According to the GSMA’s “State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024” report, 43% of the world’s population—about 3.45 billion people—still lack access to mobile internet. The report shows that although mobile internet adoption continues to grow, the rate of new users has slowed. In 2023, 160 million people came online—matching 2022’s increase but notably lower than … Read more
On the fifth anniversary of the Skolkovo Foundation, Russia’s former president reflected on the foundation’s role in advancing technological innovation and on how scientific collaboration can sustain international ties even during politically turbulent times. Dmitry Medvedev, who served as president from 2008 to 2012, signed the legislation that established the non-profit Skolkovo Foundation, which now … Read more
(c)iStock.com/nadla 4G Americas has published a comprehensive whitepaper detailing how the mobile broadband industry is deploying unlicensed spectrum to enhance connectivity for both consumers and enterprises. The document examines technical approaches, standards activity and practical considerations for integrating unlicensed bands alongside licensed spectrum to improve capacity, coverage and user experience. Standards bodies and industry forums … Read more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has fined several major U.S. wireless carriers for illegally selling their subscribers’ location data to third-party data brokers. In an FCC statement, the agency said AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile US were ordered to pay penalties of $57 million, $47 million, $12 million, and $80 million, respectively, for improperly sharing … Read more
T-Mobile and SpaceX’s Starlink are partnering to eliminate mobile dead zones by delivering satellite connectivity directly to standard smartphones, with no extra hardware required. The service uses specially configured satellites orbiting more than 200 miles above Earth at speeds exceeding 17,000 miles per hour to send cellular signals to areas where conventional towers cannot reach. … Read more
Four major telecommunications trade associations in the United States are urging federal authorities to strengthen protections for the nation’s communications infrastructure, following a rising wave of theft and sabotage targeting network equipment and lines. In a joint letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the FBI, the groups warn that attacks … Read more
New smartphone sales continued to weaken in the latest industry analysis from CCS Insight. The global technology research firm forecasts worldwide smartphone shipments of about 1.8 billion units for 2019, a decline of approximately 3% compared with 2018. This downturn reflects several persistent headwinds, including longer handset replacement cycles, a slowdown in the Chinese economy, … Read more
Three of Canada’s largest wireless providers are using revelations about Verizon’s alleged involvement in U.S. surveillance programs—reported by whistleblower Edward Snowden—to mount a campaign aimed at blocking Verizon’s entry into the Canadian market. The coordinated effort comes from the “big three” carriers in Canada: Rogers Communications, BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. Concerned about the potential … Read more
(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/artolympic) Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) is a system managed under the authority of federal agencies to deliver urgent messages to mobile phones within a defined geographic area. Historically, WEA has been deployed for severe weather warnings, including events like the 2015 New York blizzard and Hurricane Sandy. Over the recent weekend, however, authorities … Read more
A joint report by InterDigital and Futuresource Consulting outlines audio and video experiences that will become possible only with 5G networks. “Significant engineering and innovation has shaped the emergence of 5G, and we are beginning to realize the benefits of this enhanced wireless ecosystem—particularly for video and video-enabled experiences,” said Henry Tirri, Chief Technology Officer … Read more