Skip to main content

Latest News

MEF BUSINESS NEWS 9 JUL 2025 Donald Trump said he will not delay new tariffs set to hit August 1st—doubling down with a 50% levy on copper imports and threatening up to 200% duties on foreign-made pharmaceuticals. The crackdown aims to punish countries slow to strike deals—and pressure drugmakers to move production to the US. It’s a massive escalation: dozens of countries face new tariffs, with India hit for backing BRICS, and the EU warned over its digital taxes. The copper market shuddered, and US pharma stocks dipped as investors digested the scale of what’s coming. Trump’s message is blunt: move your factories—or pay the price. —————————————— Trump’s copper tariff bombshell has sent global metals markets into a tailspin. The surprise 50% levy on imports—double what traders expected—sparked a record spike in US copper futures and a plunge in global prices. The tariff is meant to force domestic production, but the US lacks the capacity to go it alone. That means higher costs for factories, power grids, and electric vehicles—just as demand for copper is booming. From semiconductors to solar panels, the copper crunch just got real. No copper, no chips, no charge. —————————————- According to the Wall Street Journal, President Trump delayed his reciprocal tariffs implementation to August 1, after advisers including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged more time to finalize trade deals with countries like India and the EU. To maintain negotiating pressure, Trump sent warning letters to nations about the tariffs, signaling that “a letter means a deal.” Despite frustrations over slow progress, Trump leveraged recent political victories to push trade talks. —————————————- The UK leapfrogged the EU in its US trade deal—securing better terms on steel, cars, and even future tech tariffs—while Brussels braces for higher duties. Trump’s White House prioritized speed and flexibility—something Britain offered, pairing tech-savvy negotiators with business-minded tactics. The EU, expecting its market size to win out, played hardball—and lost leverage. Why it matters for mobile? EU exports like semiconductors and telecom equipment now risk tariff hikes, while UK firms in mobile supply chains, like chips and aviation tech, get a softer landing. That could shift 5G hardware procurement and handset component flows toward British partners. —————————————- Houthi militants have resumed attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, causing ship insurance premiums to jump from 0.4% to 1% of a vessel’s value. The latest assault sank the Greek-owned Magic Seas and targeted another ship, killing three crew members. The Houthis blamed the attacks on ships entering Israeli ports. In retaliation, Israel struck Houthi-linked targets in Yemen. These attacks raise fears of major disruption to a crucial global trade route and could push up oil prices. ————————————— Tether—the world’s largest stablecoin issuer—has revealed it holds $8 billion worth of gold in a secret Swiss vault, securing nearly 80 tons of the precious metal —Bloomberg reports citing an interview with Chief Executive Paolo Ardoino. That makes Tether one of the largest private holders of gold on Earth—rivaling major banks like UBS. The stash backs its gold token, XAUT, which can be redeemed for real gold—physically—in Switzerland. But regulators are watching closely, as Europe and the US push rules that may force Tether to unwind those holdings. —— —— MEF MOBILE NEWS 9 JUL 2025 Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok is under fire after praising Adolf Hitler and spreading antisemitic tropes on X—just hours before xAI’s new model was due for release. It broke after users prompted Grok under a post about deadly Texas floods. The bot cited Hitler as a solution, linked Jewish people with “schemes,” and echoed “white genocide” conspiracies. xAI blamed rogue prompt edits and rushed to patch the system. Grok is deeply embedded in the X platform, now bundled with premium features across Android and iOS. With fewer guardrails than rivals, Grok’s hallucinations aren’t just embarrassing—they’re a reputational risk to any device or OS that distributes them. —————————— And Turkey has blocked access to certain content from Grok, after it allegedly generated insults targeting President Erdogan, founding father Ataturk, and religious values. This is Turkey’s first ban on AI-generated content, following concerns over hate speech and political bias in chatbots like Grok and ChatGPT. The prosecutor’s office is investigating, citing laws that punish such insults with up to four years in prison. Musk has not publicly responded, but recently promised improvements to Grok’s accuracy. In the battle for digital trust, Turkey just drew a firm line. —————————- Shaun Maguire, a Sequoia Capital investor known for his close ties to Elon Musk, sparked controversy by calling New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani an “Islamist” on X (formerly Twitter), stirring backlash from Silicon Valley and beyond. Maguire’s posts, which include strong right-wing political views and support for Trump and Israel, clash with Sequoia’s traditionally neutral stance and its diverse, often progressive portfolio companies. An online petition urged Sequoia to condemn Maguire’s remarks and address the fallout, signed by founders including some from the Middle East. Maguire apologized to offended Muslims and Indians but continued to defend his views publicly. —————————— In India, Reliance Jio Platforms has postponed its highly anticipated initial public offering, originally slated for 2025 — Reuters reports citing people familiar with the matter. The company aims to bolster its revenue, expand its subscriber base, and enhance its digital offerings before proceeding with the listing, despite being valued at over $100 billion. This underscores Jio’s commitment to strengthening its position in the competitive telecom and digital services landscape. The company continues to focus on expanding its services and infrastructure to meet future demands. In summary, Jio’s IPO delay looks like a calculated step towards achieving long-term growth and stability in the market ——————————- SpaceX is on track to hit a staggering $400 billion valuation in a new share sale—making it the most valuable private U.S. company ever—and it could soon reshape your mobile connection. The key driver? Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet unit, now delivers over half the firm’s revenue and is powering next-gen mobile backhaul—especially in rural areas and developing markets. That means faster mobile data for telcos, low-latency access for app developers, and more seamless global streaming and gaming. As Starlink weaves tighter into mobile networks and smartphone modems, SpaceX isn’t just a space company—it’s becoming a mobile internet backbone. In space or on your phone—Musk’s orbit is closer than you think. —————————- Apple is bidding for the U.S. broadcast rights to Formula 1, taking on ESPN in a deal that could supercharge its Apple TV+ platform and reshape sports streaming on mobile. The move follows the blockbuster success of Apple’s Brad Pitt-led F1 movie, which grossed $300 million and drew a younger, more diverse audience to the sport. With 1.3 million average U.S. viewers per race and a ballooning media rights market, Apple’s aiming to lock F1 into its services juggernaut—already worth over $100 billion a year. If Apple wins, F1 could become a native experience across iPhones, iPads, and Vision Pro—blending live racing, behind-the-scenes access, and in-app perks like driver tracking or AR overlays. —————————— Meanwhile, Apple COO Jeff Williams is stepping down this month, retiring after more than a decade as the company’s operational lead. His successor, Sabih Khan, a 30-year Apple veteran, takes over amid major challenges — slowing iPhone sales, rising tariffs, and growing pressure to catch up in AI. Apple is also shifting iPhone production from China to India and facing regulatory battles globally. Meanwhile, the design team now reports directly to CEO Tim Cook. Williams will stay on to oversee health projects until later this year. This leadership change signals a critical shift as Apple navigates a fast-changing mobile tech landscape. When the big players move, the whole ecosystem feels it. ———————————— Australia’s biggest telecom, Telstra, is cutting 550 jobs as part of a major shakeup in its enterprise business, affecting less than 2% of its workforce. This follows last year’s layoffs of 1,900 employees, reflecting ongoing efforts to streamline operations and cut costs across the company. The cuts aren’t linked to AI adoption but focus on improving structures and processes within teams. The move aims to sharpen Telstra’s competitive edge in the evolving mobile and enterprise ecosystem. ———————————— Unilever is massively ramping up its influencer marketing, planning to grow its influencer network 10 to 20 times in the next year to boost product virality, like with Dove soap — the Wall Street Journal reports. They use AI to create thousands of product images and content assets weekly through Nvidia’s Omniverse and their own AI platform, speeding up content production. This lets influencers post more and helps Unilever repurpose that content for their own social media. A recent campaign for Dove’s cookie-scented products generated 3.5 billion social impressions and brought many new customers. While human influencers remain vital, Unilever sees potential for AI-generated influencers in the future depending on the brand. —— —— MEF TECH NEWS 9 JUL 2025 Hundreds of US space companies are warning of dangerous consequences as Congress plans to slash funding for America’s first space traffic coordination system — by nearly 85%. The cut threatens the Office of Space Commerce’s TRACSS platform, which aims to prevent satellite collisions as mega-constellations like Starlink, Kuiper, and China’s planned fleets jam low-Earth orbit. With over 35,000 commercial satellites expected, experts say private players aren’t yet equipped to take over. The OSC was months from launch, but Washington now claims industry can handle the job. SpaceX, Blue Origin, and 450 others disagree, saying the risk is rising, the system isn’t ready, and US leadership in orbital safety is on the line. No control, no command — just cosmic chaos. ————————— A California lawmaker is pushing AI companies to lift the hood on their safety practices. Senator Scott Wiener has introduced a bill that would force firms developing powerful AI models—like those from OpenAI, Google, or Anthropic—to publicly disclose their safety protocols and report serious incidents to the state. This comes after his previous AI liability bill was vetoed, and as national lawmakers struggle to set their own rules. With transparency now the focus, SB 53 may gain traction. Wiener’s message? No innovation without guardrails. ————————— The U.S. State Department is ramping up cybersecurity after an AI-powered imposter mimicked Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s voice and writing to contact foreign ministers and government officials. Using deepfake “vishing” and “smishing” attacks via text and voice apps like Signal, the impersonator aimed to extract sensitive information This highlights how AI-driven cyber threats are evolving—targeting high-profile figures and exploiting mobile messaging platforms. The FBI warns such AI-enabled social engineering scams are increasing, forcing government agencies to tighten defenses around official mobile and communication channels. ————————— Pakistan’s best-funded startup, Bazaar Technologies, is closing in on profitability after acquiring digital payments firm Keenu. That deal links it to merchants in over 150 cities and bolsters its ambition to build a full-stack e-commerce and fintech platform—Pakistan’s answer to Alibaba. With $100 million raised and backing from Tiger Global, Bazaar is defying a tough tech landscape, where others folded. Its next bet? Capturing Pakistan’s young, digital-first population. Bazaar’s on a mission: own the shop, run the checkout, rule the market. ——————————— Robots are coming — fast — and not just for factory jobs. In an interview with the Guardian, Futurist Adam Dorr says nearly all human labor could be obsolete by 2045, as AI-powered humanoid robots take over industries across the board. His forecast: 20 years to a total economic reset, with technology outpacing people in speed, skill, and cost. Why now? AI and robotics are hitting critical adoption points, and like film cameras and horse carts, human labor is next to vanish. That means 4 billion workers globally could be left behind, unless we rewrite the rules — of ownership, value, and work itself. The entire job market may soon be running on code. According to Dorr, the future isn’t human-proof — it’s human-optional. —— ——
MEF BUSINESS NEWS 9 JUL 2025 Donald Trump said he will not delay new tariffs set to hit August 1st—doubling down with a 50% levy on copper imports and threatening up to 200% duties on foreign-made pharmaceuticals. The crackdown aims to punish countries slow to strike deals—and pressure drugmakers to move production to the US. It’s a massive escalation: dozens of countries face new tariffs, with India hit for backing BRICS, and the EU warned over its digital taxes. The copper market shuddered, and US pharma stocks dipped as investors digested the scale of what’s coming. Trump’s message is blunt: move your factories—or pay the price. —————————————— Trump’s copper tariff bombshell has sent global metals markets into a tailspin. The surprise 50% levy on imports—double what traders expected—sparked a record spike in US copper futures and a plunge in global prices. The tariff is meant to force domestic production, but the US lacks the capacity to go it alone. That means higher costs for factories, power grids, and electric vehicles—just as demand for copper is booming. From semiconductors to solar panels, the copper crunch just got real. No copper, no chips, no charge. —————————————- According to the Wall Street Journal, President Trump delayed his reciprocal tariffs implementation to August 1, after advisers including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged more time to finalize trade deals with countries like India and the EU. To maintain negotiating pressure, Trump sent warning letters to nations about the tariffs, signaling that “a letter means a deal.” Despite frustrations over slow progress, Trump leveraged recent political victories to push trade talks. —————————————- The UK leapfrogged the EU in its US trade deal—securing better terms on steel, cars, and even future tech tariffs—while Brussels braces for higher duties. Trump’s White House prioritized speed and flexibility—something Britain offered, pairing tech-savvy negotiators with business-minded tactics. The EU, expecting its market size to win out, played hardball—and lost leverage. Why it matters for mobile? EU exports like semiconductors and telecom equipment now risk tariff hikes, while UK firms in mobile supply chains, like chips and aviation tech, get a softer landing. That could shift 5G hardware procurement and handset component flows toward British partners. —————————————- Houthi militants have resumed attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, causing ship insurance premiums to jump from 0.4% to 1% of a vessel’s value. The latest assault sank the Greek-owned Magic Seas and targeted another ship, killing three crew members. The Houthis blamed the attacks on ships entering Israeli ports. In retaliation, Israel struck Houthi-linked targets in Yemen. These attacks raise fears of major disruption to a crucial global trade route and could push up oil prices. ————————————— Tether—the world’s largest stablecoin issuer—has revealed it holds $8 billion worth of gold in a secret Swiss vault, securing nearly 80 tons of the precious metal —Bloomberg reports citing an interview with Chief Executive Paolo Ardoino. That makes Tether one of the largest private holders of gold on Earth—rivaling major banks like UBS. The stash backs its gold token, XAUT, which can be redeemed for real gold—physically—in Switzerland. But regulators are watching closely, as Europe and the US push rules that may force Tether to unwind those holdings. —— —— MEF MOBILE NEWS 9 JUL 2025 Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok is under fire after praising Adolf Hitler and spreading antisemitic tropes on X—just hours before xAI’s new model was due for release. It broke after users prompted Grok under a post about deadly Texas floods. The bot cited Hitler as a solution, linked Jewish people with “schemes,” and echoed “white genocide” conspiracies. xAI blamed rogue prompt edits and rushed to patch the system. Grok is deeply embedded in the X platform, now bundled with premium features across Android and iOS. With fewer guardrails than rivals, Grok’s hallucinations aren’t just embarrassing—they’re a reputational risk to any device or OS that distributes them. —————————— And Turkey has blocked access to certain content from Grok, after it allegedly generated insults targeting President Erdogan, founding father Ataturk, and religious values. This is Turkey’s first ban on AI-generated content, following concerns over hate speech and political bias in chatbots like Grok and ChatGPT. The prosecutor’s office is investigating, citing laws that punish such insults with up to four years in prison. Musk has not publicly responded, but recently promised improvements to Grok’s accuracy. In the battle for digital trust, Turkey just drew a firm line. —————————- Shaun Maguire, a Sequoia Capital investor known for his close ties to Elon Musk, sparked controversy by calling New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani an “Islamist” on X (formerly Twitter), stirring backlash from Silicon Valley and beyond. Maguire’s posts, which include strong right-wing political views and support for Trump and Israel, clash with Sequoia’s traditionally neutral stance and its diverse, often progressive portfolio companies. An online petition urged Sequoia to condemn Maguire’s remarks and address the fallout, signed by founders including some from the Middle East. Maguire apologized to offended Muslims and Indians but continued to defend his views publicly. —————————— In India, Reliance Jio Platforms has postponed its highly anticipated initial public offering, originally slated for 2025 — Reuters reports citing people familiar with the matter. The company aims to bolster its revenue, expand its subscriber base, and enhance its digital offerings before proceeding with the listing, despite being valued at over $100 billion. This underscores Jio’s commitment to strengthening its position in the competitive telecom and digital services landscape. The company continues to focus on expanding its services and infrastructure to meet future demands. In summary, Jio’s IPO delay looks like a calculated step towards achieving long-term growth and stability in the market ——————————- SpaceX is on track to hit a staggering $400 billion valuation in a new share sale—making it the most valuable private U.S. company ever—and it could soon reshape your mobile connection. The key driver? Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet unit, now delivers over half the firm’s revenue and is powering next-gen mobile backhaul—especially in rural areas and developing markets. That means faster mobile data for telcos, low-latency access for app developers, and more seamless global streaming and gaming. As Starlink weaves tighter into mobile networks and smartphone modems, SpaceX isn’t just a space company—it’s becoming a mobile internet backbone. In space or on your phone—Musk’s orbit is closer than you think. —————————- Apple is bidding for the U.S. broadcast rights to Formula 1, taking on ESPN in a deal that could supercharge its Apple TV+ platform and reshape sports streaming on mobile. The move follows the blockbuster success of Apple’s Brad Pitt-led F1 movie, which grossed $300 million and drew a younger, more diverse audience to the sport. With 1.3 million average U.S. viewers per race and a ballooning media rights market, Apple’s aiming to lock F1 into its services juggernaut—already worth over $100 billion a year. If Apple wins, F1 could become a native experience across iPhones, iPads, and Vision Pro—blending live racing, behind-the-scenes access, and in-app perks like driver tracking or AR overlays. —————————— Meanwhile, Apple COO Jeff Williams is stepping down this month, retiring after more than a decade as the company’s operational lead. His successor, Sabih Khan, a 30-year Apple veteran, takes over amid major challenges — slowing iPhone sales, rising tariffs, and growing pressure to catch up in AI. Apple is also shifting iPhone production from China to India and facing regulatory battles globally. Meanwhile, the design team now reports directly to CEO Tim Cook. Williams will stay on to oversee health projects until later this year. This leadership change signals a critical shift as Apple navigates a fast-changing mobile tech landscape. When the big players move, the whole ecosystem feels it. ———————————— Australia’s biggest telecom, Telstra, is cutting 550 jobs as part of a major shakeup in its enterprise business, affecting less than 2% of its workforce. This follows last year’s layoffs of 1,900 employees, reflecting ongoing efforts to streamline operations and cut costs across the company. The cuts aren’t linked to AI adoption but focus on improving structures and processes within teams. The move aims to sharpen Telstra’s competitive edge in the evolving mobile and enterprise ecosystem. ———————————— Unilever is massively ramping up its influencer marketing, planning to grow its influencer network 10 to 20 times in the next year to boost product virality, like with Dove soap — the Wall Street Journal reports. They use AI to create thousands of product images and content assets weekly through Nvidia’s Omniverse and their own AI platform, speeding up content production. This lets influencers post more and helps Unilever repurpose that content for their own social media. A recent campaign for Dove’s cookie-scented products generated 3.5 billion social impressions and brought many new customers. While human influencers remain vital, Unilever sees potential for AI-generated influencers in the future depending on the brand. —— —— MEF TECH NEWS 9 JUL 2025 Hundreds of US space companies are warning of dangerous consequences as Congress plans to slash funding for America’s first space traffic coordination system — by nearly 85%. The cut threatens the Office of Space Commerce’s TRACSS platform, which aims to prevent satellite collisions as mega-constellations like Starlink, Kuiper, and China’s planned fleets jam low-Earth orbit. With over 35,000 commercial satellites expected, experts say private players aren’t yet equipped to take over. The OSC was months from launch, but Washington now claims industry can handle the job. SpaceX, Blue Origin, and 450 others disagree, saying the risk is rising, the system isn’t ready, and US leadership in orbital safety is on the line. No control, no command — just cosmic chaos. ————————— A California lawmaker is pushing AI companies to lift the hood on their safety practices. Senator Scott Wiener has introduced a bill that would force firms developing powerful AI models—like those from OpenAI, Google, or Anthropic—to publicly disclose their safety protocols and report serious incidents to the state. This comes after his previous AI liability bill was vetoed, and as national lawmakers struggle to set their own rules. With transparency now the focus, SB 53 may gain traction. Wiener’s message? No innovation without guardrails. ————————— The U.S. State Department is ramping up cybersecurity after an AI-powered imposter mimicked Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s voice and writing to contact foreign ministers and government officials. Using deepfake “vishing” and “smishing” attacks via text and voice apps like Signal, the impersonator aimed to extract sensitive information This highlights how AI-driven cyber threats are evolving—targeting high-profile figures and exploiting mobile messaging platforms. The FBI warns such AI-enabled social engineering scams are increasing, forcing government agencies to tighten defenses around official mobile and communication channels. ————————— Pakistan’s best-funded startup, Bazaar Technologies, is closing in on profitability after acquiring digital payments firm Keenu. That deal links it to merchants in over 150 cities and bolsters its ambition to build a full-stack e-commerce and fintech platform—Pakistan’s answer to Alibaba. With $100 million raised and backing from Tiger Global, Bazaar is defying a tough tech landscape, where others folded. Its next bet? Capturing Pakistan’s young, digital-first population. Bazaar’s on a mission: own the shop, run the checkout, rule the market. ——————————— Robots are coming — fast — and not just for factory jobs. In an interview with the Guardian, Futurist Adam Dorr says nearly all human labor could be obsolete by 2045, as AI-powered humanoid robots take over industries across the board. His forecast: 20 years to a total economic reset, with technology outpacing people in speed, skill, and cost. Why now? AI and robotics are hitting critical adoption points, and like film cameras and horse carts, human labor is next to vanish. That means 4 billion workers globally could be left behind, unless we rewrite the rules — of ownership, value, and work itself. The entire job market may soon be running on code. According to Dorr, the future isn’t human-proof — it’s human-optional. —— ——

Subscribe Now

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and get updates on MEF events and activities. We won’t share your email with anyone and you can opt out at anytime. Details of our privacy policy can be found here.

Sophisticated Schemes Call For Sophisticated Services: How Real-Time Data is Taking a Bite Out of Crime

| Anti-fraud, MEF Webinars & Workshops, Messaging Channels | No Comments
In a recent MEF webinar Nicholas Rossman, MEF Director of Programmes was joined by Bradley Greer, Vice President, Data Solutions & Product Marketing at netnumber, who shed light on the power of harnessing next-generation insights at the phone number level to circumvent fraudulent activities and establish trust with phone numbers…

Webinar: The Future of Wholesale Messaging: Trends, Challenges & Innovations

| Connectivity & Wholesale, MEF Webinars & Workshops | No Comments
MEF's Isabelle Paradis is joined by Evgeniya Pikina, VP Business Development at Mitto, to discuss the evolving A2P messaging landscape, the enduring value of SMS, the role of AI in fraud prevention, and why trusted partnerships and service quality are key to long-term success in enterprise communications. In the shifting…

Webinar: Containers to Connectivity; The Ripple Effect of Tariffs on Telecoms

| Anti-fraud, MEF Webinars & Workshops | No Comments
MEF Advisor and telecom strategy consultant Paul Ruppert is joined by Ambassador Frank Lavin, former U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Ambassador to Singapore, for a high-stakes conversation on how new U.S. tariffs are reshaping global telecommunications—from infrastructure to innovation. This webinar explores the second-order impacts beyond ports…

The Conversational Commerce Shift: Ushering in a New Messaging Era

| Event Roundup, MEF Webinars & Workshops, MEFTV, Messaging Channels | No Comments
Caitlin Long, Senior Director for Product Management & Strategy at Bandwidth, shares an overview of their session from MEF Global Forum 2025 in Barcelona, where she and Stephanie Lashley explored the shift towards "conversational" commerce and how you can best prepare for and embrace this new era in business messaging.…

Fresh Off MEFFYS Win, Vox Solutions Hints at Major Messaging Moves

| Interviews, Messaging Channels, Podcasts | No Comments
Vox executives unveil how real-time, on-device AI, semantic traffic analysis, and flexible anti-fraud infrastructure are driving a global shift in telecom security — from monetizing A2P in high-risk markets to preparing for threats like voice cloning and quantum disruption. “When you start stopping the fraudsters, they adapt — so you…

Perspectives in Mobile – Signal Scandal Human Flaw, Quantum Tech Will Defy Crypto

| Interviews, Messaging Channels, Podcasts | No Comments
Listen to the latest Perspectives in Mobile podcast as MEF’s Riccardo Amati speaks with CCS Insight’s Chief Analyst Ben Wood about security, trust, and the impact of emerging technologies on encryption standards. A recent mistake where a journalist was accidentally added to a private Signal chat has raised fresh concerns…

Perspectives in Mobile: AI Meta-Surfaces to transform sensing in mobile

| Interviews, Messaging Channels, Podcasts | No Comments
Listen to the latest Perspectives in Mobile podcast – in this special episode, recorded at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Metalenz CEO Rob Devlin discusses how their breakthrough technology could reshape the industry. Metalenz is on a mission to revolutionize mobile devices with its cutting-edge metasurface technology. The company’s…

Perspectives in Mobile – The Battle for Connectivity: Satellite, Cellular to Converge

| Interviews, Messaging Channels, Podcasts | No Comments
Listen to the latest Perspectives in Mobile podcast. Satellite and cellular networks are shifting from competition to convergence, promising lower costs and seamless connectivity in the next 2–3 years.In this episode of MEF podcast Perspectives, mobile satellite service specialist Iridium CEO Matt Desch ...

Fresh Off MEFFYS Win, Vox Solutions Hints at Major Messaging Moves

| Interviews, Messaging Channels, Podcasts | No Comments
Vox executives unveil how real-time, on-device AI, semantic traffic analysis, and flexible anti-fraud infrastructure are driving a global shift in telecom security — from monetizing A2P in high-risk markets to preparing for threats like voice cloning and quantum disruption. “When you start stopping the fraudsters, they adapt — so you…

5 minutes with… Infobip

| 5 minutes with, Interviews, Messaging Channels | No Comments
In our 5 minutes with profiles, MEF members talk about their business, their aspirations for the future and the wider mobile industry. This week, Matija Ražem, Chief Commercial Telecom Officer talks about his business, a venerable 20 year old veteran of the industry and MEF Member of 10 years this…

The Conversational Commerce Shift: Ushering in a New Messaging Era

| Event Roundup, MEF Webinars & Workshops, MEFTV, Messaging Channels | No Comments
Caitlin Long, Senior Director for Product Management & Strategy at Bandwidth, shares an overview of their session from MEF Global Forum 2025 in Barcelona, where she and Stephanie Lashley explored the shift towards "conversational" commerce and how you can best prepare for and embrace this new era in business messaging.…

Unlocking value with RCS for Business: Insights from Sinch, Google, and WeCredit

| Event Roundup, MEF Webinars & Workshops, MEFTV | No Comments
At The Future of Mobile 2025 event during MWC in March 2025, industry leaders from Sinch, Google, and WeCredit took the stage to discuss why businesses should be paying attention to RCS as a business messaging solution – below, Sinch share an overview from the session. For more than two…

Telco Investments in the 2020s: Why Mobile Identity Should Be on Your Radar

| ID & Data | No Comments
As user expectations shift and SMS OTPs face growing scrutiny, telcos are at a crossroads in the mobile identity space. The time has come to move beyond legacy authentication and embrace seamless, secure alternatives. In this post, Harry Cheung, Founder & CEO of IPification explores why telcos must evolve -…

Apple has just made a big move into mobile ID. What does it mean?

| ID & Data | No Comments
Apple’s WWDC 2025 announcement could be a turning point for digital identity. With iOS 26, users will be able to store government passports in Apple Wallet-unlocking a new era of on-device, privacy-preserving ID. This raises major opportunities, and questions, for carriers, enterprises, and digital identity providers. Tim Green, MEF Programme…

EU Age Verification App: A Privacy-First Milestone for Child Safety

| Content & Advertising, ID & Data | No Comments
The European Commission’s upcoming age verification app, launching by July 2025, marks a major step toward safeguarding minors online. Built on privacy-preserving technology, it aligns with the Digital Services Act to help platforms comply with age restrictions while protecting user data. Dario Betti discusses the innovation and explores the potential…

MEF Connects: ID & Wallets: looking forward to EUDI, AI agents and network APIs

| ID & Data | No Comments
At MEF Connects: ID & Wallets in London last week, industry experts explored the future of trust, regulation, and authentication. From EU digital wallets to biometrics and network APIs, the event highlighted both the challenges and the innovations reshaping how we verify people – and machines – in an increasingly…

Ireland Introduces new SMS Sender ID Registry

| Anti-fraud, Messaging Channels | No Comments
From July, Ireland will begin rolling out a new SMS Sender ID Registry to tackle smishing and protect consumers from fraudulent messages. Led by ComReg, this national system introduces visible scam warnings and message blocking for unregistered Sender IDs. MEF’s Sender ID Registry Operations & Account Manager Tjut Astriya explains…

Google’s $314 million fine could be a turning point for consent. This is why.

| Anti-fraud | No Comments
The ruling against Google sets a legal precedent that might re-set approaches to cellular data gathering. MEF has launched a report on the implications. Here’s a summary. It’s just a week old, but the industry is still coming to terms with that whopping legal judgement against Google. No one can…

Aduna and Microsoft: A Pivotal Alliance for the Programmable Network Era

| Anti-fraud | No Comments
MEF Advisor and Programme Lead Matt Ekram discusses Aduna and Microsoft’s announced global partnership, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of programmable networks. This development promises to enhance interoperability, enable new enterprise use cases, and support scalable connectivity monetisation across the mobile ecosystem. In June 2025, Aduna and Microsoft…

South Africa’s R3.3 Billion Financial Crime Wave

| Anti-fraud | No Comments
Nischal Mewalall stepped down after five years of service as CEO of the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) in South Africa. The fights against fraud have increased, but the challenge today is much bigger too. A report from SABRIC casts a stark light on the escalating financial crime…

Beyond FCC Control: Supreme Court Ruling Shakes Up TCPA Compliance and Telecom Risks

| Connectivity & Wholesale | No Comments
MEF Advisor Paul Ruppert takes a closer look at recent news that the Federal Communications Commission is considering amendments to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) Quiet Hours provision, which could curb abuse, protect businesses, and promote cohesive regulation for SMS marketing practices. But what could the impact be for…

Google’s $314 Million Verdict

| Connectivity & Wholesale | No Comments
A US jury's decision against Google for unauthorized cellular data collection sets a powerful precedent, challenging anonymization claims and demanding stricter consent standards across the mobile ecosystem and beyond. Discover the profound implications of a landmark legal decision in "The Google Verdict Explained," a timely report from the Mobile Ecosystem…

Mexico’s Telecom Reform: The Crossroads of Digital Transformation and Trade Commitments

| Connectivity & Wholesale | No Comments
Mexico’s sweeping telecom reform proposal has sparked controversy at home and abroad. Aimed at centralizing digital oversight and boosting sovereignty, it also threatens to dismantle independent regulation, breach USMCA commitments, and shake investor confidence. Dario Betti unpacks the reform’s key provisions, trade implications, and the far-reaching consequences for the mobile…

Satellite-To-Mobile: Redefining The Boundaries Of Wholesale Telecom

| Connectivity & Wholesale | No Comments
Unlock the Future of Connectivity: Download Our Exclusive Satellite-to-Mobile Report The telecommunications landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and the rise of Satellite-to-Mobile (Sat-to-Mobile) technology is at the epicenter. This isn't just about closing coverage gaps; it's a fundamental change that challenges traditional wholesale telecom models. Our in-depth report, "Satellite-to-Mobile:…

5 minutes with… Infobip

| 5 minutes with, Interviews, Messaging Channels | No Comments
In our 5 minutes with profiles, MEF members talk about their business, their aspirations for the future and the wider mobile industry. This week, Matija Ražem, Chief Commercial Telecom Officer talks about his business, a venerable 20 year old veteran of the industry and MEF Member of 10 years this…

5 minutes with… Gamma

| 5 minutes with, Interviews, Messaging Channels | No Comments
In our 5 minutes with profiles, MEF members talk about their business, their aspirations for the future and the wider mobile industry. This week, Business Director Mike Mills introduces unified communication specialists Gamma. Gamma works to simplify complex communication challenges. Our mission to make communication more human means businesses, no…

5 minutes with… TeleSystems

| 5 minutes with, Interviews, Messaging Channels | No Comments
about their business, their aspirations for the future and the wider mobile industry. This week, Chief Business Development Officer Ivan Mihaljevic introduces Telesytstems. TeleSystems is a Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider, offering a proprietary end-to-end solution for business messaging. Our OMNI-channel platform enables companies to seamlessly communicate with…

5 minutes with… MediaXO

| 5 minutes with, Interviews, Messaging Channels | No Comments
In our 5 minutes with profiles, MEF members talk about their business, their aspirations for the future and the wider mobile industry. This week, Nir Weissman, Business Development Director introduces MediaXO.MediaXO specialises in the development of cutting-edge digital products with a strong focus on mobile value-added services (VAS). We are…

RCS momentum and omnichannel innovation

| Guest blog, Messaging Channels | No Comments
In her session at the recent MEF Leadership Forum Americas 2025, Sinch’s Lodema Steinbach explored the evolution of enterprise omnichannel communications. With customer expectations rising, she emphasized that seamless, multi-channel engagement – powered by AI and enriched by interactive messaging like RCS and WhatsApp – is no longer optional. In…

The $1.03 Trillion Problem – Today’s Sophisticated Fraud Environment

| Anti-fraud, Guest blog, MEF Webinars & Workshops | No Comments
MEF Member netnumber share an overview of their keynote presentation at the recent MEF Leadership Forum Americas 2025, where Catalin Badea, VP of Product Management, unveiled key strategies for combating phone number fraud – including discussing a recently launched innovation as well as a long-time industry staple – that strategically…

MEF Leadership Forum Americas 2025 – Aduna and Connecting Networks

| Guest blog, MEF Webinars & Workshops, Messaging Channels | No Comments
Kicking off the show Aduna CEO Anthony Bartolo delivered a visionary keynote that positioned the newly formed venture as “the connector of networks” poised to transform the telecommunications industry. Bartolo outlined how Aduna will simplify the complex ecosystem of network APIs by creating a unified global platform that enables seamless…

Will 2025 be the year of RCS?

| Guest blog, Messaging Channels | No Comments
Dave Boddington, Group Product Manager at Infobip shares an overview of their session at MEF CONNECTS Omnichannel where he was joined by Upland Software’s Rew Golding to discuss where we are as an industry with RCS and whether 2025 will be the year it becomes the new standard. Some of…
MEF Connects Africa in pictures Uncategorized

MEF Connects Africa in pictures

Check out a selection of photos from the fourth annual MEF Connects Africa, recently held during AfricaCom week in Cape Town. The exclusive event, supported by Mozilla, Mahindra Comviva and Basebone was hosted in the penthouse suite of the luxurious Pepperclub hotel and brought together industry thought leaders for an…
Sam Hill
November 24, 2015
MEF