Ill. Baxter is deploying a global frame relay IP network to give its 45,000 employees in 50 countries consistent access to human resources and product information, and next year, companywide training. Finding the necessary technology in developing nations isn't easy. Worldwide, high-tech infrastructure is still patchy. The governments of Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan have invested millions of dollars in their telecom and electrical infrastructures. But in areas such as Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and Africa, there's virtually no Internet penetration.
Infrastructure is also spotty in South America.
At the end of last year, National Semiconductor was able to install a 384-Kbps connection to the Internet in San Pablo. The cost of IT talent in developing nations is also changing. Country by country, as the IT talent pool improves, the cost increases. It's a vicious circle. For now, Brazil is a good place to find IT talent.