Around the globe countries are attempting to forge ahead with the expansion and upgrading of advanced communications networks. In most cases they are setting very ambitious goals with regard to technology and coverage. Without having to steer a course towards the return of a monopoly in the telecommunications sector, the public sector can promote sustainable progress in telecommunication inter alia by entering into risk-sharing partnerships and further enhancing investment incentives with a regulatory framework in a competitive environment. [more]

Small and very small firms are the backbone of the economy. However, larger firms often enjoy higher productivity in part because they also use more advanced IT systems. This new issue focuses on the use of e-finance by small firms. While small firms are almost as likely to use online banking as large firms, the shortfall is bigger when it comes to more sophisticated features such as e-invoicing and automated payment instructions. [more]

The internet is increasingly supplanting traditional types of media as an information medium. That is why publishers are now seeking to offset their slumping revenues in the traditional print segment via an internet-based business model. Several publishers are planning to charge their readers for online access to professional journalistic content. However, it is especially the case in the online media world that readers will only pay for something that really does offer significant added value! For instance, experience shows that the prospects for the success of paid content are severely restricted with regard to content and technology. The strategy that publishers should therefore adopt is to combine freely available high-quality journalistic articles, paid content, context-sensitive advertising and linked e-commerce platforms... [more]