NEWS IN BRIEF
Daily Digest 21 October
21-10-2008
by Emmet Cole
Forty new jobs for Mid-West region | Telcos to invest EUR724m in infrastructure: IBEC
Clare-based Async Technologies and Limerick-based Avvio will together invest more than EUR4 million and create over 40 new jobs in the Mid West, according to an announcement from Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan. Async produces a tyre management technology called 'Tyre–Check', while Avvio provides reservations software and online marketing to the hospitality industry. Async is to invest EUR2.4 million with support from Enterprise Ireland and the AIB Seed Capital Fund. This investment will enhance the company's R&D and international sales capabilities and create 11 new high skilled jobs. The Avvio investment is supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland, and will create 30 new high skilled roles over the next two years. As part of its strategy to increase international sales, Avvio will also invest over EUR1.6 million in R&D and innovation.
The telecoms industry is set to invest over EUR724 million per annum in telecoms infrastructure between 2007 and 2011, according to estimates revealed by IBEC's Telecommunications and Internet Federation Director, Tommy McCabe. Speaking at IBEC's annual conference in Dublin Castle on Tuesday, McCabe said he expected the investment to be spread across all platforms, including fixed, mobile, wireless, fixed wireless, satellite and cable infrastructure.
The IE Domain Registry (IEDR) has reported a 23 percent jump in the net number of dot-ie websites registered in Ireland in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Some 8,197 dot-ie websites were registered in the period from July to September 2008, compared to 6,813 last year. The total number of dot-ie websites registered in Ireland now exceeds 110,000. Approximately 83 percent of dot-ie registrations during the quarter came from corporate bodies and sole traders while personal domains, blogs and other non-commercial websites accounted for 2.5 percent of registrations. A growing number of companies and sole traders moving their business operations online is one of the main reasons for the rise, according to the IEDR.
Audio and web conferencing services provider 247meeting has announced voice conferencing deals worth EUR250, 000 with Sogeti Ireland, Hertz Europe and O'Donnell Sweeney Eversheds. According to 247meeting, the Irish company's automated global conference calling service will enable the new clients to save up to 66 percent on their existing conference call costs over the next five years. "These deals mark a milestone in 247meeting's growth strategy, providing a solid base from which we can develop into a significant player in the market," said Gavan Doherty, managing director, 247meeting. 247meeting launched in May 2008.
'Da Gist' [sic] -- a series of television programmes produced by young people from Dublin's north inner city -- will be launched Wednesday at the Irish Film Institute. Developed by Bradog Youth Services and The Digital Hub, the series will consist of four half-hour magazine programmes and will air on Dublin Community Television. The young production team received training in TV production at The Digital Hub. A promotional video for 'Da Gist' is currently available to view on YouTube.
Finally, Garmin sat-nav users can now save money at the pump thanks to a new service announced by myPOIs.ie and Pumps.ie, on Tuesday. The online service enables users to download daily fuel price updates for over 1,500 service stations around Ireland directly to their sat-nav units from the mypois.ie website.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 