BT and EE merger? It’s good to talk

If you’ve missed the news then let us enlighten you. BT has recently been in talks with EE regarding an apparent merger, and now they’ve confirmed that they’ve bid a whopping £12.5 billion. 

Mobile services 

BT are clearly keen to expand their mobile service offering and there were even rumours at the start of 2014 about talks with O2. But what does a merger with EE actually mean? 

Well, by purchasing a big mobile telecom like EE they will be able to offer more mobile services. Quad-play is the package, which will see home phone, broadband, TV AND mobile contracts all in one. Massive savings for the customer and a bigger piece of the market for BT. 

What does this mean for BT? 

BT will officially become the largest service provider in the UK, owning 37.6% of home phone traffic, and with a potential to own 33.8% of what EE currently control within the mobile arena. Does this give BT an unfair advantage? 

What does it mean for customers? 

Well, chances are customer service could get worse.  With the call handlers already struggling with the influx of calls, answering calls on time, and getting the right call to the right person, more calls could certainly be an issue.  With the arrival of BT Sport, the company have already admitted to struggling with the amount of subscribers and providing the right level of customer service. Could this mean an even bigger struggle? 

Also, how will this affect prices? Spending £12.5 billion on a new area of business is a vast sum of money, money which will have to come from somewhere. Customers’ may see an increase in their bill. But, if you purchase the whole quad-play package it could mean bigger savings for you overall. However, it could also make it harder to switch service providers. 

But, a lot of this is just pure speculation from the media, at present. The bid has been made and accepted, but it still needs approval. Will other companies put up a fight and stop BT gaining too much of the market? Watch this space. 

Is wearable technology the latest fashion?

If you’re an Apple fan then you’ll probably have the latest version of the iPhone, you've probably stood in line to purchase the most recent iPad Air, and you’re probably on the lookout for any news about next generation technology that the brand might have up their sleeve. But, if Apple launched it’s own high-priced fashion wear would you be tempted? 

Apple watch 

Nope, this isn’t the hashtag given to the latest OS from Apple HQ, it is in fact an actual watch. This wearable gadget is being deemed as more than just a smartphone, and is tipped as a high-end fashion statement. Karl Lagerfeld and Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour have even had a private unveiling to showcase the watch from a fashion perspective. 

It’s thought that the potential adoption of the Apple Watch, once it hits mainstream purchase, won’t purely be about men either. Research found that women would consider buying one for themselves too and are excited about the idea of a smartphone watch that looks and feels like a real watch. 

They are, of course, set to be extremely pricey and a gold version has been in talks also. Will it be another fail like Google Glass? It remains to be seen. But keep an eye out in spring 2015 for the release of the Apple Watch (#AppleWatch)

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the concept of fashionable technology.  Would you purchase it? Do you like the idea of wearable technology? At Fivebars Mobile we’re always interested in the latest technological advances, especially if it means you can make a call by using your wrist wear! 

Got Christmas shopping to do? Use your mobile phone

With Christmas just around the corner there is always so much to do.  Present shopping, ordering the turkey, food shopping, and wrapping presents, and all around a full-time job and family life. It’s no secret that Christmas shopping can be extremely stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. 

If you’re yet to start, or you still have a long way to go, then why not consider grabbing a cup of tea, relaxing on the sofa, and shopping via your mobile phone? 

Appy shopping 

Many retailers have made shopping even easier.  With handy retail apps, you can find exactly what you’re looking for, purchase it, and all from the comfort of your home or workplace. Head on over to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and you’ll find hundreds of apps from Amazon and ASOS to eBay and Etsy. 

Coded shopping 

If you’ve not seen a QR code before then you’ve been living in a cave. QR stands for quick response, which is exactly what you want when you’re shopping for Christmas presents. Often deals are presented in the form of a QR code, which resembles an odd-looking bar code. Simply download the QR code reader to your app and shop away. 

List crazy 

You can create lists on your phone, and you can even find apps that help you create a list and stick to your budget, so you don’t go overspending.  Organisation is key, so make the most of your mobile phone and get shopping. 

Paypal 

Make sure you set up a PayPal account.  This will take all the hassle out of creating a new account for each product you buy.  Most large retailers will give you the option to shop using credit or debit card or using PayPal. Set up a PayPal account now and you need never type your credit card details in again! 

Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be stressful, you don’t even need to step outside your front door. You can simply press a few buttons on your phone and have it all delivered to your home. 

Happy shopping! 

A change is gonna come - Ofcom set to make changes to 08 numbers

2015 will see many changes in the technology, and telecommunications industry; many of which we’re yet to know about.  But, there is some good news for anyone who’s tired of hearing ‘Calls from other operators and mobile provides may vary and will be charged at their normal rate’ when calling an 0800 number from a mobile phone. 

Demise of landlines 

As of June 2015, Ofcom (the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries), will be bringing in a free of charge service for anyone calling an 0800, 0808 and 116 number from their mobile. With landline usage in decline, it is a sensible move forward.  With such a huge revolution in mobile phones, the trusty landline is in serious decline.  More people communicate via text message, email and mobile phone calls than with a landline. And, Ofcom themselves has reported that the number of mobile-only homes has gone from 10% in 2006 to over 15% in 2012. 

With many businesses and services offering an 0800 or 0808 number it will no doubt mean an increase in calls from mobile phones to such services. 

Time to change

Another change that will take affect as of next year is that anyone dialing an 084, 087, 09 or 118 number will be made clear of the exact costs of placing such a call.  This will help the called to determine whether they wish to continue.  For mobile phone users it's essential to know the exact cost of calls that are outside of your plan, as hefty bills can be problematic.

If you currently run a business that could be affected by such changes then don’t worry, Ofcom will be in touch to let you know more. You have plenty of time to find out what to do next and there will be a variety of options available to you. 

Overall, there is a demand for businesses to make life easier and less costly for mobile phone users, particularly as the number of landlines installed continues to fall. 

If you’re concerned about any of the changes then do contact Ofcom to find out more.  Also, if you’re worried about your current mobile phone tariff and want to reduce your costs further then speak to us at Fivebars Mobile to find out how we can help. 

How integrated is your business? Five reasons why businesses are turning to Lumia

Microsoft Lumia (originally called the Nokia Lumia Series) have phased out Nokia and is now fully ‘Microsoft Window’ operated. But what does this mean? And more importantly, what does this mean for your business? 

Well, as Fivebars Mobile has discovered, there are plenty of reasons why businesses are turning to Lumia,  and these are mainly to do with managing and running your business more efficiently from your handset. 

Reason 1 - email management 

One of the main appeals of Lumia is that the Windows phone has both Microsoft Mobile Office and Outlook actually built in, as standard.  That means that managing your emails, word documents, spreadsheets and the like is really simple, with everything quite literally at your fingertips. 

Reason 2 - integration 

You can integrate your current Windows ecosystem with your mobile device.  The fab guys at in the Windows team offer support to identify your business needs and provide a plan and training. This can be done either remotely, or on-site. 

Reason 3 - security 

There is always a worry where security is concerned, especially with all the login details and passwords we have to have. So knowing that your systems and technology is bullet proof accounts for more than just peace of mind.  Clever in-built security means that you don’t have to worry; Windows has taken care of it for you.

Reason 4 - Personalisation 

Everyone wants to be able to personalise their smartphone to suit their business needs. Apps at the ready, a synced-up calendar. Personalise your start screen with all the tools that you need, each and every day. 

Reason 5 - MDM 

Mobile Device Management (MDM) enables you to access resources from anywhere. And, it monitors activity to ensure that corporate resources don’t fall into the wrong hands. 

Doing your job, managing your time, and being more efficient are essentials to anyone who works. Having the right smartphone can certainly make all the difference. Technology is fast evolving and Lumia is definitely ideal for the business market. 

To find out more about price plans or for further advice simply speak to us at Fivebars Mobile. 

The weather outside is frightful ...

And 90,000 children will be homeless this Christmas (figures from Shelter.org.uk). A hard hitting fact, right?  So, whilst you’re planning on decking the halls with holly, preparing your Christmas dinner, and shopping for your family, it’s worth sparing a thought, or some food, or blankets for those who won’t have a home this Christmas. 

A cause close to our hearts, saw our very own financial controller, Nicola Shakespeare, take to the streets the other night.  Deciding that she wanted to learn not to take things for granted, she volunteered to sleep out for a night for The Society of St James, a homeless charity in Southampton. As Nicola points out, we take a lot for granted, especially at this time of year.  

Nicola described her experience as extremely tough.  Fivebars Mobile were on hand to provide entertainment until 11pm, but then it was time to bunk down and get some sleep. The reality, as Nicola explained was that ‘We were fortunate enough to have been under a marquee, homeless people do not.  We also had nice, new, thick sleeping bags, again, the homeless don’t.” 

But the hardest part of the whole experience was what came the next day.  Despite the rain and the flooded floors, the lack of sleep and inability to keep dry or warm, it was surviving the next day.  Nicola talked of her lack of energy, and how tired she was. 

Overall the experience really opened Nicola’s eyes to the extremes that the homeless have to face.  “We did it for one night and struggled.  The next time I see a homeless person, it will make me think more as to how they got there. Spare change or a warm coffee might just help that person to get through their day and to focus on the night ahead.” 

But the great news is, that this year's One Big Sleepout raised over £10,000 - so, well done to all those who supported, donated, and who slept out, including Nicola. 

Housing Day 

Yesterday the hashtag #HousingDay was trending on Twitter, bringing awareness to the housing issues in the UK and those who have lost their homes altogether.  With increased rentals and a shortage of social housing, it’s estimated that one family loses their home every 11 minutes. 

So, the next time you walk past someone who’s homeless, think before judging.  Ask yourself what led them to that place, and why they no longer have a home.  A cup of tea, a blanket or even some food could change their day; you could change their day. 

If you want to find out more about The Society of St James then head on over to their website.  You’ll also find plenty of ways you can help and support this charity. 

Top secret: helpful iPhone secrets and shortcuts

Top secret: helpful iPhone secrets and shortcuts 

Your iPhone that sits in your pocket or your handbag is a clever device.  No longer do we need to carry our laptops, cameras, iPods and other gadgets to work with us, it all sits neatly in one pocket sized phone.  But, you may not realise the full potential of your iPhone.  So, here are a few little secrets and shortcuts from us, here at Fivebars Mobile, to help you unleash its power. 

Keyboard trickery 

Tired of tapping the caps lock key whenever you want to type?  Did you know that if you tap it twice you can type in capitals to your heart's content? So, if you really need to type an angry text or email you can do so with ease. 

Simple shortcut 

If you head to settings/general/keyboard you can create your own shortcuts.  If you have particular phrases that you use all the time but are fed up with having to auto correct it or shorten in then tell your phone and it will continue to do it for you.  So, rather than typing see you soon or be right back you can tell your phone to ‘sys’ or ‘brb’.

Get more from your camera 

The + volume button will take a picture for you, did you know that? Turn your camera to landscape and hit the + volume button and ‘snap’, your photo has been shot. You can also enhance your photos by using your iPhones own enhancement tools.  Get rid of red eye, crop an image or rotate a picture.  Now, say ‘cheese’.

Oh, and you can screen shot your phone too.  How? By clicking the lock button and the home button at the same time. Sounds simple but it’s such a handy little tool. 

Take a selfie with your headphones 

Daft as it may seem, and yes, the world has gone selfie mad, but you can take a selfie using your headphones.  Plug in your headphones, open the camera app and click the volume up button on your phone.  Snap! And your selfie is taken. Less shake and far more natural. 

Shake it, shake, shake, shake it 

Did you know that if you’ve written something and then accidentally deleted it all you need to do is to shake your phone. Shake it once to bring up the undo typing and twice to redo. Clever, huh? 

Your iPhone is a powerful little device, look after it well, and make sure you’re getting the most from it.  Speak to us at Fivebars Mobile for more information and how we can review your tariff for free. 

Look who’s talking

Your mobile phone is more than just a device to speak to your colleagues on, to respond to emails and to check your diary.  It’s a device that enables you to talk to your clients directly, to find out more about what your customers want from you.  We’re talking about social media. 

Social media is an extremely powerful tool.  Much like your mobile phone, no longer is it a ‘nice to have’ it’s a 'must have'. Using social media for your business is a vital part of your marketing strategy and by ensuring you have access to your social media accounts through your mobile phone, you can always stay on top of what your customers are saying about you.

Facebook 

This is the best place to start.  Shifting focus from old fashioned press advertising and printed material, to having a Facebook page means that you can directly interact with your customers.  Small businesses should not be ignoring social media.  It enables people to really engage and to share what they think and feel.  Qualitative data rather than quantitive . 

And, by downloading the Facebook app, you can manage your business Facebook page directly from your mobile phone. 

Twitter 

Twitter is an ideal social tool for helping to expand your business. Tweet something of value and you will soon see your Twitter following grow.  Many businesses are now able to track their social media referrals and have seen an increase the more they’re interacting with their customers. 

Download the app today. 

Instagram 

Another great tool is Instagram.  If you’re business is very product focused then this is the ideal social media network to utilise.  Taking images of your products and sharing them, with the relevant hashtags of course, will help to boost your profile.  Making sure you have a phone with a decent camera is essential. 

Setting up an Instagram account takes just a few simple steps but it could really change the way you do business.   

LinkedIn

Having a LinkedIn profile that you can access at your fingertips means you can stay on top of your contacts and start to expand your network.  All that time traveling between meetings and on business trips can be put to good use by making the most of your social media apps. 

Want to see who’s talking about you and what they’re saying? Use your mobile phone to keep on top of your social media activity and to really engage and interact with your audience.  It’s important to make sure you have a phone plan that includes data usage, otherwise you could find yourself with a hefty bill. 

Speak to us at Fivebars Mobile to find out how we can get you a price plan that suits you and your business needs.  

What you need to know about driving and mobile phone use

Across Hampshire, Isle of Wight and the Thames Valley, over the course of one year, police officers have caught almost 16,000 drivers using their mobile phone whilst behind the wheel of car.  The police haven’t made mobile phone use whilst driving illegal for nothing and here's why:

Did you know, you’re four times more likely to crash your car whilst using your mobile phone? 

Did you know, that your reaction time slows by around 50%?

Did you know, that even the sound of your mobile phone ringing in your car is a major distraction? 

Did you know, that texting whilst driving means 35% slower reaction times and poor lane control? 

We could go on.  

As a safety conscious mobile phone business, we at Fivebars Mobile are not only here to get you a good mobile phone deal, we also want you to be safe.  If you get caught using a mobile phone whilst driving then you could receive a £100 fine and three points on your licence. You could also go to court, be disqualified from driving and receive a higher fine. 

It can be all too tempting to use a mobile phone whilst driving, which is why we urge you to think of your safety, and the safety of others.  We offer car kits that meet the legal requirements and will enable you to carry on driving and operating your car safely.  

Top tips

But there are a few ways you can endeavour to be safer on the roads:

• Consider turning your phone on silent so that the noise doesn’t distract you or be tempting to answer
• Stop, where appropriate, to take calls so you’re not distracted whilst driving 
• Put your phone out of reach to avoid temptation 
• Ensure your car is fitted with a hands-free kit in case you do have to take a call 
• If you know someone else is driving try to avoid calling them unless it’s urgent 

You may see yourself as the most careful driver in the world, but the facts don’t lie.  Do all you can to protect yourself and others on the roads.  We understand just how important it is to stay communicated with others, but there is a time and a place.  That email can wait, that text message can wait, your Facebook update can wait too. Think before you answer. 

Top five iPhone apps that will help you get organised

Is there ever a moment in your day when you are without your mobile phone? Probably not.  We use our mobile phones for calling, texting, listening to music, making reservations, shopping and even to help us stay on top of things.  You can often forget that there is a whole world of apps out there; some to entertain us, some to help us find what we’re looking for, and others to help us run our lives. 

At Fivebars Mobile we are big advocates of anything that helps to organise our life better, which is why we have picked the top five iPhone apps that will help you to stay focused and get things done.  Stop procrastinating now ...

Evernote 

No need to carry an old school notebook around with you, Evernote is the perfect way to create notes and ideas.  Whether you need to keep notes on family life and things you need to do to work projects or inspirational thoughts, Evernote lets you keep them in one place. This means that your notes, ideas and even research are all to hand on one clever app. 

Basecamp 

This nifty project management tool enables you to create areas for your projects, to-do lists and even calendars that you can share with others.  Ideal for work as everything is in one place and email notification means you always know what is going on at any given time.  Basecamp will even give you a daily round-up of what has happened in each of your active projects. Check it out! 

Remember the milk 

Great name, huh? This is a task management app that helps you to create lists, share tasks, share with your Google calendar and to ensure you never forget anything, including the milk. 

1Password 

Tired of searching for all your different passwords for every bank account, app or even social media account you have? Then 1Password is for you.  With security being its number one priority, you only need to worry about logging in to this app in order to have all your passwords at your fingertips. 

Earnest 

Want to keep on track with your accounts and records? This clever, free app means that you can track your income and expenses and help you manage your tax better.  Ideal for small businesses, start-ups and the self-employed. 

There are so many different apps out there to choose from, so go find the ones that are right for you.  You’ll be amazed at how much more power that mobile phone has now. 

On the road tips to save your phone battery.

We all know how frustrating it can be when you are out and about and your phone battery is heading towards 0%. We have the best tips to keep your phone battery up and running! 

1. Get your portable charger from Fivebars Mobile: 
A portable charger is self explanatory; a charger with no power leads and allows you to inject your phone with life. These vary in size, weight and capacity depending on the make and model of your handset. 

2. Think logically about using data: 
Do you run a lot of apps on your phone? Keep your apps open? Remember, you can simply close all running apps on your phone (this can be done by, for example, double clicking and swiping the windows up on an iPhone). Ensure that you are connected to a Wi-Fi whenever possible and turn off mobile data when it is not needed. 

3. Preserve energy: 
Keep your phone screen settings on low, turn off Wi-Fi and data wherever possible, reduce time-out sessions on your phone and un-install non-essential applications. 

4. Get the App: 
There are a variety of applications available to keep an eye on what applications are using the most battery and data- this way you can close these applications and preserve your battery. 

Sources: 
http://futurethinking.ee.co.uk/5-on-the-road-power-tips-for-keeping-your-mobile-device-battery-charged-up/

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=battery+life&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UE_8U4v7Gc6L4gTy5ID4Cw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=2fb3dEA8PaFSHM%253A%3BJpeXI3vGHRLWYM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ftbreak.ae%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2014%252F05%252Ffeathrure.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.lifehack.org%252Farticles%252Ftechnology%252F14-reasons-why-your-iphone-goes-out-battery-quickly.html%3B960%3B540

Is your mobile suddenly using more data than usual?

Is your phone suddenly using a lot more data lately?

The reason could be that your friends at Facebook have changed your streaming settings without asking you and started streaming video content automatically while you scroll!

The result is up to 5 times more data is used than normal. We've already seen some nasty bills come in for some companies especially while on holiday!

So our advice?

We are advising customers to switch it off so it only auto starts if you are connected to wifi.
You can do this in your Facebook settings.

Best regards

Martin Murphy

Fivebars Mobile
For companies with more sense than money! 

Sources: 
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=facebook&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Klb0U_ScOYjT0QWj5oCYBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAw&biw=1366&bih=667#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=w0VV92Hv1EYiGM%253A%3BGNB6RUWYHrc4uM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Ffbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net%252Fhphotos-ak-xfp1%252Ft31.0-8%252F1271084_10152203108461729_809245696_o.png%253Fdl%253D1%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252Ffacebook%3B1024%3B1024

How to protect your mobile phone from theft

If you are one of the thousands people who rely on their mobile phones, then you will know how crucial it can be if you realise your phone has been stolen. Many people use their mobiles for business, to keep in contact with friends/family, to store precious memories and to keep a calender. We have the official list of top tips on how to protect your phone from theft!

1. Keep an eye on your phone- especially on a night out!
We all know how hectic a night out can be, therefore, remember to not leave your phone unattended, or keep your phone in an insecure bag (Such as a bag with no zip or easily accessible). At all times, make sure your phone is in a secure place.

2. Keep an eye on your surroundings.
If you are in a busy place, make sure that your phone is not hanging out of your pocket, or perhaps in your hand. It can be misconceiving how easily your phone can be taken. Ensure that your phone is in a secure place, especially when in over crowded places such as shopping centres.

3. Find out your IMEI number and keep it safe.
Each phone number will have an individual number which can be found on the inside of the handset or on the phone box. Ensure that you keep this number safe, therefore, in the case of your phone being stolen you will be able to report the individual number. No two IMEI numbers are the same.

4. Always have a pass lock on your phone and make sure that you select 'erase data' after a certain amount of attempts.
Pass locks are a very good idea on how to keep the contents of your phone safe and secure. While the reliability of the 'face unlock' has been scrutinised, we strongly believe the most secure pass lock is an alphanumeric number. This will consist of upper and lower case letters as well as numbers. Make sure that your pass lock number is something not too obvious, therefore, in the case that your phone is stolen then it is very unlikely the recipient will be able to unlock your phone.

5. Never leave your phone in your car unattended.
We have all been in the situation when we are popping out of the car for a very short space of time. However, it is also very quick for someone to take your phone from your car when you are not there. Please ensure that your phone is kept out of sight and never keep it in plane sight if you are not in the vehicle.

6. Make sure that you spread your valuables around your person.
Ensure that your valuables are not all kept in the same place. For example, keep your keys in one pocket, your phone in your bag and your keys in another pocket. This will mean that if someone takes your possessions you will not loose all of your valuables.

7. Ensure you property mark your phone with your house number and postcode.
In the event of your phone being stolen, and someone is kind enough to wish to return it to you, they will be able to at least track you down to be able to return it to you. We recommend you write it on a piece of paper and perhaps keep it under your phone case.

8. Lastly, if your phone has been stolen, ensure you report it to your network and the police as soon as possible. The network will be able to cut off the phone so that it will be no use to the person who took your phone.

Following the above tips you should manage to keep your phone secure.

Regards

Millie Hebbard
Customer Service- Fivebars Mobile


Sources:
http://www.canterburytimes.co.uk/tips-protect-mobile-phone-theft/story-22732884-detail/story.html

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mobile+phone+theft&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=aPrtU7bUEcyh7Aaqx4CQAQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=624#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=MnpIoKQ_XCqDzM%253A%3B1UF0v-6ZIzZtUM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.leavedebtbehind.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2011%252F02%252Fidentity-theft.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.leavedebtbehind.com%252Ffrugal-living%252Ftech%252Fidentity-theft-is-your-cell-phone-an-easy-target%252F%3B355%3B382


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mobile+phone+theft&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=aPrtU7bUEcyh7Aaqx4CQAQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=624#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=5Y9n8E4KTtqDrM%253A%3BUonB5q3PIq4dDM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.phoneslimited.co.uk%252Ffiles%252F2013%252F04%252F119281489_smart_pho_371268c-300x199.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.phoneslimited.co.uk%252Fuk-crime-rate-down-but-mobile-phone-theft-up-according-to-police%252F%3B300%3B199

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mobile+phone+theft&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=aPrtU7bUEcyh7Aaqx4CQAQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=624#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=b6wVprbvwgUP4M%253A%3Bd7h4x_5Sec6J4M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.inthebag.org.uk%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2009%252F01%252Fchart4.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.inthebag.org.uk%252Fabout-bag-theft%252Fwhat-are-hot-products%252F%3B400%3B228

5G coming to London by 2020?

A recent article in the 'Mobile News' by James Pearce really has got us thinking. Boris Johnson last week announced the plans to introduce the "super fast 5G to London by 2020". Johnson is wanting to bring London up to the highest possible connection speed around; faster than the already supersonic 4G!! 

Will this bring Londoners to be able to access information immediately? Of course. Why? Because Boris Johnson wants to introduce this as a key part of the infrastructure plan for London. The UK Government will be giving £5 million in funding over the next 5 years to research this technology, working alongside companies such as Samsung, Huawei and Fujitsu. 

How do we reckon 5G will go down? Well, if all goes to plan, then 5G will most definitely excel London up there with some of the best! 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=5g&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Q_ztU9eNHsap0AWCrYG4BA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=624#q=5g+coming%3F&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=vqZI4yGGIar3aM%253A%3BqiYCFLWF5W752M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.laptopmag.com%252Fwpress%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F05%252FSamsung5G.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblog.laptopmag.com%252F5g-coming-2020%3B631%3B298

Vodafone voted worst for rural calls.

Have you ever been in the middle of nowhere and attempted to make a phone call and realised you have no signal? Ofcom have reported Vodafone are the worst network for connecting rural calls. Networks such as EE, O2, Three and Vodafone were all compared on their performance. The research was measuring the quality of calls with coverage and the number of calls that failed to connect and unexpectedly cut off. Is it not apparent that one should be able to pick up their mobile phone and make a call regardless of whether they are in the heart of the city or if they are in the middle of nowhere; logic would dictate this would be the case. 

In the case of working in the city, 78% of people stated they were satisfied with their mobile network, while 33% of rural customers stated that they were unsatisfied with their service. Looking at these figures as a whole, these are quite worrying figures. In 2013, a study confirmed that 97% of EE phone calls were successfully connected in urban areas, along side a 93.7% successful connection rate in rural areas. On the other hand, 92.6% of Vodafone calls were successfully connected in urban areas, while they only had a 79.9% successful connection rate in rural areas. EE have stated that their successful connection rate is due to "investing hundreds of millions each year in expanding the reach of our network so that more people can make calls in more places". 

O2 were also successful in the report, with 95.3% successful connection rate in urban areas and 87.4% in rural areas. O2 released the statement of "we are pleased that we are the best network in urban areas across England and the UK, where the majority of our customers are." The report went on to say that "a fifth of people said they were experiencing blocked and dropped calls at least once a week, and this increased in rural areas". Should it not be apparant that the signal strength of the phone should remain, within reason, the same no matter where you are? EE's results are supporting this. 

To conclude, we really can see that EE's connection rate is soaring with success with their incredible results regarding the Ofcom report. Will we see a change in the way Vodafone are operating in order to boost signal strength and successful connection rate? We shall have to wait and see.... 

Regards

Millie Hebbard

Customer Service- Fivebars Mobile

Sources: 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=vodafone+vs+ee&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=KcPtU-faH-id0AXOu4DABQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg#q=ee+vs+vodafone&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=dfNwaOoOOMrWXM%253A%3BBnMrfylldAJxaM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcblcdn.co.uk%252Fimages%252Fguides%252Fee-vs-vodafone-mobile--l-289.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cable.co.uk%252Fguides%252Fee-vs-vodafone-mobile%252F%3B300%3B300

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28758595

Can Samsung really keep the pressure on Apple?

After reading an article in this weeks 'Mobile News' an article published in there really got us thinking here at Fivebars. With the release of the Apple iPhone 6 just around the corner, what will Samsung be able to pull out of their pocket? With Samsung releasing their Samsung Galaxy S5 in early April, will more people be swayed to purchase the iPhone 6? 

Apple have only released 2 phones in the past year, the iPhone 5S and introduced the iPhone 5C in a variety of colours which caused of lot of interest due to the vast change in the phone with the option to truly customise it to your own liking by picking the colour. "Apple have seen a 13% increase on sales while profit increased by 12%" according to the Mobile News. Apple have also gone on to achieve an all-time quarterly record with 51 million iPhones being sold in three months in 2013.  

Samsung have managed to also keep up with the pressure though, with the manufacturer stating there will be an invite to the "Unpacked" event at the IFA in Berlin on September 3rd; thus suggesting a new release perhaps? How will Apple cope with the Samsung release being so close to the release of the Apple iPhone 6? Samsung further went on to comment that "There will be the release of 2 high-end smartphones during the remainder of the year". 

In conclusion, we are sure that Apple will excel in the release of the iPhone 6, therefore, leaving its rivals under pressure to restrict Apple's acceleration releasing their own products to top this! We look forward to the battle of the smartphones!! 

Regards

Millie Hebbard

Customer Service- Fivebars Mobile

Sources: 

Mobile News, August 11 2014, "Can Samsung keep pressure on Apple?" by Paul Withers. 

Photo courtesy of: 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=samsung+vs+apple&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=7L7tU7qaOaKh0QXupYCYBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=667#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=fcGybp2WKO971M%253A%3BDbK6EZo-EL88IM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fphandroid.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F10%252FSamsung-vs-Apple.jpeg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fphandroid.com%252F2014%252F03%252F31%252Fapple-vs-samsung-2014%252F%3B600%3B400

Social Media

With over 70% of marketeers using social media to find new customers, Fivebars believe that using social media will allow for a healthy flow of relevant information to keep companies up to date with the latest news, deals and updates on business and the mobile phone industry. 

You can find us on Facebook!

With over 1.5 billion Facebook users, we found that with Facebook, we can connect with business on a completely new level. We now use our Facebook page to update our followers with news, updates and tips on topics such as how to avoid large phone bills, advising them on the latest deals available and also showcasing brand new mobile phones on the market live as it happens. With 23% of Facebook users logging on up to 5 times a day, we ensure our page is regularly updated

. 

You can also find us on Twitter!

With over 550 million registered users on Twitter, we made the wise decision to also get our business out there by creating an account. With the updates of Twitter being used to generate 34% of leads, we found that this is a great way to get to the customers who may not have otherwise known who we were. With Twitter having a 44% growth from 2012-2013, we anticipate that it is going to explode with success and interest in the coming years!

So, in essence, to keep up to date with all that is going on at Fivebars mobile, simply follow us on Twitter & like us on Facebook. We are always giving you the greatest news and updates, as well as rewarding our followers by running free give a ways. 

Regards

Millie Hebbard
Customer Service- Fivebars Mobile

Welcome to our Blog!

Welcome to our Blog!

Fivebars Mobile are a company based in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, specialising in business mobile phones and unified communication. Fivebars have years of experience with UK networks and and are experts dealing with keeping costs down for companies that travel.

Fivebars recognised that a large majority of companies were not being looked after properly by their networks or their dealers or being guided properly to select the correct tariff and rail roading customers into networks that weren't right for them.

We wanted to change that.

We wanted to be different.

At Fivebars, we have 5 key values that all of our staff adhere to:

1. Honesty: At all times, we are completely truthful with you, offering you independent and comprehensive advice, with your best interest in mind at all times.

2. Independence: We are on your side! We focus on what is best for you, offering you the best advice around.

3. Value: We get you the best deals around, with our joint experience in the field, we know you and we know the market. You can be promised a good deal when signing up with Fivebars Mobile.

4. Partnership: We are here for you the whole way; call us any time! Our friendly staff will make you feel at ease straight away, giving you honest, up to date, advice as it happens. Any problem you have, just send us an email or pick up the phone, we are always more than happy to help.

5. Range: For all business needs, we can give you advice on not just your mobile phones, but also on your landlines, car kits and homeworker set ups.

Our main aim is to take the hassle away from you dealing with your mobiles making it a stress free experience enabling you to run your business uninterrupted.

We look forward to keeping you up to date with all our latest deals, news, facts and reviews.

Regards

Millie Hebbard
Customer Service- Fivebars Mobile