In today’s fiber world, economic pressures require that companies make the most of their fiber depth.  That means that while FTTx is currently getting the most attention, the opportunities with carriers, enterprises, and hyperscalers remain just as important as they always have.  Consolidated Communications has always been a major force on the residential side, investing aggressively with their Fidium rollout.  But they are also now looking to get even more out of their assets nationwide. With us today to discuss these strategies is Sean Baillie, who joined Consolidated 5 months ago as SVP of Wholesale and Hyperscale. … [visit site to read more]

Four items from around the world to catch up with: … [visit site to read more]

Over 1.5 billion women used mobile internet in 2023 in developing nations, as women are adopting connectivity faster than men, according to the GSMA.

Detailed In the industry body’s latest Mobile Gender Gap Report, the gender gap in mobile adoption narrowed for the first time since 2020 in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), from 19% in 2022 to 15% in 2023.

Women are now 15% less likely than men to use mobile internet in LMICs. However, over 785 million women in developing countries remain unconnected.

Around 940 million (40%) still do not own a smartphone, and 1.4 billion women (60%) have one.

In 2023, the smartphone gender gap narrowed from 15% to 13% across LMICs, driven by women in South Asia who cut the gap from 41% to 34%.

The body estimated that by closing the gender gap, the mobile industry could gain US$230 billion in revenue over an eight-year period.

Markets

India, one of the world’s largest mobile markets, saw a massive rise of 37% among women as adoption among men remain stable, cutting the gap from 40% to 30%.

In Indonesia, the rate of adoption from women exceeded men with the gap now at 8% from 15%.

Sub-Saharan Africa saw a slight narrowing in the gender gap for the first time in five years, from 36% to 32% year-on-year. Although women in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are still less likely to use mobile internet compared to men, with gaps of 31% and 32% respectively.

Mobile connectivity is primary access to the internet for people in developing countries, accounting for 84% of broadband connections in 2023.

Barriers to gaining a handset and connectivity are affordability, literacy and digital skills. Affordability is a key challenge for women due to the gender pay gap and lower employment rates, stated the GSMA.

The industry body acknowledged barriers to mobile adoption is shaped by country rather than gender, but women still lag behind men in using mobile internet. This discrepancy is partly due to social norms and structural inequalities such as unequal access to education and income.  

Claire Sibthorpe, GSMA Head of Digital Inclusion said the decrease in the mobile internet gender gap was “promising” but conceded maintaining this growth was “fragile”.

Connexin joins prestigious roster of B Corp Certified Companies

UK-based smart technology and digital provider Connexin is pleased to announce it has earned B Corp™ Certification following a rigorous social and environmental impact evaluation, a rarity for technology and service-led providers. The certification places the business amongst some of the most respected B Corp brands globally, including Patagonia, Divine Chocolate, Octopus Energy and Innocent Smoothies.

Businesses certified by B Lab™, a third-party non-profit, are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. B Lab measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact and attaining B Corp Certification means a company meets high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

“Becoming a B Corp is further validation of our sustainable practices and our ongoing commitment to create positive social impact,” says Furqan Alamgir, CEO at Connexin. “We have always lived by the principle that businesses should be a force for good, and we practice this belief through everything we do, from our business strategy, product sets, to our operational practices. We are honoured to be recognised for this and become part of a global community that is championing change.”

The B Corp Certification follows in line with Connexin’s commitment to become Net Zero by 2040 and achieving a 5-Star ESG rating awarded by the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB).

Founded in 2006, Connexin offers services across three areas: broadband, smart solutions and digital training. Its mission is to connect the real world to the digital world to improve the way people live. The commitment to use technology to create positive and long-lasting social impact is rooted firmly in the business’s DNA.

Connexin’s smart water metering services enable its utility customers including Essex and Suffolk Water, Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent Water to rapidly detect water leaks across the UK. This helps reduce water wastage and carbon emissions from manual meter readings. Working with city councils, Connexin’s Smart City solutions help to build more efficient, sustainable and better connected communities.

Its education and training division, Connexin Academy, consistently demonstrates its dedication to narrowing the growing gap in tech skills across the nation. By offering training bootcamps ranging from Cybersecurity, IT Skills, and Advanced Fibre Engineering, Connexin Academy upskills individuals and businesses with a constantly updated curriculum and new courses for emerging markets.

Through its Connexin Cares scheme, the company donates up to £20 to a local charity for each new customer that signs up to its fast full-fibre broadband deals.

Notes to editors:

Connexin is a UK-based digital service and smart technology provider with an industry-leading offer across three areas: broadband, smart solutions and digital training.  

From day one we’ve been on a mission to connect the digital world to the real world to improve the way we live. We’re passionate about ending the digital inequalities that exist within society which prevent people and businesses from accessing the benefits of technological advancement.  

By connecting people, places and things to smart technologies we’re changing lives and communities for the better. 

Connexin recently ranked 2^nd in the Top 100 league table at the annual Northern Tech Awards, a remarkable 14 place jump from 2023 (16^th) and a staggering 28 places from 2022 (30^th).

Earlier this year, Connexin was selected by Essex & Suffolk Water for the UK’s largest IoT advanced water metering infrastructure (AMI) framework contract, to manage the rollout of up to one million smart meters across the Essex and Suffolk supply regions. 

Connexin was also awarded £58.6 million in government funding by Building Digital UK, as part of Project Gigabit, to rollout lightning-fast fibre broadband to over 30,000 rural homes in Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire.

According to a release from Quantum Loophole yesterday, Maryland has passed legislation fixing what had been a vexing issue for the data center project. They are talking about the Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act of 2024, which ‘clarifies the definition and legislative framework around the use of emergency backup power generation’. … [visit site to read more]

Malaysian telco CelcomDigi says it’s close to the halfway mark in integrating and modernising its mobile network across the country, which puts it ahead of schedule in its post-merger transformation plan.

CelcomDigi said on Friday that it has completed 44% of its nationwide network integration and modernisation programme, which officially commenced in June 2023, around seven months after the merger between Celcom Axiata and Digi Telecommunications was approved by the boards of both companies in November 2022.

The telco said it has modernised over 7,200 sites as at end April 2024, which it says has boosted download speeds for customers in those areas by between 20% to 26%, and improved signal strength by between 13% to 16%.

CelcomDigi reckons that it will pass the 50% mark in four states by the end of June, and 60% in three states, to include completion of the programme in Penang. The initiative is scheduled for nationwide completion in 2026.

The telco also reported that its 4G LTE and 4G LTE-Advanced network footprint stands at 96.8% and 92.1% nationwide respectively, while 86% of its end-state sites are now 5G-ready. CelcomDigi said it is also transforming its 5G core network to support 5G-Advanced functionality and services.

CelcomDigi has committed RM4 billion (US$846 million) in capex to the project with the goal of establishing 18,000 5G-ready sites and turning the operator into a “digital growth engine” for Malaysia, said CelcomDigi CEO Datuk Idham Nawawi in a statement.

“This new network is designed to potentially transition seamlessly into a new 5G network with an 18,000-site reach – the right infrastructure to usher Malaysia into the era of ultra-high speeds, low latency, and the opportunities of a more connected future,” he said. “We are working with strategic partners to trial 5.5G technologies and new use cases for enhanced digital experiences for Malaysian enterprises and consumers.”

As everyone descends on National Harbor MD for ITW this week, here’s some quick catch-up: … [visit site to read more]

News

The Japanese operator has reportedly invested $64 million in drone start-up Skydio as part of the deal

This week, Japan’s KDDI has announced a new partnership with US-based drone specialist Skydio aiming to create a network of drone stations across the country to aid in disaster response.

The deal, which reportedly involves an investment of $64 million, will see KDDI deploy Skydio’s X10 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to around 1,000 locations. This will allow them to be launched rapidly in response to natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, where they will help in search and rescue operations, as well as surveillance task and infrastructure inspections.

According to KDDI, the locations have been selected so that a drone can reach any location in the country within just 10 minutes.

The X10 drones are notably equipped with thermal imaging and night-vision capabilities, making them effective in any rescue scenario.

They will also use Skydio’s Visual Slam technology, onboard AI to enhance real-time spatial understanding and image processing. This will allow the drones to fly autonomously, automatically avoiding obstacles, even in the dark.

“The drones will be useful in finding survivors during disasters, as they can fly in the dark and are equipped with temperature sensors,” said Hiromichi Matsuda, KDDI’s managing executive officer.

Data gathered by the drones will be transmitted over KDDI’s infrastructure, including the company’s 5G network where possible, but also satellite.

Beyond disaster response, KDDI says they will also use the drones to support local governments and companies, helping to tackle issues like infrastructure inspection.

Keep up with all the latest telecoms news from around the world with Total Telecom’s daily newsletter

Also in the news:
UK government conditionally approves £15bn Vodafone–Three merger
Nokia and Vodafone trial Open RAN with Arm and HPE
T-Mobile and Verizon to buy US Cellular, reports say

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As you pursue innovation and growth for your business in a rapidly changing industry, switching telephony vendors may become an inevitable, though cumbersome, task on your checklist.

Perhaps you started with a low-cost or free provider that simply cannot support the level of growth you desire. Perhaps your existing provider is lacking in features, innovation, or support. Or perhaps the solution powering your business is set to terminate its service, as is the case of Mitel’s MiCloud.

MiCloud Business is set to expire on June 30 of this year – just two months away. Whether you are switching from Mitel or another provider, we want to help. Keep reading to learn what to look for when switching providers and what sets Bicom Systems apart.

What to Look For When Switching Vendors

There are a few key areas to assess when switching to a new telephony vendor. 

Forwarding-Thinking Features

Obviously you want to make sure your new vendor offers all of the features you and your customers are accustomed to. But even more important than that, is looking for a vendor that has innovative features.

 You want to partner with a company that has a pulse on the future of the industry and is paced to stay ahead of the competition in adopting new trends and technologies.

In addition to the basics, we recommend choosing a vendor that offers:

• Video meetings
• Comprehensive mobility
• Omnichannel options
• Security measures
• Scalability

These features are signs that the business is not falling behind on new trends and prioritizes future-proofing their solution and your business.

Spoiler alert: Bicom Systems offers all of the above features and more.

Partnership, Support, and a Transition Plan

Features and solutions aside, look for a provider that will be a true partner to your business. Having a team of individuals with high levels of experience in the industry that is rooting for your success is invaluable.

Be sure to ask about support before signing on with a vendor. How big is the support team? When are they available? What kinds of issues will they resolve for you? And once the deployment and training phase is over, who will be your contact in the company? Look for a vendor that wants to come alongside you as a long-term partner with support and resources that surpass your expectations.

Do not forget to ask about a transition plan. Migrating to a new solution is a big deal, and you want to avoid downtime and hiccups for your customers. Find a vendor that instills confidence in you with their to ensure swift changes and communications continuity.

At Bicom Systems, our in-house support and success teams have transition plans in place to support fast, seamless migrations. Read 5 Reasons Switching to Bicom is so Fast here.

Hardware Compatibility

As you make that transition, what will happen with your existing handsets and other devices? Will they remain compatible with the new system or will you be forced to purchase new hardware? 

Definitely do not settle for a provider that requires you to upgrade your hardware, unless it is truly antiquated and no longer useful. Hardware compatibility is another sign of a business’s agility and ability to evolve into the future.

You can find a list of Bicom System’s supported endpoints here, note that Mitel hardware is on the list.

Financial Impact

Finally, you must consider the financial implications of your move. What will be due up front? What will your new expenses be? How does this compare to your previous budget?

Bicom Systems solutions are extremely flexible and scalable, so we can meet new partners where they are at. Start as small as you need and grow as big as you are able, paying for only what you need throughout your journey.

Now may be the perfect time to make the switch because our annual Spring Sale Event is coming up in May! We cannot let you in on the details yet, but the discounts are stellar and we will have something for everyone. Contact us to begin your transition today.

Reasons to Switch to Bicom Systems

With those basic criteria and your infinite ideas and hopes in mind, we present the Bicom Systems Platform. A complete communications suite, the Bicom Platform gives you all of the pieces needed to run and grow your company.

From PBX to Call Center to Unified Communications, our white label, fully customizable solutions are based on over 20 years of experience in the industry and partner feedback.

In-House Support & Partner Programs

What is even better than our products and solutions? The fact that they are backed by 100% in-house development and support. 

All of our software is created by our seasoned team of developers based on real feedback and customer requests. We strive to release new versions regularly with the latest features and technologies that our partners need to stay ahead on the market.

Our in-house support team is made up of individuals throughout our global offices to maximize availability and give our partners peace-of-mind that someone is always ready to jump on live chat or a phone call to address issues and questions.

For partners that are particularly dedicated to growth, our Partners Program gives access to additional training, support, and resources to support their success. 

From our highly experienced Account Managers to our Customer Success team to our Support team, you will be in good hands as we ensure a quick, easy, and risk-free transition. We cannot wait to support your ongoing journey to growth and success.

Focus on Security

While no telephony vendor is immune to cybersecurity risks (and you should not believe any provider that claims they are), prioritizing a focus on security goes a long way in protecting partners, customers, and data.

Bicom Systems takes security seriously and our developers are constantly working to incorporate the latest safeguards and precautionary technologies into our products. sipPROT is our dedicated SIP Protection module, using advanced detection techniques to monitor SIP packs in real-time and take action at the first sign of a threat.

Most importantly, we are transparent about cybersecurity and our approach to keeping our partners and their data safe. Learn more in 12 Features that Keep our Partners Secure.

Innovative Features

As we mentioned previously, your search for a new vendor should include questions about features and particularly new and upcoming features that reflect the business’s focus on innovation. At Bicom Systems, innovation is ingrained into everything we do.

In the first few months of 2024 we have already launched two major new releases with features and capabilities that our customers have been requesting. 

Version 7.1 brought our groundbreaking omnichannel add-on, meticulously crafted to seamlessly unify customer interactions across communication channels to boost satisfaction and growth. And our updates to SERVERware and sipPROT gave our partners new insight, transparency, and control over their servers and security.

And of course our Meeting solution, mobile unified communications, and true multi-tenancy are old news to our partners who are accustomed to getting the latest features as soon as they hit the market.

White Label Products

All of our solutions are white label so that you can take them to market as your own. We want you to have complete control over pricing, marketing, and your customer relationships so that you can grow your own brand.

We never ask for end user contact information or make our pricing public, so as not to compromise your control and ability to earn a higher profit margin. We believe in supporting your success as your own brand so that we can grow together.

Flexible Deployment Options

Last but certainly not least, Bicom Systems supports different deployment options to fit your unique business needs. While we all know and love the benefits of cloud computing, we know that some businesses still benefit from on-premise solutions. So we offer on-site, hosted, and hybrid solutions.

Get Started Now

Ready to get started? Contact us to start a no-strings-attached conversation about your business and your plans for the future. 

Or learn more in our webinar: Strategic Benefits of Partnering with a UC Software Manufacturer: Bicom Systems.