In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

Horizon to act as UK partner for IBM

Computer and software vendor Horizon Technology says it has signed an agreement to act as a UK business partner to computer system and software developer IBM.

Under the terms of the agreement, Horizon will open a new London-based unit under the name Horizon Enterprise Systems. In conjunction with IBM, the new division will focus on providing UK system integrators and their clients with a wide range of IBM products and services.

"Horizon's partnership with IBM represents a significant development and provides a great opportunity for further growth in our enterprise solutions division," said Gary Coburn, Horizon's chief executive.

"It is an excellent strategic fit and consistent with our strategy of seeking organic development in high-growth sectors in partnership with global IT vendors."

Licensing plan for radio services

Telecoms regulator ComReg yesterday announced the introduction of a new flexible licensing scheme for companies interested in providing two-way business radio services to third parties.

The scheme, which will be launched shortly, offers licensees the opportunity to provide a wide range of mobile business radio services, on a geographically unrestricted basis.

These services are widely used by taxi operators, security companies and couriers to provide instant communication of voice data between personnel.

New package from Global Voice

Global Voice Group, which owns and operates fibre network assets in 14 European cities, yesterday launched Xchange Connect, a packaged broadband backbone aimed at DSL and Wi-Max service providers, network integrators and telecommunication operators throughout Europe.

The Irish company said the offering would facilitate immediate broadband access for providers to more than 60 per cent of the exchanges in the 14 cities in which it operates.

Xchange Connect will be available in Germany from the end of this month and the roll-out in other markets will follow, Global said.

Colt sponsors business breakfasts

Colt Telecom is sponsoring the Dublin Chamber of Commerce's business breakfast series this autumn and winter.

The European telecoms operator, whose fibre optic network connects 32 cities, said the sponsorship was part of a campaign to increase awareness of the group's products.

Derry city goes wireless

Derry City Council and several higher-education campuses in the area are to get their own internal wireless networks after an agreement was reached with Telindus to install the technology as part of the so-called Wireless City project.

The aim of the project is to create a wireless-enabled working environment in the city for students, lecturers, tourists, city councillors and local government officers.

Earlier this year Derry was designated by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment as Northern Ireland's flagship project for the demonstration of wireless broadband technology.

Broadtalk offers new services

Dún Laoghaire-based Broadtalk Communications has this month launched a range of broadband voice services for residential and business customers in Ireland and the UK.

The services will enable customers to make unlimited local, national and international calls through their computer at a cost of €14.99 a month. Non-subscription services are also be available.