8×8 boosts Microsoft Teams with native calling integration, Opera’s iOS app adds Aria AI chatbot for content generation, Rogers clinches top spot in umlaut’s Canadian carrier study, and IoT propels enterprise transformation with 5G and eSIM adoption, per Omdia survey.
In a groundbreaking move, Zoom Video Communications has unveiled its state-of-the-art London Engagement Hub, situated in the heart of Holborn, London. The new hub is poised to revolutionize the way we work, championing experiential working hubs supported by cutting-edge technology. This announcement marks a significant stride towards modernizing the workplace as we know it.
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.
Deutsche Telekom and MIRA dive into an ambitious project crafting the ‘shuttle service of the future’ in Bonn, using the premise of teleoperation or remote driving. Facilitated by speedy 5G data transmission, this experiment highlights the necessity of ‘network slicing’ and ‘quality on demand’ for autonomous vehicles. Yet, governmental restrictions on remote-controlled travel present a hurdle. Despite the challenges, both firms remain hopeful, envisioning a driver-free automobile future.
BT’s innovative Etc unit is poised to launch trials repurposing outdated street cabinets into electric vehicle (EV) charging points. Aiming at a smooth transition during the UK’s fiber rollout, this pioneering step initially caters to BT Group and Openreach employees in Northern Ireland, with plans for public engagement. However, the venture’s ultimate impact rests heavily on successful pilot performance.
Five9, Inc., a provider of the Intelligent CX platform and listed on NASDAQ as FIVN, announced today that Frost & Sullivan has recognized it as a Growth and Innovation leader in the Frost Radar™: European Cloud Contact Center Market, 2023. The Frost Radar™ report highlights key criteria, including the company’s long-standing presence in Europe, consistent growth, effective go-to-market strategies, robust customer support, commitment to local markets, and investments in transformative technologies such as AI integration.
Allot Ltd. is chosen by a major Asian telecom operator to provide Allot DNS Secure, offering cybersecurity threat protection and parental control features to over 50 million customers. Digital Locations unveils technology to connect smartphones worldwide to high-speed Internet from satellites, promising commercial success. Veeam integrates Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 with Microsoft’s new 365 Backup. Verizon showcases a point-to-multipoint internet solution using mmWave spectrum, reducing costs and complexities. Bridewell’s research warns of environmental challenges amplifying cybersecurity risks for over 80% of U.S. critical infrastructure organizations.
China Mobile showcased its decade of Network Function Virtualization (NFV) innovations at the recent MWC Shanghai, demonstrating how this swift, stealthy technology is redefining the telecommunications landscape. NFV, simplifying network operations by converting physical services into virtual ones, offers benefits like operational efficiency and cost reduction. However, the integration of NFV comes with its hurdles including disrupting long-established procedures and system stability. Nonetheless, the prospect of streamlining network operations and bolstering future technological advancements underscores the appeal of overcoming such obstacles.
Unveiling a battery and solar-powered 5G site in Texas, Ericsson demonstrates an innovative and eco-friendly approach to creating energy-smart network solutions. This next-generation site not only offers enhanced energy management, potentially trimming operational expenses and reducing energy consumption, but also hints at lucrative future revenue streams from selling excess power. As Ericsson continues to explore greener alternatives, it’s intriguing to see how telecom companies worldwide will adopt this sustainable model.
Emerging as a benchmark for sustainability, Vodafone negotiates a massive 410 Gwh photo-voltaic energy deal yearly with renewable firm Iberdrola, aiming at operations in Germany, Portugal, and Spain. This agreement, an expansion on their existing partnership, likely opens doors to further renewable initiatives. Vodafone’s commitment towards an eco-friendlier future radiates, from charging points for electric vehicles at their primary facilities in Spain to ensuring customers’ benefits from 100% renewable purchased electricity.
