CeBIT, the world's largest computer and telecommunications trade fair, opened its doors in Hanover, Germany yesterday. A witness to the vitality of the information technology sector, CeBIT this year sprawls over 400,000 sq m of hall space, making it the biggest fair of its kind anywhere in the world.

This year, the main theme will be the Internet and applications to develop electronic commerce: a telephone complete with screen and keyboard will give instant access to the web with a simple press of a button.