Deutsche Telekom (DT) has announced that it is investing an undisclosed amount in the blockchain payment platform Celo. The company also purchased an unspecified amount of Celo digital tokens to be used on the platform. Deutsche Telekom will be the first telecommunications company to join the Celo Alliance for Prosperity. Celo is an open-source blockchain ecosystem that focuses on making decentralized financial (DeFi) systems and tools accessible via the smartphone. The Celo ecosystem includes a decentralized, proof-of-stake blockchain technology package, a native asset (CELO), two stablecoins (cUSD and cEUR) and the Celo Foundation Alliance of Prosperity. The company was launched in 2017 and has maintained a low profile in the crypto market. However, this has changed in recent months, in part due to the recent $20 million funding raised by blue venture capital firms, including Andreessen Horowitz. This move by DT represents their initial foray into and testing…
Red Hat, a provider of open source solutions, has announced a partnership with NEC Corporation to deliver 5G solutions built on Red Hat OpenShift, the industry’s leading enterprise Kubernetes platform. With this partnership, NEC will be able to deliver its next-generation suite of core capabilities to the OpenShift platform. The NEC 5G core network solutions operating on Red Hat OpenShift will allow organizations to leverage 5G in many applications, including the 5G core, 5G radio access networks (RANs), edge computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more, creating new income opportunities. This cloud-native network function (CNF) infrastructure will offer service providers a common telecommunications cloud infrastructure for a variety of use cases, helping to reduce management and operational costs. Service providers will also be able to reap the benefits of using an open, horizontal platform that can reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) by 30%, according to an ACG…
When a new technology or opportunity is created, it is up to industry verticals to decide how, when, and where to exploit its potential. Communication service providers (CSPs) will find it challenging to adopt and implement technology such as blockchain. We have already discussed the benefits and possibilities of blockchain for telecommunication providers. While the benefits of adopting blockchain in the telecommunications business are clear, putting the theory into practice may not come easily. It is important that Communication Service Providers (CSPs) work in synergy, looking beyond obvious solutions if they are to take full advantage of the potentially huge advantages distributed ledger technology can offer. The following advice on adopting blockchain are based on the onerous experience of early adopters of blockchain. Collaborating and sharing of information Telecommunications companies can substantially improve their services by sharing or joining forces with each other. It is vital that these companies work together…
Google announces their Network Connectivity Center Google has announced a new product, the Network Connection Center (NCC). NCC is described as a revolution in the simplification of on premises and cloud networking. This new product is an initiative to provide a single control panel for a company of any size to manage all of its networks globally. The Network Connection Center is said to effortlessly join together VPNs, partners and dedicated interconnects, as well as third-party routers and Software-Defined WANs, in order to optimize connectivity, reduce operational burden and minimize costs. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/xaaypzwr AT&T signs a 12-year contract with the US Treasury Department AT&T has cemented a $231 million and 12-year contract with the US Treasury Department to modernize the agency’s voice and data networks and ensure cyber security protection. This agreement is part of the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) technology procurement program. Under…
Singtel, a Singaporean telecommunications conglomerate, and its Australian subsidiary Optus have expanded their 5G ecosystems by adding Amazon Web Services (AWS) Outposts to their portfolio of hybrid cloud technologies from hyperscale cloud providers in their respective multi-access edge compute (MEC) platforms. With Amazon Web Services Outpost, MEC will power 5G solutions such as robotics, drones, autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence to function with very little latency, and closer to end-users. Companies can access MECs with AWS Outposts from the nearest Singtel site, allowing them to seamlessly manage their applications that utilize AWS tools and benefit from extremely low latency data processing. Furthermore, Singtel may optionally install the MEC with AWS Outposts at the customer’s site for testing, in the case where the customer wishes to keep confidential data on its premises. Bill Chang, CEO of group enterprise at Singtel said its partnership with AWS will increase the…
The world is still standing on its tip toes and looking over its shoulder because of how our lives have changed since the end of 2019. Yes, we are all tired of hearing this, but the truth is that a pandemic is still very real, and we all have a duty to protect ourselves and each other. Therefore, some of the biggest events in the telecommunications industry are going virtual in 2021. Even though general societal norms have been halted to a large extent, we are still moving forward, albeit at a slow pace with much more cautious steps. We invite you to explore the list we have compiled of the top telecom events that will take place online this year. CC-Enterprise Webinar.Live Session CC (Carrier Community) is organising its next digital Enterprise CC-Webinar.Live Panel Discussion and Knowledge Sharing Session, scheduled to take place on April 12, 2021. During…
Mobile World Congress 2021 to require a negative Covid test for entry GSMA, the organization hosting the Mobile World Congress 2021, has announced a health and safety plan for its event. Of course, requirements include doing all the usual things such as wearing masks, washing hands, keeping distance, and following the proper sneezing and coughing esthetics, but there are more specific safety outlines. One of the most important stipulations in place will be the requirement of proof of a negative Covid test, which will be fully managed by the MWC app. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/5ssd8d8u Intel to tackle data privacy with DARPA Intel has become a part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as a research partner to help run its Data Projection in Virtual Environments (DPRIVE) program. This program is seeking ways to improve fully homomorphic encryption (FHE), that allows the processing of encrypted data without the…
Ever since VoIP disrupted the telecom sector, things have never been the same. In today’s fast track world everyone is familiar with this technology. Maybe not by name, but certainly with the use of it. By using VoIP with a capable Internet connection, you can call anyone, anywhere in the world, without paying your network service provider for the call. Starting to sound familiar, right? Today, VoIP is the dominant force in telecoms and continues to grow in influence. VoIP is becoming more and more valued by the companies requiring communications, which basically includes every company in existence today. It is predicted that the VoIP market will grow by 12% between 2019 and 2025. All thanks to its low cost, decentralization and extensive capacity. It is clear that VoIP is adapting to the cosmopolitan era that Immanuel Kant philosophized about. It is clear – VoIP advancement continues to strengthen its…
Telefonica announces creation of a new Brazilian fibre company Telefonica has announced the establishment of a new Brazilian fiber company called FiBrasil. The company will be a joint venture between the operator and the Canadian Pension Fund CDPQ (Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec). Telefonica’s 50% stake will be divided equally between Telefonica Brasil (Vevo) and the Group’s infrastructure division Telefónica Infra. FiBrasil will initially install and operate fiber optic networks in several medium-sized cities throughout Brazil outside São Paulo. Telefonica itself will be the key manager of the company. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/53vt7s3k Samsung beats 5G speed record again Korean technology giant Samsung claims to have set a new 5G speed record. During the test, 5.23 Gbps was achieved on a single device, with the testing being performed under laboratory conditions using commercial equipment. These details are crucial when it comes to the 5G speed record, as Samsung…