NEWS IN BRIEF
For the record 23 May
23-05-2007
by Ciara O'Brien
Intel Ireland jobs safe | Three Ireland reveals new pricing structure for mobile broadband
Intel is reportedly ditching its flash memory division, moving it over to a joint venture with STMicroelectronics. However, close to 2,000 Irish employees working in the business have already been told their jobs are safe, as the deal will not affect the Irish flash manufacturing plant. The Ireland Fab Operations unit also manufactures non-flash-based products. Intel's new joint partnership will make flash memory for devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, etc. A decision on the future of the unit had been expected for some time -- the business has been making a loss for Intel of an average of USD120 a quarter. Intel Ireland could not be reached for comment prior to publication.
The Vodafone Ireland Foundation (VIF), is allocating EUR1 million in funding to registered charities in Ireland during 2007. Established three years ago, the VIF supports children, young people and families who face adversity in their lives. It has already funded 105 projects through Irish charities, spending EUR2.3 million in the process. Charities are being encouraged to apply for the funding through the 2007 round of grant aid.
Election hopefuls will make their final plea to the electorate on Wednesday evening through the IrishElection.com blog, which says it falls outside the remit of the election coverage blackout. The blog will carry interviews with the major parties, and plans to file updates live from the count centres as the election progresses.
Three Ireland has stepped up competition in the mobile broadband market by announcing new pricing and a new device to connect PC and laptop users to its high-speed network. Under the new price plan, customers can get 10GB of data a month for EUR19.99 using a small, portable USB device that costs EUR129. Out-of-bundle usage is charged at EUR0.05 per MB. Three Ireland is currently rolling out its broadband network throughout Ireland, offering speeds of up to 3.6Mb per second.
There were several appointments announced on Wednesday, with Magnet Business appointing Eamon Dolan as its nationwide channel development manager. Dolan currently heads up Magnet's Channel Partner Recruitment campaign and will take a key role in adding to the existing channel partner base. This consists of IT maintenance companies, telcos and systems integrators.
At Eircom, BT director Peter Cross will take the role of the telco's chief financial officer. Cross is currently director of strategic planning for BT Group and has also worked as director of corporate finance for the telecoms group and chief financial officer of BT Openreach. Prior to joining BT Cross worked as executive director at Morgan Stanley in London.
Meanwhile, recruitment firm Sigmar Recruitment has added three new recruitment consultants to its IT Division. Elodie Bellivier, formerly of IBM Ireland, former IT worker Kieran Flanagan and James Roche will all take up the new roles, while Eoin Langdon will be promoted to executive consultant.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 