Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
Brex secures $235M credit facility
Brex secures $235M revolving credit facility with Citi and TPG Angelo Gordon to expand its corporate card and expense management services.
HGC with Blackpanda boosting cybersecurity for enterprises
HGC and Blackpanda’s strategic alliance HGC Global Communications, a leading ICT service provider, has partnered with Blackpanda to offer advanced cybersecurity solutions through the IR-1 SaaS platform, marking a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s cybersecurity landscape. This collaboration positi…
Nexfibre calls for M&A backing in UK fibre market
Nexfibre urges Ofcom to back M&A in the UK fibre market and tighten regulation of BT’s anti-competitive pricing tactics.
MACOM wins $70M CHIPS funding to expand semiconductor manufacturing
What happened: MACOM secures $70M funding to expand its manufacturing MACOM Technology Solutions, a leading producer of semiconductor devices used in telecommunications and defence applications, has received $70 million from the US government to expand its manufacturing facilities. The funding, part…
Broadband Success Partners rebrands to BSP
What happened: Broadband Success Partners rebrands to BSP to strengthen industry presence Broadband Success Partners (BSP) has officially rebranded, shortening its name to BSP. This change is aimed at improving brand recognition and simplifying its identity as the company continues to expand in the …
Kaleido Intelligence and Mobilesquared Boost Telecom Analytics
What happened: Kaleido Intelligence and Mobilesquared Merge to Enhance Telecom Analytics Kaleido Intelligence and Mobilesquared, two leading firms in the telecom analytics space, have merged to form a new entity that will provide even more comprehensive insights and data-driven solutions to the tele…
ICANN Roadshow sparks dialogue on DNS Security in Jamaica
ICANN’s December 2024 Jamaica roadshow covered DNS security, the gTLD program, and digital transformation, engaging 150+ entities.
RIPE NCC to host SEE 13 meeting in Bulgaria
What happened: RIPE NCC publishes announcement of SEE 13th meeting The RIPE NCC has announced that its SEE 13 meeting will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria, on April 7-8, 2025. This event aims to bring together industry professionals, including network engineers and technology experts, to discuss regional…
Ericsson unveils genAI assistant to simplify 5G network operations
What happened: Ericsson launches AI assistant to simplify 5G network operations Ericsson has introduced a new generative AI-based assistant, NetCloud Assistant (ANA), to help manage 5G wireless networks more easily. ANA uses large language model (LLM) technology to understand and generate responses.…
Albanese to invest $3B to upgrade NBN’s copper connections
What happened: Albanese announces $3B investment to upgrade NBN Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged $3 billion to improve Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) by replacing old copper connections with fibre-optic technology. The upgrade will benefit 622,000 homes, especially in rural …
ARIN opens 55 fellowship applications for 2025
What happened: ARIN opens applications for 55 fellowships in 2025 The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) has officially announced the opening of 55 fellowship applications for its 2025 program. The fellowship aims to promote the development of future leaders in internet governance by offe…
LACNIC invites presentations for internet development forum
What happened: Internet forum offers presentation opportunities The LACNIC Technical Forum has announced its call for presentations focused on regional internet development. This event, taking place in São Paulo, Brazil, from 5 to 9 May, is part of the LACNIC 43 conference. After seven successful ed…
Nokia wins deal to connect TenneT’s North Sea wind platforms
What happened: Nokia connects TenneT’s offshore wind platforms Nokia has been selected by TenneT, a leading European offshore transmission system operator, to provide critical optical networking technology for eight new offshore wind platforms in the Dutch North Sea. These platforms will deliver an …
T-Mobile acquires Vistar Media for $600M to enhance ad business
What happened: T-Mobile acquires Vistar Media for $600 million T-Mobile has announced its acquisition of Vistar Media for $600 million, a strategic move aimed at strengthening its advertising business. Vistar Media, known for its advanced programmatic advertising platform, enables advertisers to man…
Top tech news today: January 15, 2025
Tech news roundup: covering crypto payments, global IPO updates, AI innovation, 6G standards, data breaches, fiber upgrades.
HP wins $53M in CHIPS Act funding to expand Oregon plant
What happened: HP secures $53M in CHIPS Act funding to expand Oregon plant HP has been awarded $53 million from the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act to expand its semiconductor facility in Corvallis, Oregon. This funding aims to enhance the company’s capabilities in producing microfluidics and MEMS techno…
KAF Digital Bank gets BNM and MOF approval
What happened: KAF Digital Bank Launches Operations in Malaysia KAF Digital Bank has received approval from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to commence operations as a digital bank in Malaysia. This approval follows a thorough operational readiness review by BNM, allowin…
Investor Cliff Asness warns bitcoin is a bubble without new uses
What happened: Bitcoin bubble warning from investor Cliff Asness Investor Cliff Asness, a prominent figure in the financial world, has recently expressed his views on bitcoin, labelling it a bubble. He argues that without significant use cases beyond speculation and criminal activities, the cryptocu…
Nscale to invest $2.5B in UK data centres
London-based AI hyperscaler Nscale plans $2.5bn investment in UK data centres over 3 years to support UK’s AI ambitions.
Ethiopia’s telco IPO marks key step for new stock exchange
What happened: Ethio telecom launches IPO to kickstart stock exchange Ethiopia will launch its first stock exchange later this year, with Ethio Telecom’s IPO playing a key role. On 17 October, the state-owned telecom company began selling 10% of its shares to the public, marking an important milesto…
ARIN explores methods to improve the value of IXPs
What happened: ARIN explores the value of IXPs ARIN (American Registry for Internet Numbers) has published a blog discussing the role of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in the global internet infrastructure and how they can be optimized to add more value to the network ecosystem. IXPs are critical f…
LACNIC shapes encryption legislation across the Southern Cone
What happened: Encryption regulations study in the Southern Cone LACNIC has released an insightful study detailing the legislative landscape of encryption in the Southern Cone, focusing on Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Conducted by Thobias Prado Moura, the project mapped and analy…
Stocks making the biggest moves midday: NVDA, RGTI, MRNA
What happened: NVDA, RGTI, and MRNA see significant midday stock movements Several stocks are making notable moves in the market, with NVDA, RGTI, and MRNA seeing significant changes in their value. NVIDIA (NVDA) is continuing its upward momentum, driven by strong demand for its chips in AI and gami…
SpaceX offers free Starlink to aid LA fire victims
What happened: SpaceX offers free Starlink to support LA fire victims SpaceX has announced that it will offer free Starlink satellite internet to residents impacted by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles. The move is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to assist communities during natural disas…
Indosat and ZTE collaborate to boost Indonesia’s 5G infrastructure
What happened: Indosat partners with ZTE to enhance 5G infrastructure in Indonesia Indosat, a leading telecommunications company in Indonesia, has entered into a strategic partnership with ZTE, a global telecommunications equipment provider, to enhance the country’s 5G infrastructure. The collaborat…
BigPay experiences mass exodus with top executives resigning
What happened: BigPay sees mass resignation of top executives amid restructuring BigPay, a leading digital payments platform in Malaysia, has experienced a mass resignation of top executives. This sudden shift in leadership includes key figures across various departments, including the Chief Financi…
XTransfer gets MAS licence for cross-border payments
What happened: XTransfer secures MAS licence for payments XTransfer has successfully secured a licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), enabling the company to offer cross-border payment solutions in the region. This development comes as part of a strategic effort to meet the growing …
iQ Networks and GBI sign Iraq’s first dark fibre deal
What happened: iQ Networks and GBI Sign Dark Fibre Agreement On 7th January, iQ Networks, a subsidiary of Sulaymaniya’s iQ Group, signed Iraq’s first-ever dark fibre IRU framework agreement with Gulf Bridge International (GBI) in Baghdad. This agreement is a significant move toward establishing Iraq…
ARIN launches initiatives to support IPv6 adoption
What happened: ARIN introduces new programs to support IPv6 adoption ARIN (American Registry for Internet Numbers) has launched a series of new initiatives aimed at supporting IPv6 adoption and improving internet resource management across North America. These initiatives include providing enhanced …
LACNIC unveils new insights into cryptography regulations
What happened: Cryptography regulations analysed in Southern Cone LACNIC recently published a comprehensive analysis of cryptography legislation across five Southern Cone countries: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This project, part of LACNIC’s Líderes Program, mapped and examined 1…
JP Morgan sues WeRealize and Viva Wallet board members
What happened: JP Morgan launches legal action against Viva Wallet JP Morgan has initiated two new lawsuits concerning its investment in Viva Wallet, a European cloud-based payments technology firm. The lawsuits have been filed in both the UK and Greece, marking a significant escalation in an ongoin…
APNIC highlights Afghanistan’s digital resilience at AFNOG 2024
APNIC showcased Afghanistan’s resilience at AFNOG 2024, highlighting cybersecurity.
Nokia brings 4G to the Moon for South Pole mission
What happened: Nokia installs 4G LTE system on Athena lander for Moon mission Nokia has successfully installed its Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS) on the Athena lander, preparing for the IM-2 mission to the Moon’s southern pole. The mission aims to study the ice near the lunar south pole. …
Nokia partners with Openreach to boost UK fibre rollout
What happened: Nokia and Openreach team up to enhance UK fibre rollout Nokia has been selected by Openreach to develop an open-access fibre network that will connect 25 million UK homes and businesses by 2026. The collaboration involves building the network on Openreach’s One Network Platform, which…
Zayo Europe appoints Caroline O’Connor as Chief Legal Officer
What happened: Caroline O’Connor appointed Chief Legal Officer at Zayo Europe Zayo Europe has announced the appointment of Caroline O’Connor as its new Chief Legal Officer. In her role, O’Connor will lead legal affairs across Zayo’s operations in Europe, focusing on regulatory compliance, corporate …
Expereo teams with Starlink for satellite connectivity
What happened: Expereo becomes Starlink reseller Expereo has officially become an authorised reseller of Starlink, enabling the company to deliver Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity to businesses. This partnership allows Expereo to enhance its service offerings, providing customers with an…
TM Forum names Telstra, NBN veteran to lead AI mission
What happened: AI leadership role for Guy Lupo TM Forum, the global alliance of telecommunications and tech companies, has appointed Guy Lupo to lead its ‘AI & Data Innovation’ industry mission. Lupo transitions to this role from NBN Australia, where he served as the general manager for enterprise s…
FCC enforces stricter robocall rules with heavy penalties
The FCC enforces stricter robocall rules with $10,000 fines and two-factor authentication to curb spam calls
SG.GS boosts APAC connectivity with new Guam PoP
Global telecommunications carrier SG.GS has established a new Point of Presence (PoP) in Guam, marking an important step in its efforts to enhance connectivity and network resilience across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This move bolsters SG.GS’s ability to provide reliable and flexible services t…
ARIN launches initiatives to boost IPv6 adoption
What happened: ARIN unveils initiatives to accelerate IPv6 adoption and network growth ARIN (American Registry for Internet Numbers) has unveiled a series of new initiatives aimed at accelerating IPv6 adoption and supporting network growth across North America. The announcement, made on January 9, 2…
Telstra partners with Starlink to enhance remote connectivity
What happened: Telstra partners with Starlink to deliver satellite internet across remote Australia Telstra has announced a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to provide high-speed satellite broadband services to remote and rural regions of Australia. The partnership leverages Starlink’s satellite n…
US Cyber Trust Mark boosts security standards for IoT devices
What happened: Cyber Trust Mark enhances IoT device security The Biden administration has introduced the US Cyber Trust Mark, a voluntary cybersecurity labelling programme aimed at enhancing security standards for internet-connected devices. This initiative, led by the Federal Communications Commiss…
LACNIC forum calls for talks on regional internet growth
What happened: LACNIC opens call for forum presentations The LACNIC Technical Forum has opened its call for presentations, inviting experts to share their insights on regional internet development. Now in its eighth edition, the forum will take place in San Pablo, Brazil, from 5 to 9 May 2025, coinc…
APNIC initiatives in Asia-Pacific: Too little too late?
APNIC’s 2024 initiatives, including Myanmar’s IXP and Malaysia’s LUCI project
Telecom giants launch Aduna for global API innovation
Discover how Aduna, led by Vonage’s Anthony Bartolo, unites telecom giants to provide simplified global API access for developers.
Top tech news today: January 10, 2025
Key telecom updates: Aduna API launch, AT&T guarantee, Nokia’s 4G moon project, and FCC robocall regulations
UK signed dollar289M broadband expansion contracts
What happened: UK committed £289M to boost rural broadband access The UK government has taken another step forward in its mission to bridge the digital divide by signing £289 million worth of new contracts under Project Gigabit. The contracts, awarded to various telecom providers, aim to expand high…
UK broadband traffic surges 10.5% in 2024
What happened: UK broadband traffic rises 10.5% in 2024, driven by key events According to Openreach’s annual update, broadband traffic in the UK increased by 10.5% in 2024, reaching a total of 103,590 petabytes (Pb) of data. Openreach, which operates the fibre network used by over 300 service provi…
Juniper Networks upgrades ASTRON’s LOFAR 2.0 telescope network
What happened: Juniper enhances LOFAR 2.0 telescope network Juniper Networks has been selected by the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) to upgrade the network infrastructure of its LOFAR 2.0 telescope. LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) is the world’s largest radio telescope operating at t…
AWS to invest $5 billion in Thailand to boost digital transformation
What happened: AWS announced $5 billion investment to boost Thailand’s digital economy Amazon Web Services (AWS) has committed to investing $5 billion (approximately THB 190 billion) in Thailand over the next 15 years. The investment includes building a new AWS infrastructure region in Bangkok, aime…