What does scrapping GCSE IT mean for the tech sector?

The government’s decision to scrap the curriculum for  ICT GCSE follows criticism that the course was irrelevant. But will giving schools the freedom to teach the subject as they see fit be enough to close the IT skills gap and re-invigorate the economy?
When Google head Eric Schmidt visited the UK last year, he was scathing about the way ICT is taught in schools. "Your IT curriculum focuses on teaching how to use software, but gives no insight into how it's made,” he said. It’s a message the government has taken on board with its latest plans to remove the ICT curriculum and give teachers free rein to focus on computer science and programming. Education minister Michael Gove hopes this will make the subject better suited to the needs of industry and create greater flexibility in responding to rapidly-changing technology.

Alan Brown, head of college ICT at Thanet College, welcomed the move. “We should always look to provide what the industry is looking for. IT is so fast-moving, reinventing itself every six months and education to a certain extent lags behind the leading-edge.” David Willmot, head of faculty at Blackfen School for Girls, agreed. “There will be some people who are disillusioned by the challenge, but our view is we will rise to it.
Willmot said the move will allow him to introduce a wider range of applications to students beyond the standard Microsoft suite. “While there are some very good Microsoft products, there are better products available for certain applications. This will enable us to introduce a greater variety,” he said.
Brown said the college’s next move will be to look at the materials available, such as those being provided by trade body BCS. “The awarding bodies will need to come up with methodology to operate at the same standards. The qualifying authorities need to ensure all schools and colleges are delivering a similar level product.

Some examining bodies are already seeking to provide a new ICT curriculum for schools to follow. Exam board OCR said it has already developed a new ICT qualification, which it hopes to make available to schools by September 2012. The new programme aims to focus on practical real-life skills and will provide computer programming and coding, it said.

Nothing new

But Tom Paes, network manager at Tomlinscote School & Sixth Form College and former IT teacher, is sceptical about the announcement. “This has happened two or three times in my experience of working in IT education. With every change in government there’s a change in the way ICT is taught. Around 15-years ago loads of money was put into up-skilling all teachers in IT so they could be more confident with the basics. Computer science was floundering so they brought in ICT. Now it’s gone full-circle.
“It’s hard to get students enthused by programming as it’s such a dry area. I’m not sure why the government is trying to turn key stage 3 and 4 kids into geeks. Even universities don’t ask for qualifications in computing in order to do a degree in it, they are just looking for logical thinkers. Also, most IT teachers don’t possess the sorts of programming and computer science skill-sets the government is talking about,” he said.
One young person currently studying GSCE IT  agreed with Paes’ comments. “I have not found any dull or boring things in the work set. In fact the parts that are boring are the HTML encoding and script writing! And to add to this who's going to teach us this because all the people who are good at writing scripts are writing scripts and get paid more than teaches?”

A lot of businesses still require students to have good software skills, added Paes. “I maintain ICT has to be used as a tool. By scrapping it students will lose a lot of the skills which companies do want, such as having good Word and Excel skills, for example,” he said.

Saverio Romeo, Industry Analyst, Frost & Sullivan, believes it is important that IT remains part of the curriculum. “I believe it is as important as the other subjects currently on the curriculum. I don’t see it’s exclusion as a good proposal.” With these plans there is a danger that some under-resourced schools might not offer anything to students, he said.
However, Romeo said he welcomes the moves to introduce more programming. “Students should gain knowledge of ICT as a whole. Word and Excel are important, but so is gaining some knowledge of programming,” he said.

As the economy continues to stall, it seems the government is increasingly putting its faith in the technology sector to revive growth. But while an attempt to tackle the IT skills gap is a good place to start, it seems unlikely that removing the ICT syllabus will be enough in itself to give the industry the full boost it needs. However, any move to improve student engagement with IT should be welcomed as a positive long-term move for the UK’s technology sector.

by Kathleen Hall  

 

http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240113733/What-does-scrapping-GCSE-IT-mean-for-the-tech-sector

CES-Samsung CEO: Not eyeing Olympus healthcare business

Samsung's major Japanese rivals, Sony (6758.T) and Panasonic (6752.T), have already shown interest in camera and endoscope maker Olympus, now in need of capital after being swamped by a $1.7 billion accounting scandal over the past three months, sources said.
Olympus is best known for cameras, but makes most of its money in healthcare, dominating the market for gastro-intestinal endoscopes, seen as the kind of high-tech, profitable and stable business that electronics firms would covet.
"We're not interested in what others are already doing very well. Samsung will do what we can do better," Samsung chief executive Choi Gee-sung told Reuters on the sidelines of the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Choi said Samsung was not interested in investing in Olympus's healthcare business, but didn't elaborate on whether Samsung was open to forging an alliance with Olympus.
Healthcare is one of the new business areas Samsung is aiming to expand.
On Wednesday, Samsung also ruled out any interest in Olympus' loss-making camera business.

 

(Reporting by Miyoung Kim; Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/01/13/ces-samsung-olympus-idINDEE80C00A20120113

Cyber Peripherals Thinks Big With Tablets

Aurangabad-based retailer has planned to set up an exclusive multi-brand tablet retail store with anticipation that tablets will soon erode the consumer PC market.

The sub-distributor and retailer have eight Lenovo and Toshiba exclusive stores, and eight more multi-brand stores. In FY2010-11 it clocked Rs 25 crore in revenue of which Rs 10.5 crore came from retail.

The motivation to start the tablet store came from an analysis of the segment. According to Prakash Pramod Dere, Director, Cyber Peripherals, “Apple and Samsung are aggressive. Smaller brands such as HCL and iBall, and mid-market brands like Lenovo and Acer, are also pushing their tablets. Aakash, priced at Rs 1,700 (for students and teachers) is getting this market extra attention. Tablets are presently eating into the netbooks market, and 2-3 years down the line they will be competing with notebooks.”

Cyber has already readied the 300 square feet store in Aurangabad, and is looking forward to launch the store officially toward February 2012. The company is targeting mobile entrepreneurs who want to substitute their laptops with a good device that is lighter in weight and long lasting in terms of battery life.
Cyber currently sells 20 Apple and Samsung tablets a month, but aims to sell much more once its tablet store starts.

“At present the tablet market is really scattered. Buyers do not know whether to approach a mobile shop, an IT retailer or an LFR. We are confident of getting more footfalls because we can offer the widest range and best advice to customers,” Dere said.

 By Sonal Desai,

http://www.crn.in/ITChannel-011Jan012-Cyber-Peripherals-Thinks-Big-With-Tablets.aspx

How It Works: Your Guide to Notebook Technology

I suspect the way most people look at their computers is the way I look at my car: confused and silently hoping that each day it will just work without any problems. The technology that goes into computers has progressed at a breakneck pace that until recently has only showed signs of slowing down; that said, the "slowdown" is roughly equivalent from reducing your speed from about 125 miles per hour to about ... we'll say 105.
Mercifully, if anything stays the same, it's the way computers are built. If you pop open the case on a desktop computer, there's an amalgam of wires, circuit boards, fans, and all kinds of crazy stuff that will likely just confuse people. But the logic and design that goes into this labyrinth of technology has actually gone relatively unchanged over the past decade. Of course, your laptop, on the other hand, won't do you the luxury of having all these interchangeable parts. In many ways a laptop can actually be MORE complex than a desktop.
Case in point: if my video card in my desktop goes on the fritz and decides it doesn't want to draw pretty pictures anymore, I can just pull it out and replace it with a new one. Not only that, but I have a wide variety (probably too wide) of cards I can put in a desktop, from $20 to even as far as $2,000 for workstation-class hardware. How did I know the video card itself went bad? I plugged my monitor into another computer and it worked just fine.
But what if your laptop stops giving a picture? It could be the cable that connects to the screen inside the shell. It could be the logic in the screen itself. It could be the graphics processor, the processor normally mounted to a removable video card in a desktop but soldered into place inside the laptop.
This long introduction boils down to a single point: laptops are complex. Even for the seasoned technology enthusiast they can be tricky; for the neophyte and the average user, they can be downright mind boggling. And that's where this guide comes in.
How It Works: Prologue
Over the next several weeks, I'm going to break down a single part of your laptop and explain what it does. This isn't going to be about recommendations, this is going to be about knowledge and understanding, dispensing information in such a way that eventually, you won't even need recommendations. You won't need someone to tell you "get this, this is good." You'll be able to know what you need and why.
This week I'll be covering the basic information you'll need to understand the stuff I'm talking about. Don't worry, it's not a huge deal, and there isn't going to be a test later.
There's one very important term and two units of measure that are vital to explaining any of these things to you.

By Dustin Sklavos,

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4485

The iPhone's Untapped Potential

Apple is known for its innovative gadget design, and with the release of the iPhone, it continues to live up to its hype. But while people are fawning over features like the smart, multitouch screen and the advanced Web browser, there is important technology under the hood that will likely go underappreciated. The iPhone has tiny, powerful sensors--an accelerometer, an ambient light sensor, and an infrared sensor--that are able to pick up cues from the environment and adjust the phone's functions accordingly. Apple has decided to use these sensors for detecting when to convert the screen view from portrait to landscape, for adjusting the brightness of the screen based on the brightness of the environment, and for disabling the touch screen when a person holds the phone to her ear.

Of course, Apple isn't the first to put sensors such as accelerometers in phones. Nokia, for example, has a sports phone (called the 5500) that uses an accelerometer as a pedometer. When a person takes the phone jogging, the accelerometer logs the rate of vibrations and sends that data to software that determines speed and distance. The 5500 also offers an accelerometer-based game in which a user tilts the device to navigate a ball through a maze. In addition, Nokia offers a developers' kit so that people can make their own accelerometer-based games, potentially mimicking the style of those played with Nintendo's popular Wii controller. (See "Hack: The Nintendo Wii.")

These functions, while useful and entertaining, are still pretty mundane, says Nathan Eagle, a research scientist at MIT. "These are trivial uses for what has the potential to provide a whole slew of new features and functionality," he says. Separate research taking place at MIT, Intel, and other companies suggests that, with the right software, built-in hardware such as accelerometers, light sensors, a GPS, and the phone's own microphone could provide contextual clues about people's activities and behaviors. A sensor-enabled phone could feasibly help monitor your exercise habits, keep track of an elderly relative's activities, and let your friends and family know if you're available for a call or instant-messaging conversation. It could even provide insight into social networks.

"If you get access to [a phone's] accelerometer data, you can get a variety of contextual clues about how the user is living their life," Eagle says--for instance, whether or not a user is riding a bike, taking the subway, walking up stairs, or sitting for a long period of time. The data can be used to let workers know if they need to take a break or if a person is meeting exercise goals, he says. Eagle and Sandy Pentland, professor of media arts and sciences at MIT, have used Nokia phones equipped with sensors to study the behavior of people in groups and even predict their actions to a certain extent. (See "Gadgets That Know Your Next Move.")

To explore other possibilities, researchers at Intel use a small gadget, about the size of a pager, that amasses data from seven sensors: an accelerometer, a barometer, a humidity sensor, a thermometer, a light sensor, a digital compass, and a microphone, says Tanzeem Choudhury, a researcher at Intel Labs Seattle. Most of the sensors are used to determine location and activity, but the microphone can provide interesting insight into social networks, she says, such as whether a person is having a business conversation or a social chat. Aware of privacy concerns, the researchers designed the microphone data to be immediately processed so that all words are removed, and only information about tone, pitch, and volume is recorded. Recently, Intel researchers equipped a first-year class of University of Washington graduate students with these sorts of sensors and, based on their interactions, were able to watch social networks develop over time.

To churn through all the data the Intel sensors collect, the researchers designed software to process it in stages, explains Choudhury. "You can do some simple processing on the mobile device," she says, such as averaging similar data points over time and throwing out data from a sensor that's below a threshold. Most mobile phones have the processing capabilities to do this and extract actions such as walking and sitting.
In the next stage of processing, researchers plug these actions into machine-learning models that infer more-complex behaviors. For instance, making a meal will require short walking bursts, standing, and picking things up. The Intel researchers developed models that look for certain actions occurring in succession. These models can also adjust to the basic quirks of the user, accounting for variation in cooking behavior; some meals may require more walking than others, and some people may sit more during meal preparation than others. This sort of information could be useful, Choudhury says, in determining if an elderly person is eating regularly. She notes that currently, some of the modeling is too computationally intensive to do entirely on a cell phone, and some of the data must be uploaded to a computer or a server. However, she says, the algorithms are becoming more efficient, and the processing power in phones continues to increase.

At this point, says MIT's Eagle, it wouldn't be too difficult to write consumer software that could infer a person's basic activities. These activities could then be used to update the status listed in an instant-messenger program or on a blog. Eagle notes, however, that manufacturers might be hesitant because it's likely that all the required data processing could cut battery life.

Apple has made no announcements about whether it might include such software in future versions of the iPhone. And it's unlikely that outside developers will be able to take advantage of the sensors at this point: Apple is limiting third-party development to applications that run within the Web browser--essentially, specialized Web pages. But as more phones become equipped with sensors, and phones' processing power continues to increase, Eagle suspects that sensor-based applications will become more popular.

By Kate Greene

http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/18990/

PayPal & CyberSecurity Malaysia Online Shopping Tips

In view of the numerous cyber-attacks affecting Malaysians, PayPal and CyberSecurity Malaysia are urging Malaysians to be smarter and safer about sharing their personal information online.

Below are some of online shopping tips for PC/Desktop and Mobile users.
Audit, Audit, Audit - Complete an audit of where your details are held online and on your mobile devices and delete anything that is unnecessary. Remove yourself from old mailing lists and consolidate your details using trusted tools to store your personal financial information securely. Always think twice before entering details online – never click ‘remember my details’ on sites, and ensure that your privacy settings are activated on social networking sites.
Employ password etiquette - Using an obvious password like “password” or the name or birthday of a family member is a very common mistake. Instead, use a strong password which includes a combination of upper and lowercase letters and numbers. Tier your passwords depending on the sensitivity of the information you are sharing, never auto save your passwords on websites, and change them every few months. Finally, never keep your personal information documented in any one place on your computer.
Beware of phishing emails – If you’re not sure if an email is legitimate, don’t click on links in the email, don’t enter your username or password and don’t give out your financial details. Online payment platforms will never ask you to
divulge your sensitive information via email. They will require you to securely login to your account first before asking for more info. Always open a new browser and type in the URL of the company’s website before entering your personal details.
Protect your digital footprint and use a digital wallet when transacting online – It’s easy to get carried away shopping for gifts online as you jump from one online store to the next. Avoid sharing personal information online where possible. Using PayPal – you never have to enter your financial information online, letting you shop safely and securely this festive season.
Browse safely, look for trusted sites - always look for the padlock icon on sites before entering your account information and password. Also look for websites that start with “https” as they provide an additional layer of encryption often used for online payment transactions and for sensitive transactions in corporate information systems.
Check your e-statements- Go online regularly and look at electronic statements for your credit card, debit card, and PayPal accounts. Make sure you don’t see any fraudulent charges. If you do see something wrong, address the matter quickly. In the case of credit cards, don’t pay the bill until you know all your charges are accurate.

Mobile shopping safety tips:

Lock and password protect your phone – It’s the most important thing you can do to ensure security on your mobile device. Use a PIN/password on your device and set it to time-out so it locks automatically. Set your maximum number of incorrect password submissions to no more than three. In addition, use a digital wallet that does not store your sensitive financial info on the mobile device. If your phone is lost or stolen, thieves won’t be able to access your personal information and accounts.
Beware of smishing – It starts with a simple SMS (text) message from a sender trying to bait you to divulge your personal information. The “hook” to capture your personal information is in a URL you link to, or a phone number which prompts you for your personal details, credit card number, PIN or other personal information. Some examples of smishing messages are: “We’re confirming you’ve signed up for our spa service. You will be charged RM2/day unless you cancel your order on this URL”; or “(Name of popular
online bank) is confirming that you have purchased a RM 100 item from (name of popular company). Visit www.?????.com if you did not make this online purchase.” Never click on such links or call a number if you suspect you’ve received a smishing text. Instead call the number you have on file for your financial institution.
“APP-ly” common sense – When choosing apps to download, use common sense. Purchase or download apps from well-known, reliable companies or do your research – such as checking reviews- before downloading an app from an unknown source. Use the most up-to-date version of an app. Unknown or repackaged apps can be armed with malware able to steal details from a user’s phone.
Install updates ASAP – When you receive an upgrade notification on your mobile device, install it immediately. Whether it’s an operating system update, or an updated APP, install it. With every upgrade, providers are closing security gaps which can make your device more vulnerable to security.


by WIRE Spot dot net

http://www.wirespot.net/paypal-cybersecurity-malaysia-shopping-tips/#more-4428

Nice buses get infotainment system upgrade

THE next time you board a Nice Executive Coach bus, you would probably not want to get off once it reaches your destination.
This is thanks to the newly-installed BlueIce infotainment system that gives passengers the option to watch over 30 movies, play games, listen to music, update Facebook and even surf the Internet via a 7in touchscreen console mounted behind each seat.
Developed by MSC-status company BlueSignage Sdn Bhd, the onboard Tablet PC information system runs on Android Froyo 2.2 while mobile broadband connectivity is provided by the Yes network.
The system is also equipped with a GPS tracking feature, which provides passengers with real-time information such as current location and expected arrival time ala an in-flight infotainment system in a commercial airplane.
Konsortium Transnasional Bhd, the operator of Nice Executive Coach, plans to get all of its 45 luxury coaches installed with the BlueIce system by March.
According to its executive director and chief operating officer Tengku Hasmadi Tengku Hashim, the project currently 30% complete.
He assured customers that there will be no increase in bus fares as such services have always been a part of Nice's value proposition.
Tengku Hasmadi added that customers can also access the onboard WiFi with their own Internet-enabled devices.
"We are offering complimentary usage of up to 50MB of data," he said. Users who need to increase the data cap will be required to pay additional charges.
Plans are also underway to expand the value-added service to its Plusliner and Transnasional fleet of buses as well but this will depend on the success of Nice's BlueIce initiative, he said.

By ZAM KARIM
bytz@thestar.com.my

Adding more silver linings to the OneCloud

PETALING JAYA: Jaring Communications in partnership with VMware is moving aggressively to stake a claim in the emerging enterprise-class cloud-based solutions market, with its OneCloud offering.
"We have always been an infrastructure player, so for Jaring this move is one of organic growth. We want to be associated with enterprise-class solutions that leverage on the strengths of both Jaring and VMware," said Sher Khan Akbar Khan, head of value innovations at Jaring.
The company's OneCloud offering was launched in July last year, with an investment of RM5mil and focuses on offering infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). The company's base of existing customers is split between government agencies (60%) and enterprises (40%).
To differentiate its solution from competitors, Jaring is marketing OneCloud as an opportunity to "build a virtual datacentre," offering CIOs and managers full control and flexibility via its service catalogue.
Another key differentiator is the option for customers to move workloads from their VMware vSphere-based virtualised or private cloud environment to the VMware vCloud Powered service, and back again.
To beef up data redundancy, the company's second datacentre cluster based in Penang is slated to be operational before the end of the month.
Sher Khan also shared that rollout of software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings is slated before the end of the first quarter of this year, with collaboration software Zimbra by VMware amongst its initial offerings. It is also working with other partners to expand application offerings via its platform.
More targets
While focusing on the enterprise segment, Jaring intends to extend its cloud offerings to small and medium businesses by the third quarter of this year. Despite OneCloud achieving "slightly below" its previously stated revenue target of RM2mil by the end of 2011, Jaring remains optimistic about meeting higher targets set for this year.
"With interest so high in cloud computing, the past year or so could be seen as a period of education for the industry and we foresee 2012 as the year of execution as more companies take their first steps into cloud-based solutions, having factored in intial investment costs into the budget cycle," said Sher Khan.
Laurence Si, country manager for VMware agreed, citing an Asia Pacific research study conducted by Forrester Research, which revealed that 28% of major Malaysian organisations have already begun the transition to the cloud with another 36% stating that they were planning to.
"There is a massive hunger for cloud solutions, with cost reduction and increased business agility being the main drivers for adoption," he said.
According to Si, VMware's aims to remove complexity from the equation, allowing companies to base their IT decisions not on technical issues but on business objectives.
"When moving to the cloud everything changes for a company with 10% due to technical considerations and the other 90% impacting business models," he said.
Si noted that roughly 70% of IT budgets are spent on maintaining existing infrastructure with only about 30% on new innovation. "The goal for companies is to switch those percentages around," he said.

By GABEY GOH
bytz@thestar.com.my

Broadband: A Platform for Progress - A Report by the Broadband Commission for Digital Development

The Broadband Commission for Digital Development, launched in May 2010 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), comprises government leaders from around the world, and the highest-level representatives of relevant industries, international agencies, and organizations concerned with development.

Ahead of the UN Millennium Development Goals Summit, held in New York in September 2010, the Broadband Commission presented to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon “A 2010 Declaration of Broadband Inclusion for All,” as well as Recommendations and a Plan of Action, in a report entitled “A 2010 Leadership Imperative: Towards a Future Built on Broadband”

A living resource for broadband development

This report is the second outcome to be issued by the Broadband Commission in support of its recommendations. It offers more detailed examples, evidence, technical choices and strategies for extending broadband networks within the reach of all.

“Broadband: a Platform for Progress” is also designed to be the introduction to an evolving collection of resources in the form of an online database to carry forward the work of the Broadband Commission. This repository will carry the outcome reports of the Broadband Commission, as well as numerous research reports, case studies from both developed and developing countries, and other materials to encourage and inform governments and industry — and individual communities themselves — on why broadband is crucially important in today’s world and about ways to get
connected.

The Broadband Commission’s repository of information can be visited at:

• www.broadbandcommission.org/sharehouse

Author : ITU

http://www.nitc.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=75

The Global Information Technology Report 2010–2011 - Transformations 2.0

The Global Information Technology Report series celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The series has followed and tried to cast light on the evolution of information and communication technologies (ICT) over the last decade, as well as raising awareness about the importance of ICT diffusion and leveraging for increased development, growth, and better living conditions.

The methodological framework of the Networked Readiness Index (NRI) has mapped out the enabling factors driving networked readiness, which is the capacity of countries to fully benefit from new technologies in their competitiveness strategies and their citizens’ daily lives. The Index has allowed private and public stakeholders to monitor progress for an ever-increasing number of economies all over the globe, as well as to identify competitive strengths and weaknesses in national networked readiness landscapes. In doing so, the NRI and the series have grown into a unique policy tool in the discussion and design of national strategies to increase networked readiness and overall competitiveness.

As ICT continues to drive innovation, productivity, and efficiency gains across industries as well as to improve citizens’ daily lives, The Global Information Technology Report 2010–2011 takes a forward look on occasion of the 10th anniversary of its publication. Rather than focusing on the major economic, political, and social transformations enabled by ICT over recent years, the Report tries to imagine the new wave of transformations - transformations 2.0. Collecting the insights of practitioners, academics, and industry experts, the Report explores the ways in which ICT will further revolutionize the way social stakeholders work, interact, and conduct their lives, businesses, and transactions. ICT has shown its revolutionary power as a key catalyst for change, modernization, and innovation and one can safely predict this trend will only accelerate going forward. As in past editions, the Report highlights a number of best practices in ICT readiness and usage in order to showcase strategies and policies that have proven particularly successful in some specific country or region, and that could be a source of inspiration for relevant stakeholders around the world.
The Report series is the result of a long-standing partnership between the World Economic Forum (the Forum) and INSEAD, aimed at identifying the drivers of national capacity to leverage ICT advances. The Report is composed of four thematic parts.

Part 1 relates the findings of the Networked Readiness Index 2010–2011 (NRI) and features selected expert contributions on the general theme of transformations 2.0.

Part 2 includes a number of case studies showcasing best practices in networked readiness in Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the European Union.

Part 3 comprises detailed profiles for the 138 economies covered in this year’s Report, providing a thorough picture of each economy’s current networked readiness landscape and allowing for international and historical comparisons on specific variables or components of the NRI.

Part 4 includes data tables for each of the 71 variables composing the NRI this year, with rankings for the economies covered as well as technical notes and sources for the quantitative variables used.

by INSEAD

http://www.nitc.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=36&action=view&retrieveid=69

KOREA: Korea emerges as information technology leader

It was 120 years ago today at Seoul's Deoksu Palace that King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty announced the establishment of "Ujeongchongguk," the country's first modern postal administration. But the post office was forced to halt services just 18 days after launching operations after its building was burned down during a coup attempt. It was another 10 years before the country printed stamps again.
Despite such an unfortunate beginning, Korea has now developed into one of the most connected countries in the world, carried by the rapid growth of its online and telecommunication sectors. Just nine years after the government announced a 15-year plan to simulate growth for communication and information technology, Korea is setting international standards in related industries backed by a vast domestic market of 29 million Internet subscribers and 35 million cellular phone users.
The rapid expansion of the Internet population has been the drive behind the IT industry's development as among the most technically advanced in the world. Under the 15-year scheme, called "Cyber Korea 21," the government focused its plan on building a solid IT infrastructure by expanding the coverage of broadband Internet access. The government was able to achieve the goal by 2000, with the broadband network extending to 144 regions that cover most of the country. Korea currently has 11 million Internet users with broadband access, representing a household penetration rate of 73 percent that is the highest in the world. KT Corp., the country's largest fixed-line and broadband carrier, earned more than 11 trillion won in revenue last year.
The IT industry has been growing at an annual rate of 16 percent over the past five years, producing an output of 209 trillion won and sending out $57 billion in exports last year. The sector now accounts for 15 percent of GDP and 30 percent of total exports, an impressive growth from 1997 when the sector accounted for just 7.2 percent of GDP.
The Ministry of Information and Communication will focus on promoting next-generation high-tech items to spur exports and implement state-funded IT projects, projecting the information technology sector to achieve 240 trillion won in output and $70 billion in exports for this year. The ministry has earmarked 246.1 billion won for its designated nine growth items including 2.3GHz mobile Internet, digital televisions and home networking, extending support to key software and hardware developers. The ministry projects the nine technology sectors to generate 31 trillion won in output and $12.4 billion in exports this year.
The government also plans to lay down the world's fasted broadband Internet network, a technology called broadband convergence network, that provides connection speeds of 50-100 Mbps, by 2012. The planned network, which runs 50 times faster than the currently used 1.5-2 Mbps connections, is part of government plans to build an environment fit for the industry trend heading toward the convergence age, when the wireless and fixed-line sectors connect over the medium of the Internet.
The telecommunication sector has developed into one of the most profitable and technically advanced industries of the world, thanks to a domestic market where around 75 percent of the population are cell phone users. SK Telecom, which controls 53 percent of all cell phone users, earned 9.5 trillion won in revenue last year.
Korea was the first to commercialize the use of CDMA chipsets in wireless receivers and eventually developed the technology as a world standard. The country was also the first to have an effective third-generation wireless platform, when it started the cdma2000-1x services in 2000 and followed up with cdma2000-1x EV-DO services in 2002, adding another dimension beyond voice communications where cell phone users are provided with image data and Internet connections, among other multimedia features.
With the local wireless market reaching saturation and the fixed-line sector experiencing flat growth, the government plans to develop a new revenue source through convergence concepts. The most notable efforts come in the form of satellite-based mobile broadcasting, or satellite DMB, which is planned to start commercial services in July. The satellite DMB system embodies one of the most advanced receiver technologies of today, with a satellite beaming video and audio signals to handheld receiver devices in vehicles moving at speeds up to 150 kilometers an hour. If the DMB services start out as scheduled, industry insiders believe that the services will garner 6 million subscribers by 2009.


By Kim Tong-hyung

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-eastasia.asp?parentid=10476

Development of a Compact Indoor Wireless base Station by Fujitsu (Japan)

Fujitsu has released a new compact indoor base station capable of high-bandwidth, high-quality indoor wireless communications. The newly developed BroadOne LTE Femtocell utilizes a unique interference control technology capable of reducing signal interference between outdoor macrocell base stations and the femtocell. The device is easy to install without any needs for initial configuration, for the connection of up to eight handsets.
Furthermore, the device allows for seamless switching between LTE and Wi-Fi. Fujitsu will showcase the new BroadOne LTE Femtocell during the International CES and Mobile World Congress.










Tags: BroadOne LTE Femtocell, Compact Indoor Wireless base Station, Fujitsu, high-quality indoor wireless communications, seamless switching between LTE and Wi-Fi


http://japantechniche.com/2012/01/09/development-of-a-compact-indoor-wireless-base-station-by-fujitsu/

Gadget Watch: ATM turns your old phone into cash (LAS VEGAS)

LAS VEGAS—The International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is all about the latest smartphones, tablet computers and other devices. But what about the old gadgets? Don't they get any love?

Actually, one machine at the show is designed to help recycle gadgets, giving old phones a fitting end, or a better home.

Drop your phone into the EcoATM, and the machine will pay you what it believes the handset is worth. The cupboard-sized machine has a large touch screen and a big metal "mouth" where you can place your old phone or MP3 player. It takes pictures of the device to figure out what kind of shape it's in. Then, you choose one of the machine's many cables to connect your device. The machine will figure out if the device's internals are working.

When its analysis is complete, it gives you a quote on the spot, based on what a network of hundreds of electronics-recycling companies are willing to pay for it. If you accept, it spits out cash. In a demonstration by EcoATM founder Bill Bowles, it said a Verizon iPhone 4 was worth $221.

An older phone might not be worth reselling, but the machine will take it anyway, and give you a dollar. The company will melt down the phone in an environmentally friendly fashion to extract the precious metals from it.

WHY IT'S HOT: It's tough to recycle old electronics. Collection bins are few and far between, though some electronics stores accept items for recycling. You can sell newer phones on eBay, but it's a bit of a hassle.

THE UPSHOT: A fast way to deal with old electronics that keeps your conscience clean and might give you a bit of extra money.

THE DOWNSIDE: The EcoATM's quote probably won't match what you can get for your item on eBay. On the other hand, you avoid eBay's seller fees. You have to physically go to the ATM. It's a big machine, about twice the size of a regular drugstore ATM. It has a lot of complicated moving parts, and could be prone to breakage.

AVAILABILITY: There are about fifty of them deployed right now, mostly in grocery stores and malls in California. The San Diego-based company behind the machine says it plans to have about 500 out at the end of this year, spreading eastward.

 


















By Peter Svensson 

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2012/01/12/gadget_watch_atm_turns_your_old_phone_into_cash/

Information About the ITAA

The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) is a well-respected high-tech industry association that works to represent and enhance the competitive interests of the U.S. information technology and electronics industries. The Association provides leadership in business development, public policy advocacy, market forecasting and standards development to more than 350 corporate members. Its members range from very small start-ups to industry leaders offering services, system integration, Internet, telecommunications, software, electronics and hardware solutions to the public and commercial sector markets.
ITAA offers the industry’s only grassroots to global network, carrying the voice of IT to companies, markets and governments at the local, state, national and international levels to facilitate growth and advocacy.
The Association has offices in the Washington, DC area and Silicon Valley and unique affiliations with regional and national technology groups across America and around the world. It maintains a formal alliance with more than 40 regional associations in the U.S. and Canada, representing 16,000 technology-related companies, through the Council of Regional Information Technology Associations (CRITA). ITAA also serves as secretariat for the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), a network of 69 industry associations in countries around the world. These special partnerships, combined with ITAA’s advocacy efforts and initiatives on the state, local, federal, and global levels, make for an unrivaled network that provides broad impact on policy matters and market access in the US and around the world.

Also Known As: Information Technology Association of America

 

 

 

From Laura Schneider

http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/historyoftechindustry/g/ITAA.htm

Information Technology & India - A Closer Look At What We Can Learn From This Rapidly Expanding IT Hotspot

Headlines touting India’s burgeoning IT market are almost a daily occurrence in today’s tech media, and for good reason. Outsourcing continues to draw hordes of overseas customers, domestic computing is on the rise, and multinational giants are pouring billions into Indian-based development.

According to Gartner, enterprise IT spending will reach $25 billion in 2006, up from $20.3 billion in 2005, and business spending on computer hardware, software, and communications products will grow at a rate of 20.8% over the next four years. Along with China, India is poised to make a huge impact in the worldwide IT realm in coming years. Gartner reports that “the rapid maturing of information development in China and India will see trade between the two explode and result in firms gaining competencies that can be applied across emerging markets globally.”

That potential isn't being ignored on U.S. soil. India's prospects look so enticing to Microsoft that the company plans to invest $1.7 billion in India over the next four years, with half of the investment being pumped into the expansion of Microsoft’s research and development centers.

“Our business has grown in India as a result of the strong technical and skilled resources available in the state,” said Chairman Bill Gates at a recent Microsoft event in Bangalore, inaugurating the company’s new seven-story India facility. “This new building signals our confidence in the future of this relationship and our intent to provide our employees with the best possible environment and resources. Our partners and we have 4,000 professionals in India today. We will increase it to 7,000 over the next three to four years.”

Also onboard the Indian train is Intel, which unveiled a multiyear plan to invest more than $1 billion in India, including $800 million over the next five years to expand business operations there. The microprocessor behemoth is targeting expansion of its research and development center in Bangalore, as well as marketing, education, and community programs.

Intel chairman Craig Barrett also took the wraps off plans for a $250 million Intel Capital India Technology Fund to help stimulate local technology innovation and growth. A similar-sized investment was announced in October by Cisco President and CEO John Chambers, who says his company will invest $1.1 billion in India over the next three years, including $750 million for the expansion of its R&D operations there.

Methods For Success

This increased focus on India and its massive potential for IT expansion and innovation comes as no surprise to many within the industry, as India has long been an outsourcing hotbed and should continue to be one for years to come. A recent report from Nasscom-McKinsey estimates that the country’s combined BPO and IT outsourcing market will grow at a rate of 25% per year to reach $60 billion by 2010.

“They strive to have a much bigger workforce that has a much higher level of expertise over there than here,” says Sanjeev Aggarwal, senior analyst for Small & Medium Business Strategies at Yankee Group. He says that areas such as network development are particularly rich with talent, resulting in Indian data centers that run smoothly and efficiently.

Indian outsourcing companies are placed in well-built office parks that have all the infrastructure and connectivity required to reach the outside world. “These types of companies are very progressive because they are servicing outside companies,” explains Aggarwal. “They need to have top-notch infrastructure and top-notch IT servers and desktops and storage and connectivity. Those data centers would compare with anything here or may even [rank] one notch above them, in terms of redundancies and [other areas].”

Smaller businesses in India, especially those that service the Indian market, tend to have much older technical infrastructures than companies that make their money outside of India. However, older equipment in India doesn’t tend to affect companies there as much as it does in the United States because Indian personnel are able to stretch the lifetime of their equipment beyond the limits of what we might consider useful.

According to Aggarwal, another difference is that data center employees in India tend to be more adept in varied technologies than employees here. “You’ll see more Linux there because they have people who can toil around with the Linux code and open source and make it work.”

Some might explain this tendency toward broader expertise as a requirement to compete in a country teeming with technical talent. Yet recent research from Duke University reveals inaccuracies in statistics that claim the United States produces 70,000 engineers every year while India produces 350,000 every year. Duke found that the United States is graduating about 222,000 engineers per year, compared to India’s 215,000. And according to a McKinsey partner, only 25% of technical graduates in India are “suitable” for working in the offshore IT industry.

Aggarwal notes that although there is plenty of emphasis placed on certifications for job applicants, experience is similarly valued. However, for smaller companies, balanced applicants are becoming more difficult to snag. “The dilemma that one faces is the people who are more experienced and more certified want to work for the multinational companies and outsourcing companies [instead of] the Indian companies that are servicing Indian clients. They have a harder time getting more talent.”

Ditch The Meetings?

Although India’s data centers increasingly mirror their U.S. counterparts in terms of technology and processes, subtle variations in the way personnel conduct their business can equate to timesaving. Sumit Gupta, who has worked in IT in both the U.S. and Bangalore, says that cultural informalities in India let workers cut to the chase when dealing with particular IT-related issues.

“What could take a meeting of 10 to 12 people here could be done [there] by two or three people just talking in a cubicle,” Gupta says. “Here you call a meeting, you cc: a whole bunch of people who have nothing to do with the topic. People who have little to contribute to the topic end up showing up at the meetings, asking irrelevant questions and taking off on tangents that could have otherwise been avoided.”

by Christian Perry

http://processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/P2801/20p01/20p01.asp&guid=

Getting To Know About Flash MX 2004

How many of you were just itching to install and try out Flash MX 2004 but left scratching your heads because of the lack of documentation and the onslaught of new features? And how many out there are always admiring how these professionals do "wonders" with their websites? Quite a few, I would imagine?

ShockExcite and its partners are here to shed some light into it. ShockExcite will be offering you assistance from known designers around the world. (Names will be announced soon, we're planning now to have them in Malaysia for a talk)

Anyway! before jumping in to read the first tutorial, make sure you have Flash MX 2004 or Flash MX 2004 Professional installed (you can download a 30-day trial for free from Macromedia, although many or "ALL" would know where to get the copies ;) ). If you haven't had the chance to play around with Flash MX 2004 yet, you may want to read up on Peter Elst's review (availabe on Macromedia Flash tutorials website), to get up to speed on all that is new. With so many new features, the latest version of Flash can appear daunting at first but we have an excellent line-up of authors to make things easier for you! Phillip Kerman, Dave Yang and Michelangelo Capraro are only a few of the top names who have taken pen to paper (well, finger to keyboard) to present you with in-depth introductions for using the latest features in Flash MX 2004 and Flash 2004 Professional. Our tutorials are sprinkled with healthy amounts of examples, follow-along exercises and downloadable Flash movies!

With the latest version of Flash, Macromedia appears steadfast in trying to woo web application developers to develop Rich Internet Applications. This is a move first revealed with the launch of the MX line, which introduced us to Flash Components, DevNet, DRKs, Flash Remoting and the Flash Communication Server. In Flash MX 2004, Macromedia have completely rewritten the component architecture to create the Version 2 of the Macromedia Component Architecture.

You can read up on the latest components and get an overview of the new component architecture in my tutorial on Introducing Flash MX 2004 Components. After you've learned the basics, let Peter Elst (who will contribute to this article with ShockExcite and its partners) take you through Skinning Flash MX 2004 Components, where he will introduce you to themes and skins and how to customize them.

Once you've played with the components a bit, why not try your hand in creating your own? You can do just that with Chafic Kazoun's tutorial on Developing Components in Flash MX 2004.

You have, no doubt, also heard about the new version of ActionScript introduced with Flash MX 2004; ActionScript 2.0. AS 2.0 brings us one step closer to true object-oriented programming with an implementation of classes. It also introduces exceptions for error handling and strong typing for easier debugging. Although all scripts still get compiled down to ActionScript 1.0, writing your applications in AS 2.0 should increase their maintainability and scalability. Of course, it's possible to write bad code in any language, and that's why you mustn't skip ActionScript guru David Yang's excellent tutorial on ActionScript 2.0.

If your head starts spinning from all the code in the component development and AS 2.0 tutorials, why not take a break from code while exploring the new Timeline Effects and Behaviors with Michelangelo Capraro. These two new features allow you to create animation effects and control your movies without writing any code.

One of the biggest advances in Flash MX 2004 Pro has to do with video. You can now export Flash Video directly from supported video editors and even edit video while importing it into Flash using the new Video Import Wizard. Phillip Kerman will take you through all of this and more in his tutorial on Flash MX 2004 Professional Video.

If you're interested in Rich Internet Application development, you must be excited about the new data binding and forms-based development features in Flash MX 2004 Pro. If so, we have an amazing dynamic duo of authors to guide you through these advanced topics: Peter Hall has an excellent article on Data Binding and Mr. Flash OS himself, Grant Skinner, will show you how to apply the Model-View-Controller pattern to your applications using Forms. Both of these tutorials will show you how to use (and even extend) these advanced features and make them part of your real-world development process.

This is only the beginning (but what a beginning, eh?) I hope you enjoy our current line-up and be sure to expect many more tutorials in the coming weeks and months!


By ShockExcite Media Sdn Bhd

http://bizpartner.com.my/articles

E-learning

E-learning efforts and experiments currently receive much attention across the world. The global availability of electronic and web-enabling technologies also dramatically influences the way we view the learning strategies of the future. However, due to disappointing experiences in wide spread implementation of computers in school, many are already predicting the failure of web technologies for learning. It is indeed likely that e-learning, making use of technological advances such as the Internet, may also be dissatisfying and frustrating unless we are able to evaluate the existing available technology and courseware effectively.


E-learning is the convergence of learning and the Internet. The additional flexibility of using the Internet for e-learning provides the learner with current resources and enables them to determine their own learning activities. By providing e-learning within a positive and non-threatening environment, learners can encourage others, contributing to each other’s personal growth. E-learning delivers accountability, accessibility, and opportunity. It allows people and organizations to keep up with changes in the global economy that now occur on Internet time.

Currently, there are many standards and implementation of e-learning courseware in the market. Having the vast choice of off-the-shelf courseware available, it is not easy to decide which standard and implementation is to adapt to. On the other hand, there are many evaluation criteria available to select the appropriate e-learning courseware.

Although many e-learning courseware have been implemented for the market, problems and challenges in selecting the appropriate courseware still exist as the evaluation criteria changes. They need to be categorized and identified.

Countries and organizations must adapt to the demands of the Internet economy to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive world marketplace. In the information age, learning opportunities span a lifetime — from childhood to adulthood. Our skills and knowledge need constant refreshing to keep up with new technologies and trends.


By CHIN SIK SEAN

http://bizpartner.com.my/articles

Computer Viruses

Computer viruses have become more and more malicious. In fact, nowadays, with programming tools available off the net and in the stores, anyone could write a small computer program to create a virus. Originally, viruses were written to test loopholes in computer systems. As time went on, some smart hackers discovered that it could also be used to snoop into home users' personal computers and cause massive destruction to computers.

It appears that there is no way anyone could stop viruses from being created. There are thousands of viruses (including varients) out there, and each day, someone somewhere is creating a virus. As computer sers, we need to know how to avoid viruses from getting into our precious data.

Invest in a good virus scanning and cleaning software. There are many brands in the market; some even offer free yearly updates, while others need annual subscriptions for updates. Get either one, and do ensure that the virus database is updated regularly (once a month, at least). Trying to save some cash by not updating could be the most foolish thing to do.

The most important lesson to learn in this century is that viruses spread even more quickly through the internet. As such, it is vital that prior installing programs into our hard disks, we should have the program scanned by a virus scanner. Also, be careful of the source of the download. Do not download from a website that you're suspicious of, or from an unknown website.

Our e-mails are very vulnerable to attacks by Trojans. The trojans reveal themselves as e-mails from friends whom you know, but contain attachments that could wipe out your entire hard disk if you open the attachment. The safest bet is, if you see an attachment from your friend, check out the name of the attachment. If it ends in *.exe, or *.pif, or *.vbs, there's a high possibility that a virus is present in the attachment. Delete them immediately. The virus scanner will not be able to detect the virus if the database has not been updated.

You need to borrow a disk from your friend? Be extra careful. Don't take things for granted; just because your best friend is trustworthy, it doesn't mean the disk is free from virus. Your friend might not even know that his own computer has been infected by virus. So, please scan your disks before you open the document.

What happens if your computer has been infected, and your virus scanner has failed to detect it? Well, some viruses are more forgiving. You might surf the website of the antivirus software vendor and try to see if there are ways to clean that virus. If there are, then you're lucky. Otherwise, you'll have no choice but to format the entire hard disk while losing all your data.

How do we know if our computer has been infected by viruses? In most cases, you don't...until it's too late. Some viruses will give you symptoms of an infection. For example, if your computer slows down suddenly, or if you keep getting error messages, or if your screen displays some weird messages, then there's a possibility that you have a virus in there. You might want to take your computer to the shop to identify the problem. Not all these symptoms are caused solely by viruses. Some are probably due to hardware failure. Owning a computer is like owning a car. You've to be able to know the difference in performance.

Good luck & happy computing.


By Kevin Chua

http://bizpartner.com.my/articles

9 Benefits of Multi-Media Learning Technology

What is Multi-media?
Multi-media training uses computer technology to immerse learners into training content. Text, graphics, illustrations, photographic images, animation, full-motion video, narration, music and sound effects are used to create an engaging learning environment that can train employees consistently, economically and with better learning and retention.

How will Multi-media learning benefit your organization?

1. Reduced Learning Time
Multi-media courseware is an efficient way to deliver training content. Training content equivalent to a two-day traditional lecture can be delivered in as little as two hours using multi-media. More than 30 studies have found that multi-media training reduces learning time by 40 to 60 percent over traditional training methods. A major cost of training is the time employees are away from their work. Reduced training time means less time away from the job and lower training costs.

2. Instructional Consistency
Multi-media training programs instruct learners with the same material, presented in the same manner, from learner to learner. Each learner will receive the same consistent, technically correct message. Computer-based courseware does not have bad days or tire out at the end of a long day. Training content is delivered in a consistent, reliable manner that does not change in quality from class to class, instructor to instructor, or one company location to another.

3. Flexible Training Schedules
Multi-media training allows the presentation of quality training to an entire workforce, including shift, temporary and part-time workers. This training is especially suited to companies with a high staff turnover or those growing at a rapid pace. Multi-media training is available in the workplace 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be delivered at a time that benefits both the learner and the company.

Multi-media training can be scheduled to fit employee or production schedules, eliminating production down-time. Flexible training delivery allows new employees to start training immediately, and existing employees to refresh their skills at any time. Employees will often take training courses before or after their normal shifts and management can make good use of unexpected quiet periods.

Hundreds of thousands of training dollars are saved by organizations that invest in the development of on demand multi-media courseware.

4. Increased Retention Levels and Motivation
Multi-media training allows the learner to be actively involved in the learning process. This interactivity reinforces the training content and helps the learner to retain the training message. Multi-media training enables the user to continually go back to it in order to reinforce messages rather than doing the training just once. The training itself can also be used as an ongoing reference tool.

Multi-media training provides a level of responsive feedback and individual involvement that has proven to be highly motivating. Courseware allows learners to focus their attention on the training content, reducing the potential for distraction.

Studies have shown that learners who listen to information will only recall 25% of that material. If they hear and see the material, they will remember 50%. However, learners who hear, see and interact with the material during the learning process will remember 75% of the material. Multi-media training allows learners to take greater control of their own learning process. Learners can move through courseware content at a comfortable pace.

5. Cater to Individual Learning Styles
Multi-media training allows learners, who typically have different abilities and knowledge levels, to control the pace and direction of their training. As learners discover new areas of interest and accomplishment, they become seekers of knowledge, not just recipients of instruction. It is not practical to provide that level of customization in traditional classroom training.

Traditional learning methods typically focus on one learning style at a time. By using graphics, audio, and interactive activities, multi-media training can fit a range of learning styles including visual, auditory and experiential. Multi-media training adapts itself to each student, provides realistic content and increases knowledge retention rates.

6. Testing of Learning Proficiency
Multi-media training programs use pre and post assessments as well as mastery and graded quizzes to demonstrate to the learner their level of proficiency in the training content. Quizzes help learners to know which areas they need to review. Tests can measure competency of the subject matter; computer-based testing allows for instant results to the learner; and data can be statistically analyzed as needed. Testing large numbers of employees can be done efficiently and cost effectively.

7. Low Cost Per Student
The upfront investment in multi-media courseware development will give your organization substantial reduction in employee training costs and employee training time. Multi-media training has a low cost per learner with lower delivery costs because the primary costs are in courseware design and production. The costs of replication, distribution and course delivery, which are recurring costs in traditional training, are reduced or eliminated with multi-media training. The ongoing costs of training are substantially reduced, and the cost per learner goes down with each additional learner.

8. On-the-job Safety and Health
Multi-media training allows learners to study potentially dangerous topics without risk. Interactive content lets learners see the results of their actions and become skilled at proper methods and procedures while learning how to work safely at their job. Training your employees to do the job right reduces waste, increases productivity and prevents incidents.

9. Training Records
A benefit of multi-media training is its ability to test and track the progress of the learner. Data such as the learner�s progress, time spent in the courseware, and test results can be tracked and monitored.

Overcoming the challenges of efficiency and productivity in the office is easy and rewarding through multi-media learning. By implementing an on-demand learning program, everyone benefits from flexible learning schedules, increased morale and lower training costs. And the peace of mind you�ll gain by having a record of accountability is a bonus you won�t want to do without. Guide your organization in the right direction, and commit to learning something new every day!


By EP-Tec Solutions Sdn Bhd

http://bizpartner.com.my/articles

3G + WIFI

We've been involved with technology trials and test, implementations etc the works. As mentioned in the members subscription mailer, we're lauching our very own Satellite and Satellite + Wireless access services very soon. Price? surely it will be affordable!

This article takes you further on what we are about to launch, but complimenting the hype of 3G services with the moderately expanding WIFI usage (Which is getting bigger) Indeed, in Malaysia, Wi-Fi access is becoming as common as a cafes such as businesses like Starbucks, or any other cafes or restaurants you find around town supported by service providers such as TMNET, Maxis, TIME and AIRZED attracting attention from almost every market segment.

Simultaneously, wireless telephony networks using 2.5 and 3G offer mobile users a sub-set of TCP/IP networking services, typically Web browsing and e-mail, but with far broader coverage than hotspots. Unlike Wi-Fi, which is exploding, hard data on 2.5 and 3G is hard to find since contract details and market share are often only described in the most general of terms.

WiFi service providers deploy hotspots that are usually connected to the Internet by DSL; 3G can compliment existing services by allowing hotspots to be deployed in areas that are not served by Telekom Malaysia (TMNET).

The mobile industry needs to be aware of the opportunities that this new technology presents and understand how it can enhance 3G services and start rolling in the bucks. What do they want at the end? break-even and start making profits, but how?

WiFi is used as the last mile to provide IP connectivity to users. Maxis alone is capable to provide 386kbps of connectivity over 3G, of which undoubtedly will find its way into WiFi networks sooner or later. The two technologies are compatible "out of the box" without the need for detailed engineering or special configuration. With basic compatibility established, the area of interest becomes maximizing the combination of the two technologies. This can be accomplished by carefully choosing the applications that are well suited to the natural strengths of 3G and WiFi.

Prices for 3G and public Wi-Fi access will both drop, and we seek the opportunity to provide... customers don't really care about which technology is used, but they care about cost and they care about speed, and this could help carriers with both technologies.

Indeed, speed, cost and coverage are what is likely to decide if one technology will triumph or the other or whether they'll work best for users together. One thing is becoming clear though. After years of bickering, it appears that the telephony data companies are beginning to think that convergence, and not competition, will be the key that allows 2.5 and 3G to florish in the Malaysian market with the growth of Wi-Fi.

These two applications represent the fixed and mobile markets, respectively. The infrastructure is similar for the two applications: a 3G smartphone or wireless card (at the moment only PCMCIA based ) is used to provide the connection to the Internet and supports roaming at local wireless LAN networks. Both technologies will eventually allow multiple users to access the internet via WIFI network through 3G.

3G + WiFi Convergence is all about enabling new markets that can not be served with either technology alone:

● 3G allows WiFi hot spots to be deployed in places that terrestrial Internet connections cannot reach either cost effectively or geographical restrictions.

● WiFi can lower the per-user cost of 3G subscriptions and its hardware, enabling access to more price sensitive markets where 3G services are too expensive.

However, at the end of the day, any business opportunity that seeks to exploit the combination of 3G + WiFi needs to consider three key issues:

1. Maximizing the number of subscribers that can serviced,
2. Minimizing the infrastructure cost to service those subscribers, and
3. Ensuring that the opportunity has the potential to generate revenue.



By ShockExcite Media Sdn Bhd

http://bizpartner.com.my/articles