Cisco trials 'Internet in space'

Cisco's dream of selling radiation-proof space routers is now a step closer after a successful in-orbit test on a commercial satellite, writes The Register.

Piggybacking aboard Intelsat's IS-14 satellite launched in November, the US Department of Defence's Internet Routing in Space (IRIS) project aims to route IP voice, video and data traffic between satellites the same way packets are pushed on the ground.

The IRIS programme is a defence department Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) managed by Cisco and Intelsat. Cisco intends to trial the space router's potential applications for commercial use after a three-month JCTD testing period ending in April 2010.

The predicted rise in technology spending, combined with intense consolidation and rationalisation, has driven a recent series of reshuffles in UK IT management across the financial services sector, reports Computing.co.uk.

Research by analyst firm Celent forecasts growth in technology spending by financial services firms of $357.4 billion in 2010 - up 2.9% on 2009, which saw IT spend fall by 2.5% on 2008.

Last week, insurance group Standard Life announced the creation of executive roles covering technology and operations and a transformation function, which will be closely linked to IT as part of the firm's overall growth strategy.

Manchester United Football Club has posted a message on its Web site explaining that its players do not belong to online social networks, says the BBC.

It advises users to treat any profiles in the names of its players with "extreme scepticism".

The club says this is because of the high numbers of people impersonating team members online.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is preparing to deliver a major speech today elevating the importance of Internet freedom and placing the influence of the US's diplomacy behind efforts to protect it, states CNet.

Clinton's speech at the Newseum, in Washington DC, is intended to announce that support for online liberty and press freedom will become a State Department priority and will address the importance of cyber security, people who have been briefed said.

For example, the US could be prepared to require countries to declare support for basic principles around Internet freedom as part of the conditions for receiving foreign aid.