Viasat, a worldwide communications company, and Inmarsat, a major UK-based supplier of global mobile satellite communications services, have announced the signing of a formal agreement under which Viasat will buy Inmarsat for $7.3 billion. The merger will establish a global communications leader with increased size and breadth to link the globe more economically, safely and securely. The new organization’s complementary assets and resources will allow the launch of innovative new services in both the mobile and fixed segments, giving customers more options in broadband communications and narrowband services, such as IoT. The merged business intends to combine both companies’ spectrum, satellite and terrestrial assets into a worldwide high-capacity hybrid space and terrestrial network able to offer exceptional service in the rapidly developing commercial and government sectors. Together, these businesses will establish a formidable multi-spectrum, multi-orbit powerhouse. With production and people capacity around the world, the new company…
Over the past decade, there have been so many advancements that it is difficult to keep up with all the technological breakthroughs. This journey has been thrilling and every invention delivers new technology at a rapid pace. It is critical to look to the future for clues as to where technology will take the society next. And this decade is shaping up to be one of significant technological leaps, as businesses prepare for the large-scale integration of advanced technologies. Here are the top technological trends that are taking the world by storm. Blockchain A blockchain, in its most basic form, is a shared, digital record that cannot be changed once a transaction has been recorded and confirmed. In other words, blockchain technology makes it nearly impossible to falsify a transaction. When you hear the term blockchain, the first thing that usually springs to mind is cryptocurrency; however, there is more…
VMware announces RAN intelligent controller This week, VMware released several of their initiatives aimed at bolstering and solidifying the company’s telco cloud plans. The debut of the RAN intelligent controller is one of the recent announcements (RIC). The VMware RIC will be accessible in two deployment models: centralized and distributed, and will be capable of abstracting the underlying RAN architecture and providing RAN programmability via xApps and rApps. Wireless operators, according to VMware, are ready to transition from relatively inflexible conventional RAN infrastructures to more heterogeneous, multi-vendor virtualized RANs. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2nxkde8x Verizon teams up with Project Kuiper Verizon and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, have established a collaborative partnership to provide broadband solutions for unserved and underserved populations. Project Kuiper and Verizon have begun to establish technical specifications and define early business strategies for a variety of connection offerings for US consumers and…
Cisco has released a sneak peek at its next-generation hybrid work collaboration tool. Webex Hologram is the industry’s first real-time meeting solution that combines feature-packed Webex meeting capabilities with immersive 3D holograms using augmented reality headgear. Webex Hologram is a solution that will add augmented reality to the company’s collaboration platform. Webex Hologram claims to produce lifelike, real-time holograms of actual people when used with AR headsets like Magic Leap and Microsoft HoloLens. This innovative technology provides a “1 to many” presenter experience, which allows for remote involvement from several users. In contrast to other services that restrict usage to fixed angle views, all users can now concurrently enjoy a multi-dimensional experience. The presenter may communicate using both physical and digital content using Webex Hologram, allowing participants to co-create and actually interact. Jeetu Patel, executive vice president and general manager, Cisco Security and Collaboration, commented: “Webex Hologram…
Telefónica Tech and Fortinet announce new SD-WAN service As the hybrid and cloud-centric work model has become the new normal, Telefónica Tech and the cybersecurity firm Fortinet have unveiled a new worldwide managed, software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) solution aimed at the work-from-home market. Fortinet’s latest solution, flexWAN, will debut in Spain before being rolled out internationally across Telefónica’s European and American markets. For corporate personnel connecting from their workplaces or other locations to their jobs, this solution combines networking and security into a single product. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/yrtssb94 Vodafone launches Eco-SIMs Vodafone has announced that it will begin providing customers half-sized Eco-SIM cards manufactured from recycled plastic. The Eco-SIM should reduce the requirement for 320 tonnes of new plastic to be manufactured each year, resulting in a reduction of about 1,280 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. Eco-SIMs are expected to be gradually introduced in all twelve of…
RETN, an independent Eurasian supplier of IP transit and corporate communications services, has expanded its network and footprint in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The company offers communication services over its Eurasian network with short lead times, excellent uptimes and numerous levels of redundancy. RETN continues to expand throughout Europe and Asia and aims to provide the finest customer service and the highest SLA for fast, secure and reliable connectivity. RETN has now established a new office in Finland, demonstrating the company’s long-term network presence and dedication to the area. Finland’s RETN backbone network presently combines six international DWDM lines and serves as a network transport center, linking the Baltic and Nordic areas to Russia and Asia. The RETN Group already has branches in Latvia, Estonia and Sweden. RETN is also expanding its network by launching the Rezekne – Daugavpils – Vilnius DWDM line, which is one of…
With more and more companies looking to gain flexibility, scalability and achieve growth, cloud-based PBX providers are becoming increasingly popular as the top choice in communication systems. The PBX virtual phone system is secure, convenient and reliable, making it a great choice for businesses. Because no physical hardware is required, it is economical, easy to scale, has plentiful features, a wide range of integration possibilities, and takes very little time to set up. If you have decided that a cloud PBX is what your business needs, this summary lists the top 10 hosted PBX providers to help you find the right choice for you. phone.systems™ is a scalable, feature-packed and fully integratable cloud telephony solution for businesses of all sizes. This platform is designed to seamlessly interconnect with any service provider without the need for hardware or software to be purchased or maintained. The phone.systems™ unique and easy…
VMware unveils innovations at VMworld 2021 At its annual VMworld conference, VMware announced its latest advancements which focus on features that simplify multi-cloud installations and improve security. VMware has disclosed new enhancements to VMware Cloud, the industry’s first and only multi-cloud computing architecture that allows clients to migrate their corporate apps to the cloud in almost half the time and for a fraction of the cost. A new VMware Edge product line was also announced, which comprises an Edge stack, secure access service edge (SASE) features and a Telco Cloud Platform. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2evz4fsd NTT to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions NTT, a Japanese telecommunications company, has announced that it will issue $2.7 billion in “green bonds,” with the proceeds going towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing their investment in renewable energy. These green bonds will be divided into three tranches, each with a three-, five-, and ten-year…
Centene has partnered with AT&T, Connected Nation, Dell Technologies and Intel to help reduce the digital gap among youngsters by providing foster agencies in Florida and Missouri better access to the Internet. Centene and the other organizations donated over 1,000 computers and 2,200 hotspots under the K-12 Digital Divide Program. The Digital Divide refers to the economic, educational and social disparities that exist between those who have access to the Internet and those who do not. The program, which is hoped will have a positive influence on the general welfare of the youth, was necessary during the pandemic since computers and internet connectivity were essential for routine activities, such as attending school or visiting the doctor. Mylayna Albright, AVP, Corporate Social Responsibility, AT&T, commented: “This program brings together major players in the health and technology industries to ensure foster youth can access important digital resources that address physical,…
Virgin Media O2 tests 5G emergency services drone Virgin Media O2 has released information on a trial it conducted with the Swiss public safety drone expert Fotokite to provide a video feed from a drone to help first responders on the ground. The two businesses discussed several incarnations of the drone, including its capacity to function in difficult conditions at any time of day or night, the simplicity of setting up, launching, and flying, and how valuable the data feed is to first responders dealing with emergency situations. Utilizing 5G networks to control and manage drones for emergency services demonstrates the possibilities that 5G technology provides in terms of higher speeds and lower latency. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/36ax8jrc BT trials quantum key distribution (QKD) over hollow core fiber BT has tested quantum key distribution (QKD) over hollow core fiber (HFC), promoting the technology as a method to improve data security…