Lebanon has reversed a proposed policy that would have imposed a daily fee on users making voice calls over the internet. The now-shelved proposal would have charged 20 cents per day for internet voice calls, covering services such as WhatsApp and FaceTime Audio. Although modest on a per-day basis, authorities estimated the measure could have … Read more
Two recent studies on digital and mobile wallets offer contrasting conclusions Recent research presents a split picture: one study highlights PayPal’s current dominance in digital wallet use, while another predicts Google will ultimately lead the mobile wallet market. comScore’s Digital Wallet Road Map shows that although many consumers know about Google Wallet, PayPal currently leads … Read more
Deutsche Telekom has expanded its Internet of Things (IoT) portfolio by opening a new Telekom IoT innovation space at IBM’s Watson IoT Center in Munich, Germany. A dedicated team of IoT specialists from both companies will collaborate to develop practical solutions that combine Deutsche Telekom’s strengths in connectivity, security, and IoT services with IBM’s expertise … Read more
The feud between the United States and China is intensifying ahead of a high-stakes G20 summit, as US officials urge allies to exclude Chinese 5G equipment from their networks. For years, intelligence and security officials have warned that gear from some Chinese manufacturers could be exploited for spying. While the United States has been the … Read more
The Wi‑Fi Alliance has started the certification program for Wi‑Fi 7, marking a major step forward in wireless connectivity. Wi‑Fi CERTIFIED 7 gives users confidence that devices will support new capabilities designed to boost performance and reliability across homes, enterprises, and public venues. This latest Wi‑Fi generation brings significant technical improvements aimed at supporting emerging … Read more
HM Revenue & Customs has faced criticism after it declined a request from French authorities to search the London offices of British telecoms firm Lycamobile in connection with suspected money laundering, citing the company’s donations to the governing Conservative Party. BuzzFeed obtained an email from HMRC to French officials in which a senior civil servant … Read more
SpaceX is intensifying its orbital broadband efforts and has filed applications with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to deploy an additional 30,000 Starlink satellites. The ITU is the global body that manages the allocation of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbital slots. Any large-scale satellite deployment requires coordination and approval from the ITU to ensure equitable … Read more
Senators have raised concerns about the accuracy of a map the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is using to guide the allocation of more than $4 billion in subsidies intended to improve rural broadband access. Under the FCC’s Mobility Fund Phase II (MFII) plan, funding will be redirected over the next decade away from areas where … Read more
A cross-industry survey conducted by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) found that 83% of respondents planned to deploy Wi‑Fi 6/6E before the end of 2022. The survey, which covered service providers, equipment manufacturers and enterprises worldwide, underscores the growing global demand for Wi‑Fi 6 and its expanded capabilities. “Service providers, equipment manufacturers and enterprises worldwide … Read more
Chinese regulators have unexpectedly launched an antitrust investigation into Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications equipment vendor. The investigation, initiated by China’s market regulator, centers on complaints regarding Ericsson’s intellectual property licensing practices. An Ericsson spokesperson responded: “Ericsson will cooperate fully with this investigation. We license our industry-leading patent portfolio on FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) terms … Read more