We take a weekly look at mobile and tech stories from around the world. Headlines include… Vodafone and Meta scheme cuts mobile network traffic and boosts video quality, Ofcom Launches Six-Month Consultancy to Crack Down on International Scam Calls, SpaceX sends first text messages using satellites in space and more…
Vodafone and Meta scheme cuts mobile network traffic and boosts video quality
MSN
Vodafone and Meta have collaborated to enhance mobile users’ ability to view high-quality short-form videos by freeing up network capacity. This effort, tested in 11 regions across Europe, aims to reduce network traffic and improve video quality. Vodafone optimized network space at busy 4G and 5G sites, such as shopping centers and transport hubs, while Meta enhanced its video engineering and infrastructure systems for better efficiency. An initial three-week test in the UK in April showed promising results. Both companies are now looking to partner with others to further expand this technology, aiming to prevent network congestion and save energy.
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Ofcom Launches Six-Month Consultancy to Crack Down on International Scam Calls
Mobile News
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, is seeking evidence on innovative solutions to combat mobile number spoofing from abroad and mobile messaging scams. New guidance will require phone companies to identify and block scam calls from abroad. Current regulations do not mandate blocking all calls with +447 numbers to avoid disrupting genuine calls from UK callers roaming abroad. BT reports blocking a million calls daily since implementing anti-spam measures. Ofcom is evaluating various technical solutions for their effectiveness, costs, risks, and implementation times to address scam calls using spoofed UK mobile numbers. Despite ongoing suspicious calls and texts, there are signs of a decline in such fraudulent activities.
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SpaceX sends first text messages using satellites in space
Yahoo news
SpaceX has enabled text messaging between two phones using its recently launched mobile network satellites. On January 8, messages were successfully sent and received over T-Mobile’s service in the US, as demonstrated by green bubbles on two iPhones, featuring congratulatory messages, emojis, and Doge meme nods. This achievement is part of SpaceX’s effort to create a global mobile network via satellites in low-Earth orbit, aiming to provide connectivity in remote and hard-to-reach areas. The “direct-to-cell” service will not require special mobile devices or separate apps. SpaceX deployed six Starlink satellites on January 2, and plans to eventually launch 840 satellites to connect 2,000 phones in select US regions.
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Small Screen, Big Impact Mobile Advertising’s Growing Influence in India
AdGully
India has seen a significant rise in smartphone adoption, becoming a crucial element of the country’s advertising landscape. With seamless internet connectivity and affordable, feature-rich smartphones, the industry has grown rapidly. India, with a population of 1.4172 billion people, ranks second after China in terms of smartphone users, boasting 659 million users as of 2024. This vast user base provides businesses with an opportunity to utilize mobile advertising to reach a diverse audience effectively. By crafting targeted ad campaigns, mobile advertisers can enhance engagement and conversion rates, making the most of the extensive smartphone ecosystem in India.
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Rising IoT market spurs cellular antenna shipments
Computer Weekly
Research indicates significant growth in global cellular Internet of Things (IoT) connections throughout the decade, driving advancements in technology and services for IoT device management and security automation. IoT market research provider Berg Insight predicts cellular IoT antenna shipments will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%, reaching 1.2 billion by 2028. The study categorizes cellular IoT antennas into internal and external types, highlighting the importance of factors such as size, cost, and performance in selecting the ideal antenna. Despite the ideal being a small, low-cost, and high-performance antenna, Berg Insight acknowledges that real-world applications often require trade-offs, as a one-size-fits-all solution is rarely achievable.
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From Top Dog to Underdog: Apple’s Decline and Huawei’s Rise in China’s Mobile Phone Maket
GizChina
In Q2 2024, several research institutions, including IDC and Counterpoint, reported significant changes in the Chinese mobile phone market. Apple experienced a notable decline in shipments, falling from the top five in market share despite efforts to boost demand through substantial price cuts. Apple’s iOS market shipments dropped by 3.1% year-on-year, highlighting the intense competition from Chinese brands. In contrast, local manufacturers such as vivo, OPPO, Honor, Huawei, and Xiaomi performed strongly, with Huawei leading the charge. This shift underscores the growing dominance of Chinese brands in the market. Canalys’ report further emphasized the sharp decline in Apple’s shipments during this period, indicating a major shift in market dynamics.
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Widespread OTP-Stealing Campaign Targets Android Users
Security Boulevard
One-time passwords (OTPs) have become a widely adopted security measure for online transactions and accounts, especially in sectors like finance and retail. OTPs are typically sent via SMS to users to confirm transactions, adding an extra layer of security. However, their growing use has made them attractive targets for hackers who can intercept these messages to bypass multifactor authentication (MFA) and compromise accounts.
Researchers at Zimperium’s zLabs uncovered a large and sophisticated operation using malware, dubbed “SMS Stealer,” to intercept OTPs from Android devices. The operation involves over 107,000 malware samples and targets more than 600 global brands. Hackers use fake ads and over 2,600 automated Telegram bots that impersonate legitimate businesses to deceive users into downloading malicious apps. Notably, more than 95% of these malware samples were previously unknown and unavailable, highlighting the advanced and concealed nature of the threat.
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Report: In-game ad spend low despite vast audience
Advanced Television
Despite gaming’s immense global audience and its significant influence on culture, in-game advertising expenditure continues to be relatively low, according to WARC Media’s recent Global Ad Trends report titled “Gaming: Advertising’s Untapped Opportunity.”
Alex Brownsell, Head of WARC Media, commented: “Gaming is huge, both in audience and cultural impact, and its highly complex ecosystem spans devices and platforms defying conventional definitions of a channel. Gaming has long been heralded as a vital emerging opportunity for brands, particularly those wanting to reach younger audiences. However, in-game advertising spend remains low. This may soon change, with game publishers focused on improving ad monetisation. But evidence is needed to make the case for gaming as an advertising medium.”