The headline on 20 Apr 2020
Microsoft has hired Apple’s former executive in charge of wireless technologies to work on mixed reality hardware and artificial intelligence technology. Source: Bloomberg > Microsoft Hires Ex-Apple Exec in Charge of Wireless for Hardware
Google is launching a commercial zero-trust remote access service that will allow companies to enable their work-from-home employees to access internal web-based applications without the need of VPNs. Source: CSO Online > Google enters zero-trust market with BeyondCorp Remote Access offering
Mavenir will deploy its cloud-native, NFV-based IMS solution for Turkcell’s home country Turkey and other subsidiaries. Source: TURKCELL TRANSFORMS ITS LTE AND 5G VOICE NETWORK WITH MAVENIR’S CLOUD-NATIVE NFV-BASED IMS SOLUTION
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to let Huawei participate in the nation’s 5G networks is facing mounting opposition. Source: Bloomberg > Johnson Huawei Plan at Risk; U.K. Set to Rethink China Ties
The GSMA has cancelled its MWC Shanghai 2020 event due to the coronavirus pandemic. Source: GSMA Statement on MWC Shanghai 2020
U.S. Cellular is working with Nokia to deploy additional spectrum granted by the FCC amid COVID-19 crisis. Source: Nokia and U.S. Cellular boosting spectrum capacity after FCC decision to expand connectivity due to COVID-19 networking demands
The headline on 17 Apr 2020
France’s Orange announced it has proposed a reduction in its planned 2019 dividend from €0.70 per share to €0.50 per share (76 cents per share to 54 cents per share) due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Source: Orange confirms that its Annual General Meeting will be held on 19 May and adapts its dividend policy
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said China’s role in the global coronavirus pandemic is likely to force countries to rethink their telecommunications infrastructure, including the adoption of Huawei’s 5G gear. Source: Reuters > U.S.’s Pompeo: Nations should rethink use of China’s Huawei amid coronavirus
Ting Mobile has tapped former T-Mobile, AT&T exec Monica Brown as the MVNO’s new vice president of product. Source: Ting welcomes Monica Brown, former T-Mobile, AT&T, Sirius XM Pandora exec, to lead Ting Mobile product
Some activist investors are saying AT&T won’t take their calls at its upcoming annual meeting that’s shifted to an online format. Source: Reuters > AT&T denies investors a dial-in as annual meeting goes online
In denying AT&T’s appeal, the Mississippi State Supreme Court has upheld a ruling to award C Spire a technology contract with the Department of Information Technology Services. Source: Mississippi Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds Ruling To Award C Spire With State Technology Contract
The headline on 16 Apr 2020
Consolidated Communications, which is a broadband and business communications provider, today announced its ProConnect Unified Communications (UC) and collaboration solution is available to businesses throughout Northern New England. Source: Consolidated Communications Launches Cloud-based ProConnect Unified Communications to Businesses in Northern New England
TasNetworks, an electricity transmission and distribution network provider in Tasmania, has picked Ciena’s WaveLogic Ai for its commercial technology subsidiary. Source: TasNetworks Deploys Ciena for Scalable Statewide Network
D-Link announced the newest addition to its EXO line of routers with the availability of a new Wi-Fi 6 solution, the DIR-X1560. Source: Yahoo Finance > D-Link’s Launches New WiFi 6 EXO DIR-X1560 Router
EnGenius debuted new features for its cloud network management platform, including enhanced management and simplified troubleshooting for wireless networks. Source: Yahoo Finance > EnGenius Debuts New Features for Cloud Network Management Platform
Nokia declined to comment on news reports that it’s working with an investment bank to defend against a hostile takeover. Source: Reuters > Nokia shares surge on report of takeover bid
The headline on 15 Apr 2020
To meet the demand for multi-cloud services, Colt Technology Services announced the launch of PrizmNet Cloud Access, which brings the services of cloud service providers into Colt’s financial ecosystem. Source: Colt launches PrizmNet Cloud Access; bringing the power of the cloud to the Capital Markets
The Pentagon’s inspector general on Wednesday said it could not determine whether the White House influenced the award of a $10 billion cloud contract to Microsoft over Amazon. Source” Reuters > U.S. probe unable to rule out White House influence on JEDI contract awarded to Microsoft, not Amazon
Apple unveiled the new iPhone SE at a low $399 price point. Source: NYT > Apple, in a Virtual Unveiling, Introduces a $399 iPhone
Nokia has deployed its first 3G-4G dynamic spectrum sharing solution in 3 Indonesia’s live network. Source: Nokia and 3 Indonesia unleash more capacity for 4G customers
The OnePlus 8 5G smartphone will be available on Verizon starting April 29. Source: Verizon and OnePlus team up to launch powerful (and affordable) OnePlus 8 5G UW
The headline on 14 Apr 2020
On Tuesday, IBM announced updates to its z15 mainframe, which included new privacy capabilities. Source: IBM blog > IBM Z deepens data privacy capabilities with new air-cooled models and IBM Secure Execution for Linux
Ciena announced that Mary Yang, who previously worked at Fortinet, Cisco and Nortel, has joined the company as senior vice president and chief strategy officer. Source: Ciena Appoints Mary Yang as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer
Apple responded to U.S. senators about questions about privacy related to the iPhone-marker’s COVID-19 symptom tools launched in March. (Bloomberg > Apple Responds to Senators Questioning Privacy of Covid-19 Tools
Telecom operators face roaming revenue losses as travel collapses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Source: Financial Times > Fall of the roaming empire: telecom groups face revenue loss as travel collapses
Apple iPhone shipments in China ticked upward to 2.5 million in March. Source: Reuters > Apple shipped 2.5 million iPhones in China in March following virus slump: government data
Cisco technology is helping power a newly launched roaming service between Rakuten Mobile and KDDI’s mobile networks across Japan. Source: Cisco Powers Rakuten Mobile’s Inter-network Roaming Service Launch to Help Customers Stay Seamlessly Connected From One Mobile Network to Another
OnePlus launched its first full 5G smartphone lineup with its new flagship OnePlus 8 series. Source: Lead with Speed – OnePlus Launches OnePlus 8 Series
The headline on 13 Apr 2020
VVDN Technologies announced its fronthaul solution based on the O-RAN 7-2x functional split option between gNB-DU and gNB-RU. Source: VVDN Technologies announces O-RAN Fronthaul IP for both the DU & RU 7-2x Split options
Apple and Google’s joint initiative to build a platform that helps contain the spread of the coronavirus looks promising, but steps have to be taken to prevent it from invading the privacy of users for the long term. Source: CNBC > Apps collecting data to help stop the virus spread must limit sharing of information, cybersecurity expert says
AT&T is giving nurses and physicians three months of free service on its FirstNet public safety network. Source: AT&T Supports Nurses & Physicians with Three Months of Free FirstNet Service
OPPO announced plans to license its 3G and 4G standard-essential patents to the IoT and automotive markets through the Avanci platform. Source: OPPO to License Cellular Patents to the IoT Industry Through Avanci Marketplace
The headline on 10 Apr 2020
The U.S. Justice Department and other federal agencies on Thursday called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke China Telecom (Americas) Corp’s authorization to provide international telecommunications services to and from the United States. Source: Reuters > U.S. agencies back revoking ability of China Telecom to operate in U.S.
Deutsche Telekom announced it’s now offering managed network services, including virtual WAN, for Microsoft Azure. Source: Deutsche Telekom offers managed network services for Microsoft Azure
U.S. security agencies are urging the FCC to revoke China Telecom’s authorization to operate in the country. Source: Bloomberg > China Telecom Should Be Barred in U.S. as Threat, Agencies Say
Three local governments in the U.S. plan to be the first to adopt a coronavirus contact tracing app using location data. Source: Reuters > Three U.S. local governments to adopt coronavirus contact tracing app: MIT
Ericsson has helped Magyar Telekom launch commercial 5G service in Hungary. Source: Ericsson and Magyar Telekom launch commercial 5G in Hungary