Vodafone UK embarks on a nationwide 3G shutdown, prioritizing modern 4G and 5G networks while retaining 2G for low-power IoT devices. As other UK telecom operators plan gradual phase-outs, industry experts debate the journey to meet the government’s coverage goals.
Google and Apple have collaborated to develop an industry standard to prevent the use of Bluetooth devices for unwanted tracking. The idea seeks to achieve compatibility between the two leading mobile operating systems and the larger Bluetooth ecosystem. The objective is to develop unauthorized tracking detection and alarm systems for iOS and Android platforms that would recognize Bluetooth location tracking devices and flag them if it looks like someone is being monitored without their consent. The proposed standard seeks to identify and inform persons if a location tracker that has been detached from the owner’s device is traveling with them, as well as to give a method for locating and disabling the tracker. According to reports, Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, Eufy Security, and Pebblebee have shown support for the draft specification, which gives instructions for building the essential capabilities into their devices. The proposed protocol expands on the proactive features of…
We’ve come a long way since mankind first used smoke signals to communicate, and even farther since cavemen drew pictures on walls. Today, we’re living in a world where we can communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world. Telecommunications has changed dramatically throughout the years. Let’s look at how it grew from its humble origins to what it is now. Rock carvings Petroglyphs are more commonly found than pictographs, and these images were created by carving, engraving or scratching the rock’s surface. Often, these images were important forms of pre-symbol writing and were used in the earliest forms of communication and signage. The oldest art in this particular category is the Bhimbetka Petroglyphs Cupules, in the Auditorium cave situated at Bhimbetka in India, that date back to the Acheulean period, which began between 1.7 million and 1.5 million years ago. Cave paintings Some of the earliest forms of communication are…
Clickatell, a mobile messaging and chat commerce pioneer, has introduced the world’s first Chat Commerce Platform as a Service (CCPaaS), which enables companies to capitalize on chat commerce opportunities. The new platform enables businesses to communicate, connect, and transact with consumers over existing messaging networks. The CCPaaS platform allows for comprehensive, authorized commerce experiences within popular messaging environments including WhatsApp, Apple Messages, SMS, and USSD. This latest Clickatell product will help businesses stay ahead of the conversational commerce trend and help them capitalize on the potential that chat commerce brings to the market. Through the simplicity of texting, the platform enables relevant, in-context brand experiences and secure payment possibilities. Businesses may do business on the world’s most popular messaging apps, saving time, money, and increasing customer satisfaction. Clickatell’s CCPaaS is also the first SaaS solution to enable secure payment processing through integration with key payment gateways, allowing…
US carriers to address airline safety concerns over C-band spectrum In an open letter, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile US and UScellular agreed to take voluntary steps to allay worries about aviation safety and allow these telecom companies to fully utilize their C-band spectrum. According to the letter, the steps are intended to minimize operational impact on C-Band operations and support full-power deployments across the C-Band spectrum. In the past, airlines have resisted the introduction of C-band spectrum for 5G services due to concerns over interference with aircraft altimeters. To assure the secure coexistence of C-band frequencies and radio altimeters, which are more than 220 MHz apart, the FCC has issued licensing and technical standards. Read the full article. Deutsche Telekom now owns a 50.2% stake in T-Mobile US According to CEO Tim Höttges, Deutsche Telekom now owns 50.2% of T-Mobile US, completing a long-term objective initially stated at the company’s 2021…
Vodafone Germany to cut 1,300 jobs in realignment efforts Vodafone Germany has revealed intentions to cut 1,300 positions in management, double functions, and areas with no direct customer interaction as part of a realignment and return to growth effort. In addition, the operator intends to establish 400 new customer-facing positions, resulting in a total loss of 900 positions. The decision comes on the heels of a 1.8% year-on-year decline in fiscal Q3 service income due to client losses in Germany, which is likely to be a special focus of cost-cutting efforts. Telecom companies such as BT and Orange Business have also recently announced layoffs. Read the full article. Five9 launches AI Summary tool for contact centers Five9, a cloud contact center service provider, has released Five9 Agent Assist 2.0 with AI Summary, driven by OpenAI’s language model technology. The solution produces summary highlights of client call recordings in seconds, decreasing…
Premium smartphones account for over half of global handset revenues in 2022 According to Counterpoint Research, higher-priced smartphones – those costing more than $600 – accounted for 55% of entire handset revenue in 2022. This is the first time that premium market revenue has accounted for more than half of the worldwide smartphone market. In 2022, revenue attributed to handsets costing $1,000 or more increased by 38%. Apple did well in the premium market, rising 6% year on year and accounting for three-quarters of overall sales in the sector. With more OEMs producing foldable devices in the luxury market, Android smartphones might experience a fresh wave of growth in 2023. Read the full article. Vonage launches no-code video conferencing solution for businesses With the introduction of Vonage’s Meetings API, companies now have a developer-free method of integrating video conferencing into their websites or platforms. The no-code, customizable API is designed…
Salesforce launches a generative AI CRM technology The world’s first generative AI customer relationship management (CRM) platform, Einstein GPT, has been released by Salesforce. The system will provide personalized content for interactions across sales, service, marketing, commerce, and IT using real-time data from the Salesforce Data Cloud. Clients may integrate data with OpenAI’s cutting-edge AI models or employ external models within Salesforce CRM to create dynamic content that responds to user requirements. In order to invest in high-potential businesses and support ethical, reliable, and generative AI, Salesforce Ventures has also established a $250 million Generative AI Fund. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2vu9vhnn Dish Wireless receives FCC permission to test T-Mobile’s 5G spectrum Dish Wireless will perform 5G testing using part of T-Mobile’s low-band spectrum before determining whether to acquire the spectrum later this year. The Federal Communications Commission approved the testing, which will be conducted in Arizona until September 30. Dish…
NTT DoCoMo partners with Ericsson and Keysight on 6G NTT DoCoMo has announced the expansion of its experimental 6G trials, for which it has teamed with Ericsson and Keysight. The collaboration with Ericsson will concentrate on new 6G wireless interfaces for frequencies ranging from 6 to 15 GHz, as well as the sub-TeraHertz band, which encompasses frequencies exceeding 100 GHz. The collaboration with Keysight will put ultra-wideband communications across sub-THz frequencies to the test. DoCoMo has also announced that it is working on a RAN intelligent controller that will be interoperable with base station equipment from several Open RAN manufacturers. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/bdzy6j9f Huawei showcases its commitment to green technology During MWC2023, Huawei sponsored the European Carrier Executives Roundtable, where Zhou Yu, Huawei’s network consulting and system integration domain president, addressed Huawei’s value proposition and innovative techniques in the green target network domain. The observations and remarks emphasized Huawei’s…
Telinta and Skyetel to hold a webinar for ITSPs Cloud-based VoIP switching and billing solutions provider, Telinta, has partnered with VoIP services provider, Skyetel, to offer a webinar to Internet Telephony Service Providers (ITSPs). The webinar will address topics such as delivering popular VoIP services without establishing infrastructure and providing mobile VoIP services to both Android and Apple iOS consumers via brandable mobile softphones and other solutions. The webinar will also showcase unique deals available from both companies for new consumers. The event will take place on March 14, 2023, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time (GMT-5). Interested parties can register on Telinta’s website. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3a25kmv7 DT to lead development of European Quantum Communication Infrastructure The European Commission has chosen Deutsche Telekom (DT) to oversee the creation of a new high-security communications network, the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (Euro QCI). The project intends to establish Europe as a leader…
