Chimera’s research on the role of broadband communications in the home featured in the i10 network’s July 2007 innovation east magazine. The research used the University’s iDorm2 facility to see how families made use of a range of new broadband-based communications technologies including internet-based telephony (VOIP) alongside more traditional means such as fixed line DECT telephone handsets. Examples of results include differing expectations of voice quality and in particular, notable frustrations when voice call quality was disrupted by heavy concurrent internet use and confusion over relative call costs. The results of the research, which was funded by a UK telecommunications company are now being fed back into the design of the products and services and further demonstrated the value of using ‘Living Labs‘ to assess novel products and services under relatively realistic but controllable conditions.

Contact: Joy van Helvert