Meridian Technology

A Hampshire company has been fined £100,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for sending millions of spam texts about mobile phone upgrades.

The ICO’s investigation, informed by more than 1,000 complaints from the public, found Onecom Limited broke the law which sets out strict rules about the consent people must give to receive marketing text messages.

Between 26 October 2015 and 2 June 2016, 1,050 complaints were made to the '7726 spam text reporting service', or directly to the ICO, about the text messages.

Onecom could not provide evidence to the ICO explaining the source of the data used to send the 1,050 text messages. The firm could also not provide evidence that it had consent to send the text messages. Onecom confirmed it had sent 3.3m text messages between 1 October 2015 and 31 March 2016.

It's that time of year again when the people of Reading get the chance to celebrate the town's unsung heroes.

Sir John Madejski was among supporters and businesses to attend today's official launch of Pride of Reading.

This year's theme for the awards - now in its 14th year - is technology and innovation.

The ceremony will take place in November and is hosted by TV's Chris Tarrant.

Simon Edgley, Trinity Mirror:

Bournemouth is one of the worst in the UK for 4G mobile connection. That's according to a new Which? survey which said the town had 68% availability. Middlesbrough was the best city for 4G access with 83% availability.

New technology at Heathrow Airport could mean you will no longer need to show a ticket before boarding a plane. A new scheme is being rolled out where your photo will be taken at security. Then at the gate you will walk through a barrier that recognises you. It's hoped the new scheme will help cut queues and speed up boarding.

Thames Valley Police have launched their first ever mobile app. Cary Johnston reports.

Two thousand pounds to trade in your old, polluting diesel car for a greener alternative. That's the deal the government is expected to announce in the next few days - in a bid to cut pollution and boost new car sales.

A 'toxin tax' - to be imposed on drivers entering high pollution zones - is also under consideration.

Environmentalists say Eastbourne and Maidstone are among the worst diesel pollution blackspots in the South East.

But the initiative has angered many motorists. And there's mounting pressure on the government to make the scrappage scheme universal, not selective. Malcolm Shaw reports.

Owners of diesel cars in the most polluted parts of the country may be paid to trade them in as part of government air quality plans.

Proposals for the scrappage scheme are due to be published this week.

Last year Eastbourne was named in the top 10 of the UK's most polluted towns and cities in a report by the World Health Organisation. The scheme is being supported by Dover MP Charlie Elphicke.

Heathrow is strengthening trade links to China with a second daily departure. I'll provide the only direct connection between the UK and the city of Guangzhou - one of the country's most vibrant business markets and its biggest port. China Southern Airlines has confirmed the extra service, beginning on 1 June.