TDS, UScellular’s parent company, is reportedly reviewing strategic paths for the mobile operator, with market whispers around a possible sale or welcoming new investors, guided by Citi advisor. Currently the fifth-largest mobile service provider in the U.S., UScellular’s assets, including investment in 5G and numerous mobile towers, make it an attractive prospect for big-name telecoms like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. However, its segmented presence may pose challenges.
As Rakuten Symphony’s CEO, Tareq Amin, unexpectedly departs, it heightens the mystery around the company’s subdued performance this year. Despite a promising start and securing a deal with Germany’s greenfield mobile operator 1&1, Symphony’s momentum appears to have plateaued. Yet a recent MoU with Veon to explore Open RAN solutions offers a beacon of hope. Amidst tricky market conditions and scarce major RAN deals, all eyes are now on acting president Sharad Sriwastawa to breathe new life into Symphony.
Cybersecurity landscape has been rapidly changing, as hackers abandon phishing for exploiting software vulnerabilities, a trend illuminated in a study by Akamai. The study revealed a dramatic 143% increase in victims during Q1, predominantly due to surging incidents of zero-day and one-day vulnerabilities. Surprisingly, smaller organizations, particularly those within manufacturing, business services, retail, construction, and education sectors are often targeted.
As Three UK reports a 4% revenue boost, courtesy of an expanded active customer base, its operations cost, inflated by 19%, outpaces earnings, hinting at potential sustainability issues. In a different landscape, Telecom Italia shows a 5.5% Q2 profit increase, largely on Brazil’s performance, though competitive pricing in Italy has forced a hefty debt, leading TIM to consider selling its landline grid. At the same time, BT Group sees an uptick in revenue by 4%, attributed to raised prices and improved customer satisfaction. Contrarily, US-based Qualcomm, hit by reduced consumer spending, anticipates a similar upcoming quarter, resulting in a sharp fall in share price. Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel highlights a 14.1% YoY revenue increase, fueled by its growing 4G and postpaid customer base.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the introduction of a new set of rules aimed at protecting consumers from scams that attempt to take control of their cell phone accounts. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel stated that these rules will ensure individuals maintain their freedom to choose their preferred device and provider while safeguarding them against fraudulent activities.
