Top issues in New York

Having just returned from a trip to New York that included numerous meetings with senior executives from ICT vendors and major corporates, the three hot topics that dominated the discussions were governance, mobility and the mobilisation of applications and open source solutions (Linux).

Otherwise, the last three weeks internationally were dominated by the formation of Nokia Siemens Networks and the delays to Microsoft`s Office 2007.

Locally, the highlights were the launch of Virgin Mobile`s South African operation and the rumour of a possible purchase of Telkom SA by UK`s Vodafone.

* The formation of Nokia Siemens Networks, a 50/50 joint venture between Nokia and Siemens. This brings together most of the telecommunications interests of the two companies, creating a giant with a turnover of about EUR16 billion. The deal is estimated to be worth EUR20 billion.
* EMC`s acquisition of RSA Security for $2.1 billion (see below for two other EMC acquisitions).
* A further delay to Microsoft`s Office 2007 suite, a move that in turn could trigger a further delay of its Vista operating system.

* Interim results from Vesta that only reflect the buy-out situation.
* Viewcrest Trading, a BEE consortium, took a 32.5% stake in ISA for R22 million.
* Virgin Mobile SA entered the local market with the launch of its long-awaited services.
* Control acquired Gabriel South Africa.
* The transfer of Zaptronix`s listing to AltX from the venture capital sector of the JSE.
* The termination of Prism`s shares on the JSE, following its buy-out from Net-1 UEPS.
* Expand Networks and Qualcomm opened local offices.
* The appointments of Martin Lotz as CEO of Jasco, Joe Madungandaba as non-executive deputy chairman of Jasco, Pfungwa Serima as MD of Microsoft SA, and Jason Whitehead as Honeywell`s GM of its South African unit.
* MicroMega Holdings, whose portfolio includes Intermap and Sebata Municipal Solutions, faces a suspension of its shares on the JSE for the non-filing of its annual financial reports.
* The second national operator bought some of Transtel`s assets for R256 million.
* Harvey Jones Systems secured the South African distribution rights for the Acorn suite of products from Acorn Systems.

* JabberAfrica.org, an African instant messaging service, closed down three years after it was first opened.
* Etisalat to bid for the 35% stake in Algeria Telecom.
* Telkom SA in discussions with Uganda Telecom re a stake in the company.
* Chinese companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE show interest in acquiring stakes in Nigeria`s Intercellular Nigeria and Cellcom.
* Pinnacle Micro has been appointed sub-Saharan distributor for Symbol Technologies.
* The take-over discussions re Millicom International Cellular SA have been terminated since a suitable offer has not been forthcoming.
* Transcorp, a Nigerian Industrial conglomerate, has offered $750 million for a 75% stake in Nitel. Transcorp has BT Group as a technical partner and Emirates Telecommunications as a technical and equity partner.
* A consortium headed by Etisalat has won Egypt`s third cellular licence, defeating nine other contenders including MTN.
* The appointment of Emilienne Macauley as MD of Celtel Madagascar.
* MTN upped its stakes in its operations in Ivory Coast and Uganda to 68.34% and 84.45% respectively.

The last three weeks internationally were dominated by the delays to Microsoft`s Office 2007.

Paul Booth, MD, Global Research Partners

* Intelsat completed its acquisition of PanAmSat, creating the world`s largest satellite communications company.
* Intel sold off its handheld chip unit to Marvell Technology.
* Tele2 AB put its Versatel Telecom International NV acquisition on hold.
* EMC acquired ProActivity Software Solutions, a provider of content management software, and Akimbi Systems, a test visualisation start-up.
* HP bought Italian consultancy, The Technology Partners SpA.
* Cisco snapped up Meetinghouse Data Communications, a provider of security software.
* Philips Electronics will spin-off or sell-off the majority of its semiconductor business.
* Nokia cancelled its proposed joint venture with Sanyo.
* Intel and Motorola invested $900 million in Clearwire, a cellular pioneer, in order to help accelerate WiMax adoption.
* CODASciSys, a London AIM-listed company, plans to split its business into two: Coda, its financial management software unit, and Scisys, its IT services business. The plan is to change its name to Scisys and seek a separate AIM listing for Coda.
* The appointments of Peter Ettinger as president of Document Security Systems, Serge Fortin as president and CEO of SR Telecom, Bill Hewitt as CEO of Kalido, Ron Hovsepian as CEO of Novell, Rafi Kouyoumdjian as CEO of NextiraOne Europe BV, Thomas Plaskett as chairman of Novell, and David Wright as CEO of Verari Systems.
* The resignations of Thomas Dunne as chairman of SteelCloud, Jack Messman as chairman and CEO of Novell, and William Mortimore as interim CEO of Merge Technologies.
* Analyst upgrades for 3M, Activision, AMD, Applied Materials, Arm Holdings, Asyst Technologies, AT&T, Brightpoint, Brooks Automation, Charter Communications, Cognos, Credence, Docucorp, F5 Networks, Faro Technologies, Intel, Internet Security Systems, Intersections, Intersil, InterVoice, Ixia, Lam Research, Manhattan Associates, Mattson Technology, McAfee, Motorola, Netflix, Nortel Networks, Novell, ON Semiconductor, Palm, PowerDsine, ProQuest, RF Micro Devices, Sapient, Staktek Holdings, Synnex, Tekelec, Tektronix, Tibco Software, Time Warner Telecom, Vasco Data Security and Verint.
* Analyst downgrades for Accenture, Advent Software, Airspan Networks, Altera, Analog Devices, Atheros Communications, ATI, Business Objects, Catalyst Semiconductor, Check Point Software Technologies, EchoStar Communications, Genesis Microchip, IXYS, Linear Technology, M-Systems Flash Disk, Marvell Technology Group, Maxim Integrated products, Monolithic Power Systems, Netflix, NMS Communications, Nokia, Open Text, Openwave Systems, PixelPlus, Quest Software, RealNetworks, RSA Security, Sprint Nextel, Spirent Communications, Stamps.com, Trident Microsystems, Valassis Communications, VeriSign, Volt Information Sciences, WebMethods and Xilinx.
* Positive results announcements from 3M, Nice Systems, Novatel Wireless, Qiao Xing Universal Telephone, Shaw Communications and Spansion.
* Negative result warnings from Adamind, Aladdin Knowledge Systems, AMD, Amphenol, Borland Software, Business Objects, JDA Software, KongZhong, LG Philips, Maximus, NetScout Systems, Newport Networks, NMS Communications, O2Micro International, Openwave Systems, Phoenix Technologies, Sohu.com and WebMethods.
* Stock repurchase announcements from Bottomline Technologies, CSC, Jabil Circuit and Linktone.
* Job loss announcements from 3Com, Nokia Siemens Networks and Nortel Networks.
* Private funding obtained for Acopia Networks, a pioneer of adaptive resource networking; Alloptic, a gigabit Ethernet access product developer; Akimbo, an IPTV start-up (investors include AT&T and Cisco); AppLabs Technologies, a software testing company; Autotask, a vendor of on-demand platforms for service providers; Ayalogic, a VOIP software maker; Chelsio Communications, a provider of acceleration adapters; Compiere, an open source enterprise software vendor; Cranite Systems, a network security provider; Enpirion, a developer of Integrated power solutions; Hyperic, an open source IT management platform provider; iCrossing, an interactive marketing agency; InSilica, a chipmaker; InSync Software, a supply chain and RFID vendor; Kalon Semiconductor, an ultra-wideband chipmaker; Mu Security, a security analyser vendor; Nanoradio AB, WiFi chipset provider; Navini, a wireless broadband equipment developer; NetSol Technologies, a banking software vendor; Nitroniex, a maker of RF power transistors; Parature, an on-demand customer management company; PulseWave RF, a wireless infrastructure module maker; Reef Point Systems, a fixed-mobile security vendor; Scintera, a gigabit Ethernet silicon developer; SanRad, an ISCSI and virtualisation specialist; Tzero Technologies, a developer of ultra-wideband chipsets; WhiteHat Security, a Web application security services company; and Wisper Telecommunications, a wireless broadband provider.
* A private placing of stock by NYFIX.
* Stock offering announcements by Pegasus Wireless and Powerchip Semiconductor.
* A share split announcement from Metro One Telecommunications (reverse 4:1).
* A delayed IPO from Wintegra, a networks access processor developer.
* A planned IPO on Nasdaq from Shutterfly, a photo service provider.
* A planned IPO on London`s AIM by Citel Technologies, a maker of network appliances.
* IPO filings from Applied Precision, an imaging and analysis company; Hostopia.com, a provider of Web services; and WNS Holdings, an Indian BPO firm.

* A disappointing IPO by Techwell, a multimedia PC and consumer electronics chipmaker.
* An IPO on London`s AIM by Intermap Technologies, a GIS company; and on the LSE by Norkom Group, an Irish company that offers software to enable financial institutions to combat financial crime.
* An IPO in Oslo by Norwegian open source software maker, Trolltech ASA.
* The withdrawal of a planned IPO by Clearwire.
* The suspension of the shares of Colt Telecom on the LSE.
* M-Systems Flash Disk restated its financial figures for the period 2001 to 2005; and Qwest Software restated for the period from 2000 through Q1 2006.

* The sell-off by PCCW of its core telecommunications and media businesses to Australia`s Macquarie Group.
* The sell-off by NEC of Packard Bell to Lap Juan (John) Hui, the entrepreneur who sold eMachines to Gateway back in 2004.
* The possible scrapping of the Australian government`s plan to sell off its stake in Telstra.
* A hostile bid for Hummingbird by Open Text, bettering the offer already on the table by Symphony Telecom.
* Further penal action by the European Commission against Microsoft.

* Semiconductor sales rose 9.4% in May to $19.7 billion compared to May 2005, says the Semiconductor Industry Association.

* JSE All share index: Up 8.4%
* Nasdaq: No change
* Top SA share movements: CompuClearing (-17.2%), DataPro (+18.2%), Digicor (+15.1%), Faritec (+13.4%), Idion (+20%), Metrofile (+21.9%), Pinnacle (+22.7%), Spescom (-11.2%), Stella Vista (-33.3%) and Vesta (+17.2%)
* Top international share movements: Cray (+52.3%), Exabyte (-52.2%), Forgent Networks (-66.5%), Glowpoint (+66.2%), InfoNow (-62.2%), Macronix International (+73.9%), Merge Technologies (-47%), Openwave Systems (-40%), RSA Security (+50.1%) and Silicon Graphics (-66.2%)

The latest BusinessWeek includes its TechInfo 100 listings, which make interesting reading. The top rated companies are America Movil (Mexico) at number one, Hon Hai Precision Industries (Taiwan) at two and High Tech Computer (Taiwan) at three. France Telecom, IBM, Intel, Lexmark and Samsung Electronics are notable by their absence from the list.