ST JOHN'S, Antigua: The Caribbean nation of Antigua & Barbuda is now live with an island Wi-Fi network service provided by Antigua Computer Technology, using Tropos Networks’ MetroMesh Wi-Fi network solution. The wireless network, currently servicing more than 40 percent of the total population, is also being used to introduce computer-based curriculum and technology into the public schools through mobile computer classrooms and fixed internet centres that have access to the network.

A new agreement between the United Nations telecommunications agency and the European Commission aims to attract greater investments in information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in the Caribbean, Africa and Asia and the Pacific.

Farmers are now using video conferencing to procure good-quality seeds, fertiliser and other inputs. They are also using the technology to access market-related information, and to market their products in some cases. Examples of using thousands of internet kiosks with companies like ITC (the e-choupals) and Microsoft (which has also used video conferencing for telemedicine) are well documented. Videoconferencing furthers these initiatives to empower farmers.

An interactive floor that encourages children to learn using their bodies rather than sitting at a desk or a PC through the school day has been launched by programmers in Denmark. Called "Wisdom Wells," the floors were created by designers Kasper Neilson and Ole Iverson for children "who do not fit into the school environment" and "cannot just sit and listen to a teacher for six hours." 

Music industry betting on mobiles The music business has been in decline for the last seven years. CDs are not selling in the numbers they used to, which is a worry for the record industry as well as retailers. The online revolution took the record industry by surprise and it has been playing catch-up ever since. "I think the music industry has to accept its fair share of the blame for not acting quickly enough to digital music," said Adam Benzine from Music Week magazine.