Stories by Stephen Bell

Xtra website redirect a poser


The performance of New Zealand ISPs accessing overseas websites differs markedly and even after a decade of website creation some pages are still inaccessible using some browsers. But a few weeks ago a Computerworld reader discovered an apparently unique example of web behaviour using Xtra.

Carrier brings 1G bps to NZ businesses

Telstra Saturn Ltd. plans to roll out in New Zealand a network based on IP (Internet Protocol) carrying voice, data and video, and offering speeds as high as 1G bps (bit per second). The network will be deployed in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch by June, "with national availability soon after," says the company.

Cable demand high says Southern Cross operator

Major internet service providers in New Zealand don't expect a shortage of available bandwidth from the Southern Cross cable, an undersea fiber cable linking Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. -- particularly while wholesale price levels continue.

Picking IT winners tough: BT boss


British Telecom has no great record of predicting what the big future applications of technology will be, says applications head Graham Cosier.

Telecom NZ Risks Split, Analyst Says

Australian telecommunications analyst Paul Budde says Telecom New Zealand will either be taken over, split up, or both, as early as next year. The prediction is part of Budde's latest annual report on the New Zealand telecommunications industry.

NZ diary group links global sites

The New Zealand Dairy Board is implementing a new worldwide network to provide a unified platform for future e-business, Internet and intranet developments, and has chosen Equant to build and manage it.

NZ Ministry Wants Wants to Tap All Calls

Alongside proposed legal provisions for interception of digital traffic by police and other agencies, the NZ Ministry of Economic Development (MED) is drawing up a plan to require all public telecoms networks -- voice and digital -- to be capable of interception.

Employees, customers left out of e-comm

Training for e-commerce has to extend throughout the organisation, says Keith Holtham, architecture manager for Intel's Asia-Pacific region.
Because of the speed of Internet development and of the decisions that need to be made in conjunction with it, many employees aren't "engaged" with business strategy in this area, says Holtham. As a result, their knowledge and awareness fall behind, he says.
Companies like Intel assume that because they are concerned with technology, staff will be familiar with the challenges associated with its use.

Racing Yachts Bristle with High-Tech


AUCKLAND (09/18/2000) - Competitive racing yachts are looking more and more like floating advertisements and showrooms as communications technology and the practice of business sponsorship advances.

NZ Users VAX Lyrical About Digital's Mini Legend

Nostalgic users are mourning the passing of the Digital Equipment Corp. VAX, whose production has been terminated by Compaq Computer Corp. The company will cease taking orders for the midrange family at the end of September and the last VAX machines will ship on December 30.

NZ Encryptors Win U.S. Optical Storage Deal

California-based Oak Technology Inc., a provider of components for the optical-storage and digital-imaging markets, has signed a deal with RPK SecureMedia Inc., the U.S. parent of New Zealand-founded encryption specialist RPK.

NZ telco giants kiss and make up

In a new spirit of conciliation, Telecom New Zealand and Telstra-Saturn have announced an agreement to cover interconnection, wholesale services, settlement of the companies' rebilling dispute, 0867 questions and pole-sharing.

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