Get the latest announcements from MEF Members across the mobile ecosystem globally in this weekly review of member news…
Apple’s RCS Support to Grow RCS Business Messaging Revenue by 500% Globally in Two Years
Hampshire, UK – 8th January 2024: A new study from Juniper Research, the foremost experts in telecommunications markets, has found global operator revenue from RCS (Rich Communication Services) business messaging traffic will grow from $1.3 billion in 2023, to $8 billion in 2025. This substantial growth will be largely driven by Apple’s announced support of RCS technology in late 2024.
Research author Molly Gatford noted: “For the first time, the value of SMS is being questioned by enterprises. Operators must act quickly if SMS fraud and high prices cannot be resolved. Apple’s introduction raises the profile of RCS, a technology that has historically been hindered by a lack of support, and can become a substitute for SMS business messaging traffic.”
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Mavenir’s Cloud-Native Network Automation Solution Driving Innovation in 5G Deployment Takes Top Prize in 2023 Fierce Innovation Awards
December 18, 2023, Richardson, Texas: Mavenir, the Network Software Provider building the future of networks with cloud-native solutions that run on any cloud, has been named the winner in the Best AI/Analytics/Automation category in the 2023 Fierce Innovation Awards. Mavenir’s Network Automation Solution, which enables autonomous 5G networks, improved energy efficiency and enhanced QoS, was voted top by industry elite judges including analysts and service providers.
Brandon Larson, SVP, GM, Multimedia, Platform & AI at Mavenir said: “We are delighted that once again our industry-leading transformative solutions are recognized on the global stage with judging criteria based on realizing innovation, providing competitive advantage and delivering financial impact. Our open approach to Network Automation and Intelligence is helping operators rapidly evolve their operational capabilities to deal with ever increasing network complexity.”
Mavenir’s Network Automation Solution is driving a step-change in how operators can deploy 5G networks. Mavenir’s Open RAN Intelligent Controller (O-RIC) automates Open RAN operations with an AI/ML driven model and unique capabilities that deliver automatic network optimization and boost energy efficiency and resource management, creating a clear competitive edge for operators.
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Mobile Roaming Revenues To Reach $45 Billion In 2024
London, December 20th, 2023: New research from roaming experts Kaleido Intelligence has forecast that combined wholesale and retail roaming revenues generated by consumer and IoT mobile connections will reach $45 billion in 2024. This surge marks a 47% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
This will be driven by rising data roaming activity, primarily fuelled by consumers transitioning to 5G roaming services. This anticipated expansion in both consumer and IoT roaming data usage is expected to soar by 36% annually, reaching close to 5,000 Petabytes in 2024.
The research found that 5G roaming is available in more than 60 international markets. Deployments continue to be on 5G NSA (Non Standalone) network modes, utilising existing 4G infrastructure. Driven by the adoption of 5G NSA subscribers, active 5G roamers will exceed 100 million for the first time in 2024.
Kaleido’s Chief Analyst Nitin Bhas commented: “In 2023, several operators continued to actively expedite the testing and implementation of essential core products and functions for 5G SA roaming. Kaleido’s latest surveys suggest initial 5G SA roaming commercial deployments will likely emerge in 2024, starting in specific Asian and European markets, with further expansion into Europe and North America anticipated thereafter.”
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XConnect Appoints James Williams as VP of Business Development to Expand its Reach Across Global Markets and Segments
London, UK, 2nd January 2024 – XConnect, a Somos Company, the provider of world-class numbering intelligence solutions, has appointed James Williams as its Vice President (VP) of Business Development to expand its reach across new geographies and segments. He will identify opportunities to support voice, messaging, and identity & verification (ID&V) players from across the globe with XConnect’s trusted data sets and solutions.
“We are so pleased to welcome James to the dedicated team at XConnect. It is a pivotal time for the telecoms industry as we work towards restoring trust in communications and his extensive experience will add huge momentum to our mission,” said Eli Katz, CEO and Founder of XConnect. “We are big supporters of the fantastic work that MEF does across our ecosystem, and James’s background makes him a natural fit for us, aligning closely with our vision for the future. He will make a great addition to the team, and we are ready to support the communications ecosystem’s convergence and transformation with his valuable contributions.”
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Liberty Latin America chooses BTS as exclusive international voice partner for Costa Rica, Panama, and Puerto Rico Markets, USVI
BTS will operate as the exclusive gateway for all LLA’s inbound and outbound international long-distance traffic for the specified markets.
Elevating Global Communications Through Strategic Partnerships
BTS, a leading international communications solutions provider with extensive experience and proprietary technology, was selected by Liberty Latin America as their exclusive International Voice Managed Services Partner for Costa Rica, Panama, USVI, and Puerto Rico markets, reinforcing the delivery of exceptional quality as one of their key priorities.
As of December 17th, 2023, BTS will operate as the exclusive gateway for all LLA’s inbound and outbound international long-distance traffic for the specified markets.
Excellent Solutions Forged Through Exceptional Partnerships
Characterized by the challenges of high operational costs, new communications tools, and the continuous evolution of the international voice sector, new innovative business strategies are being adapted. This new era presents a unique opportunity to redefine the industry through strategic collaborations. The alignment between BTS and Liberty Latin America ensures the delivery of exceptional quality and sets the highest standards in international voice services.
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2023 Recap: Top Mobile Messaging Marketing Trends
As we summarised in the review of 2022 trends in messenger marketing, the shift from traditional SMS to broader messaging platforms is becoming increasingly evident. Among these platforms, Rakuten Viber stands out with its extensive features and capabilities. It provides companies with a versatile, direct, and efficient way to communicate and engage with their customers, driving growth and client satisfaction. In this article, we’ll be looking back at the top mobile messaging marketing trends that made waves last year and explore how they will continue to evolve in 2024.
Personalization and One-on-One Communication
Brands and businesses quickly realized the immense potential of leveraging messaging apps to connect with their customers in a more personalized and interactive way. In fact, studies show that 89% of people would prefer to initiate communication and respond to businesses using messaging applications and channels, 79% expect fast responses from brands, while 56% indicate that they are likely to become loyal customers following a personalized shopping experience. Messaging platforms emerged as the natural solution to meet these evolving customer expectations.
