Telecommunications

The Disco Ball of Failed Hopes and Other Tales From Inside Intel

Mr. Otellini will tell analysts that he plans to focus on four areas for growth: international markets for desktop personal computers, mobile and wireless applications, the digital home, as well as a new initiative aimed at large corporate computing markets that Intel is calling the Digital Office.

Cellphones Aloft: The Inevitable Is Closer

Federal regulators plan next week to begin considering rules that would end the official ban on cellphone use in commercial flights.

In U.S. Market, Cellphone Users Are Often All Talk

Users in the United States continue to think of a cellphone as a device for talking, not text messaging. Marketers, however, hope to change that as soon as possible.

UN Telecommunication Agency Launches Community Initiative for Africa

The United Nations' telecommunications agency is rolling out dozens of phone and computer centers in 20 African countries to help the countries process information in areas such as agriculture, health and education. The centers will include technology donated by private parties and will mostly be managed by local women. AllAfrica Global Media/UN News Service (New York) (1/10)

A Regulatory Maze Ahead for a Recast F.C.C.

Most expect that the recent mergers, including Verizon's acquisition of MCI, could prompt a fine-tuning of existing rules.

The real digital divide

The Economist says while the so-called "digital divide" is more a result of disparities in income, development and education than a problem in and of itself, it offers support for the United Nations' new "Digital Solidarity Fund," which aims to finance projects that draw those in developing countries into the global information society. Nowhere will this be easier or more effective than through the use of mobile phones, The Economist writes, noting 77% of the world's population already lives within an existing network. The Economist (3/14)