In The Papers 21 November

21-11-2008

by Sylvia Leatham

Irish mobile users love to chat | Courts system goes high-tech

The Irish Times reports that Ireland's mobile phone users spend more time talking and texting than their counterparts in 15 other countries. The third annual International Communications Market report by British regulator Ofcom found that the State's mobile users talked for a monthly average of just under three hours and sent 154 text messages a month. By comparison, Britain's mobile users sent just 81 text messages monthly. The regulator said people in all 16 countries surveyed were spending more time online, with the US ahead at just over 15 hours a week. Ireland reported an average growth in broadband connections between 2004 and 2007 of 5 percent a year, the study said.

The paper also says that entertainment technology firm DTS is to create up to 50 new jobs in Limerick, as reported by ENN on Thursday.

The same paper says that a new state-of-the-art system is about to make the criminal courts complex in Dublin one of the most technologically advanced courts facilities in the world. The complex at Infirmary Road, which is due to open in 2010, will have video conferencing, digital audio recording and electronic evidence systems. Fujitsu has won a EUR7 million contract to supply and manage the systems for five years. Video conferencing and electronic evidence distribution systems will be installed in six of the 22 courts in the complex, while the remainder can be upgraded if necessary. Once in operation, the video conferencing system will enable witnesses to deliver testimony from remote locations.

The paper also notes that discussion forum Boards.ie won the inaugural People's Choice Award at the Eircom Golden Spiders internet awards on Thursday. Aodhan Cullen, founder of the free web-traffic measurement service StatCounter, was selected as 2008 Internet Hero by a panel of judges. Broadcaster TV3 picked up two awards: the Eircom Grand Prix Award and Best Digital Media. Internet commentator Damien Mulley was awarded Best Blog. Sentry Wireless's Kidsafe won best mobile content or application. Other category winners included imra.ie, heartsplay.ie and Movies.ie.

The Irish Independent says that the Government has no immediate plans to extend betting tax from bookies shops to other areas such as online betting. While the duty has been raised from 1 percent to 2 percent for betting shops, online services will continue to be tax free.

The paper also says that the Government decision to amend its rules relating to tax credits by including companies using only part of their buildings for research and development purposes was made in a bid to retain chip giant Intel at its Kildare base. Intel is currently considering whether to go ahead with an investment in a new line of products at its Leixlip plant. The amendment allows for a proportion of the expenditure on new or refurbished buildings used in part for R&D purposes to qualify for a tax credit if a history of research exists. Companies will qualify if 35 percent of their activities are from R&D under the new rules, which have to be cleared by the EU Commission.

The paper also notes that mobile operator Digicel has launched in Honduras, as reported by ENN.

The Irish Examiner says that 79 percent of young Irish people think the Government should spend more money on scientific research. That's according to an EU-wide survey by Eurobarometer, which found that 88 percent of young Irish people think science and technology make lives healthier, easier and more comfortable, while 61 percent think that it could help to eliminate global poverty and hunger. The report also found that four out of 10 people think that using a mobile phone might be dangerous for their health.

According to the Wall Street Journal, PC maker Dell has posted a 5 percent drop in net income and a 3 percent decline in revenue for its fiscal third quarter. For the quarter ended 31 October, Dell recorded net income of USD727 million, down from USD766 million a year ago. Revenue was USD15.16 billion, down from USD15.65 billion a year ago. However, Dell earned USD0.37 a share, up from USD0.34 a share a year earlier. The computer maker has faced a pullback in spending from both businesses and consumers, especially in October. Dell executives cautioned they expect the challenging environment will persist. "We're seeing global implications, and slowing in almost all of the businesses we are in," said Dell chief financial officer Brian Gladden.

The Financial Times says that Sony is expecting lacklustre US consumer spending over the Christmas season, according to Stan Glasgow, president of the electronics group's US unit. Glasgow's sombre assessment contrasts with that of the Consumer Electronics Association, which predicted this month that sales of consumer electronics products in the US would increase by about 3.5 percent over last year's figures, in spite of evidence of a sharp fall in US consumer confidence. Glasgow expressed doubts about the trade association's forecast. "I do not expect that level of sales to happen," he said.

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