Lycos Asia completes MyRice.com acquisition
Lycos Asia, the leading and fastest growing Internet company in Asia today, officially announced the completion of the acquisition of MyRice.com, one of the to Internet portals in China. Owned by Cyber Rapid Development Limited, an investment holding company of Hong Kong-based MyRice.com Holdings Limited, MyRice.com is ranked number 6 amongst the top domain names in China according to the latest report by NetValue (January 2001), attracting more than half a million unique visitors per month and boasting a reach of 32.5 per cent in China.

Microsoft SBS 2000 available for Rs 76,000
Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd today announced the national availability of Small Business Server 2000, the latest version of its networking solution designed to meet the needs of small and medium businesses. The Small Business Server 2000 includes Windows 2000 Server and a suite of Microsoft's .NET Servers including Exchange 2000 Server for Email and Collaboration; Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server for enhanced Internet Security and SQL Server 2000 for Database Management. SBS 2000 provides an integrated setup and centralized management system simplifying the otherwise complex deployment process; and is priced at Rs 76,000.

TDSAT to hear BSNL case on long-distance tariffs today
Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal will hear on Wednesday. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd's (BSNL's) case challenging telecom regulator's direction to extend the benefits of reduction in long distance tariffs to subscribers of private operators. The appellate tribunal had last month stayed Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) order directing BSNL to extend the benefits of concessional STD tariffs to subscribers of private operators following a petition by the corporation.

Marshal's Power bags $18.5m Cambodian contract
Marshal's Power and Communications has won a $18.5 million contract for networking from the Government of Cambodia. The project which is to be implemented over three years, involves developing a networking solution for the ministry of Interior. The company is also implementing another project in Karnataka, for the design, supply, testing, erection and commissioning of capacitor banks.

Stanchart, HDFC Bank, BPCL join eCash Forum
Standard Chartered Bank, HDFC Bank and Bharat Petroleum Corporation have joined the eCash Forum which has been set up by Smart Card Forum of India. The banks have nominated high-level executives to represent them in the forum. The executives include Mr Shyam Srinivasan, head of credit card division, Standard Chartered Bank, Mr S Ramesh, DGM, retail strategy, BPCL, Mr Neeraj Swaroop, Country Head of marketing and retail assets, HDFC Bank and Mr Akshay Kumar of Standard Chartered Grindlays.