by: Tobias Hammar

In 1995, THE INTERNET interested people who had the time, energy and resources to allow their computers to communicate using something as unfashionable as a copper cable deep inside the wall of a building. In 2005, the internet is finally on its way to becoming public property.
According to the Infonetics Research market research company, the world market for so-called WiMAX equipment is expected to exceed usd 124 million this year, an increase of more than 600 per cent compared with 2004.
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a standardised technology that enables the transfer of wireless broadband, in much the same way as wlan. The main difference is that its range is infinitely greater. While a wlan covers a few hundred metres and can supply “Hot Spots”, geographically limited access points for wireless internet, close to restaurants, railway stations and libraries, WiMAX technology has a range of several kilometres. From a rooftop, a factory chimney or a mast, WiMAX enables the transmission of wireless broadband to all the inhabitants of a city.
Over the next few years, WiMAX is expected to be used primarily as a back-up solution for other kinds of wireless internet, but in 2007-2008 it is forecast to make its major breakthrough, when the standard is fully ratified. If nothing else, Infonetics Research’s sales figures indicate the direction in which things are heading.
WiMAX technology has sufficient power to supply hundreds of companies with internet corresponding to a speed of t1 and thousands of private individuals with a connection corresponding to DSL. Voice over Internet Protocol, video and the internet will then become something to which every citizen has access – wherever and whenever they choose. To make it easier for cities, industrial estates and suburbs to develop into “MetroZones” for wireless internet, it has been predicted that all portable computers will be equipped with WiMAX. Surf’s up!
 

TOP FIVE

IT gadgets making work easier

Endless meetings, tight deadlines and rainy Monday mornings. Does your job feel like a never-ending perpetuum mobile? Fortunately, there are IT gadgets that make things easier. Here are just a few of them to make your work slightly more enjoyable.

Smart bulb gives advance warning of demise
At the department of new, meaningless gadgets, we can now offer an absolute must to all the people who are tired of receiving no text messages from their friends. This problem can be resolved in a split second by purchasing a couple of Fujitsu’s new, smart light bulbs. They look and work like any other bulbs – the difference is that they send you a text message when they are about to blow, so that you know exactly when you need a new bulb! We are now waiting for Fujitsu to do the same thing with lavatory paper, food in the refrigerator and why not even wine in the cellar?
                                                             (engadget.com)

	Software theft is big business Now tell the truth, are you a thief? If not, you can be sure your neighbour is! Some 35 per cent of all pc programs that are installed worldwide are stolen, according to a new study by the co-operation organisation Business Software Alliance, bsa. This study, which was conducted in collaboration with the idc firm of analysts, reveals that, last year, software packages were sold on the global market for a total of more than usd 59 billion. In spite of this, software worth over usd 90 billion was installed. The difference, more than usd 30 billion, was accounted for by software for which the suppliers were not paid. The study, which is based on more than 7,000 interviews in over 70 countries, also reveals that the percentage of pirate programs declined in 37 countries, while it increased in 34. Latin America is said to have the worst problems with software pirates, closely followed by the Middle East and Africa. In more than half the countries that were studied, the percentage of pirate software exceeded 60 per cent.                                              Countries with the highest percentage of stolen software Vietnam, 92 per cent Ukraine, 91 per cent China, 90 per cent Zimbabwe, 90 per cent Indonesia, 87 per cent Countries with the lowest percentage of stolen software usa, 21 per cent New Zealand, 23 per cent Austria, 25 per cent Sweden, 26 per cent UK, 27 per cent
	(Source:IDC/BSA)

Sometimes it just hits you – the feeling that the person you are talking to on the phone actually wishes that he or she were doing something totally different. Fortunately, the technology to help you answer this question is now available. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, mit, have developed a program that analyses exactly how interested the person you are calling is in talking to you. The jerk-o-meter will be available as an additional program for Skype and other telephony packages and reveals in real time what your conversation partner thinks about your conversation. The program analyses stress patterns, activity and perceived empathy – everything is read from the tonality of the voice, changes in level during sentences and the volume strength of specially selected words in a phrase. A rating of 1-100 indicates your ability to maintain the interest of the person to whom you are speaking. The jerk-o-meter is thought to have a bright future – particularly with everyone employed as a telephone salesperson...                                    (PC För Alla)

It managers expect an immediate answer
IT managers set higher standards for availability and customer service than other managers within trade and industry, according to a survey Teliasonera has conducted among almost 1,000 managers, including 150 IT managers, at Swedish companies. The survey reveals that one IT manager in ten wants to be able to reach customers via a mobile phone around the clock. One in every two says that being able to obtain an answer during office hours is good enough.
The results when availability is not up to scratch are less than amusing. On several occasions, one-third of IT managers have decided not to use companies because of inferior customer service. The survey also reveals that eight in every ten IT managers have stepped up their availability requirements during the past year. This is higher than the figure for other managers.
“Communication with customers has become far more important within the space of just a few years. A customer who sends an e-mail expects an answer within 24 hours and preferably even faster.
This imposes rigorous demands on companies,” says Anders Gylder, head of customer service at Teliasonera Sweden.
A late response or no response at all to an e-mail is the main reason why IT managers reject companies, together with a poorly updated website. On the other hand, very few decide not to make purchases from companies because they are not given a friendly reception by a switchboard operator, according to the survey.

IT investments expected to increase sharply
IT managers’ investments will increase sharply during the next year, according to a study conducted by the us magazine CIO. This magazine interviewed almost 200 IT managers throughout the USA. On average, their investments will increase by ten per cent during the next year, compared with the increase of six per cent which the magazine predicted as recently as June this year. CIO’s study is supported by another survey conducted by the consulting giants McKinsey. Their study, which comprises more than 7,800 companies in 132 countries, reveals that small and medium-sized companies all over the world are planning to increase their IT investments by 13 per cent over the next year. The corresponding figure for large companies is six per cent. McKinsey’s study also reveals that companies’ profit levels are the principal investment driver. Some 44 per cent of the companies that were interviewed say that their profit level is the factor that primarily determines their IT investments. The second most important factor is predictions relating to the companies’ individual markets, which received a response rate of 17 per cent in the study.

                                             (IDG)

Hong Kong residents offered one-gigabit broadband
The Hongkong Broadband Network (HKBN) recently launched a broadband package offering IP telephony, video and the internet via a fibre cable with a transmission speed of up to 1,000 megabits – one gigabit – a second. During the first stage, 800,000 of Hong Kong’s 2.2 million households will be offered the service, but more can be expected over the next few months. The price for this record-breaking, high-speed broadband connection is usd 215 a month.
“While other large operators only compete with price, our new network enables us to offer the people of Hong Kong both service and added value of world class,” says Ricky Wong, hkbn’s chairman.
In the hkbn broadband network, fibre-optic cable is used all the way to the end user’s wall plug instead of the conventional fibre network. At the present time, Hong Kong and Japan are the only places in the world that are able to offer broadband services at a speed of one gigabit.