IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 20 September
20-09-2010
by Deirdre McArdle
Intelligent transport system on the cards | H-P looks internally for new CEO
The Irish Times reports that over the next three to five years, private companies have pledged to invest EUR100 million in "intelligent transport systems". The money will be invested in a range of technologies that can monitor road conditions from temperature to traffic volumes, providing "real time" information that can be used to lower speed limits, close lanes and divert traffic from specific areas. The new traffic management systems to be deployed here will be discussed at an inaugural meeting of Intelligent Transport Systems Ireland, to be held in Cork later this week.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Hewlett-Packard board is moving closer to naming a new chief executive and would prefer to pick a candidate from within the company, people familiar with the matter said. Among HP's internal candidates are Todd Bradley, who runs the personal computer business; Ann Livermore, who oversees the server and services business; and Dave Donatelli, a relatively recent hire who helped lead H-P's successful bidding war for 3PAR. HP declined to comment or to make the executives available. The board hasn't yet ruled out bringing in someone from the outside, one of the people said.
The paper also says that Verizon Communications is expected to name wireless chief Lowell McAdam as its president and chief operating officer, putting him next in line to succeed CEO Ivan Seidenberg, said a person familiar with the matter. The move, which could be announced as early as Monday, clears up questions about who will succeed Seidenberg, who is coming close to retirement age, and highlights the central role of the wireless business in Verizon's future. Seidenberg has led the company since its inception in 2000. McAdam became CEO of Verizon Wireless in 2006.
The Sunday Tribune says the Revenue Commissioners have software in place to implement a third rate of tax should it be introduced in the upcoming budget by finance minister Brian Lenihan. Last year, it was said the introduction of such a rate would require ‘extensive software development work’ by Revenue, and payroll companies had contacted the Department of Finance requesting a 12-month notice period for any major changes. A third rate of tax was last introduced in the 1980s.
The paper briefly reports that retailer Zara will bring its online store to Irish customers. However, there is no definite schedule for rolling out the store here.
The Sunday Independent briefly reports that Irish workers’ love of social networking websites Facebook and Twitter is costing the economy over EUR700 million a year. The survey from Irishjobs.ie found more than half of workers surveyed use the sites throughout the working day, updating profiles, messages and sharing pictures.
The paper also writes that phone and broadband company Imagine expects to create a further 100 jobs in Ireland in the coming years with the rollout of 4G technology throughout the country. The company has already created 100 jobs in engineering, software, sales and customer care. The paper said the additional jobs are subcontractors installing the infrastructure.
The Sunday Times reports that Kerry entrepreneur Jerry Kennelly is to unveil his new web-based business, Tweak.com. Kennelly has invested EUR10 million in the business, which will allow small and medium businesses to ‘Tweak’ their graphic design and marketing materials online, and create logos. It is set to be formally launched in October.
The Sunday Business Post reports that a new Swords-based mobile operator will begin offering its services next month. Mobile virtual network operator JustMobile is partnering with Spar to operate a pre-paid mobile phone service. The service will use Vodafone’s network, and plans to be cheaper than the main four networks. It is targeting students and other price-conscious consumers.
The paper also writes that venture capital firm Delta Partners has invested in a car rental firm that allows car owners to privately rent out their vehicles. Whipcar, which operates through WhipCar.com, has 800 cars around Britain already on its books, and plans to launch in Ireland at some stage. Delta Partners invested EUR1.2 million in the company.
The paper writes that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is seeking new powers that would allow it to force RTE into mediation, if necessary, over the commercial digital terrestrial service. Contract negotiations over the commercial DTT service failed earlier this year. The BAI is expected to start looking for a commercial operator next year, and the legislation would need to be in place before this begins. RTE, which is building the DTT transmission network, refused to enter mediation with the BAI and consortium OneVision to come to some agreement over access to the DTT network. The analogue signal is set to be switched off in 2012.
The same paper reports briefly that Bitbuzz has done a deal to provide free Wi-Fi access to the Audi Centre in Ballsbridge.
It also writes about the buyout of Calyx’s Irish operations by British private equity firm Better Capital and a management buyout. The Irish businesses of Calyx went into receivership earlier this month. Better Capital bought the software unit, while the management team bought the firm’s voice, data and security operations.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 