In The Papers 8 September

08-09-2008

by Sylvia Leatham

Fine Gael slates credit card surcharges | Ad group attacks Yahoo-Google pact

The Irish Times reports on the British Association for the Advancement of Science's annual 'Festival of Science' in Liverpool. One of the topics to be discussed at the five-day event is forensic linguistics, a new science whereby an analysis of words and expressions used in electronic media such as text messages and emails can reveal the identity of the sender.

The paper also reports on the Irish finals of the World Cyber Games at the Digital Hub in Dublin over the weekend. The seven finalists are Vivion Grisewood, Tipperary town; Zachary Campbell, Goatstown, Dublin; Padraig Lawlor, Dundrum, Dublin; Ian Wardick, Raheny, Dublin; Michael Traynor, Bray, Wicklow; Mark Kenny, Rathfarnham, Dublin; and Padraig O'Hara, Belfast.

The Irish Examiner reports that successive ministers for enterprise, trade and employment have been accused of failing to protect Irish consumers from unjustified credit card surcharges. Fine Gael spokesman Leo Varadkar said the EU has made it clear that there is nothing to prevent Ireland introducing a ban on such charges. "This completely contradicts Minister Coughlan's assertion that European Law prevented her from acting on the matter. Credit card surcharges are an unjust and unfair charge on consumers."

According to the Financial Times, a trade association representing many of the biggest consumer advertisers in the US has come out against a controversial search advertising deal between Yahoo and Google. The intervention by the Association of National Advertisers, made in a complaint to US antitrust regulators, represents the first broad attack on the alliance, which was announced in May. In a letter to the US Department of Justice, the ANA noted that "a Google-Yahoo partnership will control 90 percent of search advertising inventory" and stated its "concerns that the partnership will likely diminish competition, increase concentration of market power, limit choices currently available and potentially raise prices to advertisers for high quality, affordable search advertising."

The paper also says that the cost of connecting the UK to 'superfast' broadband could be as much as STG29 billion, and the high level of expenditure means rural areas risk missing out on improved internet access, according to a new study. The Broadband Stakeholder Group, a lobby group calling for improved internet connections, will on Monday publish a report saying the cost of superfast broadband could be between STG5.1 billion and STG28.8 billion. Two-thirds of the population, located in urban areas, are likely to get superfast internet connections via optical fibre networks because companies should be able to make a return on investments. However, the remaining one-third could miss out because the cost of deploying fibre networks in sparsely populated rural areas will be much higher.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Intel is expanding its line of Xeon chips for server systems with four models that boost computing performance and energy efficiency. The company said the chips include one model that operates at 3.4 gigahertz, up from the prior peak speed of 3.2 gigahertz. Intel said it also reduced the average power consumption of an existing 3.2-gigahertz chip to 120 watts from 150 watts. In addition, the company is offering one Xeon model that draws 50 watts and operates at 2.66 gigahertz; its fastest chip at that level of power consumption had been 2.5 gigahertz.

The Sunday Business Post reports that OpenJaw has gobbled up Irish firm Traventech in a deal worth seven figures. This brings OpenJaw's staff numbers to 115. Traventech had turnover of close to EUR2.9 million in 2006 and made a pretax loss of EUR82,000 as it made significant investment in business development.

The paper also says that Irish internet firm Ammado is hoping that people will take to its new online donation system, which allows users to donate to charities and non-profit bodies worldwide in 33 currencies. The company mixes social networking with donations, creating "The Giving Circle", which allows people to donate quickly and easily. The company employs 70 people at several locations including its Dublin headquarters, Singapore, Amsterdam, Washington, Bangladesh and Serbia.

The same paper reports that Damovo is set to report almost EUR18 million in profit in the coming weeks. Revenue is 5 percent up year-on-year, and it has generated about EUR11 million in new revenue since February. Some of its recent projects include a video conferencing system for the Courts Service.

The same paper writes that Sage has reported an 8.5 percent increase in turnover for last year, with profit of EUR3.3 million. Organic revenue growth, however, fell to 8.6 percent during the year, while EUR1.9 million was invested in new developments. The firm's directors said there would be revisions to the product line, and some updates. Employment at Sage increased from 205 to 210 during the year.

The paper also reports that Dublin-based CustomerMinds has signed its first deal in the US. The firm, which offers an online marketing platform, won the contract with a Californian PR firm. In recent times it has also secured a number of deals in Britain. The company's platform combines communications and marketing, allowing users to access mobile, e-mail and direct mail technologies.

The paper also briefly reports on Kildare-based Sentenial's deal with ABN Amro bank, US firm Arris investing EUR4.5 million in R&D at its Cork operation, and online freight provider Freightquote providing 100 new jobs in Dublin.

The Sunday Business Post writes that Dell has confirmed it is actively reviewing its factories worldwide. In a regulatory statement in the US, the company said it would be seeking further action to cut costs in design, materials and operating expenses. The computer maker has already closed one factory in the US with the loss of 900 jobs. It employs more than 3,000 people in Ireland.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Times writes that Dell's head of manufacturing facilities in Europe, Nick Hartery, tried to get extra funding for the Limerick plant before he resigned. However, global executives blocked the move. If he had been able to get the funding, the paper said, the future of the Limerick operation would have been more secure.

The Sunday Tribune also covers the Dell story, reporting that if it chooses to close its plants or sell up, it will not have to repay the grant aid given to it by the Irish government. This could be critical in deciding which of its plans are facing closure or sale. It has received EUR74.6 million in grant aid from the State so far, but sources claim there would be "little or no" repayments required.