SystemTek

Competition invites engineers to design future pylons

Engineers have been called on to redesign Britain’s electricity pylons ready for a doubling of energy infrastructure investment over the next decade. The government has launched an open competition to come up with a more attractive pylon that matches the engineering success of the existing 80-year-old design.

4G set to deliver capacity gains of more than 200% over 3G

New Ofcom research reveals that the next generation of mobile technology will deliver more than 200% of the capacity of existing 3G technologies, using the same amount of spectrum – the airwaves that carry information between customers’ mobile handsets and the internet. This increased capacity is essential in meeting the UK’s rapid increase in mobile traffic, fuelled by the growth of smartphones and mobile broadband data services such as video streaming, email, messenger services, mapping services and social networking.

o2 Network In London back OnLine

The O2 network was not providing any service for much of yesterday after thieves reportedly broke in to a facility in east London, stealing equipment and damaging some other hardware.

O2 services crippled across London and Kent by thieves

O2’s service in parts of London and Kent has been crippled by thieves, it has announced. Vandalism at an east London site has led to people as far as Kent experiencing problems with receiving calls, texts and internet services.

PS3 Network Back Online

Sony has announced that it will begin restoring its online PlayStation video game network on Sunday. The phased restoration of services will begin in the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

150mph Delta E-4 electric car

UK-based Delta Motorsport has launched a new 150mph electric sports car, capable of 0-60mph in less than five seconds. The car is powered by two Oxford YASA electric motors, producing over 600Nm of torque and over 120hp each, despite only weighing 23kg. The carbon-composite chassis is two-thirds lighter than an equivalent steel structure while affording the same safety and rigidity. Batteries are installed under the floor, giving a low centre of gravity.

Telecom firms to adopt green global charger

Leading global telecommunications firms have agreed to introduce a universal charger that can be used for devices like MP3 players and tablet computers as well as mobile phones, the United Nations' ITU agency said on Monday. A detachable cable with standardized end connectors that can also be used for data transfer will come with the charger, avoiding the need for separate cables and reducing both cost and eventual waste, the agency said.

Microsoft to buy Skype ?

Microsoft is in advanced discussions about purchasing Skype, the internet telephone company, a person close to the company said, in what would be one of the US technology company’s largest deals as it seeks to revitalise its business. A deal between the two companies could be announced as early as Tuesday, according to the person familiar with the talks, the Financial Times reports.

Sony Update PS3 Network

To date, there is no confirmed evidence any credit card or personal information has been misused, and we continue to monitor the situation closely. We are also moving ahead with plans to help protect our customers from identity theft around the world. A program for U.S. PlayStation Network and Qriocity customers that includes a $1 million identity theft insurance policy per user was launched earlier today and announcements for other regions will be coming soon.