• Cheap connection An Oftel study shows that British consumers are benefiting from some of the lowest prices in Europe for internet access, fixed-line and mobile telephone calls. The report reveals that Britain has the lowest prices available for off-peak net access, and much lower than Sweden, the next best country surveyed.

• Faithful Venture capitalist 3i yesterday reaffirmed its faith in the technology sector despite recent market jitters, although it was far from a ringing endorsement of e-commerce. The company's finance director, Michael Queen, said: "It's important to focus on where the technology investment is, if you look at where we've got money invested, the smallest proportion is in e-business." The group said technology investment made up around 40% of its portfolio. However, the vast bulk of 3i's technology investment is in areas such as software, computer services, electronics and communications.