Modernization

[Talmann]

A message to Takasia:

"My neighbors to the north, Talstadt is dearly falling behind in all of our technological advances. We have heard of your feats of engineering across the globe and we can only help that you will help us modernize our country. We need better transportation, especially in the east, going through the mountains. Our military is the laughingstock of Taijitu, and we can barely communicate much farther beyond a simple telephone (OOC: land line. OOC2: We have computers, but haven't developed internet yet. OOC3: we DO have TV, which is where this broadcast is coming from.). If you will accept this great challenge, our nation will be forever endebted to you. Thank you." König Sam stepped down. In his growing age, he remembered what he promised so long ago. A nation that could rival the world. It seemed now he had reached the end, and he had to fulfill his promise, by whatever means necessary. He could only hope Takasia would help him and Talstadt.

[tak]

To: König Sam of Talstadt
From: Royal Takasia Commerce and Trade

We are excited about the modernization project for our close neighbour. As we have always been doing in different countries, we believe that a well-established infrastructure, while costly, is essential to bring wealth equally in the nation.

As such, we propose an extensive transportation system of either highway or high speed rail of your choice, completed with a power-grid and optic cable-based communication systems. We would also like to tap the great hydroelectric resources in the mountain regions, which has proven to be one of the cleanest and cost-effective energy sources.

However, these projects are costly. We propose companies of Takasia to bear 100% of the cost, while they are granted the right of operation with minimal tax rate for 60 years. We are looking forward to a modernized Talstadt.

sincerely,
Head of Commerce and Trade, Marketa Byznyzova

[Talmann]

To: Marketa Byznyzova
From: Heidi Minner, Mercurus Fliegfuss, Secretaries of Technology and Transportation; Diane Delunn, Head of National Parks and Wildlife; Emirt Nakluv, Head of Talstadt Arms

We all gratefully accept your offer and will be willing to provide many workers to help our neighbors complete these many projects. We must remind you, however, how delicate our environment is and how important it is that the technology used have the least amount of environmental impact. Herr Nakluv would also like to know how the arms industry will be affected by our cooperation, if at all. In any case, we suggest the construction to begin immediately, starting with whichever projects you feel most vital and necessary.

Thank you.
Heidi Minner
Mercurus Fliegfuss
Diane Delunn
Emirt Nakluv

[tak]

Upon receiving the monopoly on rail, highway, air, and communication infrastructure for 60 years upon completion, Takasian companies wasted no time in drafting their plans for the country.

Rail/Road Rail network will be parallel to the road network to minimize cost and impact on the environment, unless the terrain forbids trains from running. Phase I: (a) Extend the current Takasian highspeed rail system and highway from Seedley (a southern port in Takasia) to all coastal cities in 3 years. (RENFE/Die Bahn) (b) Extend the current Takasian systems to northeast Talstadt. The rail will stop at the largest border town in Talstadt, while the highway network will cover the mountainous eastern region southward. The railway will be completed in 6 months, while the road network will take at least 15 years due to the terrain. (Die Bahn) Phase II: Connect central Talstadt to (after completion of phase I(a), contractor to be confirmed): (a) Coastal Cities (b) Southern Talstadt (c) Eastern Talstadt (Rail network to the further possible point) To be completed in 5 years (after Phase I (a)) Phase III: Connect eastern Talstadt from the northern border (I(b)) to central Talstadt (II(c)).

Communication Phase I: T-Mobile will provide full coverage to major cities in 9 months, and at least 90% coverage for the whole Talstadt within 2 years. The 3G mobile network will provide limited data capability (Internet) to Talmanners. Phase II: Underground optic cables will be laid under the highway/rail network. The underground system will have minimal impact on the environment. Coverage dependent on the road/rail network.

Power Power grid will be built underground, underneath the highway/rail network. Hydro-electric power: About 70 dams will be built, with capacity of at least 1,000,000 MW of power. To be completed in 20 years, with the first dams generating power within 5 years. Solar Power: Solar plants will be built in southern Talstadt. There is no target on this project yet, while the first plant of 40,000MW will be completed in 6 years. Wind power: Offshore wind farms will be built off the coast of Talstadt. No scheduled date or target on such project yet.

[tak]

Meanwhile, Takasian engineers have arrived in the capital of Talstadt to survey for the new international airport. Similar projects have started in various major cities in Talstadt.

Professors from Takasian universities are invited to provide guest lectures for Talmanner students. Many students are also invited for exchange programs in many colleges in Takasia, with basic expenses and tuition fees paid by the Takasian government.

[Delfos]

Public Invitation
CGV World Conference/Expo

[tak]

To: CGV World of New Delfos
From: Royal Takasia Commerce and Trade

Thank you very much for the invitation. While we are very happy with the CGV Takasia system in Arveoli, we have to build a system in Talstadt that is compatible with the current systems in the Takasian peninsula. This leaves us with no choice but to go with the current ICE/TGV/AVE standards rather than CGV.

We will definitely invite your company if we are extending our network in Arveoli, either to Feniexia or NHL, if the parties are keen.

sincerely,
Head of Commerce and Trade, Marketa Byznyzova

[Talmann]

Thousands upon thousands sign up for the new Takasian/Talstadt construction company, Sonnental Baufirme, AG's new projects across Talstadt. They will be helping with Takasian companies on their projects and also construction of local public transport, the largest of which being a grand subway system underneath Himmelsburg. Many more just sign up to help the foreign companies with labor.

In other news, students across Talstadt jump at the chance for higher learning and are on a mass exodus to Takasia. This has left the class size at many universities to drop to an average of about 10 to 15. Teachers feel that this will provide a higher learning ability for the students, and with Takasian professors coming in as experts in residence, students can expect to be learning much more.

[tak]

Not long after the Modernization project started, many cities in Talstadt are already full of T-Mobile advertisements. Independent Talmanners are excited about having a personal phone, instead of the landline phones shared with families or colleagues.

Together with the mobile frenzy is the Internet craze. Though in no way as exciting as the rest of the world, it is the first time the Talmanners get to know outside their country almost instantly with their mobile phones.

T-Mobile has definitely contributed greatly to the current trend - their 3G phones were sold for free with any 60-month contract signed, with unlimited usage costing just 69 geldbars a month for the first year. Since the start of the service three months ago, the company is already having more than 20 million subscribers.