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In Germany the most common internet access is DSL. But the current discussion about the introduction of broadcasting fees is causing quite a stir. Which are the advantages and disadvantages of the different broadcasting techniques? Are they also suitable for business use and what are their characteristics? To whom are the new business models, based on WiMAX licences, relevant? In the brand new M`BlogDocument 0615 with the title “WiMAX, UMTS, WLAN – broadcasting as an alternative to DSL” writer Dr. rer. nat. Jürgen Kaack, who is also an economic adviser and physicist, explains the advantages and disadvantages as well as the risks and opportunities of the new techniques.
The 21-page brochure in PDF format is available for free-of-charge download to all Mittelstandsblog and MittelstandsWiki visitors.

The “Mittelstandstag 2006″ is the first recruiting event of its kind bringing together top-talents with up to 5 years of professional experience and so-called “Hidden Champions“. Very often executives start their professional careers in major enterprises with well-known names or working as strategic management consultants. It is only after a few years that many executives decide to continue their careers in strongly performing family-owned enterprises which quite often provide outstanding career and development opportunities. The only problem so far was that… +++

A recent study by the Forschungsgruppe Wahlen Online (FGW Online GmbH) has revealed that eight out of ten self-employed people use the internet which means that they form the most active group of internet users. Other findings of the study: The number of people making use of internet telephony has only grown by 1 percent in the third quarter with respect to the same quarter last year and currently stands at 11 percent. This increase is even smaller than that relating to internet users as a whole which amounted to +2 percent. The kind of internet use has hardly changed as well. +++

According to the Federal Statistical Office, there were 16.265 company insolvencies pending at German local courts in the first half of this year which is 15.1 percent less than in the first half of last year. Thus, the positive trend which had already started last year is set to continue. However, the number of private insolvencies has increased by 41.5 percent to reach the figure of 43.761 in the first half of 2006. +++

It is a well-known fact that German small and medium-sized entities are struggling with an equity ratio which is much too small. As a consequence rating will be so low that outside capital is difficult to obtain and only at a higher price. Improving a company´s liquidity generated from operating revenues is therefore a logical alternative. +++

On Thursday the lower house of German parliament passed a new law on the introduction of an electronic trade register, cooperative register and company register. According to Brigitte Zypries, German minister of justice, “the new law will lead to a fundamental modernization of the handling of company data subject to disclosure. It will reduce information costs, cut down on bureaucracy, accelerate administrative processes and business startups thereby boosting the innovative potential of the German economy. +++

In response to the current discussion about the introduction of GEZ fees for computers ( we reported on this) the Interoute Deutschland internet provider wants to offer a special DSL flatrate called “No GEZ” from January 1st next year. This flatrate is to provide users with all the relevant services of a T-DSL flat rate with the exception of those kinds of content which are subject to GEZ fees. +++

Those times in which employees were very keen on working with major enterprises and corporate groups are over. The majority of Germans attach more importance to what the new job sought is all about rather than to the size of a potential new employer. Thus, only 17 percent of Germans prefer working with a major group and almost one quarter wish to be employed by small or medium-sized entities. These are the findings of the latest survey by the Stepstone European professional portal which was carried out among almost 17.000 site visitors in eight European countries. +++