Ed Rix

RCS definitely has been the buzzword for almost a year now post Apple's announcement. However, for the past few weeks I've been wondering which of these channels will come out as a champion product for the Global brands - Will it be RBM as now it will be compatible with all the mobile phones or will it be WhatsApp which already has massive penetration in some of the key geographies and Meta continues to fund it's growth in other regions? Will the Global brands incentivize and try to influence the consumer behavior in order to move the consumers to a channel which the brand prefers or will the brands integrate both these rich media channels and use them as per the consumer behavior in various geographies ?

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How many do you want and when do you want them - not an approach that works in IoT. Nuance, knowledge, understanding and discussing what the application is, what the use case is and helping a customer understand the pit falls and also what network and technologies are best suited are key. Working with my colleague our IoT Head of Techcnial Pre Sales & Product we help our customers on their IoT journey from the very beginning to the device being deployed. If you want to chat "everything IoT" please reach out. #iot #choose right #iotnetworks

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Personally I don't want to see Vodafone and 3 merge. I genuinely believe this is not in the interest of the typical smartphone user in the UK. LightReading summaries the challenges the CMA will be dealing with very well, and much of it does boil down to what happens with MBNL and Cornerstone. Strategic investment in the right technology, and technology sharing at economically efficient levels, means Voda, 3, EE and O2 can all exist as independent MNO's in the UK quite profitably IMHO. Each can support MVNO's, and importantly keep this wholesale market competitive too. https://lnkd.in/gnngNsu2

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Vodafone's expansion of 5G Standalone networks in the UK could inject a whopping £3 billion annually into the economy, thanks to improved connectivity and efficiency across sectors. Imagine better train journeys, enhanced productivity for remote workers, and significant cost savings for businesses in the transportation sector. With 5G, there are potential productivity gains of £1 billion and 26 million hours saved from decreased delays. An estimated £10 million savings in train delay compensations could be reinvested into vital rail infrastructure. The proposed merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK could pave the way for a massive self-funded infrastructure investment, bringing 5G Standalone to 95% of the population by 2030 and 99% by 2034. As we await the final decision, let's look forward to the enhancements in growth, customer experiences, and competition this merger could bring. What do you think about the possibilities that 5G and this merger could unlock for the UK's future? Share your thoughts! #5GUK #ConnectivityRevolution #FutureInnovation

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Funding is tricky in the Alt-Net world, but that’s not dampening Matthew Hare’s ambition to build Zzoomm into a 1 million+ premises passed Alt-Net, despite the company halting all new build and laying off staff. Acquisition/merger is the key, Matthew tells me, and although he doesn’t share specific details, it’s clear he sees Zzoomm doing well from the Big Alt-Net Consolidation. Check out my interview with Matthew on my YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/eKVpe2xm   Last time Matthew visited me at our HQ in Rochdale, he was CEO of Gigaclear, so he certainly knows his beans when it comes to building full fibre networks.   We cover lots of interesting ground, including:   * Zzoomm has stopped building, but would build more if the debt markets were not completely constipated, due to nexfibre and CityFibre filling up the banks’ loan books. * How big does an Alt-Net need to be to attract scale retailers like Zen Internet? * Where will Zzoomm fit in the big consolidation? * What will Zzoomm do long-term with its retail business? * Will BT Group’s finance people decide to buy wholesale from rural Alt-Nets rather than funding Openreach build? * Just how much personal money did Matthew put into Zzoomm?   Huge thanks Matthew for doing this interview – it was very insightful, very open, energetic, and a real pleasure. #fullfibre #altnet #gigabit #broadband #isp

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"There is a lack of upskilling and insufficient numbers of trainees and graduates entering the telecoms sector to keep the talent pipeline full. Combine this with an ageing workforce, increased competition from big tech and a lack of diversity, and the issue is only exacerbated." This is something we at Analytica Resources Ltd - your OSS/BSS Recruitment Partner have noticed increasingly in recent times, and bringing in and retaining new talent is crucial for the long-term viability of the industry. Thanks for the interesting article, Lesley Holt. #telecom #talent #diversity #warontalent #neurodiversity

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As we navigate through these turbulent times, it’s essential to stay informed and vigilant about changes to your mobile plan. Keep an eye out for notifications from your provider regarding any upcoming price adjustments, and don’t hesitate to explore alternative options if necessary.

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Vodafone and VMO2 extend their network sharing agreement. This is an interesting new piece to the Three and Vodafone merger puzzle as there was a question mark over how the site sharing agreements would work. Subject to an approved merger the merged entity would access the site sharing agreement, which would appear to leave BT isolated with regards to site sharing, although their network is extensive. Interestingly (again subject to CMA approval) VMO2 will purchase spectrum from the merged company. The big question is does this address the concerns the CMA had about site sharing and hence sharing of strategic network plans. #mergersandacquisitions #vodafone #three #vmo2 #telecoms #telecommunications #5g https://lnkd.in/eaFhMRhG

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A report from Kinetic found that speed (36%) and reliability (35%) are top internet priorities for small businesses – which are responsible for more than 40% of our country’s economic output and two-thirds of new jobs.   Telecom Ramblings shares how our new bundled fiber and voice services specifically tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized business give them an enterprise-grade experience that will scale with them as they grow.   👉Read more here: https://bit.ly/40kRKAs.

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What a phenomenal week the last one turned out to be!    You know how we all try to do our bit for the planet? Like unplugging our chargers or flipping the light switch off as we leave a room? Well, our team has taken those everyday energy-saving habits and scaled them big time. And this led to Ericsson’s eco-friendly innovation being honored with the Green Future Best Practice Award at the Deutsche Telekom Campus Fair 2024! 🌍🏆   The journey that brought us here was a team effort between our MELA SCR team and the local business team on the ground, particularly the Deutsche Telekom Key Account Manager, who all poured their expertise into crafting an award submission that shone a light on our collaborative spirit and innovation. Together, they crunched the numbers and showcased how Deutsche Telekom’s network in Germany is making leaps in capacity and energy performance, all while lowering its carbon footprint with our new energy-efficient radios. We're talking a massive 60.8 GWh energy saved annually, and a reduction of 4,290 tons of CO2e. This is what modernization with a conscience looks like, and it's helping DT sprint towards their ambitious Net Zero goal by 2040.   But this isn't just about celebrating a win. It's about setting the stage for what's next. The innovation we've highlighted here is ready to be rolled out to other markets, driving sustainability and business benefits far and wide. Here's to our team's hard work and to all the exciting, earth-friendly advancements on the horizon! #Sustainability #GreenFuture #Innovation #TeamEricsson #NetZero #EnergyEfficiency #DeutscheTelekom #ClimateAction Stefan Growe | Alina Claire Ostenda | Christian Francke | Cornelia Izquierdo-B. | Souleiman Midani | Yasser Ayad | LOUISE HUGHES | Marisol Soltero | Rory Moore | Cordula Knüppel | Martin Ostermeier | Jan Thünnesen

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Below is FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel's nifty video explaining the broadband labels rule. Background: Beginning April 10, 2024, consumers should look for broadband labels at any point of sale, including online and in stores. The labels must disclose important information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, and broadband speeds. They also include links to information about network management practices and privacy policies. While many providers will begin displaying their labels in April, providers with less than 100,000 subscribers have until Oct. 10, 2024, to comply with the FCC rules to display broadband labels at their points of sale.  Regarding accessibility - the new rules require that the broadband label be accessible to people with disabilities at all points of sale, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are strongly encouraged to comply with the legal requirements included in the ADA and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). New 47 CFR Sec. 8.1(a)(1) expressly states: "Any person providing broadband internet access service shall create and display an accurate broadband consumer label for each stand-alone broadband internet access service it currently offers for purchase. The label must be prominently displayed, publicly available, and easily accessible to consumers, including consumers with disabilities, at the point of sale with the content and in the format prescribed by the Commission in “[Fixed or Mobile] Broadband Consumer Disclosure. . .”. https://lnkd.in/eCdpWa6X). Outstanding accessibility issues in this proceeding include: Additional ways to improve accessibility of the broadband label, such as video calling services to provide customer service in American Sign Language, irrespective of whether the broadband label information is provided in hard copy or digitally; whether to require Braille or a Quick Response (QR) code with a tactile indicator for blind or visually impaired consumers at the point of sale; and whether to mandate any specific WCAG suggestions, sections, and criteria for the broadband label, such as specific sections of WCAG 2.1, which suggests providing text alternatives for any non-text content, or providing definitions of idioms, jargon, and abbreviations. The comment period closed March 16, 2023. https://lnkd.in/eD77veYn. For general broadband labeling information, visit: https://lnkd.in/eJWQjv4k. For accessibility questions, contact us at [email protected], 202-418-2517, or 844-432-2275 (ASL/videophone). #fcc #disabilityrights

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As we build to Connected Britain on 11/9, this week LXS starts a mini series attempting to outline the case, complexities and expected benefits realisation of mergers and the consolidation expected in the Altnet industry in H2 l, and into 2025, and maybe most importantly how we can help our clients…

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Netflix’s crackdown on account sharing is working! Each year we survey around 18,000 consumers around the world to understand their technology, media and telecoms consumption. We've been specifically looking at whether Netflix's actions in the UK have worked to deter account sharers. They have. In 2023, 19% of Netflix customers in the UK were using account log-in details shared with others. In 2024, this figure had fallen to 11%. Disney+ and others are following suit. For more insights into our 'first look' at our 2024 consumer survey results, take a look at Tom Rebbeck's latest article from Analysys Mason here: https://lnkd.in/eWURvmfu We'll be writing more about how the streamers are doing in the next month - watch this space! #NPS #churn #telecoms #telecomsstrategy #Netflix #OTT #streaming #accountsharing

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The Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh recently unveiled Labour’s plans for the UK railway system.     We were pleased to see mobile connectivity, including 5G, recognised as a core way to improve passenger service quality.    The integration of advanced 5G technology can transform travel, offering passengers seamless internet access for work and entertainment and providing railway staff with instant access to crucial operational data.    In addition, implementing 5G-enabled sensors on railway tracks could significantly improve infrastructure. Our research shows that by reducing faults and delays, these upgrades are expected to save over 25 million hours for passengers over the next five years, boosting both productivity and well-being with an estimated value of £326 million.    As a result of our proposed merger with Three UK, we can provide extensive 5G coverage for the majority of the UK’s railway stations and tracks, contributing to a more efficient and connected future for UK rail transport.   #TogetherWeCan #5G 

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Seeing a lot of talk about the UK’s 5G capabilities recently, but just how true is it? Well, our 5G connection is lagging behind other G7 nations, and the situation isn’t improving. With average speeds falling short, even city dwellers are grappling with unreliable service. A recent report highlighted that British users access 5G only about 10% of the time, a stark contrast to more than 40% in India. The root causes are multifaceted, But a lack of long-term investment and poor planning frameworks have compounded the problem. The £500 million announced in this weeks’ budget doesn’t touch the sides of the estimated £37 billion needed for full 5G rollout by 2030. This isn’t just about loading memes faster; it’s about adding £159 billion to the UK economy by 2035 through seamless connectivity. #5G #UKTelecom #DigitalEconomy #InfrastructureInvestment

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BT Group has announced a revision to its timetable for moving all customers – consumers and businesses – off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and onto digital landlines. The move follows the introduction of a series of improvements to the programme to better protect vulnerable customers and those with additional needs, including telecare users. BT Group’s Consumer division has re-started switching zero-use landline customers who have a broadband connection to its Digital Voice landline service. This follows an industry-wide pause and the introduction of the Government’s Charter to protect vulnerable customers, especially telecare users, while making the switch from analogue to digital landlines. BT Consumer customers (except landline-only customers, those who use telecare or who have additional needs) will be contacted and offered the chance to switch to a digital landline provided over full fibre broadband, where available. This move aligns with BT Group’s wider strategy to build and connect customers to its future-proof, full fibre broadband, which will be available to 25 million premises by the end of 2026.  BT Business is urging all of its customers to engage early and to partner with the company ahead of making the switch, especially where there may be a requirement to test existing or upgrade to new equipment to ensure compatibility with a digital line. #bt #btgroup #uk #pstn #switchover #fullfibre #digitallandlines

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Need another great reason for the Competition and Markets Authority to approve the proposed merger between Vodafone and Three UK? Try improved railway coverage! According to the MNOs if the merger is approved it will mean they can deploy true 5G across the UK’s rail network, which they claim would unlock £3 billion for the UK economy. I am always sceptical on some stats like this, not to mention others like how stand-alone 5G would reduce delays on the rail network, but it would be nice to be able to connect when on a train! #connectivity #networks #investment #innovation #mnos #2g #3g #4g #5g #business #UK #masts #growth #mobile #mobilenetworks #telecoms #telecommunications #technology #rail #railways https://lnkd.in/ee8yrxHt

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This extra focus on our core capabilities is enabling us to deliver some significant value - especially for Direct Internet Access and higher speed (10Gbps - 400Gbps) services. Well worth checking what you are paying for these services.

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