For the record 1 July

01-07-2008

by Deirdre McArdle

Forty percent of internet users surf the web with 'outdated' browsers | Digicom signs EUR480k deal with 3G

Around 600 million, or 40 percent of the world's internet users, surf the net with out-dated versions of their web browsers. The study, conducted by researchers from Google, IBM and the Communication Systems Group in Switzerland, is based on data from server logs provided by Google for search requests between January 2007 and June 2008. The research also reveals that as a group, Mozilla Firefox users were the most likely to be using the latest, most secure version of the browser: 83.3 percent of Firefox users were found to have the latest version of the browser installed at any given time.

Citrix, an application delivery infrastructure (ADI) provider, has appointed James Stevenson as area vice president for the UK, Ireland and South Africa region. Stevenson has worked in the IT industry in the EMEA region for over 25 years. He worked at Hewlett-Packard for a period of 12 years and also held chief executive positions at Keltec, a UK technology integrator, and Nomad Software, a private equity backed software business providing card payment solutions for retail banks.

Eircom subsidiary Lan Communications has been appointed as a Nokia Channel Partner in Ireland. The announcement will see Lan Comms delivering Nokia/Cisco fixed mobile convergence technologies to the business market in Ireland. In providing fixed mobile convergence tech Nokia has combined its mobile business solution with Cisco's Unified Communications infrastructure. This functionality will be available on Nokia's E series of smartphones.

SMS prices for EU roamers are as much as 75 percent higher now than they were in 2006, according to research from Informa Telecoms and Media. The research also revealed that rates for non-messaging data roaming (such as mobile broadband) fell 20 percent on average over the same period and are continuing on a downward trend as more operators launch bundled and day-rate packages. "Operators have been noticeably willing to bend to the EU's will regarding non-messaging data, which includes mobile broadband services for laptop users, but have left SMS to the mercy of the regulators," commented Angela Stainthorpe, research analyst and author of the report.

Digicom, an Irish provider of audio visual technology, has signed a EUR480,000 deal to provide the 3G "digital lifestyle" chain of stores with a 'digital signage' system. The solution includes the provision of Sony LCD screens in 28 3G stores around Ireland. The screens will be controlled by the digital signage system and centrally managed from the 3G head office in Dublin, and each screen can be customised to display selected ads and information.

Communications regulator ComReg has published a 'Spectrum Strategy Statement' looking at the period 2008 to 2010. ComReg said the document sets out its strategy for managing the use of the radio spectrum in Ireland over the next two years in order. "Initiatives such as those planned in the mobile communications space, Digital Terrestrial Television and the ensuing Digital Dividend, not to mention developments in WiMax technology all contribute to making this a particularly busy but exciting time for spectrum management," said ComReg chairperson John Doherty in a statement. The document is available to download from ComReg.ie.

Irish recruitment firm Sigmar says that skills shortages in the Irish IT industry are forcing companies to offer increasingly attractive packages in order to attract talent. The firm's IT division has observed a substantial increase in the number of incentive and relocation packages offered by potential employers in the IT sector. "Relocation fees and incentive to work from home for two days a week could be a huge deciding factor in swaying a candidate to a particular company," said Micheal Brehony, IT recruitment consultant with Sigmar.