TIME EUROPE
MARCH 27, 2000 VOL. 155 NO. 12
Techwatch
FIXED RATE INTERNET ACCESS
Web Price Wars: How Low Can They Go?
Across Europe operators are moving toward U.S.-style flat-rate charges for local calls, removing the high prices for online time that have hampered Internet uptake and e-commerce. In the U.K., Telewest, Alta Vista, NTL and BT have all either introduced or announced plans to offer consumers a fixed charge for accessing the Internet over normal telephone lines. Germany's Deutsche Telekom, Italy's Infostrada and Hungary's Matav are following suit. The moves are expected to lead to major price reductions, according to a just-released OECD Internet price comparison survey. The survey says that in the world's industrialized countries over the last six months Internet access prices have dropped 15% for 20 hours of monthly use. Part of the reduction has been due to a move towards free Internet access. Providers of free Internet services, like the U.K.'s Freeserve, don't charge separate Web access fees but do take a cut of local call charges from telecom firms. Most Europeans have limited their time online because as much as 81% of the cost of using the Internet is due to phone charges, a fact that finally looks set to change. Freeserve will offer flat-rate charging from May this year.
TECH MARKETS
Hear IT Roar
Next month Taiwan launches a new stock market for technology companies; the Taiwan Innovative Growing Entrepreneurs (TIGER). TIGER will be integrated into the over-the-counter exchange but will have more lenient standards, such as smaller capital and negative earnings, for listings. In addition to tech firms, securities houses, insurance firms and other financial institutions can also apply for listing. Due to high risks, all transactions on the new exchange must be settled in advance by cash instead of credit trading.
MOBILE SERVICES
For Your Ears Only
Mobile operators are ringing up profits from ringing tones and tiny screensavers. Consumers in Europe are paying $1 a pop to download ditties such as the James Bond theme, and a growing number of consumers worldwide are shelling out the same amount for screensavers. Japanese kids show a clear preference for Bandai cartoon characters, while Europeans like to change images as often as twice a week.
MARKETING
It's in the E-mail
E-mail Vision, a Paris-based start-up, is helping European companies launch e-mail marketing campaigns aimed at consenting consumers. This form of digital direct marketing, currently used by firms like MTV Europe, is designed to generate high response rates at low cost.
SITE SEEING
Farmers will soon be taking their wares to market over the Web. Due to launch May 1, Rooster.com (www.rooster.com) will enable buyers and sellers in the U.S. agricultural sector to market crops and purchase supplies such as seed and fertilizer online. The 24-hour site will also feature discussion groups, news, weather and market information.
Indian weddings are usually well attended, but 400,000 people were invited to the marriage of Vijay and Sonal Mukhi on the Web at www.vijaywedssonal.com. Guests from as far as Oxford and California watched the live webcast, sent messages and browsed photos.
WHAT'S NEXT
Dutch doormen have enlisted a new weapon in the battle to keep their night clubs trouble-free. The cyber-bouncer scans clubbers' faces and fingerprints, matches them with a database of proven troublemakers and alerts doormen to the presence of undesirable guests. The scanner was created by Keyware Technologies, which expects clubs will use the card to identify regular patrons as well as to reject riffraff--to add some brains to the brawny job of guarding the velvet rope.
Mobile organizer-maker Palm has introduced its new color device, the Palm IIIc, to Europe. The Palm IIIc includes AvantGo software, allowing users to view customized data like stock portfolios, to purchase tickets, read the news and access websites. The Internet service works using a wireless connection or via synchronization with a desktop PC.
Catch up on Gossip, an intelligent agent developed by Amsterdam-based Tryllian (www.tryllian.com). Tell Gossip what to find, and it will surf the Web in search of sites that match your needs, even when you're off-line. Gossip now just gathers information, but Tryllian plans to equip it with virtual cash so it can make purchases.
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March 27, 2000
COVER STORY
Man with a Mission
Vladimir Putin wants to restore his country's power and prestige. But can he transform Russia before it transforms him?
EUROPE
The Wages of Success
Strong growth and a tax windfall have created unexpected political trouble for Lionel Jospin
Partying Hard for Peace
Northern Ireland's politicians flock to Washington, softening their mood and maybe their positions
Commanders in Court
The trial begins of the man accused of overseeing the worst war crime in Europe since World War II
Not One of Us
The people of Emmen decide who is worthy of Swiss citizenship
Viewpoint
José María Aznar's victory in Spain offers new hope to Europe's moderate right
AFRICA
Striking at the Root of Civil War
A U.N. report exposes the illicit diamond trade fueling Angola's conflict
BUSINESS
Wheeler Dealers
Two of Europe's remaining family-run automakers maneuvered last week to maintain control of their firms. But they have probably only delayed the inevitable
The Single Market
Monti says, Keep on truckin'
Propelling Airbus
The rip-roaring success of Europe's aerospace giant owes much to its tireless U.S.-born sales chief
We Make House Calls
In its search for new ways to reach the consumer, Unilever moves downstream into domestic services
THE ARTS
Fully Modern Maestro
On tour with the London Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez still proves surprising at 75
Poland's Man of Vision
With a smash hit and an Oscar to boast of, legendary director Andrzej Wajda is riding high
The Two Faces of Dalí
Both the young genius and the lying old fanatic are on display in a new show
DEPARTMENTS
Techwatch
World Watch
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