Digital radio needs to make more noise says the FT. One of the early drivers towards Digital Radio writes on why it's important that BOTH Commercial Broadcasters and the BBC need to convince the public to switch on to digital. I have been a user for 4 years now first with a Wavefinder which worked through my PC and now with a Roberts. The service has seen its highs and lows but in preference I use my digital radio over my traditional set, listening to 4-5 hours a day work permitting.

The Sunday Times has a fair review of what is wrong with the current state of digital radio. I just hope that the Broadcasters have learnt from the iTV false start and get there act together, if they don't then Radio could follow Record Companies towards extinction!

Digital Radio is important not just for the fact that it improves the sound quality, what is also important is that it also allows data to be transmitted. This means that the user can "see" station information and track details they can also interact. Thus the next generation of Digital Radio should see some genuine inovation in the way that we use the radio.

channel4.com - THE BOY WHOSE SKIN FELL OFF I am watching this and feeling very small!

Having seen him at the start "full of life" and then move closer to death as a result of his skin cancer makes me realise what like is about a lot more than what most of us do. This is what public service broadcast is all about!

Perhaps this is what they should ask the great and good up for the top job at the BBC what they think we should be watching that makes us change the way we behave!

Speed Networking is somethis that interests me. Over the last 6 years running my own business what has become important were the relationships built slowly over time. I have been a member of Trusted Business Networks and found that it has been a waste of time with a number of false leads which took so much time that membership was pointless!

Like speed dating can you build a business relationship quickly over a warm beer?

Been looking at the future of Mobile Data Services for the last few days on behalf of a client.

Read some many different reports from other consultants and research groups that even SIX shots of espresso cannot cure my thumping brain. Interesting to see how over the last two years the potential for mobile data has fallen rather than increased as we have seen the network operators lower there investment in 3G. Last week at CeBIT saw a number of software companies pushing video over radio. (Not a surprise to see that these guys are having problems raising funds or finding customers!)

So what will the new service NOT be?

Watching Eastenders on your Nokia sitting on the Tube.
Playing Prince of Persia against a guy in Brazil on your Sony Ericsson when you should be working
Reading the latest Chicklit ebook on your Siemens
Filling your order at Tesco.com

What could you be doing next year with your phone?

Navigating around Lisbon on your short break with your phone.
Paying for your Pizza using your phone rather than Visa.
IM on the run using Push-2-Talk.
Flirting with the "fit one" in the bar even though you cannot see exactly who they are.

What needs to be done to move the vision towards the now?

The handset makers need to build better batteries so when we start using these services we can be mobile rather than wired into the power network.
Networks who have real Customer Service, that will set up our phone over the air so that we may use the services easily and quickly.
A sense that we are paying the economic price rather than being ripped off.

Finally what those of us who work in the mobile work need to understand just what those guys in the street will use and pay for.

A brief introduction.

I am approaching the big 40 live with my Partner at the edge of the Met Line with our 3 daughters.

My first job was with an American technology company 19 years ago where I got the bug for geekdom. I also discovered that what matters is your ability not your job title something that at times has caused me difficulty with clients.

After a winding journey I run my own consulting firm with eight associates spread from Boston to Latvia. We work only in the Mobile space helping network owners, equipment manufacturers and software firms to understand just what the difference is between wireless and mobile and how they could make money.

The thumbnail over I will be back to express my views on all things technology.