Australia’s Communications and Media Authority has initiated legal proceedings against Optus, the nation’s second-largest telecommunications provider, following a significant data breach in 2022. The ACMA has taken the matter to the Federal Court, accusing Optus of failing to secure its customers’ personal data, thereby breaching the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act of 1979.
Ofcom has fined BT £2.8 million after its subsidiaries, EE and Plusnet, failed to adhere to consumer protection regulations. The UK regulator’s investigation revealed that both companies neglected to provide clear contract details to numerous customers before they signed up for services.
In a bid to expedite the advancement of 6G software, tech behemoth Samsung and chip design firm Arm have joined forces to delve into parallel packet processing technology. This cooperative effort will see Samsung Research launching an open-source initiative in conjunction with Arm to collectively innovate and refine parallel packet processing technology.
Australian telecom giant Telstra announced plans to eliminate 2,800 jobs as part of a significant reorganisation aimed at revitalising its enterprise division. The company has been conducting a thorough review of Telstra Enterprise since February, responding to economic pressures that have impacted its corporate clientele.
Netcracker Technology has announced the extension of its long-term collaboration with Ooredoo Qatar. This partnership will see Netcracker continue to provide Managed Services for Ooredoo’s Revenue Management and CRM solutions, supporting both B2C and B2B customers. The enhanced services will cover a broad spectrum of telecom and other sectors, including ICT, IoT, and Cloud, with plans to extend into Fintech and Entertainment.
BT has announced a two-year delay in the shutdown of the UK’s copper-based phone lines, now scheduled for 2027 instead of the original 2025 target. The decision was subtly revealed in the company’s 2023 financial results and later confirmed through a press release.
On May 15, the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to reauthorize the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for the first time since 1992. The legislation, passed with a vote of 374-36, aims to update the mission and functions of the NTIA in response to significant changes in the telecommunications landscape.
Virgin Media O2 and Crown Commercial Service have inked a new Memorandum of Understanding aimed at enhancing technological and telecommunications solutions to bolster digitalisation efforts within the UK Government and the wider public sector. CCS, a government body responsible for aiding public sector procurement, has been pivotal in organizing the purchase of common goods and services across various organizations.
Deutsche Telekom, the German telecommunications giant, is ramping up its international wholesale services with a focus on the emerging API (Application Programming Interface) ecosystem. The company’s Global Carrier division has introduced a suite of services known as Global Carrier Digital Services, providing wholesale customers with access to a range of APIs to enhance their own offerings.
In a significant development, Hong Kong residents now have access to China Telecom’s satellite direct-to-phone service, marking a pivotal step in the operator’s expansion strategy. China Telecom has long provided satellite options to mobile customers through a range of devices, including dongles, dedicated satphones, and smartphones equipped with built-in satellite antennas from manufacturers like Huawei.
