In the papers 31 July

31-07-2006

by Sylvia Leatham

AOL to launch internet video portal | Valista in preliminary takeover talks with Lucent

The Irish Independent reports that the Government is facing an escalating campaign against mobile phone masts after more than 1,000 people protested about a prospective 400 percent increase in pylons countrywide. The protest in Fermoy, Cork, co-ordinated by the lobby group Better Environment & Safer Technology (BEST), aims to galvanise rural and urban communities worried at the increase in radiation from such masts in their areas. The protest came amid reports that, for full 3G mobile coverage, Ireland will have to increase the number of masts from 5,000 to more than 20,000.

The Financial Times reports that BetonSports, the online gambling company at the centre of a US investigation, shared offices in Costa Rica as recently as last year with a company that US authorities claim is linked to the Bonannos, one of New York's five notorious Mafia families. The link emerged just ahead of an expected bail hearing for David Carruthers, the sacked chief executive of BetonSports, who was arrested in the US this month on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud.

The paper also says that Telstra's path towards full privatisation continues to be hampered by regulatory disputes over whether Australia's dominant telecoms operator should maintain some infrastructure and pricing advantages over its rivals. In the latest blow to the company, Australia's competition regulator has ruled that Telstra will have to continue to cap prices charged to competitors for using its copper-wire network for a further three years. The decision was described by Telstra as further evidence that "the regulator is stuck in a time warp".

According to the Wall Street Journal, AOL has said it plans to launch an internet video portal featuring user-generated content as well as programming from a number of cable networks, including MTV, Nickelodeon and A&E. AOL said it will begin a test version of the site, which will include 45 video-on-demand "channels", later this week. The site will offer both free and paid content.

The paper also reports that Sony remains conservative about its outlook, despite a strong fiscal first quarter, according to a senior executive. The crucial test for Sony will be the Christmas shopping season, when the company registers about half its annual sales of electronics products, said Senior Vice President Takao Yuhara. "It's not yet time to declare a full business recovery," he said. The comments played down the success Sony enjoyed in the April to June quarter, when it experienced rising sales of consumer electronics.

The Sunday Times reports that Valista, a mobile phone payments firm headed by Raomal Perera, has entered preliminary takeover talks with US technology giant Lucent. Valista had been in talks with North Carolina firm Motorcity, but they fell through. Lucent itself is in the process of merging with French telecom equipment maker Alcatel.

The Sunday Times also carries a report about mobile operator Vodafone. An analyst has estimated that sales of the firm's 3G handsets had plummeted, and a Vodafone spokesperson said 3G was being "de-emphasised" while a commercial evaluation was undertaken.

Irish company 3V, which markets disposable or prepaid credit cards for use on the internet, is raising up to EUR20 million to export the business to Britain, Holland, Spain and Germany, reports the Sunday Times. The company has hired NCB to tap venture capitals for funding.

The Sunday business Post reports that John Delaney, chief executive of online betting firm Trade Exchange Network, has sought legal advice concerning a clampdown on online gambling by American authorities. According to Delaney, his Irish firm, which includes fellow Dublin-based companies Trade Sports and Intrade, is a betting exchange and not a bookmaker, and therefore does not fall foul of US legislation.

The Sunday Business Post also reports on Dublin financial software firm Ci3, which has won four contracts worth nearly EUR1 million. One new customer of the firm is international financial services firm Zurich, but the other three have not been named by the paper.

Also in the paper is a report that viewers of the ITV show The Price Is Right can now play along with the TV programme using technology developed by Irish interactive services firm Emuse.

Waterford-based communications specialist Ardmore Technologies has won a EUR3 million Wide Area Network (WAN) contract from Cork County Council, according to the Business Post. A new internet phone service for the Council is also part of the deal.

The Sunday Business Post also reports that IT firm Horizon will this week complete the acquisition of WBT Systems, a Dublin e-learning firm which has raised EUR30 million in funding. The companies have been in discussions for a number of months.

The same paper also reports that there are concerns over the firm which has been contracted to roll out the EUR200 million upgrade of the Health Service Executive's computer system. iSoft recently announced that it would postpone its financial results while it hammered out agreements with business partners and creditors.

The Sunday Tribune reports that broadband lobby group Ireland Offline is cautiously optimistic about the new owner of Eircom. Ireland Offline chairman Damien Mulley said he recently met the incoming chairman of Eircom, Pierre Danon, who told him he wishes to boost broadband in Ireland.

Dublin City University campus company Icora is in talks with a number of Irish cinemas about introducing a new service to book tickets with their mobile phones, reports the Sunday Tribune.

The paper also reports that fraudsters based in Ireland, Britain and Nigeria are targeting online sellers in attempts to buy motor vehicles with fake Irish bank drafts. The drafts appear to be issued by the National Irish Bank.

The Sunday Independent reports that mobile phone operator Meteor has increased its market share 50 percent since being taken over by Eircom last year. Meteor now has a 15 percent share of the Irish market.