Be Broadband members get ‘Freaky’ with new game beta

Be Broadband announced today that it would be partnering with Abandon Interactive Entertainment (AIE), a video game developer and publisher, to offer its members the chance to Beta test ‘Freaky Creatures’, an exciting new cross-platform MMO (massively multiplayer online game).

Here's the trailer to the game:

A cross-platform MMO game, Freaky Creatures allows players to create their own unique creatures and battle them against friends via the PC or their mobile phone. Players begin with collectable action figures and a reusable USB flash drive that brings the creatures to life online. The initial creatures come with 50 different parts, 20 powers and 4 objects that can be placed into the creature’s lair. The variety of parts and powers allow players to create more than 3.2 billion different creatures at launch. Players can battle other creatures online, invite friends to their creatures lairs, participate in teams, trade via the online economy and participate in a wide variety of tournaments and contests as they level up their creatures to unlock more advanced game play.

Felix Geyr, Managing Director of Be Broadband, said: “Since launch, Be Gamer has grown from strength to strength – both in terms of users and the added benefits on offer to Be members. The opportunity for our members to beta test this exciting game shows that we are looking for new ways to enhance their experience with Be and get the most out of their broadband service. We look forward to bringing more features and opportunities to Be Gamer that our members will be interested in.”

To get into the beta and be one of the first to test this new game, Be members need to follow these simple steps:

• Go to www.begamer.co.uk (link corrected from earlier post) and register as a Be Gamer member (members must be 16 years or over to register)
  
• From there, go the Freaky Creatures page at www.begamer.co.uk/freaky to register for the beta
  
• They will then be sent a beta code and instructions on what to do next!
  

Be Gamer launches dedicated gaming arena for Be members

Be Gamer is pleased to announce the creation of a dedicated gaming arena for Be members. We currently have 5 servers live and will have heaps of new features and competitions in the new year – watch this space!

Go to www.begamer.co.uk/gameservers to get started!

Here's the details of the 5 servers:

Left 4 Dead
Game IP: 85.236.100.107:27215

Counterstrike:Source
Game IP: 85.236.100.107:27015

Team Fortress 2
Game IP: 85.236.100.107:27115

Call of Duty 4 ( v1.7 )
Game IP: 85.236.100.107:29060

Call of Duty, World at War
Game IP: 85.236.100.107:28960

Be introduces new technology to double the speed of its 24Mb high-speed broadband

Be Broadband has successfully completed their first trials to double the speed of their up to 24Mb broadband to almost 50Mb.

Be already offers broadband up to 24Mb but has been testing new technology in London that can ‘bond’ two high-speed connections together – doubling customers’ current speed.

The initial trial ran across the central London Paddington exchange. In member feedback, Be’s customers have reported real-world download speeds of between 30Mb and 45Mb. This is the equivalent of 3MB to 4.5MB each second – the size of an average MP3 file. Wider trials of the service are planned through 2009.

"We want to push the limits of high-speed broadband. We already offer the fastest possible broadband on an ADSL line, but we want to take it a step further. If you want broadband around the 50Mb mark but don’t want to go the cable route, Be wants to offer you a real alternative.”

Felix Geyr, Managing Director of Be Broadband

Earlier this week Virgin announced that it will be rolling out faster broadband services through to summer 2009. However, these services will only be available in cable areas. Non-cable customers would be required to have their current phone line converted to use the service. Be Broadband’s trials will allow customers to get equivalent speeds through standard BT phone lines

While the trial’s objective was to understand the technical capabilities of the bonded service, Be also wanted to gauge the effect that these speeds had from a user experience as well. The full results of the trail, both technical and from a user perspective, will be available at the start of 2009.

Be's response to concerns over Wikipedia

Recently a notice has appeared on Wikipedia when many UK users attempt to edit pages on the site:

"Wikipedia has been added to a Internet Watch Foundation UK website blacklist, and your Internet service provider has decided to block part of your access. Unfortunately, this also makes it impossible for us to differentiate between different users, and block those abusing the site without blocking other innocent people as well."

We wanted to let our members know that we are aware of the situation and are currently looking into it.

The reason that the Wikipedia page in question was blocked appears to be that the Internet Watch Foundation considers that it would be illegal to view it under English law. We are yet to confirm this and we will let our members know why it was blocked as soon as we know.

This is the first time that a situation like this has occurred since Be signed up to the Internet Watch Foundation, a scheme that we signed up to with our member's best interests in mind. We are making sure that whatever happens next is for the benefit of our members and the reasons behind it are clearly communicated.

Be Broadband responds to Ofcom Code of Conduct launch: “A shot in the arm for quality broadband”

Ofcom has announced that the Code of Practice on broadband speeds - which was announced in June this year - comes into force today. The voluntary Code, to which Be signed up when it was first announced, is designed to provide greater clarity for consumers and reduce the potential for consumers to be misled over the speeds they will be able to achieve from their broadband service.

Under the Code, Be is required to provide consumers at the point of sale with an accurate estimate of the maximum speed that their line can support, explain clearly and simply how technical factors may slow down speeds and give help and advice to consumers to improve the situation at home. ISPs must also offer an alternative package without any penalties, if the actual speed is a lot lower than the original estimate, and explain fair usage policies clearly and alert consumers when they have been breached.

Felix Geyr, Managing Director Be Broadband, said: “The good thing for Be is that we have tried to apply these guidelines as principles for some time. We have had a speed estimator on the website since August and Members have the right to move between packages at no cost. By signing up to the Ofcom code of conduct when it was first announced we have strived to abide by its recommendations through measures such as an improved speed estimator. The voluntary code of practice is widely held as a step in the right direction for the broadband industry to cut through customer’s confusion and improve customer trust in their services. With a reputation for providing the fastest broadband access, this is a shot in the arm for quality broadband and broadband customers will see just how much faster Be Broadband’s service is compared to other ISP providers.”

A guide for consumers of what to expect from an ISP when taking a new home broadband service is also being published and provides troubleshooting tips if consumers are not getting the speeds expected.

Free Broadband for Christmas!

Sign up for Be Broadband before 14th December and you’ll get the rest of the month free. You won’t even have to pay a connection fee. Just click here and you’ll be online quickly and easily. There’s no easier way to beat the Christmas rush.

Subject to location and availability, speed dependent on distance from exchange. BT line and minimum term contract. December free offer ends 14/12/08. No subscription charges will be charged for December only, normal charges apply from 01/01/09.
See bethere.co.uk/termsandconditions for full terms. 

Be Broadband increases VAT price drop with more than 2.5 percent off

Be Broadband announced today that it will be reducing its prices by more than the standard 2.5% reduction announced last week in the government’s pre-budget report.

Be will apply a 50p price drop across all it’s standard pricing relating to the items listed below:

Monthly subscriptions:

• Be value regular pricing - £14 to £13.50
  
• Be unlimited - £18, to £17.50
  
• Be pro - £22 to £21.50

Static IP’s for Pro:

• Further pack of 7 £10 - £9.50
  
• Further pack of 8 £20 - £19.50

There will be no change to existing discounted products or services that Be Broadband offers.

Felix Geyr, Managing Director of Be Broadband, said “We had the option of following the governments 2.5% reduction in VAT, but we decided give a little extra to our members and round the price drop to 50p. We chose to give a better deal to our customers, which is more in line with Be’s way of thinking.”