IRVINE, Calif., June 16, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- Eight Asian telecom carriers announced the development of a pan-Asia Internet network aimed at bypassing North American links and reducing the costs of regional Internet and data services. The network, AIN (Asian Internet Network), is the outcome of a tie-up between the carriers prompted by an imbalance in the way international Internet traffic is charged that favors a small group of US backbone providers.
VoIP Telecom Inc. Wednesday confirmed the company's completion of a purchase agreement to acquire International Communications and Equipment (ICE) of Kirkland Lake, Washington. The primary business of ICE is the deployment of digital, voice and data via fiber optic, Internet circuit (VoIP), satellite and public switched telephone networks (PSTNs). The company's network roll-out is commencing in Germany and Russia, utilizing hardware (gateways, digital signal processors and routers) coupled with existing fiber optic and satellite networks via both originating and terminating facilities installed initially in North America, Europe and the Middle East. Subject to equipment installation, the forecast annual profit from ICE's Germany-Russia operations alone is in excess of USD30 Million from generating up to 500 million voice minutes. ICE also has projects pending in Poland, The Ukraine, Thailand, Malta, The Lebanon, Malaysia, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Jordan, Libya., Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Italy, Greece, France, Norway, Azerbaijan and Georgia. IBC has an equity position in VoIP Telecom and Usurf America. For additional information visit our disclaimer at www.ibchannel.com .
Other Telecommunication News Summaries...
Flagship Hong Kong Govt Web Site Defaced, Twice A flagship Hong Kong Government Web site was defaced twice, resulting in its eventual closure and the start of criminal investigations by local police authorities. The day after the Interactive Government Services Directory was brought back online, it was defaced again at around the same time the following day. Microsoft, Hitachi Ink Global Joint Venture
Two giants in the IT arena, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT) and Hitachi Ltd. partnered to develop and globally deploy Windows 2000-based systems. The companies will target annual sales of $190 million by 2003. The joint venture will initially focus on the Japanese market but global expansion is part of the strategy, the companies said. Political Hackers Attack Malaysian Web Sites
Cyberspace has become an intense battleground for Malaysian politics over the past year, and hackers reportedly joined the fray penetrating dozens of Malaysian political Web sites, leaving images of rotting skulls and obscene messages. Hackers left messages demanding more freedom of the press and an end to corruption.
Korea Telecom Snaps Up $2.61bn Cellular Provider Stake Korea's incumbent fixed line telephone company, Korea Telecom, will pick up a 48 percent stake in Korean cellular service provider Hansol M.com to add to its collection of interests in the country's two largest wireless operators. The shareholding comes at a cost of approximately C$3.83 billion (US$2.61 billion), and was purchased from Bell Canada International Inc. Korea's Hansol Group and US-based American International Group Inc.
NZ Officials Investigate Defense Papers Sent To British Teen New Zealand Defence Force officials reportedly said they were investigating what kind of documents fell into the hands of an English teenager via her e-mail account. The investigations were prompted by reports Claire McDonald, a fifteen year old girl living in Devon, UK, has been receiving e-mail believed to originate from the Pentagon in the US for the past six months. American, Canadian, British, Australian and New Zealand defense-related information was contained in the messages.
Samsung, Microsoft Tie-Up For Mobile "Smart" Phones Korea's Samsung Electronics Company Ltd and software giant Microsoft Corp. announced they would team up to develop mobile phone handsets based on Microsoft software. The phones, expected to be available from the second half of 2000, will initially feature software that can be used to offer wireless data services such as e-mail, corporate intranet access and e-commerce on GSM and CDMA networks.
Using E-Mail Can Stave Off Workplace Conflict - Academic A Wellington, New Zealand-based academic studying the use of e-mail in the workplace said that e-mail is is allowing people to manage their work relationships by giving them a way of avoiding the physical side of these relations. While this can minimize disruptions within an organization, this phenomenon can also have some disadvantages. Australia
The nation's largest telephone company sacked employees who Telstra says have been listening in to customers' phone conversations. Corporate watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, bought into the Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT) break-up affair, warning the local subsidiary it will "proceed to consider the implications of Judge Jackson's ruling for the Australian public." Internet service provider Eisa went into survival mode this week chasing a merger partner. Cable & Wireless Optus said Lucent Technologies Inc. will build and manage its Australian digital subscriber line (DSL) access network for. Telstra came under scrutiny from the competition watchdog when it introduced a raft of price increases across the board.
China China Legal Change, a joint venture between two Hong Kong-based firms, launched the first searchable database of Chinese laws and regulations.
Hong Kong Asia Online boosted its Hong Kong operations with the purchase of two local companies involved in networking and systems integration - Metro-Link Services Co. Ltd. and Hope Light Trading Ltd.
India Competition got hotter in the Internet services arena as ISPs began cutting rates and coming close to almost-free access. Leading the charge were two state-owned telecom service providers - Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. SAP Labs India Pvt., the Indian subsidiary of Germany's SAP AG, announced the local launch of mySAP.com for Indian companies. Hoping to give a further boost to local e-commerce development, the government opened the gates further for foreign companies by allowing 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in e-commerce.
Japan Casio Computer teamed up with iAnywhere systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sybase, to jointly market and deliver mobile e-business systems worldwide, including through business handheld devices. Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd. said it will collaborate with Internet audio company RealNetworks Inc. (Nasdaq:RNWK) for development of its upcoming portable music players. Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HWP) said it will sell its full range of consumer computer and information technology products to the Japanese market through a jointly-owned venture with Japanese Internet investment company SoftBank.
Korea Korea's largest telecommunications provider, Korea Telecom, was the latest Asian carrier to agree to market the managed corporate voice and data communications services of Japan's NTT Communications Corp. Korean telecom and Internet service provider, Onse Telecom, is planning to introduce voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) services as it attempts to maintain growth and boost its market share. Korean telecommunications provider Hanaro Telecom has joined with Cisco Systems Inc. in a $200 million alliance aimed at a speedy roll-out of the Korean company's high-speed Internet services and increased opportunities for Cisco business products in Korea.
Malaysia Malaysian mobile phone company DiGi Telecom said it plans to introduce wireless phone banking services to its subscribers, starting with mobile electronic banking with United Overseas Bank. NetCel360, an Asian regional e-business service provider, opened operations in Kuala Lumpur.
New Zealand Most New Zealand financial institutions that offer home loan products, including the four major banks, signed agreements to sell through E-Loan New Zealand - a new online home loan service that is launching next week. The planned merger between New Zealand's largest online retailer, FlyingPig.co.nz, and an Australian online store, TheSpot.com.au, associated with the Fairfax media group sunk. Amongst the funding allocated in the Budget this year was NZ$17 million ($7.96 million) to bring government services online and NZ$9.5 million ($4.45 million) for Trade New Zealand to Internet-enable its trade development networks.
Philippines Philippines President Joseph Estrada signed Republic Act 8972 or the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, making the Philippines the fifth Asian country to set up the necessary legal infrastructure to govern online transactions.
Singapore Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel) tied-up with a Perth-based new telecom carrier, Swiftel, to offer Internet and managed data services. Regional Internet services provider, Pacific Internet stepped up its investment plans with $25 million to $35 million in funds earmarked for more e-commerce ventures and the roll-out of services in India and China.
Taiwan Taipei's Mayor Ma Ying-jeou said the city should break out of its physical boundaries and expand the availability of public services on the Internet. He also said he plans to give every Taipei citizen a free, life-long e-mail address.
Thailand Charn Issara Group, investment firm Bangkok Rinvest Co and a cluster of IT-related experts launched Thailand's first search engine software. Thailand's National Counter Corruption Commission rejected the opposition's request for the removal of Communications Minister Suthep Thaugsuban for alleged corruption related to the national synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) telephone network project.
Top Headlines... Global Crossing Ends Talks to Buy Equant Over Price, People Familiar Say
Housing Starts in U.S. Fell 3.9% in May to Their Lowest Level in One Year
U.S. Treasuries Rise; Housing Report Adds to Evidence of Slowing Growth
Rambus Shares Rise After Company Signs Patent-License Accord With Toshiba
Caisse des Depots of France Buys U.S. Fund Manager Nvest for $2.2 Billion
Dow Average, S&P 500 Fall, Led by Banks; Rambus and Qualcomm Boost Nasdaq
Lehman Brothers Second-Quarter Earnings Rise 15%; Overseas Business Gains
Xerox Warns Second-Quarter Earnings Per Share to Miss Targets; Shares Fall
Crude Oil Declines as OPEC Seen Boosting Output by 500,000 Barrels a Day
Global Crossing Ends Talks to Buy Equant Over Price, People Familiar Say
Rambus Shares Rise After Company Signs Patent-License Accord With Toshiba
Xerox Warns Second-Quarter Earnings Per Share to Miss Targets; Shares Fall
Sprint Says PCS Wireless Group President and COO Sukawaty Is Resigning
America Online Submits Plan to Open Instant Messaging Service to Rivals
Adobe Shares Fall After Company Says New In Design Software Sales Are Slow
Covad Shares Plunge After Company Says Line Growth Won't Meet Targets
Micron Electronics Shares Soar After Lehman Analyst Boosts EPS Estimates
China Unicom Raises $4.9 Billion in China's Biggest Initial Share Sale
Ambitious Deutsche Telekom Sets $8 Billion Bond Market Test: Mark Gilbert