunately for the band, the weather did dampen spirits a little. The late 20s-30s London crowd bought £2 rainmacs and upped umbrellas and hoods, but with ill-prepared soggy feet and bare arms, only the more hardened festival goers stayed for the full performance – watching as the band took us on a trip through Khan’s vivid imagination.

Lyrics about emerald cities, sirens and singing moons were made all the more epic by the dramatic backdrop of water slashing down in front of a lit-up Somerset House.

Fans were treated to stories from both the Mercury Music Prize-nominated debut Fur and Gold and bewitching follow-up Two Suns. Opening with Glass, the night ended with a soaring version of Daniel – the single about Khan’s crush on the Karate Kid.

It felt like she might somehow, by magic, make him appear – like she could wizard him up and anything was possible.