In the papers 15 May
15-05-2008
by Sylvia Leatham

Comcast to acquire Plaxo | Samsung unveils corporate reshuffle

The Irish Times reports that average monthly revenue per user at mobile operator O2 slipped to EUR43.40 during the first quarter. Read the full story on ENN.

The paper also says that the use of illegal software in Ireland fell by 2 percent last year, as reported by ENN on Wednesday.

The Irish Independent says that classes on online social networking and blogging should be included in any new technology curriculum for second-level schools, according to James Greenslade, director of ICT at the Tipperary Institute. Announcing the details of an 'Internet Experience in Education' conference, Greenslade said that rather than being concerned about students' preoccupation with social networking and computer gaming, educators must embrace these phenomena and use them to advance the education of students.

According to the Wall Street Journal, US cable operator Comcast is to acquire networking website Plaxo. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Plaxo offers technology that helps users more easily share contact information and media such as photos. The two companies have been working together in a partnership for about a year, and Plaxo currently hosts all the accounts for the Comcast Webmail service. Comcast hopes to use Plaxo to offer new services to its 26 million subscribers.

The Financial Times reports that Samsung Electronics has unveiled a dramatic corporate shake-up, following a slush fund scandal that resulted in the indictment of 10 group executives. Lee Yoon-woo, who is credited with turning Samsung Electronics into the world's largest memory chipmaker, is to become chief executive, replacing Yun Jong-yong. Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung Group, resigned last month after being charged with tax evasion and breach of trust. Nine other executives were also indicted and three officials, including a vice-chairman, resigned. Analysts said the new CEO could breathe life into Samsung Electronics with his decisive management style.

The paper also says that Phones 4U, one of the UK's biggest high street mobile phone retailers, is facing investigation for alleged phone mis-selling. Telecoms regulator Ofcom said it had received "significantly high" numbers of complaints from the public about hidden charges, "unclaimable" cashback offers and misrepresented tariff terms. Ofcom said it would use powers under the Enterprise Act to "put a stop to what we believe is a large amount" of mis-selling.