About Technology

In this part will be the general information of technology for Estonia. Further will there be some information about the newest technology for the process of e-waste.

(Source: [1])

The number of households who have Internet access at home is growing every year, as shown in the table below. Here a comparison with the Netherlands is shown. 

	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Estonia	46	53	58	63	68
Netherlands	80	83	86	90	91

The number of households who have access to the Internet at home (in %) (Source: [2])

The second table shows the number of mobile phones subscriptions (also active pre-paid cards) per 100 inhabitants. 

	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Estonia	107	117	120	121	117
Netherlands	97	113	118	123	122

Number of mobile phones subscriptions (per 100 inhabitants) (Source: [3])

The differences between the Netherlands and Estonia are not that high. It is possible that some people have 2 subscriptions or more.  

(Source: [4])

About E-Waste ?

One of the newest technologies is to assemble printed circuit boards at a different way. Right now the microchips are being brazed into a device. The problem with that is that it is not possible to take the microchip out of the device so you can use it again and therefore the devices are thrown away. With the new technology (which is still in development) instead of brazing the microchips into the device they will use small leaf springs and glue. In the interview with Mr. van Klaveren from the company Eeko, Mr. van Klaveren explained that with technology it is possible to take out the microchip and put a new one in so you can use the device again.[1]