Get the latest announcements from MEF Members across the mobile ecosystem globally in this weekly review of member news…
BTS Group Strengthens Partnership with Investment in LoopUp to Drive Innovation in Cloud Telephony and Global Communications
LoopUp, a global cloud telephony provider, has successfully raised £12 million in equity funding, with strategic investment from BTS Group. This partnership marks a significant step forward in combining BTS’s global reach and expertise in communications infrastructure with LoopUp’s established position in cloud-based telephony solutions.
BTS Group, a prominent provider of cloud numbers and international voice termination services, is well-positioned to support LoopUp’s goal of streamlined, multinational telecommunications solutions. Leveraging BTS’s extensive network and infrastructure will allow LoopUp to offer enhanced global coverage, scalability, and high-quality service to enterprise clients, particularly those with distributed workforces.
The partnership is also set to address a key gap in Microsoft Teams’ communication capabilities. Despite Teams’ popularity as a collaboration platform, it lacks native integrated telephony functions. By integrating with providers like LoopUp, organizations can enable seamless, globally accessible voice services through Teams, ensuring that businesses have access to reliable, consolidated communication solutions across markets. This collaboration aligns both companies with the growing demand for unified communications and positions them at the forefront of enterprise-grade, cloud-based telephony innovations.
Rafael Olloqui, CEO and Co-Founder of BTS Group, emphasized the potential of this potential, saying: “We see significant synergies with LoopUp and are thrilled to partner with them. This investment aligns with our strategy of expanding our cloud communications portfolio, and we believe that together we can accelerate innovation and enable seamless global collaboration.”
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First Orion Announces Leadership Changes and Promotions Following CEO Transition
First Orion, a leader in branded communication and call protection solutions, announced a leadership shift with the upcoming departure of CEO Joe Stinziano, effective November 5. Stinziano’s tenure saw over two years of strategic leadership, during which he played a pivotal role in defining the company’s product vision and go-to-market strategies. In preparing for its next growth phase, First Orion has appointed Scott Hambuchen, previously Chief Product Officer, as the new CEO. Additionally, Co-Founder and current CFO Jeff Stalnaker will assume the dual role of President and CFO, aligning the company’s executive team for continued expansion and innovation.
“We are deeply grateful for Joe’s dedication and contributions to First Orion. His strategic vision and commitment, including significant time spent with partners, have greatly benefited our organization,” said Charles Morgan, Chairman of the Board. “Joe helped pave the way for our growth, bringing invaluable structure to our product solutions that have set us on a strong path forward.”
Joe Stinziano added, “I am incredibly proud of all that our team has accomplished over the past two and a half years. Stepping down is not an easy decision, but I am confident that the timing is right for me, my family, and the company. With the new structure in place, First Orion is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of innovation and growth. I am excited about what this talented team will achieve in the future.”
The Secure Telephone Identity Governance Authority (STI-GA) has announced the continuation of key partnerships with ATIS (Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions) and iconectiv to support the SHAKEN (Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs) framework. SHAKEN aids in authenticating Caller ID information, helping consumers gauge the accuracy of caller information and reducing illegal robocalls.
Under a new three-year agreement, ATIS will continue to oversee the STI-GA’s call authentication framework management. iconectiv, reaffirming its role as the Secure Telephone Identity Policy Administrator (STI-PA), has signed a five-year agreement to support SHAKEN’s policy administration. Since the STI-GA introduced STIR/SHAKEN in 2018, ATIS has managed its implementation and maintenance, with iconectiv serving as STI-PA since 2019. Both organizations play pivotal roles in industry initiatives to curb unwanted robocalls and enhance call security across U.S. telecommunications.
“The communications industry is leading the charge to restore trust in communication,” said iconectiv Executive Vice President Peter Ford. “By collaborating with various stakeholders and managing the STI framework, iconectiv remains committed to empowering consumers to confidently answer their phones once again. Together, we’re not just combating illegal robocalls; we’re paving the way for a future where trust in caller ID is universal.”
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iProov and Biometrid Partner to Deliver Secure and Seamless Digital Identity Verification in Portugal and Key International Regions
iProov, a leader in biometric identity solutions, and Biometrid, Portugal’s leading digital identity verification provider, have formed a strategic partnership to enhance secure digital identity verification across Portugal and other strategic regions. The collaboration will integrate iProov’s advanced facial biometric technology with Biometrid’s comprehensive identity verification platform, empowering sectors such as government and financial services to combat fraud while enhancing user experience.
This partnership responds to the rising need for secure online transaction verification amid increasing fraud. According to a McKinsey report, countries that adopt robust digital identity systems could see economic gains of 3% to 13% of GDP by 2030. Biometrid’s platform, which already includes features like document validation, facial comparison, and video conferencing, will be strengthened by iProov’s Express Liveness and Dynamic Liveness solutions. This integration will offer real-time verification with genuine presence assurance, bolstering protection against advanced threats, including deepfakes and spoofing attacks, ensuring only legitimate users can access sensitive services.
“Biometrid is a recognized leader in digital identity verification, and we are excited to partner with them to expand our reach in Portugal and beyond,” said Andrew Bud, founder and CEO, iProov. “Together, we will empower organizations to confidently embrace remote identity verification protecting them against the fast-evolving threat landscape and ensuring the highest levels of security and usability.”
LANCK Telecom Secures 100% GLF Сode of Conduct Compliance for Fourth Year, Now Including Both Voice and SMS
LANCK Telecom has announced its achievement of a perfect score (26/26) in the Global Leaders’ Forum (GLF) Code of Conduct Against Fraud, marking its comprehensive compliance across both voice and SMS services. This milestone highlights LANCK Telecom’s dedication to the highest standards in combating telecom fraud and its position as a trustworthy leader in the industry.
According to the 2024 GLF Fraud Report, telecom fraud has become increasingly complex, with fraud prevention now a top priority for 64% of carriers, up significantly from 39% in 2023. Key fraud types, including International Revenue Share Fraud (IRSF) and smishing, remain challenging as fraud tactics evolve rapidly. Artificially Inflated Traffic (AIT) leads in international messaging fraud (62%), while CLI spoofing is the most prevalent in voice fraud (55%).
LANCK Telecom’s commitment to fraud prevention is powered by its advanced Fraud Management System (FMS), which leverages AI and machine learning to block over 60 million fraudulent calls and prevent more than 800 fraud attempts daily, achieving a 99.995% accuracy rate. As emphasized in the GLF Fraud Report, real-time detection through AI is essential for modern fraud prevention. LANCK’s dedication to these technologies ensures robust, proactive protection for partners, setting an industry benchmark in fraud prevention and security.
MessageWhiz launches next-gen web portal, maximizing user experience and messaging efficiency
MessageWhiz by MMDSmart has launched an enhanced portal with new features to streamline enterprise messaging and improve customer engagement. The redesigned platform offers an intuitive interface, simplifying the messaging process with a three-step message creation flow that allows users to craft targeted campaigns easily. Equipped with generative AI tools and advanced analytics, businesses can now optimize message content and gain valuable insights into campaign performance.
A standout addition is the multi-agent capability, enabling multiple team members to manage and coordinate 2-way conversations within the platform. This collaborative feature improves consistency and efficiency in customer communications, making MessageWhiz a powerful solution for enterprise-level outreach.
“We’re always looking to empower our customers to run smarter and more efficient messaging campaigns,” says Arie Frenklakh, CEO of MMDSmart. “We listened closely to our users and focused on delivering more features to enhance their workflows. With the carefully crafted UI, added AI tools to optimize campaigns, advanced analytics, and multi-agent functionality, this release is a major step forward in helping businesses maximize the impact of their messaging efforts.”
