The Cold Turnkey

According to Peter Marsden, Vice President of IT and Networks at Orange, large investments are being made to make improvements in their network. It is anticipated that these heavy investments will at least bring them closer to their short-term goal, which is to eventually become the best network in the UK for both coverage and reliability. Hopefully this will be accomplished by 2009. At present, Orange is believed to have the largest integrated network in the UK (3G/2.5G), with a UK population coverage of 99 percent. In comparison to their rival O2, they are definitely in the lead. In fact, quite recently, O2’s license was almost reduced by Ofcom (telecoms regulator), because of a shortfall in network coverage. However, in May O2 finally made it, with at least 80 percent coverage.

The improvement being made by Orange is encompasses a brand new infrastructure in selected region like NE England, N Ireland and Scotland. They plan to provide coverage in these regions, to cities, towns, business parks, hotels, airports, rail routes, and conference centers. Voice and Data speeds will boost up to 3G, and call connection rate is expected to be at a high of 00 percent. This move will also pave the way for next year’s launching of the 3.5G technology, also known as 3G/HSDPA. This is a faster, and will provide a better support for users of mobile broadband.

Orange recently released laptops bundled with mobile-broadband. They plan to add about 450 new 2G and 3G sites in the next 12 months. They continue to pour in millions of pounds in developing their network - an estimated £1m each work day.

Male grooming is becoming increasingly common place and grooming products for men correspondingly more lucrative. In 2004 sales of men’s products were valued at £650,000 in travel retail outlets worldwide by Generation Databank, representing a rise of 23.9%. Male grooming is as fast moving as womens beauty and skincare, it’s amazing how the guys are readily accepting the new looks and the diversity of the treatments and the results are stunning! See eye envy (the latest shoot for men) and fashion focus for men on the web site. Male grooming is more than just keeping good hygiene it’s about looking and feeling your best. It’s an enhancement that we all should really take seriously.

Male grooming used to be only the remit of a barber shop, which sold wet-based on how much experience the barber had now we are seeing the same buzz around high class salon’s catering for men’s needs. This could be the future of male grooming. Sue has found that men don’t feel comfortable having their hair cut and styled in a unisex salon and prefer a male orientated environment with experienced barbers and skin care experts. She points out: “The male grooming market has changed dramatically over the recent years” and we should all take notice.