In The Papers 6 October

06-10-2008

by Emmet Cole

Dell denies reports of impending pull-out | Deutsche Telekom loses 17m customer details

The Irish Times reports that the number of mobile phones being smuggled into prisons shows no sign of reducing, despite a range of enhanced security measures enacted by the Irish Prison Service. The total number of mobile handsets seized in jails so far this year, up to the end of August, was 1,464. This is broadly in line with last year's figure, when 2,117 mobiles were found in jails for the full 12-month period.

The paper also says that Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon O Cuiv aims to "collapse distance" on the western seaboard on Monday when he launches a new high-speed telecommunications network in the Galway Gaeltacht. The new network supports over 300Mb in high-speed broadband connectivity, and is akin to "air and water" for commerce in the region, Udaras na Gaeltachta chief executive Padraig O hAolain said. Seven of NUI Galway's (NUIG) Gaeltacht centres and businesses within the Galway Gaeltacht region will benefit from the development.

The Irish Examiner reports that PC maker Dell has dismissed as "untrue and completely without foundation" weekend reports that it plans to pull out of Ireland next year. It was claimed on Sunday that government minister and Limerick TD Willie O'Dea and the IDA had already been informed the company was withdrawing, with the loss of 4,200 jobs, as early as January 2009. However, on Sunday night a Dell spokeswoman insisted that the company's global review of its operations was still ongoing. She categorically denied newspaper reports that a decision to pull out of Ireland had been taken and that senior government officials had been informed. O'Dea described claims that he was informed privately of a decision by Dell to end its Irish operation as a "total lie".

The Irish Independent says that consumers are remaining cost-conscious when it comes to mobile phone calls. Four minutes and two seconds is the average length of a landline phone call, compared to a relatively brief one minute and 35 seconds for a mobile call. A survey by Eircom and Meteor found that people in Dublin talked the most on landlines, with the average duration of a call at four minutes and 17 seconds -- 15 seconds longer than the rest of the country.

The Financial Times reports that Deutsche Telekom has admitted losing the personal details of 17 million of its customers, the largest data theft to date in Germany. The theft at the company's mobile operation T-Mobile included the names, addresses and mobile phone numbers of high-profile politicians, celebrities and business leaders, although no bank details or credit card numbers were disclosed. The news dealt a blow to efforts to restore Deutsche Telekom's reputation following allegations that former management hired private detectives to spy on directors and journalists. The data breach was uncovered after Der Spiegel magazine said it managed to access customer information via a third party. Deutsche Telekom reported the theft to state prosecutors in 2006 but assumed there had been no dissemination of the data.

According to the Wall Street Journal, internet search engine Ask.com plans to launch its third re-design in as many years on Monday, as the company continues to seek a firmer foothold in the search market. The revamp undoes a heralded but largely ineffective overhaul last year that presented images, audio clips and other Ask search results in separate panels. The new Ask looks more like other search engines, but aims to dig up search responses more efficiently.

The Sunday Tribune reports that a larger number of small and medium-sized businesses are switching to online advertising, according to survey by consultancy firm Amas. The study found that 53 percent of businesses employing 50 people or fewer use search engine marketing, compared with 38 percent of larger businesses. The survey also found that 66 percent of SMEs use e-mail marketing.

The Sunday Times reports that Indian giants Infosys and HCL have entered a bidding war to buy British tech consultancy Axon. According to the report both companies are prepared to pay more than twice Axon's annual revenues of STG204 million to purchase the company.

The Sunday Business Post reports that Advanced Manufacturing Control Systems (AMCS) -- a Limerick-based RFID developer -- has entered the US market in the past month and has already acquired significant contracts. AMCS develops waste management tracking solutions. The new contracts will add between 30 and 40 percent to the company's revenues, according to Managing Director Jimmy Martin.

The same paper reports that mobile developer Cicero Networks has raised EUR1.4 million in new funding from private investors. The firm has also launched a new voice and video application for Nokia handsets.

Also in the Sunday Business Post, a report that Dublin-based mobile software firm Jinny recorded a 43 percent increase in turnover last year, with EUR540,000 of that being profit.

In the same paper, news that Limerick-based Avvio has entered into partnership with Thai firm Leisure Solutions to supply Avvio's hotel software solutions.

The paper also reports that O2 has decided to stop selling Apple computer and music equipment in its 'O2 Experience' stores nationwide. Separately, the paper reports that O2 Ireland is taking a "wait and see" approach to Google's Android mobile phone operating system.

The same paper reports that Komplett.ie -- one of the biggest players in Irish online IT shopping -- has opened a pick-up point for customers in Blanchardstown.

The paper also reports that AspiraCon, a Cork-based project management company, has secured a contract to deliver project management and development integration services to Cork-based CompuCal Software Solutions. According to the report, AspiraCon's projected turnover for next year is EUR1.7 million.

Meanwhile, the paper reports that Swords-based digital filing software company eXpd8 has signed a joint venture with Australian legal accounts software provider LawWare. The deal is worth an initial EUR675,000 over the next two years.

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