Stories by Martyn Williams

Asia Global Crossing, IRI to Form Joint Venture

Asia Global Crossing Ltd., which is building a regional undersea fiber optic cable network, and Internet Research Institute Inc., a Japanese Internet consultancy, will tomorrow announce the formation of a new joint venture, the companies announced today.

Japan, Singapore Firms Ally on B-to-B E-Commerce

Three Japanese companies and a Singapore-based company have announced the formation of a joint venture that will focus on Internet-based business-to-business e-commerce. The Singapore-based firm, e-commerce systems provider Bex.com Pte. Ltd., will own the majority stake in the new company.

IBM Gained Most US Patents in 1999

IBM Corp. gained the most U.S. patents in 1999 -- the seventh consecutive year in a row that it has held the honor, according to IFI Claims Patent Services' annual Patent Intelligence and Technology Report.

Dreamcast Internet Use Hits 500,000 Accounts

Isao Corp., the Internet service provider that offers Internet access to users of Sega Enterprises Ltd.'s Dreamcast games console, says subscriptions to its service have passed the half-million mark.

Hackers Hit Japanese Government Web Sites

The Web sites of two Japanese government agencies were attacked by hackers in the last 24 hours, the first time such central government agencies have been attacked, said the government today.

Singapore to Speed Up Telecom Deregulation

Singapore's government announced on Friday that it plans to bring forward the start of full competition in the island nation's telecommunications market from April 1, 2002, to April 1 this year. At the same time it also announced an immediate lifting on direct and indirect foreign equity limits for all public telecommunications service licenses.

Korean Chaebols to Announce E-Commerce Tie-up

Eight affiliates of Korea's top three business groups, or chaebol, and three independent companies this Wednesday will sign an agreement to create an e-commerce alliance, an executive at Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has told IDG News Service.

Qualcomm Claims Victory in Korean Patent Spat

Qualcomm Inc. said Thursday the Korean Industrial Property Office (KIPO) had found in its favor for the vast majority of a series of patent infringement claims brought against the company by rival Motorola Inc.

Samsung Securities Eyes 'Net Financial Services

Samsung Securities Co. Ltd., the brokerage arm of Korea's Samsung Group, has formed a partnership with AnswerThink Consulting Group Inc. on the development of a global online financial services network, AnswerThink announced this week.

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