Monday, 14 September 2020 07:25
TikTok rejects Microsoft, chooses Oracle as “tech partner”
ByteDance has rejected Microsoft’s offer for its TikTok operations in the US and has reportedly chosen Oracle as “trusted tech partner”. The Oracle bid would next need approval from the White House and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, with both parties under the belief it would meet US data security concerns. TikTok has been at the center of a diplomatic storm between the US and China, and President Donald Trump has given Americans a deadline to stop…
Thursday, 10 September 2020 09:11
What happened to Google and Facebook’s subsea cable plans?
Following security concerns from US officials, it has been announced that Google and Facebook have scrapped plans for a giant subsea cable from Los Angeles to Hong Kong. The Pacific Light Cable Network (PLCN) was first announced in 2016, with backing from Google, Facebook and other companies including Pacific Light Data Communication and TE SubCom. The PLCN is a high-capacity fiber-optic undersea cable running for approximately 12,800km under the Pacific Ocean between Hong Kong and Los Angeles. In 2016, Google…
Monday, 07 September 2020 05:50
US telcos need $1.8 billion to replace Huawei, ZTE equipment
US telecommunications networks, which have relied on network equipment from China’s Huawei and ZTE, have told the government that it would cost $1.837 billion to replace those switches and routers, the Federal Communications Commission said. In June, the FCC formally designated Huawei and ZTE as threats to US national security, a declaration that bars US firms from accessing an $8.3 billion government fund to purchase equipment from the companies. FCC commissioners said the report shows the need for Congress to…
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Tuesday, 01 September 2020 06:58
Zoom profits double as revenue quadruples
Zoom shares soared after the video-meeting service reported that quarterly revenue rocketed as its ranks of users more than quadrupled. Revenues leaped 355% to $663.5m for the three months ending 31 July, beating analysts' expectations of $500.5m. Profits soared to $186m, while customer growth rose 458%, compared with the same period in 2019. Video conferencing apps remain crucial due to the increase in remote working. Zoom's shares hit a record high, closing at $325.10, as the firm raised its annual…
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Sunday, 30 August 2020 07:54
Huawei focuses on cloud computing as business scope narrows
Huawei is ramping up efforts in its cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) business, which still has access to US chips despite sanctions against the company, in a move to secure its survival, according to the Financial Times. Huawei has seen rapid growth in its cloud computing business, which sells computing power and storage to companies, including giving them access to AI. The cloud business is key to stabilizing Huawei in its home market, as Beijing will increasingly support the…
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Wednesday, 26 August 2020 13:53
Huawei, ZTE lose landmark patent appeals
The UK’s Supreme Court unanimously dismissed appeals by China's Huawei and ZTE in patent disputes over mobile data technology with Unwired Planet International and Conversant Wireless. The first appeal concerned an action brought by Unwired against Huawei for the infringement of five UK patents, which Unwired had acquired from Ericsson and were said to be essential in mobile telecoms. An English court had previously ruled that two of the patents were valid and essential, and in a subsequent trial found…
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Tuesday, 25 August 2020 11:36
German telco boosts fixed broadband speeds for an additional 280,000 homes
German operator and domestic operating unit of Deutsche Telekom (DT), Telekom Deutschland (TD), has revealed its plans to upgrade fixed broadband speeds to cater to an additional 280,000 households. TD has stated that around 32.9 million homes will now be able to access maximum data rates of up to 100Mbps and the number of 250Mbps-enabled lines has reached 24.1 million across the entire country. In addition to this, the firm has also disclosed that the total number of households connected…
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Monday, 24 August 2020 06:12
Zoom cloud services made accessible to new locations worldwide
Zoom Video Communications, Inc. announced general availability of its Zoom Phone cloud phone service in 25 additional countries and territories, as well as a new, drastically simplified telephone service plan for companies with locations across the globe. Zoom now provides local telephone service and domestic calling in over 40 countries and territories around the world. The new countries and territories where Zoom Phone supports local phone numbers are: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia,…
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Tuesday, 18 August 2020 08:08
Oracle joins Microsoft, Twitter in race to buy TikTok
Software giant Oracle is weighing a bid to join Microsoft and Twitter in the race to acquire part of TikTok, it is reported. Oracle is “seriously considering” buying TikTok US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, according to the report. The Financial Times sources added that ByteDance is also working with investment firms such as General Atlantic and Sequoia Capital to find a buyer. The US government has ordered TikTok parent ByteDance to sell off its US operations within 90 days. …
Tuesday, 18 August 2020 08:02
US tightens restrictions on Huawei’s access to technology
The Trump administration announced it will further tighten restrictions on Huawei, aimed at cracking down on its access to commercially available chips. A Commerce Department statement added 38 Huawei affiliates around the world to the "entity list," claiming that the company was using international subsidiaries to circumvent the sanctions which prevent export of US-based technology. Ramped-up US restrictions are likely to cut off the Chinese smartphone maker’s access to even off-the-shelf chips and disrupt the global tech supply chain once…
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Sunday, 16 August 2020 07:33
Arianespace launches telecom satellites into orbit
A rocket that blasted off from French Guiana successfully placed two communications satellites into orbit Saturday, launch firm Arianespace said. The Ariane 5 rocket took off at 2204 GMT from Kourou, the European Space Agency's space center in the South American territory, the company said in a statement. Two satellites on board, belonging to the intergovernmental provider Intelsat and Japan's Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation, were later successfully placed into orbit, Arianespace said. The satellite will be used for direct-to-home services…
Wednesday, 12 August 2020 07:55
Nokia phone maker HMD Global raises $230 mln investment from partners
HMD Global, the maker of Nokia brand phones, announced it has raised USD 280 million in new financing from investors including Google, Qualcomm and Nokia. The money will go to strengthening its product offering, including 5G devices and new services, and expanding in new markets, such as Brazil, India and Africa. The company announced four areas where it plans to invest. First, is affordable 5G smartphones, "with an emphasis on strong partnerships with US carriers". Second, HMD Global will further…
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