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The Irish Times reports that Intel chief executive Craig Barrett says he is more optimistic than ever about the tech sector, forecasting that the current crisis will end by early next year. Speaking at technology conference Etre 2002 in Seville, Barrett said: "I have never been more optimistic on the future than I am right now, even in the middle of a recession... I expect the crisis to end in the early part of 2003 and in the [telecommunications] sector it will take more time, perhaps at the end of 2003 or the beginning of 2004." However, he said he was concerned about the drop in venture capital that has accompanied falling stock markets.
According to the Financial Times, German postal carrier Deutsche Post's chief executive, Klaus Zumwinkel, is being tipped as the most likely candidate to head up Deutsche Telekom, Germany's troubled telecommunications provider. Zumwinkel is thought to be the first choice of the German government, and sources say that Telekom's supervisory board has already asked Zumwinkel to consider taking the job. People familiar with Zumwinkel expect him to accept the post.
The same paper says computer giant IBM is about to announce a new business group as part of its strategy to shake up its troubled chip business. IBM Engineering & Technology Services aims to take advantage of the increasing demand for chip and electronic board design services. The group, which is modelled on IBM's successful Global Services IT group, has around 1,000 staff, who were transferred from other areas, and has signed up several customers, including Sony.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Sun Microsystems has agreed to sell the most recent version of its operating software for computers based on Intel chip technology, in response to criticism from customers worried that the product might be taken off the market. Since 2000, Sun has been allowing users to download Solaris for Intel-based hardware for free, but in January it indicated that it was re-evaluating this strategy, saying it was too costly to keep supporting the Intel version of Solaris at no charge. Even though Sun never said it would discontinue the Intel version, its remarks set off a wave of complaints from a small group of companies that had adopted Solaris on systems that use compatible chips from Intel or Advanced Micro Devices. Sun officials say they have devised a plan to sell Solaris 9 for USD99 a copy, starting in January 2003.
The same paper says that Yahoo plans to introduce a fee-based Instant Messanger for business users later this year. The company plans to charge a subscription fee of USD30 per user per year, which includes a year of software upgrades and support. Yahoo, which already offers an IM product, is teaming up with several technology companies to add security, administrative control and integration features to the new corporate service. Analysts and industry executives say Microsoft and America Online are also preparing corporate messaging solutions.
The Sunday Business Post reports that Bank of Ireland is planning to consolidate the IT requirements of all its subsidiaries into one company, a move that could result in layoffs. A spokeswoman for BoI said a new company, IT Systems & Infrastructure Services (Isis), was delivering IT for the bank's retail banking division and may eventually provide the technical needs for all of the bank's subsidiaries. The spokeswoman said the bank had no immediate plans to cut IT staff, but any development of Isis would be "cost-driven".
Separately, the paper reports that the Competition Authority has indicated informally that the rejected merger between AIB and Bank of Ireland could in fact go ahead under certain circumstances. The authority does not anticipate a full-scale merger between the two banks but, according to sources, is willing to consider a proposal under which changes would be made to the Irish banking market.
The paper also says that suspended IEDR chief executive Mike Fagan says he initiated legal proceedings against the company secretary just days before he was suspended. Fagan said he had filed a personal action against John Coman for allegedly harassing him and undermining his position. He also said he was considering taking legal action against some members of the IEDR's board following his suspension. Read the details of Fagan's suspension, as reported by ElectricNews.net on Wednesday.
The paper also reports that Riverdeep's decision to de-list from the Nasdaq has fuelled speculation that it may become the subject of a management buyout. ElectricNews.net reported last week that the e-learning software company was quitting the Nasdaq in favour of a primary listing on the Irish Stock Exchange. Sources say that management, led by chief executive Barry O'Callaghan, may be considering taking the company private.
The same paper reports that Amdahl IT Services is terminating its distributorship of Sun Microsystems products in favour of a closer relationship with Fujitsu Siemens Computers. Amdahl is the European arm of Fujitsu Technology Solutions. Its agreement with Fujitsu will see Amdahl offer its European customers Fujitsu Siemens next-generation Unix enterprise servers, called Primepower.
The paper also says that the scheme of arrangement for Dublin software firm Twelve Horses, which went into examinership in July, will be put to the High Court this week. The company's creditors have reportedly accepted the scheme of arrangement prepared by an examiner from Kavanagh Chartered Accountants. Company chief executive David Malone said the company was "pushing hard" to complete the examinership process and continue trading.
The same paper reports that Dublin physics software company Havok has closed a EUR7 million funding round co-led by Trinity Venture Capital and ICC Venture Capital. AIB Equity, LTG International and Enterprise Ireland also contributed funding, which will be used for research and development. Havok communications director Paul Hayes said the company would take on around 15 new staff over the next six months.
The paper also reports that Irish start-up accelerator HotOrigin is planning to raise additional funding to invest in early stage tech companies in spite of "incredibly tough" market conditions. Chief executive David Dalton said the company was close to making its seventh early stage investment and would raise more investment capital over time. He added that an eighth company should be added to the company's portfolio by the end of the year.
The same paper notes that a EUR24 million high-tech business school will be opened at University College Dublin this week. The Quinn School of Business claims to be the only business school in Europe with a specific focus on technology and e-learning. Students will be required to own specially configured laptops and work in wireless classrooms, according to the school's dean, Martin Butler.
The paper also reports that high-speed satellite network company Teledesic is suspending its activities until the international markets pick up. The company said it would not make sense to, "continue the substantial capital expenditures required to construct and launch the satellites consistent with the timing required to meet FCC and ITU regulatory milestones". The first two satellites of a planned 30-satellite constellation have been abandoned in their Italian factory.
The same paper says that Hewlett-Packard is planning to release two new iPaq handheld devices in the US before Christmas. A low-end model will be aimed at the USD200 to USD400 mid-range market, while a high-end device (USD400 to USD650) aimed at corporate users will have inbuilt wireless and Bluetooth capabilities.
The paper also says IBM will debut its home-grown Itanium 2 servers by the first quarter of next year. The company has some final testing to carry out on a version of the x440 server that uses four Itanium 2 processors connected with IBM's EXA chipset, said Brian Sanders, director of marketing for IBM's xSeries Intel-based servers. Depending on customer demand, IBM will start making the systems in bulk either at the end of 2002 or early 2003, said Sanders.
The Sunday Tribune reports that Eagle Star has been ordered to pay EUR20,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal of an employee who sent prank e-mails to colleagues. Trainee chartered accountant Colum O'Leary was dismissed after allegedly using the company's e-mail system to harass other staff members. An Employment Tribunal ruled that he was unfairly dismissed, however, saying that neither the employee's performance or targets were affected by his actions.
The same paper says that Irish gambling Web sites have denied that a new US bill will impact on their business. A bill passed by the House of Representatives, which must still pass through Congress before becoming law, prohibits the use of US financial services institutions in on-line gambling. Irish Web sites such as Tradesports.com say there are ways around the new rules for US residents.
The paper also reports that mobile phone operators have denied that their choice of one type of 3G technology over another is hindering rollout of the service. Last week, media reports claimed that Europe's 3G rollout was being delayed because the European Commission was instructing operators to use the W-CDMA technical standard and not to use the alternative US-based CDMA2000 system.
According to the Sunday Times, the European Commission is preparing to take action against mobile phone operators for allegedly colluding to charge exorbitant roaming rates to customers. Companies including Vodafone, mmO2 and Orange could face fines of up to STG80 million each unless they provide compelling evidence against the findings of an EC investigation that accuses mobile operators of profiteering, say sources.
The government is to spend EUR300,000 on trials of wireless local area networks (WLANs). The money is part of national development plan funding for the construction of fibre-optic broadband infrastructure throughout the country. The trials aim to assess if broadband can be rolled out more cheaply through the use of WLAN technology.
The paper also says that directory enquiries firm Conduit has agreed to the appointment of an independent mediator in its legal action against British Telecom. Conduit is alleging that BT's decision to discontinue Conduit's service for mmO2 was a breach of contract. Separately, Conduit has complained to UK telecoms regulator Oftel that BT breached the terms of its telecoms licence.
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