The end of an era - 'Notice of site decommission'

'WML Site: Notice of decommission

On 10th January 2011 the WML version of BBC Mobile will close.

The BBC has made the decision based on value for money and usage of the service compared to the services available. The BBC continues to offer an optimised XHTML mobile site for supported handsets.

Two years ago, WML made up 20% of our traffic - today it is less than 1%. As always, we have to look at as much value for money as possible, and we cannot justofy the expense of maintaining the WML version for an ever-descreasing number of values. We have therefore decided to focus development on the XHTML mobile site.

Those devices that suport XHTML will be redirected.'

The above was the sight that greeted me when I tried to access the BBC's old WML news website. It seems that no more will I be able to pick up the news headlines and the football results whilst out and about unless I buy a new mobile phone. My trusty old Nokia has sufficed for such purposes for many years now but it seems that the BBC has decreed that I nust buy a new handset. Then I re-read the BBC 'notice' and I was struck by the language and menaing being imparted.

'On 10th January 2011 the WML version of BBC Mobile will close.' Is 28 days notice is all that the BBC deem appropriate?

'The BBC has made the decision based on value for money and usage of the service compared to the services available.' How much does the XML site cost to update on an absolute and on a per user basis? How does that compatre with the XHTML site?
'The BBC continues to offer an optimised XHTML mobile site for supported handsets.' What about unsupported handsets? What is the proportion of supported to unsupported handsets amongst the UK population?

'Two years ago, WML made up 20% of our traffic - today it is less than 1%.' What are the actual numbers? What percentage of UK BBC TV viewers watch BBC Wales? Is it less than 1% of the UK population?
'As always, we have to look at as much value for money as possible,' Don't make me laugh, the BBC caring about value for money!

'and we cannot justofy the expense of maintaining the WML version for an ever-descreasing number of users.'Once again how many peope watch BBC Wales, BBC Three, BBC Four and the other minoritry BBC channels?
'We have therefore decided to focus development on the XHTML mobile site.' Who mentioned 'development' of the XML site? I just want it to be keptupdated with news.

'Those devices that suport XHTML will be redirected.' And those that don't won't; does the BBC have no duty of care to the whole British public?


A version of this post will be used as the basis of a complaint to the BBC...