European Tech Wire

Microsoft Publishes EU Antitrust Response on Internet

Brussels -- Microsoft announced that has posted on the Internet
confidential documents used for its EU antitrust defence. The U.S.-
based software giant said its formal response to the European
Commission's Statement of Objections included an exchange of
letters between Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and EU Competition
Commissioner Neelie Kroes. Microsoft also said the posted
information shows that it is in full compliance with the
Commission's antitrust ruling and lists numerous ways in which the
Commission has denied the company due process. "Transparency
is vitally important in what can be a very opaque process in
Brussels," Microsoft general counsel Horacio Gutierrez said.
"We've decided to open this up so people can understand the
issues."
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/legal/02-23-06ResponsetoECSO.mspx

U.K. EU Presidency Named ISPA Internet Villain of Year

London -- The U.K. Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA)
has voted the U.K. presidency of the EU as the Internet Villain of
the Year for championing a controversial data-retention law,
approved earlier this week by EU justice and interior ministers. All
EU member states must enact the law -- which requires
telecommunications companies and Internet service providers
(ISPs) to save consumer data for a period of six months to two
years -- by August 2007. The ISPA said the U.K. government,
which proposed the law after the terrorist attacks in London last
July, failed to consider the costs the telecommunications industry
will incur.
http://www.ispaawards.org.uk/

Property Website Rightmove Sets Price Range for IPO

London -- Rightmove, the largest property website in the U.K.,
announced that it has set a price range of between 240 and 315
pence per share for its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) on the
London Stock Exchange. The company, which claims to control
about 75% of the U.K. online-property market, is expected to offer
18% of its issued share capital, giving it a market capitalisation of
between £305 million and £400 million. Rightmove -- which is
owned by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group, HBOS,
Countrywide and Connells -- said it would confirm the offer price by
March 10 and list its shares on March 15.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/template/publicsite%2Caboutus%2CNews.vm

U.K.-Based Web TV Firm Narrowstep Raises £4.2 Million

London -- Narrowstep, a U.K.-based provider of streaming Internet
TV channels, announced that it has raised approximately £4.2
million ($7.4 million) through a private placement of its shares with
investors. Narrowstep delivers video content over the Internet
through its TelVOS platform. The company has launched more
than 70 channels for customers including U.K. broadcaster ITV,
the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, Sail.tv, London TV and
Cycling.tv. Proceeds from the placement will be used to fund the
company's business plan and future growth.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060222/law081.html?.v=71

Israel-Based Correlix Secures €504,000 VC Investment

Tel Aviv -- According to a report by Globes Online, Correlix, an
Israel-based technology firm, has raised approximately €504,000
($600,000) in venture-capital financing. Correlix maps and
improves the efficiency of computer processes in enterprise
networks. Xenia Ventures, a privatised angel incubator, led the
round, with the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist and a number of
private investors also participating, Globes said.
http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/DocView.asp?did=1000063198&fid=1725

Colt to Delist from Nasdaq and Relocate HQ to Continent

London -- Colt Telecom Group Plc, a U.K.-based
telecommunications operator, announced that it is overhauling its
corporate structure and looking to raise £300 million in new equity.
The company also announced that it is planning to relocate its
headquarters to the Continent and remove its shares from the
Nasdaq stock exchange. Colt said it decided to move to mainland
Europe because 80% of its business and 90% of its network
assets are located there. The company will maintain its listing on
the London Stock Exchange.
http://www.colt.net

Micro Focus CEO Tony Hill Resigns

London -- Micro Focus, a U.K.-based software firm, announced that
CEO Tony Hill will resign and step down from the board. Acting
chairman Kevin Loosemore will take over as CEO until Hill's
replacement can be found. The news arrives just after the
company lowered its guidance for the year. "This update on trading
is very disappointing, but we are determined to rebuild momentum
and deliver on our commitment to sales execution," Loosemore
said. "The company remains profitable and strongly cash
generative, which provides a solid base for the future."
http://www.microfocus.com/AboutMicroFocus/index.asp

Reuters Wins Contract with Citigroup

London -- Reuters, a U.K.-based news and information services
organisation, announced that it has signed a multi-year enterprise-
wide contract to provide Citigroup with a mix of content, desktops
and infrastructure services. Under the terms of the agreement,
Citigroup will have access to a range of Reuters desktop products
and services, such as messaging and research capabilities, as well
as high-speed trading connectivity with securities exchanges.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://about.reuters.com/pressoffice/pressreleases/index.asp?pressid=2632

U.S.-Based Wegener Lands BBC Deal

London -- Wegener, a U.S.-based provider of TV, audio and data
distribution networks, announced that it has been awarded a
contract worth £2 million from the BBC for a system that will allow
the broadcaster to distribute audio to more than 900 partners
worldwide through digital file store-forward technology, as well as
traditional linear broadcasting. The contract includes Wegener's
radio media server, media receivers, network control system and
media management system.
http://www.wegener.com/pressrel2006/022306.html

Report: Restaurants Worldwide Embracing Wi-Fi

London -- Restaurants and cafes represent the fastest growing
segment of Wi-Fi hotspots, according to new data from JiWire, a
provider of public Wi-Fi hotspot information and services. The
company said 34,544 restaurants and cafes worldwide currently
offer Wi-Fi access, an increase of 18,267 from a year ago. Tokyo
has the most restaurants and cafes with Wi-Fi access (1,037),
followed by London (578) and Singapore (410). San Francisco has
319, second in the U.S. after New York City (328).
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060223/20060223005337.html?.v=1
http://www.jiwire.com/