Get the latest announcements from MEF Members across the mobile ecosystem globally in this weekly review of member news…
This Just In: Squadron of Telecom Superheroes Face Off Against Villains Corrupting the Trusted Communications Ecosystem
Join the Legions of Superheroes Fighting Fraud and Solving Network Complexities by Downloading Identity Kit and Infographic that Break Down How These Superpowers are Saving the Day
The way in which consumers and businesses communicate—and how societies operate—is a key reason why companies are anticipated to spend $2.8 trillion on digital transformation globally by 2025.
In the shadows of communication service providers globally, a squadron of advanced and intelligent superheroes are diligently working to keep the integrity of the communications infrastructure and the relevancy of the communication channels intact. These superheroes are fighting to ensure trust across the ecosystem—from brands to businesses to consumers to regulators—so that everyone has confidence that they know with whom they are communicating. This includes making sure incoming and outgoing phone calls and messages are verified and identified, and that communications service providers can trust the information in their systems and network, and ultimately operate as cost effectively and efficiently as possible.
“Trusted interconnectivity is an invaluable currency and the reason why it is vital that we work together to ensure confidence across all levels—from countries and companies to consumers,” said Richard Jacowleff, CEO, iconectiv. “We can accomplish this not only by safeguarding the future of a trusted communications ecosystem, but by supporting the massive digital transformational efforts that companies, policy makers and service providers around the world are investing in.”
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Infobip, Microsoft Collaborate to Integrate WhatsApp & SMS Channels
Global cloud communications company Infobip enhances its collaboration with Microsoft by integrating its WhatsApp and SMS channels to help businesses to deepen customer relationships, increase loyalty and boost sales.
This follows Infobip’s deployment of its Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) on Microsoft Azure last year, adding its omnichannel capabilities to Microsoft’s platforms. Customers increasingly want to message a business rather than call, so brands need to be where their customers are.
Responding to this, Infobip has integrated its SMS and WhatsApp channels with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales. Businesses using Dynamics 365 Sales can now use Infobip to build personalized customer communication campaigns using text messages and benefit from WhatApp’s enhanced features such as graphics and video capabilities.
Vincenzo Esposito, General Manager, Central & Eastern Europe, Microsoft – Companies like Infobip add value by integrating their solutions with Microsoft Dynamics 365. This ensures that businesses, no matter where they are or their channel preferences, can harness the benefits of digital transformation. Together we are enabling omnichannel communication to deliver impactful business solutions.
Veselin Vuković, VP of Strategic Partnership at Infobip – The evolution of our collaboration with Microsoft demonstrates our commitment to ensure businesses can communicate with their customers using their preferred channel. In doing so, we help improve the customer experience, enhance loyalty, and ultimately boost sales. Our network delivered 225 billion messages last year and is connected to 70% of the world’s mobile devices via 700 global telecom partners. We’re delighted to be a Microsoft partner and our new integration will make it easier for customers to make use of our global reach and rich channel mix.
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Paxful selects iProov for cryptocurrency onboarding, transactions
Paxful, a peer-to-peer fintech platform provider, has selected iProve to provide its biometric authentication technology to verify user identity while onboarding and making cryptocurrency transactions, according to a press release.
In order for users to onboard onto Paxful, they have to provide an ID document like a driver’s license, and then they complete a face verification process suing iProov’s Liveness Assurance to verify the user is the right person. Liveness Assurance is device and platform-agnostic.
“With the tremendous influx of new users into the crypto space comes an even greater invasion of fraudsters looking to empty or take over accounts or even hold them for ransom,” Andrew Bud, iProov CEO, said in the release. “Paxful’s mission is a critical one that helps connect the underbanked and unbanked around the globe to financial opportunities and stability. We are delighted to support them in offering inclusive and secure remote verification measures to protect their users.”
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Ooredoo in talks to sell Myanmar unit
Qatar’s Ooredoo is reportedly engaged in active conversations to sell its business units in Myanmar.
Reuters reports indicated that the conversations are already underway, and it would mark the exit of the country’s last foreign telecoms operator.
Ooredoo has already informed Myanmar’s regulator, the Posts and Telecommunications Department (PTD) of its decision to sell off its business.
The Ooredoo-owned operator is the third biggest in the country and boasted 15 million users in 2020, before the military coup in the country in 2021.
That number has since plummeted to nine million according to its latest financial results, where it recorded revenue of around US$330 million.
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Deutsche Telekom links with bank for logistics play
Deutsche Telekom partnered Commerzbank to develop digital supply chain systems with integrated financial services which use 5G, AI, IoT, blockchain, sensors and cloud technology.
Announcing the move, the German operator stated its enterprise IT subsidiary T-Systems was already working with Commerzbank on a pilot system for a client in the logistics sector.
The aim of the tie-up is to offer enterprises efficient and transparent supply chains, intelligent warehouse management, automated financial services and supply-related cost savings.
Deutsche Telekom and Commerzbank plan to move the whole chain to digital technology.
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Ericsson acquires Vonage for £5.2bn
Telecommunications company Ericsson has completed its $6.2bn (£5.2bn) acquisition of American cloud communications company Vonage.
Vonage is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ericsson and will become a separate business area within Ericsson. Vonage common stock has stopped trading and will not be listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market now.
Vonage will still operate under its current name and brand, as part of Ericsson.
Current Vonage CEO Rory Read will be Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Global Communications Platform as well as a member of Ericsson’s Executive Team.
Rory Read said, “Vonage was born out of innovation and is today a global leader in business cloud communications. This partnership will strengthen our offerings to businesses across the globe by leveraging Ericsson’s leadership in 5G, global market presence and strong R&D capabilities.”
Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, said, “We are excited to welcome Vonage as part of Ericsson.”
