Research Articles Base: Telecommunications Industry

Telecommunication Law Essay

IN PURSUIT OF UNIVERSAL CONNECTIVITY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY OF EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN STATES Table of Contents     I.      Introduction.. 3 II.     History of Communications.. 4 A.    Pre-Telegraph Era. 4 B.    Post-Telegraph Era. 5 III.        International Trends in Telecommunications.. 6 A.    Monopolies. 7 B.    Privatisation and Liberalisation Initiatives. 8 C.    Issues Regarding Liberalisation, Privatisation and Universal Connectivity  8 IV.       The International Telecommunication Union.. 9 V.    Background on the Policy Reforms in Africa.. 11 VI.       Access and Interconnection.. 13 A.    East African Experience. 14 B.    South African Experience. 15 VII.      Liberalization.. 16 A.    The Demands of the New World. 17 B.    Focus on Liberalisation. 18 C.    East African Experience. 18 D.    South African Experience. 19 VIII.     Shift from Monopoly to Liberalisation.. 19 IX.       Opening Of Previously Monopolistic Markets to Competition   20 X.    Regulatory Framework.. 21 XI.       The Expected Outcomes.. 23 XII.      Conclusion.. 24 XIII.     References.. 25   I.                    Introduction It is inherent for the common human being to interact. As early works on the social sciences, man is characterised as a social being. This means that interaction is one of the main elements that man could not do without. It is this need for interaction is the foundation of the age old utopian dream of universal connectivity. In the current settings of telecommunications, the pursuit for this universal connectivity is affected by numerous elements involving politics, economics, and even the legal framework of states. These elements concurrently facilitate and hinder the development of communications in its pursuit for universal connectivity. This shows that there is some level of stagnation that currently exists in the telecommunications sector. The studies and lectures provided in class show that even in highly developed economies, issues pertaining to telecommunications and the implementation of its legal framework still exist. Countless calls for reform are in existence and could well anticipate more. Could this mean that the goal of universal connectivity is far from its actual realisation? This general question will be addressed using the case of developing countries in Africa, specifically those in East African Region and Southern Africa Regions. The discussions will be covering the conditions encountered by certain African states on their way to achieve universal connectivity. Legal documents as well as scholarly articles will be used to support the arguments and observations done in the course of the discussion.        II.                  History of Communications Nowadays, communications show attributes that manifest vast possibilities. Formation of creative designs and attributes particularly in the form of technology and specific gadgets are almost immediately realised. Decades ago, the notion of wireless communication is limited to the use of postal service. These days, one can reach another individual just by pushing a button. Nonetheless, the modern method of communication started long after drums and smoke were used to signify certain messages.[1] Specifically, it started during the period where the telegraph was in full swing. This part of the study will provide a brief description of the history of communications. For clarity and coherence of the discussions, the benchmark will be the era of the telegraph. A.    Pre-Telegraph Era Accounts of the pre-telegraph era are seen primarily on the annals of English history. For instance, the study of Walden and Angel mentioned one of the earliest accounts of telecommunication history during the reign of King  in 1660.[2] In the said study, correspondence by means of post has first encountered regulation under the rule of King . Basically, this regulation is for the purposes of national security. The end result is the General Post Office having the monopoly of all of the postal services in the country. Basically, in this pre-telegraph era, the letter was considered as the main form of correspondence.      In the context of dissemination, factors like time and distance have marred the development of communications in this era.[3] Prior to the development of railway systems in the west, the mode of dispersal of letters are made through horseback and riders. This shows how correspondence was far from interactive as what we possess today.   B.     Post-Telegraph Era The nineteenth century made a great leap in the area of communications in the invention of the telegraph. Lloyd and Mellor pointed out that the telegraph system started in 1837 on the railway from London to Camden.[4] The system provided the needed expediency that the conventional post could not provide. As expected, this innovation spread rather rapidly expanding the range from state to state. In the initial stages of the implementation, numerous systems of codes were employed but each essentially used to decipher the dot and line system. (p5) However, early accounts of the telegraph was said to have employed lights from heliographs and even flag movements.[5] The multifarious systems of codes, as expected provided problems in the area of decoding and interpretation. Eventually in 1850, the Morse code became the accepted standard code for every nation.[6]  The telegraph system was said to be the one that directly challenged the monopoly of the General Post Office in UK.[7] However, the consequent success of the telegraph system did not actually go smooth sailing in its early implementations, specifically with the wire application of the system. Initially, maintaining telegraph towers were very costly for private entities. Thus, majority of the telegraph system were still operated by the state, particularly the military.[8] This intimates that even at the early periods of such an innovative technology in telecommunications, the monopoly of the GPO did not fazed. It wasn’t until the railway system was introduced that the telegraph swept the globe in a blaze of glory. ( 2003) III.                International Trends in Telecommunications The potential provided by the early telegraph system is considerably overshadowed compared to the current trends in telecommunications today. Like the telegraph system, today’s telecommunications is driven by technology.[9] Specifically, the devices available today, the technology of the carrier as well as the current drive towards the wireless manifests the inherent developments in the current international systems of telecommunications.[10] In terms of the device, the telephone has now gone a long way since the inception of the basic rotary phone. Nowadays, the digital phones carry other features that increase the value of such devices.[11] Such features include message recording and number storage. In the most recent years, connectivity has increased with the introduction of cellular technology. Moreover, this relatively new device is not merely limited to incoming and outgoing calls. New technologies in communication like SMS, IM, and even internet connectivity are now commonplace for cellular devices.[12]   In the same regard, the drive towards the wireless era is also underway. The market for cellular networks has grown immensely in the past years.[13] This development may well be a considerable step closer to the realisation of universal connectivity. Other derivatives of these developments include major improvements in satellite technology, microwave technologies, and WIFI applications.[14] There is no doubt that the telecommunications industry has come a long way. However, there are some issues appended to these improvements that could hamper its further developments.   A.    Monopolies As pointed out in the history of telecommunications, the industry is inherently monopolistic.[15] This means that there is always a propensity for the industry to be controlled by a single corporation. However, in major economies, competition has surged as numerous technological innovations like the ones pointed out above have given other companies the chance to directly compete with the major corporations that once dominated the telecommunications industry. B.     Privatisation and Liberalisation Initiatives Normally, the telecommunications industry is handled by national companies, specifically state-owned enterprises.[16] However, recent trends that prompted governments to pursue privatisation efforts on these companies have given the industry a chance to flourish. Concurrent to the privatisation initiatives of governments is the liberalisation of the of the telecommunications market.[17] Privatisation is defined as the transfer of ownership to private owners. Thus, the functions which were originally carried out by the state are now bestowed to private entities.[18] Liberalisation on the other hand is seen as the shift from a monopoly to a free market.[19] Basically, the trend towards globalisation and free trade has been the factors that made liberalisation efforts a staple for any attempts of economic development. Specifically, the World Trade Organisation established unambiguous rules pertaining to the liberalisation of the telecommunications industry of its member states.[20] With the emergence of these two phenomena in the market, competition in the said sector has immensely improved. C.    Issues Regarding Liberalisation, Privatisation and Universal Connectivity Privatisation is always a sensitive issue, especially in instances where economic and political aspects of the initiative are highlighted. For instance, there are some studies that emphasised the possibility of harmful implications on privatisation in pursuit of universal connectivity. Basically, these large corporations tend to operate predominantly on a profit-based perspective.[21] This means that in the long run, those who can access their technology may well be those that could afford to disburse money for their services. This is seen in the case of Mexico when their telecommunications sector was privatised. In the process, prices of the services which they offered increased exponentially leaving the local users affected immensely as it came to a point where they could no longer afford to pay their bills.[22]      In the context of liberalisation, the reduction of barriers for entry has given foreign companies the chance to operate in particular markets.[23] Primarily these companies tend to be multimillion dollar corporations who could afford to take on the responsibilities of operating a telecommunications provider. This shows that the local providers and local companies may have their opportunity taken away in the market. Directly opposing these major corporations may well be something short of battling a brick wall.   IV.               The International Telecommunication Union In the area of ICT and telecommunications policy, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is considered as the most influential intergovernmental body in the world.[24] Since its inception in 1865, the ITU is geared towards realising several purposes. Based on its constitution, it seeks to encourage and develop the participation of the entities and organisations involved in the ITU in order to establish a cooperative environment between the member states and the realisation of the overall goals of the ITU. Other specific purposes of the organisation are to carry out initiatives to enhance the use of all forms of telecommunications. With these general purposes in mind, the ITU is the key organisation that seeks to resolve and address certain issues of the telecommunications sector all over the world. Seeing the description of the organisation above, it shows that the ITU is indeed one of the key organisations that seek to realise a vision of universal connectivity. [25] With the standards and principles championed by the ITU, states regardless of the size of its economy are able to communicate using telecommunication technologies. For the purposes of this paper, a closer look on ITU’s regard on developing countries will be done. The logic behind the initiatives of the organisation is the provision of information to every state regardless of the wealth of its economy. Specifically, the ITU seeks to eliminate what they perceive as “telecommunication gap” by developing the telecommunication capabilities of developing countries.[26] Based on the website of the ITU, its goals towards development are founded in three areas: technical, development, and policies. In the technical area, the ITU seeks to standardise the efficiency and capacity of the states to operate their telecommunication services by establishing the required facilities and infrastructures.[27] In terms of development, the ITU seeks to offer assistance in the mobilisation of certain elements that would help a particular state in its telecommunication and ICT development. These certain elements constitute both funding and human resource development that will support the future of the telecommunications industry.[28] All these are carried out in form of policies that should be implemented by the member countries as well as the departments involved with the ITU. Concrete examples of the amalgamation of these initiatives are seen in the organisation’s help in establishing medium-term development plans with specific developing countries to address the strategies needed. Other initiatives include telecentre projects.[29] The more prominent manifestation of this development initiative of the ITU is seen in the Valletta Action plan which involves over a hundred and forty states.     V.                 Background on the Policy Reforms in Africa The advent of globalisation has prompted hordes of developing countries to join trading blocs and organisations to address the need for free trade and other opportunities in the international market. As the current literature points out, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been the bastion of this endeavour. Most of the African states have succumbed to the appeal of the WTO thus making them member states in the process.[30] With the promise of probable economic development, these states have to establish reforms in their legal frameworks to conform to the demands of international trading. Such reforms are indicated in the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) which gives particular focus on the reforms in the telecommunications sector. According to the study of  and Keck telecommunications is generally divided into basic telecommunications and value-added telecommunications.[31] The former constitute all telecommunication services involving “end-to-end” transmission. On the other hand, value-added telecommunications, as the name implies, are added features provided by the suppliers to the customers through the enhancement of the information, form or content of the service.  In the case of African states being WTO members, the GATS demands transparency in both basic and value added telecommunication sectors. These terms are specified by a strict set of guidelines and regulatory disciplines subject to the supervision of the WTO itself.[32] Essentially, the ends of these initiatives are to conform to the terms of the WTO and consequently achieve economic development. For instance, the reforms of the telecommunication policies in African states like Uganda seeks to “deliver a modern telecommunication infrastructure to take the country into the next century” along with the pledge of the government to honour its commitment to achieve competitiveness and satisfy international standards in the telecommunications services.[33] This is the same with other states like Kenya and Tanzania. VI.               Access and Interconnection Access and interconnection are two of the most vital elements in telecommunications. Basically, these two terms work interdependently to ensure that the telecommunications sector operates smoothly for the consumers.[34] These constitute the capability of the states in terms of facilities and infrastructures in relation to the physical links and accessibility of such technologies from the suppliers to the end-users. In the case of Africa, the telecommunications sector appears to be flourishing. This is especially true in terms of mobile communications. However, in the area of fixed line telecommunications, the development is in a rather slow pace. Recent investments, nonetheless, in this area slowly, but surely, triggers the momentum for change. Based on the 2000 report of the ITU, the telecommunications indicators of Africa accounts for 2.4 fixed telephone lines for every one hundred person which shows that in the earlier years of the new millennium, businesses that deal with fixed lines have low levels of penetration in the African market.[35] This stagnation in the fixed line services in the region may well be attributed to the absence of viable investments.[36] This means that the market for fixed lines is not appealing for both domestic and international providers. In the same manner, the regional development may well be one of the key elements that add up to the overall incapacity of the fixed line market. To deal with this predicament, reforms on the telecommunications sector were made. Specifically, liberalisation and privatisation efforts were initiated along with the institution of independent regulatory bodies that governs over the sector. The following discussions will be delineating the specific developments in two regions in the African continent.   A.    East African Experience In the East African region, as with the rest of Africa, the mobile telecommunications sector is considerably lucrative. Thus, the telecommunication operators realise that in order for the market to work for their favour is to establish a viable interconnection among them. In the study of  interconnection among operators means that maximising their benefits means that they have to access all subscribers.[37] For instance, CELTEL in Kenyan, Uganda and Tanzania made efforts to interconnect making calls from each state mark as local calls instead of international roaming services. This is similarly true in the case of Vodacom Tanzania, SAFARICOM Kenya, MTN Uganda and Rwanda, and UCOM Burundi. A big issue between these companies in East Africa is that there is no regulatory framework that governs over their operations. This means that the only concrete element that binds the interconnection agreements between these telecom companies is the Regulation Reference Paper provided by the WTO. Areas like the regulation policies, infrastructure development, and collocation of these infrastructures are in an arguably uncontrolled environment. Seeing this reality, it shows that the East African states are encountering problems that hinder further development of the telecommunications sectors. More particularly, developments in ICT driven telecommunications may as well be stagnated by this occurrence. Problems in infrastructure, capital creation, and possible investments from both local and foreign capitalists could be rather distant as the market is not satisfactory and does not provide promise of possible high returns. B.     South African Experience South Africa is considered by numerous studies as the centre of telecommunications in all of Africa. A major fixed line telecommunications company, Telkom, is responsible for connecting Africa with the rest of the globe. Basically, its interconnection agreements with Vodacom made this possible. [38]Other projects of the said company focused on infrastructure like submarine fibre optics that reaches countries in Europe and Asia. Reports have noted the importance of the foreign operators in making these developments in South Africa possible. Other major companies in South Africa are MTN which provides telecommunications services in Uganda, Rwanda, Swaziland, and Cameroon.[39] Being the hub of the telecommunications industry in the whole of Africa, it implies that the state is able to support the technologies demanded by the companies and service providers in the industry. This also indicates that South African states have the necessary facilities and infrastructures to ensure access and interconnectivity of the telecommunication companies that operates in their market. The presence of this capability provides the appeal that investors look for in translating investments to possible returns. In the case of South Africa, this capability to support the services is backed by a lush source of consumers that crave for universal connectivity and interactive communication.    VII.             Liberalization The international telecommunications industry is said to be worth over hundreds billion dollars in the mid part of the 1990s.[40] A decade later, the landscape has significantly improved; the technologies have improved tenfold which could only mean that the industry is worth more than ever. This is brought about by the liberalisation efforts of states. The following discussion will look into the general and specific attributes of the liberalisation efforts in the telecommunications industry. Like the previous portion of this study, an examination of the conditions surrounding East African countries and Southern Africa will be provided. A.    The Demands of the New World As pointed out in the earlier parts of this paper, accession to the WTO has been regarded by states as a panacea for economic development. This promise of prosperity does come with a price, specifically the liberalisation of trade and services. In the case of the telecommunications industry, member states are given general obligations to fulfil. For instance, Article II of the GATS prohibits any protectionist initiatives towards the treatment of other WTO members. Access to the individual markets should be given freely. In the same regard, member states are bound by Article III of the GATS calling for the full disclosure of all agreements that could have an implication on the conduct of trade in telecommunications. Moreover, other terms in the said Agreement significantly takes away the non-tariff barriers to trade. For instance, Article VI and VII point to the fairness of licensing schemes and review of administrative decisions. In the same regard, Article IX contributes to the elimination of monopolistic tendencies of industries like telecommunications in taking place. B.     Focus on Liberalisation For states like those in Africa, the GATS and the WTO has bestowed certain liberties on developing countries in order to equalise the telecommunications environment.[41] Specifically, the need for technologies and information networks are recognised in these types of states. This means that the WTO and the GATS encourages other member states to assist these developing countries with regards to the developmental needs of their telecommunications sector. However, these developing must ensure that specific commitments like market access and the principle of national treatment are strictly enforced. C.    East African Experience For countries in East Africa, competition was used as a tool for development and for liberalisation purposes. In countries like Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the telecommunications industry sought to build up the value of the market in the eyes of the consumer on several premises.[42] The first one is to encourage innovation from the players in the industry. Such improvement in services is considered by these states as major contributors to the added value of the telecommunications sector. In the same regard, the encouragement of the state to provide development in the telecommunications sector is by providing incentives and rewards for their responsiveness. In the same manner, pricing strategies were encouraged such that significant fees were reduced to make these services affordable for the common folk. Along these lines, as incentives for good competition are offered so as punishment for bad business.[43] Specifically, stagnant development of certain telecommunication companies is given warnings if they neglect quality of service and even the welfare of the consumers. D.    South African Experience In South African states, the mobile telecommunications network saw considerable amounts of liberalisation.[44] This effort prompted a considerable number of mobile players in the fray. In 2004 alone, the overall mobile subscriber in Africa has reached a massive 51.8 million individuals. It indicated that this is over a thousand percent increase since the latter part of the 1990s.[45] In countries like Kenya, the users of fixed lines have intently diminished in comparison with mobile phone users showing one fixed line owner to six mobile phone users. VIII.           Shift from Monopoly to Liberalisation In Africa, prior to the liberalisation and privatisation efforts in the telecommunications sector, the industry is mainly controlled by the state. For instance, the Tanzania Telecommunications Company was recently privatised in 2000, allowing foreign companies like MSI from the Netherlands and Detecon from Germany to help with the development of the telecommunications sector in Tanzania.[46] This initiative is an example of liberalisation as the state significantly lowered its trade barriers to allow the consortium of MSI and Detecon to acquire the competitive shares of a company in Eastern Africa.  Another example is seen in the case Telkom in South Africa. In 1997, the company was privatised and sold shares to foreign companies like SBC Communications, Malaysia Telecom, and JSE.[47] As described in the earlier parts of the study, Telkom is one of the major telecommunications companies in Africa. It controls a huge number of infrastructures that facilitates the fixed line sectors of the southern region of the continent. With the liberalisation initiatives of the state, the company has acquired added capital to improve its physical assets and further develop its services for the public.    IX.               Opening Of Previously Monopolistic Markets to Competition The shift towards a more competitive framework is particularly seen in the opening of markets and liberalisation of trade in Africa. In this section, the case of South Africa will be taken into consideration. The main regime in terms of competition in the said state is the Competition Act of 1998.[48] This law is ratified in order to ensure equality, fairness, and promote trade in South Africa. Specifically, the creation of such a regime seems to carry out the universal objective in trade to eliminate any abuse in the market. In the context of the said legislation, discouragement of any anti-competitive conduct for operators and telecommunication companies is provided. Superficially, the creation of such a regulatory framework tends to control the possible market abuse in the telecommunications industry. This is needed to encourage competition. For instance, the law prohibits any form of predatory pricing which involves excessive lowering of prices in order to eliminate the competition.[49] The problem in this regard is that predatory pricing is very tricky in terms of detection. In addition to the immense benefit for consumers as a deceptive consequence, it would be hard for regulatory bodies to determine which company pushes for such an anti-competitive conduct. Another tricky anti-competitive conduct is seen in the bundling of services in South Africa. More particularly, the bundling of services is seen in the mobile telecommunications sector.[50] Normally, this is done by selling telephone units that are locked to a particular service provider. This means that the mobile unit would not be able to use a SIM card that comes from any brand that directly competes with the mobile company that sells the said unit.[51] There are instances that companies shroud this anti-competitive conduct by labelling these bundling initiatives as package deals or special offers where the consumer may accrue some benefits if they actually succumb to this marketing ploy. X.                 Regulatory Framework Regulatory intervention of the state is deemed a necessity to encourage competition.[52] There are two accepted types of state regulators; one covers economy-wide competition while another is industry specific. In the economy-wide regulator, competition laws are their main tools in their operations. On the other hand, the industry-specific regulator covers a single sector of the industry. In the context of the telecommunications industry in Africa, most states use both types of regulatory intervention models. For instance, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is the governing regulatory body in the whole of South Africa.[53] This is the body that deals with the issues in the telecommunications industry. Another regulatory body that operates in South Africa is the Competition Commission which takes on disputes that arise in the states, including the communication sector.[54] The question now rises whether the two bodies’ function overlaps. The two bodies complement each other by agreeing to a mutual consultation when the need arise. The important thing however, is that these two regulatory agencies should be independent from the interference of the government.[55] This is to ensure justice, fairness, and reduce uncertainty for the telecommunications market. In this manner, the players in the industry are assured that in instances when they go against certain government authorities, they are assured of a fair trial and given due process. This encourages further investments for the state from foreign and local companies thus invigorating the possibilities of competition in the market.   XI.               The Expected Outcomes The developments in the telecommunications sector prove to bestow significant implications on the economic development of Africa. To illustrate, studies show that the improvement in the telecommunications tends to diminish the infrastructure gap as well as the development gap in the African region.[56] Basically, the connectivity and interactivity provided by the improvements in the telecommunications sector of the region added value to the overall capacity of the industry.[57] Other implications are expected on the area of development between the urban and rural areas in Africa. Improvements in terms of the information flow provides for added productivity and economic opportunities for both urban and rural areas. In the same lines, the improvement in the telecommunications sector provides for added input in the process of economic development.[58] Specifically, the business sector is expected to flourish as the costs of information handling labour are significantly reduced. In addition, such developments in telecommunication also open up the possibility for complementary developments in the area of information technology. This means that aside from mobile and fixed line technologies in communications, further developments in ICT and wireless telecommunications may well be the next step in the telecommunication spectrum. One must realise that the telecommunications industry is backed up by a severely capitalist, profit-seeking environment.[59] This means that in order for services to be on its tiptop shape, the players in the industry have to first earn mounds of money. However, the acquiring the benefits of this reality is not on a one way street. Essentially, these developments and opened possibilities considerably contribute to the overall market efficiency of the African states. With the added potentials for efficiency in business, reductions in the unused and redundant resources are made making markets immensely proficient in the long run.   XII.             Conclusion The pursuit towards universal connectivity is now far from being a utopian dream. With the emergence of globalisation, states that were once isolated and suffered from connectivity gap have considerably improved with the liberalisation of the telecommunication sector. This is seen in the case of African states where decades earlier were considered as the bottom feeders in terms of development. As discussed in the paper above, the ends of economic development has contributed largely to the improvements in its telecommunication sector. However, one must point out, as observed in the arguments above, that the performance and development of telecommunications in Africa is based on several reforms and specific initiatives that every state need to accomplish. For instance, the move from a monopolistic sector to one that encourages competition leads to numerous advantages to the market. These outcomes include lower prices and accessibility of the services in the telecommunications sector. As seen in both East African states and Southern African states, the provision of competition initiatives and improved regulations of interconnectivity and access allows for lower prices and developed services that make the region closer to realising its pursuit for universal connectivity. This is especially true in the case of mobile telecommunications, the sector on which the continent is apparently experiencing the greatest development. Though the discussions above indicate that the services in Africa still have some room for improvement, initiatives towards greater regulation and competition will most likely address the situation. With the help of foreign direct investments and the inclination towards privatisation, African telecommunications will reap the countless benefits in the long run.     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Telecommunication Law Essay

IN PURSUIT OF UNIVERSAL CONNECTIVITY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY OF EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN STATES Table of C...

VULNERABILITIES OF WI-FI IN TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS

VULNERABILITIES OF WI-FI IN TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS

this is a 9 page assignment to do a proposal for VULNERABILITIES OF WI-FI IN TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM. Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

VULNERABILITIES OF WI-FI IN TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

PROPOSAL VULNERABILITIES OF WI-FI IN TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM   Introduction Wi-Fi is basically a brand name for a wireless-technology business which means wireless fidelity. It offers wireless communication and network technology ( 2004). Before the popularity of the Internet and the wireless communication systems available at present, profit-seeking organisations have relied to the traditional means and ways of creating sustainable development. But with the growing trends toward globalisation, information management systems and infrastructures through the utilisation of the Internet emerged as the most efficient means of reaching to clients and customers. Business organisations at present are characterised with electronic systems that enhance the traditional business practices and management approaches. The growing competition in both the local and international industries resulted to the industries’ never-ending quest for solutions to provide better products as well as services to the public. The advancement in the business arena nowadays has been the product of the technological intervention of the Internet which in the process reformed the 21st century business environment.             Today the popularity of the online communication business processes along with the immense distribution of communication gadgets and technologies have resulted to opportunities for the marketing and sales industry to venture on business that utilises the faculty of the Internet. As pointed out by  (2000), the communication reforms brought about by the popularity of the internet resulted to business organisations’ initiative towards reformatting and restructuring of their business processes in order to meet the challenge of the current market competition as well as add value to the products and services being delivered to the clients and customers ( 2000). It can not be denied that the World Wide Web has been of great use and facility to business organisations particularly those operating in the international market not just in their promotional aims but also in the daily information management of documents as well as other business routines that are relevant to the efficient functioning of multinational firms.         With this regard, the Wi-Fi technology or wireless is also vital in telecommunication system. If telecommunication is being discussed, it simply means that there is also a telephone device that allows us to communicate. The telephone and its latest mobile incarnation have a unique place in the history of humanity’s development. Cars and airplanes were adumbrated respectively by horse-drawn vehicles and birds; as such, humans were at least familiar with what might await once the right technology had been puzzled out. In the history of human imagination the power of real-time interactive oral communication over great distances had been a great power. Thus, this paper discusses the vulnerabilities of wireless technology in telecommunication system by first discussing the basics of mobile technology which will develop to the discussion of its improvements and latest technology over the years.   Background of the Study Microcomputers and networks have become the foundation of business life ( 1993). According to the National Computer Security Association, more than half of the sixty million microcomputers used by businesses are connected to networks. Network resources allow worldwide access to information, no matter where it resides, or where the users are located. Unfortunately, the physical and logical controls used by an organisation to secure its information offer no protection when that information is being electronically transmitted. In a survey, which included responses from 538 computer security practitioners in various institutions, contained some sobering figures that 85% of respondents detected computer security breaches in the last 12 months while 64% acknowledged financial losses due to the breaches ( . 2001). Actually, Wireless Telecommunication System is a wide context. It could be in mobile phones, internet, e-commerce, LANs, and global network communication. Before we move on, let us discuss the standards that are the basis for communication. In June 1997, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) finalised IEEE 802.11, the initial standard for wireless LANs. This standard specifies a 2.4GHz operating frequency with data rates of 1Mbps to 2Mbps and the capability to choose between using frequency hopping or using direct sequence, two incompatible forms of spread-spectrum modulation. In late 1999, the IEEE published two supplements to the initial 802.11 standard: 802.11a and 802.11b (1999).             Like the initial standard, 802.11b operates in the 2.4GHz band, but data rates can be as high as 11Mbps, and only direct-sequence modulation is specified. The 802.1 la standard specifies operation in the 5GHz band using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with data rates up to 54Mbps. The advantages of this standard include higher capacity and less radio frequency (RF) interference than with other types of devices ( 1999).             802.1 la and 802.11b operate in different frequencies, so they are not interoperable. They can coexist on one network, though, because no signal overlap exists. Some vendors provide a dual-radio system with 802.11a and 802.11b (, 1999).             The latest wireless standard is 802.11g, and (like 802.1 la) it provides data rates of 54Mbps, but (like 802.11b) it operates in the 2.4GHz range. The 802.11g standard is also backward compatible with 802.11b networks, providing a more cost-effective upgrade and rollout plan for organisations ( 1999).             To complicate issues, Europe has developed the HiperLAN/2 standard, led by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). HiperLAN/2 and 802.1 share some similarities: both use OFDM technology to achieve their data rates in the 5GHz range, but they are not interoperable ( 1999).             Anyway, before the discussion goes further, the approval of the initial IEEE 802.11 standard back in 1997 spurred rapid growth in WLANs beyond the traditional, low-bandwidth vertical applications and into mission-critical general-office applications. In September 1999, however, 11-Mbps 802.11b standard was approved and the horizontal WLAN market achieved some impression of legitimacy, followed by rapid acceleration (, 1999).             Analysts have long anticipated the fever that surrounded WLAN. Yet with the success, according to  (2003), WLANs are still not immune to the rip currents that pervade essentially ever high-technology market. He states the following observations:             (a) There is a constant demand in price and performance. (b) There is a need to deal with rapid technological change and continuing 802.11 evolutions. (c) Security. And, (d) there is a requirement to lower operational and other recurring expenses.             It comes as no surprise, then, that wireless-LAN vendors have been sparing little effort in building additional tools and now entirely new architectures to address the above needs. The primary goals today are to improve manageability, security and the costs of both equipment and operations. In short, what we are seeing is the result of a very natural evolutionary process, which is endemic to high technology.              (2006) observed that the subject of 802.11 has created a controversy during the past year. Choices of controversy from whether municipalities which organise mesh networks have advantage over competing service providers, which are to them is unfair, to whether strangers who take undue credit on unsecured networks at home are assisting terrorists.             However, although WiFi has been phenomenal, market analysts feel a recognisable stillness before the storm. Wexler states the following reasons: (a)    The current Wi-Fi base includes the older Aironet equipment. This equipment has individually managed intelligent access points (APs) which are also called “traditional” or “thick” APs. A majority of the customers using these systems are just starting to learn the newer, centrally run (“thin” or “dependent”) APs, and the supplementary changed Wi-Fi architecture. (b)    Dual-mode handsets that support both Wi-Fi and cellular voice calls before they make commitments to deploying voice over IP (VOIP) over Wi-Fi networks have been waited by mainstream enterprises. (c)    Recognised enterprise WLAN services are still catching up to technology advances of Wi-Fi, mainly in the security area.             (2006) explains that despite the continuous development in the standards and product features, especially in the area of detecting intruders and prevention, that the Wi-Fi industry makes, projects “can only move so fast”. She says that the mobility in wireless services have always been a must. This needs for wireless mobility have set up trends in accordance to the voice over Wi-Fi. On the contrary, there have been sprouting security measures with regards to this uprising technology. Thereby, it makes it difficult for some to even avail of the said services. This is most accordingly hard for client with small handheld devices. All because of 802.11, there are no supplicants available for them yet.             In this light, it is interesting to learn how the online technologies, particularly the wireless technologies, have influenced the telecommunication system as well as management approaches. This research study is geared towards the understanding of the vulnerabilities of wireless technology to telecommunication system. The research study will cover and contain discussions and analyses regarding the history and growth of the wireless technology, the global impact of the wireless technology, the features that are common as well as the benefits of wireless technology, the security policies and customer privacy issues that beset the technology, and the barriers and limitations of utilising the wireless technology. All these issues will be presented and analysed through this research endeavour.   Statement of the Problem             In order to complete the goals of this particular academic activity as well as to set the objectives of the study, the following research questions will be presented and discussed in the entirety of the research paper focusing on the implications of the wireless technology to the UK telecommunication industry. <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> What is the history of the wireless technology? How did it grow and develop into the technology that we know today?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> What are the impacts of the wireless technology in the entire global communication system?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> What are the features of wireless technology? How do business organisations benefit from the utility of wireless technology?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> What are the underlying issues on security policies as well as individual privacy standards that influence the continuing utilisation of the wireless technology?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> What are the vulnerabilities of wireless technology to telecommunication system?</li>   Overview of Methodology             This particular research activity will be conducted using the guidelines of both the quantitative and the qualitative research approaches. In this light, the research study will make use of the survey and the interview techniques as methods for the data gathering activities. The qualitative aspect of researcher will be used in order to provide in-depth discussion regarding the concept of wireless technology as well as its implications to the telecommunication industry. Meanwhile, the quantitative part of the research activity will make possible the quantification of concepts and ideas that are otherwise immeasurable within the qualitative paradigm. The utilisation of both the quantitative and the qualitative research approaches will be used to provide holistic and comprehensive understanding on the selected research topic. Therefore, discussions will reflect the use of both these academic research approaches.             The survey method will be facilitated through the use of survey forms and questionnaires. This will include inquiries on the general characteristics, particularly the socio-demographic information of the selected research participants. Quantifiable inquiries will be likewise contained in the survey forms and questionnaire regarding the impact of the wireless technology in general on the current business practices and approaches. The survey forma will be distributed to employees belonging to the Information Technology departments of the selected telecommunication organisations that are familiar to wireless technology. The organisations will compose of firms and companies that are engage in wireless telecommunication system. A total of thirty research participants will compose the sample for the survey method. These thirty participants are IT professionals form different telecommunication industries across the UK. This will enable exhaustive inquiries regarding the impact of wireless technology in current telecommunication practices in UK. The interview method, on the other hand, will be conducted with business personalities who are considered as experts in the analysis of the trends that have transpired in the UK telecommunication arena. The informants will be composed of five personalities from the academe, information technology industry, and other business fields who will be able to give light on the issues that surround the current practice of wireless technology in UK. The research activity will also make use of secondary data from academic journals, books, and other publications that could provide additional information regarding wireless technology. Published as well as unpublished research papers that were previously conducted which likewise focus on the impacts of wireless technology to the telecommunication sector will be reviewed. These additional data and information will also be used to support as well as contradict the findings of the study depending on the credibility of the authors and the journals where they were found published. The use of secondary data and information will likewise serve as validity and reliability indicators of the researcher to ensure that the collected data from the survey and the interview methods could be used to strengthen the findings and results of the study. This will hopefully come up to unbiased presentation and discussion of the collected data and information from the indicated research methodologies.    Limitation of the Study The broad scope of the research topic is the foremost concern when it comes to the identifiable limitations and barriers of the research activity but the holistic approach likewise will enable the researcher to contribute fully to the academe as well as to the involved business industries that will be analysed. Meanwhile, when it comes to the selected data gathering procedures, limitations and shortcomings could be expected in the data gathering procedures. Beginning from the sampling techniques that will be used to identify the participants of the study up to the facilitation of the survey forms and the interview sessions, difficulties will be expected. But with the support of the academe to the research activity and the explanations that will be provided regarding the important contributions of the study to the business industry upon completion, will serve as gateway to the successful research accomplishment. Other political, economic, as well as social issues and constraints are also expected while conducting the research activity which will be evident in the different stakes of the participants and the companies they represent.   References: Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

VULNERABILITIES OF WI-FI IN TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

PROPOSAL VULNERABILITIES OF WI-FI IN TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM Introduction Wi-Fi is basically a brand name for a wireless-technology b...

The Development Of The Features Of Cellphone In The Philippines

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FEATURES OF CELLPHONE IN THE PHILIPPINES       Philippines have been recognized as the texting capital of the world because of enormous volume of users all over the country, during 1990’s texting and cellphone has become the most popular form of communication since then, it has become a continuous fashion. Ordinary user can send an average of 8 to 12 text messages a day it has also become a very influential tools in all institutions where approximately there are about 400 million text messages sent every day or approximately 142 billion text messages are sent within a year. During the past decades Philippines has been limited to communication through telephone which is somehow monopolized by the giant company of Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) and snail mail. It was only during the early 90’s where former President Fidel V. Ramos allowed the telecommunication companies all over the world to invade the country and this has been the beginning of the new trend where the long suppressed freedom of expression of people to interact has become widely popular.       People of all ages have enjoyed their freedom to take this opportunity to communicate in any reasons while business individual and companies has taken advantage of this trend as an opportunity to sell their products and services, teenagers use this as a means of courtship and leisure while the overall impression of people is to simply have one, this has become a necessity in the 20th century in all the world and most particularly in this country. National Telecommunication Communication realized the potential benefits of this technology, they allowed users to simply buy without limits while during the mid 1990’s people would need to sign up register and present identification in order to have a cellphone but in the later years the prepaid text messaging is allowed.       Giant companies like Smart, Globe, Sun, Nokia, Samsung, Alcatel, Digitel and other telecommunication and cellphone companies has realized the potential demand in this country they provided even more features in their services and in fact the battle for supremacy between this companies has grown tighter each year although Smart has always been the leading company provider. The history and timeline in the Philippines and the features of cellphone has become apparent as technology grows;   ·         During the mid 1990’s the explosion of text messaging of 2 liner cellphone began in the Philippines where Motorola, Samsung, Nokia, Sony Ericsson and other cellphone companies has become a popular brand. Only a few features of cellphone including calculator, clock, and analog games are built in and during those times analog cellphone are very susceptible to hacking. ·         It was only during 1996 to 1998 where the battle of digital cellphone fashion begins where people are looking for a more trendy design, colors and features of cellphone people are looking for smaller, trimmer, folding and elegant looking design much more of the features but also fashion are great advantage. ·         During 1998 to 2000 the evolution and integration of Bluetooth device, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and Web Integration has also been introduced although it has not much become popular because of its price, cellphone during those times are not just text but there are also colors and more features including games, 2G and 3G which is better in performance faster in sending messages and crystal clear mobile communication has become their leading edge. Although the communication features still has been controlled by the telecom companies. ·         In 2003 the most enormous features of cellphone has been introduced where all the features of cellphone has become revolutionary. Nokia, LG, Samsung and other companies has focused in the Philippines and they have introduced the most fascinating and most advanced features of cellphone that includes the combination of internet, VGA camera, email, chat, recording, radio signal frequency and many others. ·         More in 2005 up to the present times the features and development of cellphone has been passed through times where even television, mp3, pixel camera, even detection of weather conditions, spy camera, digital games, not just texting but people can also send and receive pictures, movies, music and other files using the cellphone of Multi Media Messaging Service (MMS), Enhance Messaging Service (EMS) Qwerty keypad and more. Everything is almost there where only the refrigerator has been missing.          Because of the tremendous business opportunities of cellphone communication Philippines have already introduced locally made products that the masses can afford companies like TORQUE, CHERRY MOBILE, MYPHONE has been fast becoming the favorite among the Filipinos since it also has all the features the customer’s needs and it has a good price advantage over the leading companies of Erickson, Nokia and Samsung. Because of the tremendous competition, cellphone companies local or foreign continue to develop different models and styles whatever features of cellphone will soon be release it is guaranteed to become a fashion in this country. Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

The Development Of The Features Of Cellphone In The Philippines

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FEATURES OF CELLPHONE IN THE PHILIPPINES Philippines have been recognized as the texting capital of the worl...

VULNERABILITIES OF WI-FI IN TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM: ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS

VULNERABILITIES OF WI-FI IN TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM: ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS

GOING BY THE TURN IT IN SYSTEM IN COVENTRY UNIVERSITY, I WILL APPRECIATE THAT THE PAPER BEATS THE SYSTEM AND ALSO THE PAGE COUNT SHOULD CO...

TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY

Introduction Communication is the process of sharing ideas, information, and messages with others in a particular time and place. Communication includes writing and talking, as well as nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, body language, or gestures, visual communication the use of images or pictures, such as painting, photography, video, or film, and electronic communication such as telephone calls, electronic mail, cable television, or satellite broadcasts. Communication is a vital part of personal life and is also important in business, education, and any other situation where people encounter each other. Businesses are concerned with communication in several special ways. Some businesses build and install communication equipment, such as fax or facsimile machines, video cameras, CD players, printing presses, personal computers, and telephones. Other companies create some of the messages or content that those technologies carry, such as movies, books, and software. These companies are part of the media or telecommunications industries ( 1989).  Communication is vital for the improvement of businesses and people.   Organizational communication is important in every business. People in organizations need to communicate to coordinate their work and to inform others outside the business about their products and services. These kinds of communication are called advertising or public relations. Societies have attempted to regulate communication through customs and laws since ancient times. Today many societies regard freedom of communication as a basic human right and have enacted laws to protect this right. As new communication media have developed, such as television and cellular telephony, US’ Federal Communications (FCC) and its counterparts in other countries has grown to supervise and regulate those industries as well in an attempt to keep pace with advances made in communications technology and changes in the industry ( 1989). Most observers agree that communication media and technologies have contributed to a society that is changing very rapidly. Three key issues have arisen in the tide of this rapid change: individual privacy, coverage of politics in the media, and the availability of information. New communication and information technologies have enabled many organizations and people to collect, organize, and sell information about other people and organizations, both quickly and cheaply.   The easy availability of personal information makes banking, education, health care, and sales much more convenient for both consumers and sellers. Credit card and automated teller machine (ATM) systems would be impossible without large databases of information available on demand. Scanners in the supermarket rapidly and accurately record every item that passes over them, making grocery checkouts faster and error free. Companies maintain huge mailing lists of customers that record not only their names, addresses, and phone numbers, but also major recent purchases, credit ratings, and demographic information that helps the companies identify target markets for specific products ( 1989). The paper will discuss about telecommunications and its industry, two companies in it Sony and Ericsson, and company mergers. The paper will discuss responses to the different questions on what motivated the two companies to forge the alliance? Were there any alternative ways better than forming a joint venture has encountered since the formation? Do the strategies Sony Ericsson has used to address these problems will lead to the long term success of the alliance? The information acquired will be used to create a conclusion.   Telecommunications Telecommunications are devices and systems that transmit electronic or optical signals across long distances. Telecommunications enables people around the world to contact one another, to access information instantly, and to communicate from remote areas. Telecommunications usually involves a sender of information and one or more recipients linked by a technology, such as a telephone system, that transmits information from one place to another. Telecommunications enables people to send and receive personal messages across town, between countries, and to and from outer space. It also provides the key medium for delivering news, data, information, and entertainment. Telecommunications devices convert different types of information, such as sound and video, into electronic or optical signals. Electronic signals typically travel along a medium such as copper wire or are carried over the air as radio waves. Optical signals typically travel along a medium such as strands of glass fibers. When a signal reaches its destination, the device on the receiving end converts the signal back into an understandable message, such as sound over a telephone, moving images on a television, or words and pictures on a computer screen ( 1993).   Telecommunications messages can be sent in a variety of ways and by a wide range of devices. The messages can be sent from one sender to a single receiver or from one sender to many receivers. Personal communications, such as a telephone conversation between two people usually involve point-to-point transmission. Point-to-multipoint telecommunications, often called broadcasts, provide the basis for commercial radio and television programming. Telecommunications begin with messages that are converted into electronic or optical signals. Some signals, such as those that carry voice or music, are created in an analog or wave format, but may be converted into a digital or mathematical format for faster and more efficient transmission. The signals are then sent over a medium to a receiver, where they are decoded back into a form that the person receiving the message can understand. There are a variety of ways to create and decode signals, and many different ways to transmit signals (1993).   Telecommunications systems deliver messages using a number of different transmission media, including copper wires, fiber-optic cables, communication satellites, and microwave radio. Wire-based telecommunications provide the initial link between most telephones and the telephone network and are a reliable means for transmitting messages. Telecommunications without wires, commonly referred to as wireless communications, use technologies such as cordless telephones, cellular radio telephones, pagers, and satellites. Wireless communications offer increased mobility and flexibility. In the future some experts believe that wireless devices will also offer high-speed Internet access. Individual people, businesses, and governments use many different types of telecommunications systems. Some systems, such as the telephone system, use a network of cables, wires, and switching stations for point-to-point communication. Other systems, such as radio and television, broadcast radio signals over the air that can be received by anyone who has a device to receive them. Some systems make use of several types of media to complete a transmission. All telecommunications systems are constantly evolving as telecommunications technology improves. Many recent improvements, for example, offer high-speed broadband connections that are needed to send multimedia information over the Internet ( 1993).   Background of the company Sony Corporation is a Japanese electronics manufacturer, with headquarters in Tokyo. Sony designs, manufactures, and sells electronic equipment. It is a leader in the development of consumer electronics goods, such as videocassette recorders, cellular and cordless telephones, compact disc equipment, and television systems. Sony also manufactures computers and related devices ( 2003). Sony actively encourages innovation by its employees. Design engineers are given budgets and time for innovation and experimentation. The company holds an annual contest in which engineers show off their prototypes; bonuses are awarded to those whose prototypes are selected for eventual manufacture and marketing. Sony continually makes and offers new products, most of which are tested in the Japanese market. Sony has been particularly successful in the United States market; however, it is outsold in Japan and elsewhere by Matsushita, another Japanese electronics giant ( 2003).   Sony started with twenty people in 1946, and has grown to 8,000 people in twenty years. In keeping up with such a rapid growth, the company could not depend on the usual yearly hiring of freshmen. Sony gathered a wide variety of personnel by such methods as personal acquaintance, and public announcement. As a result, school history and seniority are never considered by Sony’s management. Only the ability and qualifications of a person are considered basic factors for personnel assignments. However, as the company started to grow, Sony’s management began to face pressure from the traditional Japanese social influences. To maintain its freedom to act, management thereupon decided to delete a man’s school history from his personnel record. It was a bold step to take in Japan. But it resulted in greatly boosting morale, among Sony employees. This decision created a sensation and was highly appreciated by the people who are trying to introduce modern management in Japan ( 1969).   On the other hand, Sony management became aware that it was a mistake to disappoint the men and their families by completely abolishing the seniority promotion system. For the seniority concept is a firmly established business and social practice in Japan. Still, to keep active and adjustable to keen international competition, and to the fast-developing electronics technology, Sony must have flexibility in personnel management. A compromise has therefore been developed. Sony gives such titles as assistant manager, manager, and general manager to people on the traditional seniority basis. But the functions and the range of responsibility of a section or department are set according to the capacity of the person who assumes the management of that section or department. To carry this idea out, Sony, being flexible, changes its organization as frequently as necessary ( 1969).   Sony Corporation, considered the most progressive in the Nikkei Corporate Reform Survey, has a very high foreign ownership of 45.3 per cent. This exceeds the total ownership of Japanese financial institutions which run at only 14.9 per cent. This unique characteristic may well be the main stimulus for Sony’s pioneering position in quasi-US corporate reform ( 2001). In a transnational corporation, strategic decision making is either centralized, decentralized, or a combination of both. The level of autonomy granted to a foreign subsidiary depends on a number of factors, including the type of product or service being sold, capital and resource requirements, and the financial impact that the affiliate’s performance has on the company’s overall operations. In a centralized management approach, foreign subsidiaries have limited decision-making authority and most important matters are made by senior-level managers. The Sony Corporation, for example, is very much a centralized company. The company’s board of directors is mostly Japanese and strategic decision making occurs principally in the Tokyo headquarters ( 2001).  In October of 2001, the consumer electronic giant Sony Corporation pooled resources with the Swedish phone maker, Ericsson, to launch a joint venture named Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications SEMC. As of 2003, Sony Ericsson was still making losses. Yet both sides had pledged more resources into the venture.   Motivation to form the alliance To compete in an international business environment, firms are forming joint ventures as a mechanism for the enhancement of global competitiveness. In recent years, an explosion of International Joint Venture (IJV) activity signifies this form of alliance as a popular vehicle for augmenting strategic capability.  International joint ventures are formed for a variety of reasons. International companies create venture partnerships to gain foreign market access, for the acquisition of new technology, to fund capital requirements beyond the capability of a single firm, or in order to share risks. Joint ventures are also a vehicle through which companies can gain broader scale sourcing of materials required for their operations. The possibility exists for both the joint venture and parent firms to learn new skills from one another, and to share technology or information as a result of the venture. Many of these elements are essential ingredients for companies that aim to compete in an international arena where competition is fierce, and where requirements for quality, innovation, and meeting customer requirements are critical (1995).   Although there are clearly potential economic and technological benefits that result from firms venturing together, the failure rate of joint ventures is high. For example, in a study of 880 joint ventures and cooperative alliances, only 45 percent of the companies were judged successful by all sponsors. Some factors that lead to JV failure include: significantly different goals of parent firms; perceptions of unequal costs and benefits; and conflicts over decision-making, managerial processes, and corporate values. Misunderstanding is most likely when international joint ventures span diverse national cultures, and when attitudinal and value differences exist between different groups in the venture. Problems often arise when executives in the parent companies attempt to impose their standards and policies for operation on the joint venture firm (1995).   International joint ventures represent a unique form of the globally oriented corporation, with the greatest incidence of collaborative agreements between two partners. The management of joint ventures is a complex process. If parent firms decide that a joint venture is required to accomplish desired strategic goals, then the partners must be prepared to deal with difficult issues related to joint ownership and joint decision-making in the venture. In successful joint ventures, much advance planning is required, and the venture is likely to be championed by senior executives in the parent firms ( 1995). Sony and Ericsson opted to indulge in joint venture so that they can acquire complimentary with significant synergy effects. The companies believed that by engaging in joint venture both can acquire benefits from each other. Both believed that the different weaknesses they have can be covered or solved by each other. The two companies also taught that by engaging in joint venture they can withstand competition not only in the local setting but in the international setting as well.     Alternative ways The 1980s produced approximately 55,000 mergers and acquisitions in the United States alone. The value of the acquisitions during this decade was approximately .3 trillion. As impressive as these numbers are, they are small in comparison to the merger wave that began in the earlier 1990s, approximately in 1993. The number and value of mergers and acquisitions have grown each year since 1993. For example, in 1997, there were approximately 22,000 mergers and acquisitions, roughly 40 percent of the total during the whole decade of the 1980s. Perhaps more important, the value of mergers and acquisitions in 1997 was .6 trillion. In other words, the acquisitions completed in 1997 were valued at 0 billion more than all acquisitions during the 1980s. Interestingly, the 1980s were often referred to as a decade of merger mania. The year 1998 was no different, as noted by the huge M&A transactions listed earlier; it was predicted to be another record year ( 2001). Interestingly, the 6,311 domestic mergers and acquisitions in 1993 had a total value of 4.5 billion for an average of .2 million, whereas the mergers and acquisitions announced in 1998 had an average value of 8.2 million for an increase of 352 percent over those of 1993.    Approximately .5 trillion in mergers and acquisitions were announced in 1999, continuing the upward trend. The mergers and acquisitions in the 1990s represent the fifth merger wave of the twentieth century and their size and number suggest that the decade of the 1990s might be remembered for mega merger mania. With five merger waves throughout the twentieth century, we must conclude that mergers and acquisitions are an important, if not dominant, strategy for twenty-first century organizations ( 2001). One alternative for the companies is merger. Through merging the companies can share 100% of its resources and the different culture and tradition of the companies is erased to bring up one new and improved culture.  Merger can lessen instances of having to deal with different intentions. Merger also changes the goal of the company. Before merger the company has a separate goal. The goal it has satisfies their basic needs. By having a merger the company shifts its focus on one common goal. Sony Ericsson and strategies to solve its problems The joint venture did not help in solving the problems of the company. The company used different strategies to make sure that the venture will prove to be a good choice for the company and make sure that the venture will last for longer periods of time. The company’s strategies paved the way for showing how important the venture is to the companies involved. The company was not initially successful with the venture because it was not prepared with the different problems it might face. The strategies helped in improving the fate of the company and it changed the way the venture was operated.   Conclusion Communication is a vital part of personal life and is also important in business, education, and any other situation where people encounter each other. Businesses are concerned with communication in several special ways. . Telecommunications enables people around the world to contact one another, to access information instantly, and to communicate from remote areas. Telecommunications usually involves a sender of information and one or more recipients linked by a technology.  Sony and Ericsson opted to indulge in joint venture so that they can acquire complimentary with significant synergy effects. The companies believed that by engaging in joint venture both acquire benefits from the other. One alternative for the companies is merger. Through merging the companies can share 100% of its resources and the different culture and tradition of the companies is erased to bring up one new and improved culture. References Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY

Introduction Communication is the process of sharing ideas, information, and messages with others in a particular time and place. Commun...