ITIF urges a reevaluation of U.S. broadband programs in favor of the significant Affordable Connectivity Programme (ACP), aiming to give low-income households internet access. Predictions show funds will be depleted by 2024, necessitating a yearly investment between $5-$6 billion, potentially sourced from outdated programs. Despite appearing feasible, the report warns digital divide issues require more than funding, including digital literacy initiatives. Unveil the evolving connectivity panorama in our upcoming Connected America conference.
The Biden administration is set to launch a groundbreaking initiative today, introducing a new cybersecurity label for smart devices that aims to bolster security standards and protect consumers from potential threats. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Jessica Rosenworcel revealed the label, called the US Cyber Trust Mark, during a press briefing. The Cyber Trust Mark will signify that devices bearing it meet stringent security criteria based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) report.
Speculations are intensifying concerning a potential merge between Dish Network and EchoStar. Recent developments fuel questions about the strategic motivations behind this corporate ‘re-marriage’. Despite Dish’s financial burdens and shrinking customer base, it’s making strides in mobile network expansion, while EchoStar’s strong financial standing and plans for a global 5G network radiate growth.
Unveiling the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funds allocation, the Biden-Harris administration aims to bridge the digital divide. While each state proposes spending plans, concerns over potential delays in broadband deployment due to the Build America, Buy America Act emerge.
The US and India strengthen their strategic partnership, focusing on 6G research, Open RAN, and semiconductors, while collaborating on technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between industry, government, and academia.
EU Contemplates 5G Vendor Ban Amid Huawei Funding Debate The European Union is debating whether to ban certain companies from their 5G networks due to security concerns. Huawei, the company most affected by the potential ban, is receiving funding of around €3.89 million from the EU for research in areas like 6G, AI, and cloud computing under the Horizon Europe research program. Horizon Europe is the EU’s main research and innovation initiative, with a proposed budget of €12.8 billion in 2024. The EU is worried about member countries, especially Germany, being slow to restrict the use of “high-risk” vendors. Analysts suggest that stricter measures from Germany would greatly impact Huawei’s presence in Europe. Read the full article European Commission Targets Google’s Adtech Dominance with Statement of Objections The European Commission has raised concerns about Google’s control of the digital advertising ecosystem and issued a Statement of Objections against the tech…
Dish Network’s potential deal with Amazon may revolutionize its mobile business and offer a competitive edge against leading operators. The partnership, expected to be unveiled soon, could enhance retail exposure and propel Dish’s postpaid market growth, despite challenges with device compatibility and network deployment costs.
AT&T challenges T-Mobile’s plan to harness SpaceX’s satellite services for improved mobile network coverage, citing potential interference and spectrum allocation violations. This rivalry intensifies the race to offer extensive coverage in hard-to-reach areas.
Eircom Fined €2.5 Million Due to Overcharging Its Customers The Irish Commission For Communications Regulation (ComReg) fined Eircom, owner of Eir mobile operator, €2.5 million for overcharging approximately 76,000 customers from 2015 to 2021. ComReg ruled that Eir must refund affected customers, totaling an estimated €6.7 million, equating to around €88 per customer. Eircom acknowledged a “broken bundle” issue and committed to identifying and reimbursing affected customers, although the process may take time. Eir plans to implement system updates, including a new billing system, to prevent similar problems in the future. The company aims to complete all agreed measures by the end of the year. Read the full article. TalkTalk Partners with CityFibre TalkTalk has formed a strategic partnership with CityFibre, enabling its wholesale customers to access CityFibre’s business Ethernet infrastructure. This collaboration is part of TalkTalk’s strategy to work with multiple providers and expand its product offerings. The move…
Sinch’s new international IP Connect service expands its direct connection voice footprint, addressing global call issues and delivering superior voice quality across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Offering transcoder-free and consistent feature functionality, IP Connect helps improve customer engagement and contributes to building value, trust, and loyalty.