(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/akrp) Why do over-the-top (OTT) communication apps like Skype, Viber, Line and WhatsApp exist? In my view, they arise to exploit inefficiencies in the market. If a ubiquitous, seamless, low-cost communication service that connected anyone, anywhere, across multiple media already existed, there would be no need for OTT players. In the mobile landscape, … Read more
(Image Credit: littlemoresunshine) Google’s Project Loon aims to provide internet access using high-altitude balloons that deliver a 4G-like signal down to the ground from roughly 20 kilometers up. In a significant development, Telstra, one of Australia’s largest mobile carriers, has partnered with Google to launch a test of 20 balloons over western Queensland this December. … Read more
(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/stocknshares) More than 36,000 Verizon employees are set to begin a strike tomorrow over a contract dispute. Verizon, however, says it is “fully prepared” to continue serving customers and has been making contingency preparations for such an outcome. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which … Read more
In the past, suggesting that communication service providers (CSPs) should structure their operations like an e-commerce retailer such as Amazon would have seemed unlikely. The industries differ, yet customer expectations have converged: today’s users expect a seamless, efficient experience comparable to leading online retailers. With the arrival of 5G and the automation it enables, CSPs … Read more
India is poised for a major shift in connectivity as Orbit Connect India, a joint venture between Reliance Industries’ Jio Platforms and Luxembourg-based SES, has received the necessary approvals to operate satellites over the country. This approval marks a significant milestone toward accelerating satellite-based internet access across India’s vast and varied terrain. IN-SPACe (Indian National … Read more
A new generation of Wi‑Fi connectivity is being rolled out: Hotspot 2.0. This next-generation hotspot technology removes many of the friction points that frustrate users today, delivering a smoother, more secure connection experience. TelecomsTech (TT) spoke with Dave Wright (DW) from Ruckus Wireless after the company, together with UK-based Global Reach Technology, launched large-scale municipal … Read more
Once again attracting attention as what some critics call a bid for positive headlines, the UK government has re-announced the same broadband investment plan it unveiled twice before. The £400 million Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund was first mentioned ahead of the Autumn Statement late last year and later confirmed by Chancellor Philip Hammond. After a … Read more
The OpenFog Consortium and ETSI have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on fog-enabled mobile edge applications and technologies. Their partnership aims to support organizations developing 5G, mission-critical, and data-intensive applications by advancing fog computing and networking, and by reducing duplicated technical effort across related domains. Collaboration between OpenFog and ETSI MEC The OpenFog … Read more
Today nearly everyone carries a powerful mini-computer in their pocket. Smartphones keep getting smarter: you can sync appliances, unlock vehicles without a key, and monitor home security from anywhere. Yet many businesses remain cautious about adopting this technology for their operations. The numbers show the shift already under way: over 87% of companies rely on … Read more
US carriers are seeking $5.6 billion in reimbursements after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moved to remove Huawei and ZTE equipment from national telecommunications networks. In 2019, the FCC voted unanimously to prohibit carriers from using the Universal Service Fund to subsidize purchases of equipment from companies identified as national security threats. Huawei and ZTE … Read more