DIGITAL WALLET

            It is shocking to me that one day soon it will be possible to make purchases through our cellular phones. This article discusses how North American phone companies such as Verizon and AT&T are discussing with Research in Motion (RIM) to create digital wallets. At first they wanted to use the SIM card in AT&T smartphones to make payments, then they realized it is easy to switch a SIM card with another smartphone. Verizon didn’t have the possible to use a SIM card because they use another technology called CDMA. Nevertheless, they are considering switching over to the technology server that AT&T uses. RIM wants to place this card where it will be non-removable and then allow purchases as well as a tracking system.

            The article states how stores will have a specific device that you have to use to be able to pay. I wonder how much money this device will cost. It is stated that it will be possible to pay at places like Subway and even a Taxi cab. I wonder how you can do a tip for a taxi with the phone payment method.

             RIM refuses to discuss their mobile-payment strategy in details. I assume this is to prevent competitors from stealing their ideas. RIM is reaching out to banks to get first-mover advantage. They are specifically working with MasterCard and Bank of America to allow customers in New York to make purchases through their blackberry’s.

             Right now RIM does have competition with Google since they are looking to make partnerships with Verifone. Other global companies are also looking further into mobile payment methods. I can see this technology coming out in smartphones within the next two years. I fear that people may not trust paying with their cell phones at first. But I believe over time it will become successful.

-Rachel

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704360404576206412989185134.html?KEYWORDS=telecommunications

Earthquake Disrupts Hong Kong’s Internet

Internet users in Hong- Kong are experiencing slow speed loading web pages. Especially, the people who work online are the most affected. The 8.9 earthquake in Japan affected several submarine cables, that is the main cause of this disadvantage. Also, internet traffic to some international destination like the U.S is being affected. Hong- kong users are experiencing slow internet speed when visiting US websites due to damage cables that land in Japan. In a few weeks the damage cables will be repaired. The PCCW Ltd. broadband internet company didn't provide much information, just said that " customer may experience slower response than normal." If this issue is not fixed soon, it could affect problems with long distance roaming calls as well as internet service, as it happened in 2006 with the 7.1 earthquake in Taiwan.

Sapir

http://blogs.wsj.com/hong-kong/2011/03/14/earthquake-disrupts-hong-kongs-internet/?KEYWORDS=telecommunication

“Nuclear Radiation threatens Japan and the World”

Blog Assignment 6

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704893604576199952421569210.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704662604576202341130872836.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLETopStories

Followed by the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, many have raised serious concerns about the nuclear radiation level in Fukushima, Japan. While this unpredictable disaster happened on Friday March 11, Japan has putting efforts to save the lives of the survivors; "The Japanese Red Cross Society is committed to rescue any victims, including those of nuclear radiation," JRCS spokesman Mutsuhiko Owaki said. The local media reports an estimate of about 2,800 people injured and missing. Though Japanese firefighters are engaged in relief operations, there are short with the number of rescuers. On top of the relief operations, Japanese firefighters are in the fear of nuclear radiation leaks.

Although the Japanese relief teams are fairly experienced in dealing with quake-related disasters, none anticipated having to deal with a radiation crisis. Because Japan is an island surrounded by both the Pacific Ocean and the Japan Sea, earthquakes and tsunamis are frequent occasions. However, this disaster has caused serious damages not only politically and economically; it will be a difficult challenge for Japan to recover from its losses.

Moreover, Japan's disrupted supply networks are causing concerns about component costs and product shortages that global technology companies may face; while Internet users in Hong Kong may experience slow Internet speeds for several weeks due to damaged underseas cables. About half of the existing cables running across the Pacific Ocean are damaged and "a lot of people are feeling a little bit of slowing down of Internet traffic going to the United States," said Bill Barney, chief executive of Hong Kong-based cable-network operator Pacnet. Not only the Internet speed is slowing down, but also communication services have showing some troubles.

The disaster has added more burdens on the shoulders of the Japanese government. In comparison to the major earthquake that occurred in Hanshin in 1992, economic recovery will not be as easier. Further foreign investments in the Japanese economy are necessary for economic recovery. In addition, Japan will face difficulties in increasing its national output and income under this circumstance. In other words, Japan will experience a negative growth due to cost-push inflation in the long-run; the increase in the import prices and commodity prices will lead to a decrease in the aggregate supply, causing inflation.

As a part of the Japan, I hope everyone will be safe and be rescued on time. Follow the Quake Live Blog on CNN to stay updated on the crisis!

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/15/japan-quake-live-blog-fire-erupts-in-fourth-reactor-radiation-warning-issued/

Miki

Informational Interview

Hi guys!
I hope everyone had a great spring break. So last Friday I spoke with Rick Albuck, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from Consumer Technology Publishing. It was a successful informational interview and very informative. I attached below the answers in bullet format to my questions. But the most interesting part of our conversation was about the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a yearly held show where telecommunication industries can showcase their new techonologies for the coming year. Since Mr. Albuck does not work directly in the telecommunication industry some of the answers are not in as much detail as much as I would have liked but I got a very interesting perspective from his marketing point of view.
-Rachel


 

1. Where do you most see growth in the telecommunications industry?

            -Handset Market

2. What are some of your responsibilities in your position as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing?

            -Publish magazines about consumer technology

            -Official publisher for consumer eclectic show (which is the largest trade show in             North America)

3. What types of entry-levels positions does Consumer Technology Publishing Group offer?

            -Analyst

            -Editorial assistants

            -Researchers

            -Associate editors

4. What skill sets do you look for potential candidates?

            -Driven

            -Entrepreneurial spirit

            -Works well with others

            -Creative in a team environment

            -4-year college degree

            -Editor and chief position it is required to obtain a masters degree in journalism

5. Are there particular jobs you’ve seen an increase or decrease in the recent years? What is the cause?

            -Consumer Technology Publishing Group has been conciliating job positions. For example writers now have to write for multiple titles. This allows the company to save money in order to remain in business.

            -Mr. Albuck also mentioned how a lot of the changes in most companies recently are due to the economic recession. But also mentioned how things now are looking brighter for the job market and sees it continuing to grow closer to normal in the next five years.

6. What employment trends to you see in your industry over the next five years? Are you hiring more?

            -Mr. Albuck said he sees opportunities within vertical markets to expand in the next five years.           

            -He also believes in the next five years Consumer Technology Publishing Group will begin to hire more workers once again. This is starting to happen now but to get to the peak once again it is going to take another 3-5 years

            -Mr. Albuck also mentioned that the company has begun to outsource their design work to India since it is scientifically cheaper overseas. He also mentioned how a lot of companies use outsourcing as a method to save money.

7. How do companies in your industry differentiate themselves?

            -Innovative design

            -Marketing

            -Pricing

            -Advertising: specifically advertisement campaigns

In addition to the questions given I asked more based upon our conversation:

1. How has the consumer electronic show changed from the decline in the economy?

            -This year showed signs of re-growth from previous years, which is a sign that the economy is getting better.

            -Companies can show a sign of strength in the electronic show by spending more money in their booths and products. Spending more money gives people the needed confidence to work with a company, because it gives the impression that the company is not hurting from the economy. Also, it is natural for people to be drawn to the bigger booths so the bigger booth will attract more visitors. This theory goes with the concept that you need to spend money to make money.

2. What changes do you see in the telecommunications industry happening today and in the future?

-Growth on international side of the business

-New formats will be coming out with more carriers working with the 4G Network

-Consumers will continue to want to always have the latest and greatest devices

-Additional revenue opportunities for the accessories of the handsets

                        -Bluetooth

                        -Screen protectors

                        -Cases

                        -APPS

-Carriers might merge

                        -For example: T-mobile and sprit may make a merger in the near future