BT partners with Kyndryl for cloud migration of legacy mainframe apps BT has collaborated with Kyndryl to migrate its mainframe applications that underpin its legacy copper business and broadband cloud offerings. BT Digital, the division in charge of the company’s digital transformation, estimates that by 2026, the transfer will have reduced mainframe operational costs and energy usage by 70%. This will result in estimated annual savings of $23 million. The company’s cloud move will allow it to serve a smaller number of clients who still utilize their copper network and will enable BT to extract more value from the data housed in its older applications. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/5t48r8hj Orange and Telenet wholesale deal gives hope of VOO acquisition approval Orange had planned to buy a 75% share in the Belgian operator VOO in 2021, but the company struggled to persuade authorities that the transaction would not hurt competition. A…
In late July, Samsung Electronics experienced a cybersecurity incident that resulted in the exposure of personal data of some American customers. The business said it discovered the data breach on August 4. Samsung claims that the customers’ social security numbers and credit card numbers were unaffected, but information such as names, contact information, demographic information, date of birth, and product registration information was compromised. Samsung has already issued a warning to impacted consumers to be on the lookout for phishing emails that attempt to obtain additional personal data. These emails may be used for identity theft or to deceive recipients into installing malware on their computers. The business did not, however, address how many consumers were impacted or why it took Samsung more than a month to alert customers regarding this breach, which was reported only hours before a Labor Day weekend in the United States. …
CMA probes ViaSat acquisition of Inmarsat The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) of the UK has said that it is starting its own investigation into ViaSat’s acquisition of Inmarsat. The two operators had initially expressed their expectations that the transaction would conclude in the middle of 2022, with input from different regulatory organizations. By October 5, the CMA is anticipated to decide if a thorough probe into this transaction is necessary. The merged corporation will initially operate a fleet of 19 satellites in various orbits and spectrum regions, with ten more in the works. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/y8zcwwtz FCC stops subsidies for SpaceX Starlink The FCC has refused to approve the Starlink proposal, stating that it was uncertain if the technology could reach the advertised speeds in its current state. The regulator highlighted that Ookla’s most recent projections indicated a reduction in the speeds Starlink may offer in 2022. According…
Nokia to deliver additional networking scale and capacity to Microsoft Nokia’s 7250 IXR chassis-based interconnect routers have been selected to serve high-density 400GE applications in Microsoft’s tier-2 network architecture. Nokia will also provide fixed-form-factor platforms for Microsoft’s alternative network applications. The agreement strengthens the two companies’’ long-standing partnership, which has focused on bringing massively scalable, flexible and highly robust networking to the data center. The firms previously collaborated as part of the open-source SONiC effort to develop chassis-based solutions tailored to the needs of high-capacity data centers. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/bdck5wuw NICE partners with Deutsche Telekom Global Business NICE has partnered with Deutsche Telekom Global Business, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom that provides telecommunications and connectivity solutions to organizations across all verticals, including the public sector. As part of this agreement, Deutsche Telekom Global Business will use the NICE CXone CCaaS platform and associated apps in various communications initiatives that…
Orange and MasMovil in talks about joint venture Orange and MasMovil have stated that they are in talks to launch a 50:50 joint venture (JV) in Spain. Orange’s Spanish subsidiary is valued at €8.1 billion, while MasMovil is valued at €11.5 billion, for a total enterprise value of €19.6 billion. The merged operator would include around 7.1 million fixed line customers and 20.2 million mobile users, with a combined FTTH network of approximately 16 million residences. The operators claim that the combination would result in a slew of meaningful synergies of more than €450 million within three years of the merger closing. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/y5d9h3y7 Google acquires Mandiant to boost its cloud offering In a move aimed at bolstering the capabilities of its Google Cloud platform, Google has agreed to pay $5.4 billion for the cybersecurity firm Mandiant. To address harmful information and software vulnerabilities, Google Cloud currently offers…
Samsung introduces S22 flagship smartphones At its most recent Galaxy Unpacked presentation, Samsung Electronics announced a new lineup of premium smartphones. The S22 series has three 5G models, including the top-of-the-range Ultra edition, which includes features from Samsung’s previous Note handsets. With an Armor Aluminum frame used in all three versions, Samsung promises a highly durable phone. In addition, to lessen the environmental impact of the smartphones, the business has used recovered fishing nets and post-consumer trash in numerous components such as the speaker and keys. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/yc7efuay FCC to tackle broadband discrimination The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the creation of a new task force charged with establishing regulations that encourage equitable access to broadband as the organization prepares to crack down on digital discrimination. The task group will focus on developing regulations that prevent discrimination in broadband deployment based on a community’s income, racial or…
Samsung Electronics has named its newly merged mobile phone and home appliance business the DX (Device eXperience) Division, representing the company’s focus on consumer demand in a range of electronics, as well as its continuous commitment to provide consumers with innovative and meaningful experiences. The organization will focus on offering exceptional customer experiences by providing services and solutions that match the demands of users, as well as a diverse variety of products ranging from TVs and appliances to smartphones and network equipment. The company hopes to improve synergies across numerous industries and generate distinctive goods and services through the DX Division. This new division, led by Vice Chairman and CEO Han Jong-Hee, will include the Visual Display Business, Digital Appliances Business, Health and Medical Equipment Business, MX Business and Networks Business. The renaming reflects the company’s increased global leadership and longer-term future-oriented corporate structure. In keeping with…
Samsung to undertake a structural reorganization Samsung has announced yet another dramatic reorganization, this time separating the corporation into just two units: Device Solutions, which handles semiconductors, and the SET Division, which includes the mobile, consumer and television businesses. The reorganization looks to be strategic, indicating a change in focusing on the highly successful semiconductor market. Consolidating the consumer electronics and mobile companies should assist to streamline the company’s overall operations and improve synergies across the many sectors. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/4e78wsfd AT&T to upgrade US Coast Guard network The Defense Information Systems Agency has selected AT&T to combine and enhance the US Coast Guard’s diverse data networks, awarding the company a $161 million, 11-year contract. AT&T will provide an IP-based Wide Area Network as well as ethernet, virtual private networking, private lines, fixed wireless, optical wavelength and commercial satellite connectivity to the Coast Guard. The contract was granted as…
Verizon gets approval for TracFone purchase Verizon stated in September 2020 that it will attempt to acquire TracFone Wireless, a pre-paid mobile phone operator, for $6.25 billion. The FCC approved the transaction last week, attaching restrictions that would safeguard TracFone customers in a variety of ways, including ensuring inexpensive 5G handsets and avoiding price rises, all of which will be evaluated on a regular basis by an independent agency. Verizon is also required to participate in the Lifeline program, which provides subsidies to low-income subscribers. TracFone is now one of the major carriers supporting the Lifeline program, with 1.7 million low-income subscribers participating across the country. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/jxrh6p5v Tata Communications launches GlobalRapide Tata Communications, a worldwide digital ecosystem facilitator, has announced Tata Communications GlobalRapide, an end-to-end managed UCaaS that enables organizations to provide workers with technologically enhanced, sophisticated and intelligent collaboration experiences. With this new solution, Tata Communications…
Consolidated Communications launches new gigabit service Consolidated Communications has introduced Fidium Fiber, a new Gigabit consumer fiber internet brand with an entirely new customer experience. Fidium Fiber internet will first be available in certain locations in Northern New England, providing symmetrical, Gigabit internet to residential consumers with no data limitations. Fidium provides simple, uncomplicated plans and pricing, with a range of high-speed fiber services beginning at $35 per month. Fidium is currently available in communities throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, with new locations being added on a weekly basis throughout Northern New England. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2m53cs8n Nokia introduces SaaS services Nokia announced the launch of several Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications for communication service providers (CSPs), with the objective of providing operators with a more cost-effective, flexible, and customer-centric approach for running existing networks and delivering new services. Nokia’s approach to SaaS for CSPs is to provide new software that…