Full coverage: Communication

25.03.2008 Convergence has been creeping up on the telecoms and Internet sectors in Africa. Orange has been quietly promoting its Livebox product in a widening range of countries and Telkom will shortly launch IP-TV services through Telkom Media. Gateway Communications set up GTV to compete with DStv in the satellite Pay TV market. However, up until now there has been little data to work out what any of this might mean. In a world in which telcos are becoming broadcasters and broadcasters may yet return the favour by offering voice and Internet services, telcos and ISPs need to know what their peers in the broadcast sector are doing.

24.03.2008 Science fiction writer and visionary Sir Arthur C. Clarke died on March 19, 2008 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the age of 90. The global telecommunication community will remember him for his farsighted prediction of artificial satellite stations for earth-based communications.

20.03.2008 WiMax, a new super high speed wireless technology and described as big brother of Wi-Fi, has a huge growth potential in Asia with more than 11 million subscribing to it by 2011. Worldwide the figure is expected to reach 36 million during the same period.

18.03.2008 Kalpakkam in southern India, famous for its atomic power station, will soon have its own community radio station. Once established, thousands of professionals, including scientists, engineers and technicians will have the space to interact and strengthen mutual relationships.

18.03.2008 Timely intervention by the International Telecommunication Union has helped restore vital communication links by deploying satellite terminals in the aftermath of severe floods in Zambia, a southern African country. This facilitated the coordination of relief operations by both government and humanitarian agencies to aid the victims of this disaster.

18.03.2008 Jaipur, capital of western Indian state of Rajasthan, is soon going to be a wi-fi-enabled city. Data Infosys Ltd, which is among the top seven Internet Service Providers in the country, has signed an MoU with the state government in this respect.

15.03.2008 Punarbhava, a new interactive website for the disabled, is a one-stop cyber shop for information, aids, appliances, research and employment. The portal was recently launched at the Indian capital, along with the release of a new screen reader software for the blind.

05.03.2008 ICIMOD’s latest resource manual, Advocacy Strategies and Approaches has been developed for effective advocacy of mountain development issues and themes in the Himalayan region. It also serves as a useful guide to facilitate mountain people’s participation in mainstream policy making.

05.03.2008 Teachers working in remote villages of West Bengal will soon be provided with critical academic aid through a first-of-its-kind phone based service in India. Using an innovative mix of telephony and internet, LifeLines Education seeks to answer queries on pedagogy, classroom management and administration, while linking teachers with a network of educational experts.