Battling piracy
The BSA has launched a campaign to take on software piracy in small and midsize companies

Taming taxes online
The government is hoping a new online tax system for businesses will make the collection process more efficient

Spare change
Český Telecom holds out for better terms in the tender to operate public phone booths

Shrinking the pool
GTS Novera leads push to consolidate the telecom market, making it one of the strongest alternative providers

Chips over strips
Customers turn to high-tech bank cards to prevent ID theft

Wired for news
New Web site to offer hard news for well-educated, serious readers

Generation TDD
T-Mobile's new network seeks to fill Internet access gap

Prime time online
Data services give fixed-line operator new business opportunities

T-Mobile takes CTÚ to court
Telecom providers argue new rules will undermine their customer contracts

Computer pirates beware
IT systems are more sophisticated, but so are the hackers who break in

Wi-Fi Worries
Free Internet access a double-edged marketing tool

Hands-on security
U.S. biometrics company sets new standard with fingerprint authorization

Sci-fi comes to your computer
Companies look for high-tech solutions to protect IT sytems

Let your fingers do the typing
Rise in use of online Mediatel phone book underscores potential of Czech Internet market

I, Golem
Conference of scientists and cyber pioneers gazes into the coming convergence

Nuclear physics lab leads Web way
Experiment will mark giant step for data exchange, storage

Digital delay
Dispute postpones launch of digital TV on Czech market

When less is more
In response to charges of unfair pricing, CTU orders Cesky Telecom to change its rates. The result: higher prices for the consumer

Mergers
Alternative telecoms look to expand in wake of CT privatization

Sold off
Telefonica's high bid cinches deal for Cesky Telecom privatization

Out Of The Race
Tiscali Czech Republic chief on the Cesky Telecom privatization

The central SCRUTINIZER
Central Company Brain organizes client information, security

Just say 'no' to bundles
TALKING TECH

BILL GATES' CZECH AGENDA
Microsoft frontman announces new security measures, partnerships, EU funding portal

Phoning For Free
Internet-based phone services are quickly replacing the role of traditional telephone companies

Sitting Pretty
Nokia's latest phone combines style and substance

Ministry promotes support for film
Television stations balk at proposed tax to support state cinema

Surfing at Christmas
Online retailers expect biggest sales spike before the holidays

Government sets timetable for telecom sale
Tender chosen for state's 51 percent stake, stock market offering still an option

BITS & BYTES TENDER - Martin Pecina, chairman of the Anti-Monopoly Office, upheld March 15 an earlier decision by his office not to cancel the controversial tender for an e-toll on Czech roads. The tender came under review after two of the bidders, Autostrade and Mytia, said they were unfairly eliminated from the proceedings. A day after Pecina issued his ruling, Prime Minister Jiří Paroubek forbade the Transportation Ministry to sign a contract with the winner of the tender, Kapsch. DIGITAL - Paroubek's Cabinet approved a digitalization plan March 22 that would end analog broadcasting as of Dec. 31, 2012. In some regions outside of Prague, analog broadcasts will begin being eliminated July 1, 2007. INTERNET - Alternative telecommunications provider Tiscali is offering 512-kilobytes-per-second Internet connection until the end of April for 396 Kč ($17) a month. This is reportedly the first time a provider has offered such a speed for less than 400 Kč a month. ACQUISITION - Telecommunications company eTel announced the acquisition of Austrian Internet provider EUNet March 14. The deal is worth 30 million euros (861.6 million Kč/$36.3 million). EUNet has about 40,000 corporate customers, and it brought in 27 million euros in profit last year. BANKRUPTCY - Ecimex Group, the sole shareholder of Rožnov-based cathode-ray tube manufacturer TCT, is bankrupt, the Municipal Court in Prague ruled March 16. Both companies are having financial problems, and TCT was declared bankrupt a week earlier. Ecimex Group and TCT each employ 1,300 people. SERVICE - Online bank eBanka started offering clients factoring services in cooperation with the largest nonbanking factoring company, Cash Reform, at the beginning of March. INTERNET - Alternative telecom operator Advantel has added a voice-over IP service to its Smartcall product. The service makes it possible to call any fixed line or mobile number in the Czech Republic through the Internet. INVESTMENT - Sun Microsystems is opening a new research and development center in Prague 4–Chodov. The company will invest about 260 million Kč into creating 200 high-tech jobs and 253 million Kč more into buying equipment. The center should employ 400 people by 2008.