New Product Launch: iHold

In partnership with the iHold team based in Los Angeles, California, Global Advances launches a new mobile device accessory: www.iholdstore.com. The iHold is the latest and hottest mobile device gadget, it’s a handy, thumb-sized gadget that attaches to the back of your device and positions it at an ideal viewing angle.

The product allows relieves you from hand and neck fatigue by simply squashing it to the back of your device for the ultimate viewing experience. It comes in 12 tantalizing colors and makes a perfect gift item!

Check out their website today to learn more!

Global Advances Website Updated!

Our website has been updated with exciting new features to better serve our partners and clients, including:

• An improved overview of our services and online business systems
• Enhanced communication channels via support, contact, and newsletter forms
• A secure client portal for our clients to log in and view past support cases submitted and account status

And more!

Global Advances at the 2010 Mongolia Investment Conference

The Global Advances Group attended the 1st Annual Mongolia Investment Conference on September 7th at the Chinggis Khaan Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Government officials, industry leaders and CEOs across Mongolia’s sectors including banking, finance, natural resources, and corporates were present to discuss exciting opportunities that are changing the Mongolian landscape.

Mongolia’s Prime Minister S. Batbold reminded investors that Mongolia is set to become the world’s fastest growing economy throughout the next decade. Predicted economic growth is estimated at 19% per annum until 2025 and will be largely fueled by the country’s undeveloped copper (Oyu Tolgoi) and coal (Tavan Talgoi) deposits, the world’s largest.

Numerous investment opportunities exist across an array of industries including mining, mineral processing, infrastructure, construction materials, energy, property, banking, and the consumer sector.

Despite these optimistic projections, the country also faces of number of challenges, as expressed by Mr. N. Zoljargal, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Mongolia, namely there are:

• Structural issues (infrastructure, logistics)
• Institutional issues (lack of regulatory frameworks
• Socio-economic issues (poverty, education, employment)
• Lack of economic diversification

Over the course of the next year, the Global Advances team will be closely following Mongolia’s developments via its local partners.

Internet Connectivity on the Rise in Caribbean Nations

New initiatives across the Caribbean will increase broadband internet access to facilitate the social and economic development of the region.

Last November, the Caribbean Internet Forum (CIF) in conjunction with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) addressed broadband connectivity for small island states in the Caribbean. Participants investigated the best practices and strategies in internet connectivity such as community wireless access, capacity building, and the technological challenges and opportunities for the private sector. One interesting idea was to implement community technology centers designed to enhance equal access to computers/internet and the technological skills of community residents. Forum speakers also discussed government policies for promoting broadband, how broadband enhances e-governance, and the future of broadband access in the region.

A particularly noteworthy topic during the forum was to increase support for innovations in mobile internet. As the number of mobile cellular subscribers is exceptionally high throughout the Caribbean, the forum placed a strong emphasis on the opportunities offered by mobile technologies and the promotion of an enabling environment for innovative mobile applications.

Initiatives

Countries in the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) will see a number of initiatives that aim to increase connectivity throughout the region. Recently, Triton Telecom started building a new multi-million dollar Caribbean fibre network that will span out of Florida to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. The 10G undersea fiber network will make use of ECI Telecom‘s 9000 Carrier Ethernet Switch Router (CESR) family and XDM Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP) and support up to 40G per channel.

Last year, Alvarion Ltd., a leading provider of WiMAX and wireless broadband technologies announced the signing of a master supply agreement with Digicel Group, the largest mobile operator in the Caribbean. The companies will deploy a WiMAX network throughout the Caribbean region in a major initiative to increase wireless internet access over the next few years.

In other developments, a joint effort between Cuba and Venezuela is underway to develop a 1,550 kilometer optic fiber communication cable that will link the two nations. The Cuban deputy minister announced that the project will improve international communications and provide high-speed Internet access to Cuban citizens by 2010.

The State of the Caribbean Internet

According to Internet World Stats, the 26 countries and territories of the Caribbean that form the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) has a population estimate of 40,371,917, of which there are 6,956,500 Internet users and an overall 17.3% internet penetration rate (December 2008 estimate). The nations of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, and Saint Lucia have the highest penetration rates of 85.9%, 63.8%, and 63.6%, respectively. Haiti, although still only having reached an 11.2% penetration rate, had the fastest growth rate between the years 2000-2008 at 16,566.7%.

Global Advances Featured in China Development Brief

China Development Brief’s Issue No. 41 (Chinese Edition) featured Global Advances in a report entitled “Applied IT and Social Innovations” (信息技术应用和社会公益创新). The G.A. team was referenced in a section discussing the complementary role that social welfare organizations and information technology companies can play in the delivery of software / internet solutions that help address social causes and improve collaboration amongst various public and private agencies.

To learn more:
Article Link (Chinese Only): http://www.chinadevelopmentbrief.com.cn/qikanarticleview.php?id=984
China Development Brief (English Site): http://www.chinadevelopmentbrief.com/