Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 7 briefingsJuniper 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…
Tracey Wright appointed new Chair of CCUK
What happened: CCUK appoints Tracey Wright as new Chair to lead industry collaboration CCUK (Communications Committee UK) has announced the appointment of Tracey Wright, Operations Director at Magrathea, as its new Chair. With extensive experience in the telecom industry, Wright brings a wealth of k…
Lyca shifts focus abroad amid UK downsizing
Lyca Group scales down its UK operations under financial strain, shifting its focus to international expansion and market growth.
Microsoft faces UK lawsuit over software license resale restrictions
What happened: Microsoft and ValueLicensing prepare for high-stakes court showdown Microsoft is set to face UK-based ValueLicensing in court over a dispute regarding the resale of second-hand software licenses. ValueLicensing accuses Microsoft of unfairly restricting the resale of perpetual software…
AstroPay launches multicurrency wallet for cross-border finance
AstroPay launches its multicurrency wallet to streamline cross-border finance, targeting digital nomads and remote workers across Europe
EU mandates USB-C charging for all new devices
What happened: EU mandates USB-C charging for devices The European Union has enacted a significant regulation requiring all new devices sold within its borders to support USB-C charging, effective from December 2024. This initiative aims to reduce electronic waste and streamline consumer experience …
UK probes IBM’s $6.4B HashiCorp acquisition
What happened: Regulator examines IBM-HashiCorp deal for competition risks The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated an investigation into IBM’s proposed $6.4 billion acquisition of HashiCorp, a provider of cloud infrastructure management tools. The CMA is looking into w…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingAWS 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…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 24 briefingsAnthropic seeks $2 billion in funding to accelerate AI development
What happened: Anthropic plans $2 billion funding round to boost AI research and safety Anthropic, a leading AI research startup, is in talks to raise $2 billion in fresh funding, according to reports. The company, known for its work on AI safety and the development of advanced language models, aims…
G+D launches credit card-sized IoT tracker for smarter shipping
What happened: IoT tracker launch by G+D Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) has launched a new IoT tracking solution called the Smart Label, designed in a credit card format for shipping applications. This innovative product aims to enhance location tracking for various purposes, including parcel delivery, fle…
TM Forum appoints Guy Lupo to lead AI & Data innovation mission
TM Forum appoints Guy Lupo to lead AI adoption, enhancing telecom operational efficiency and driving service innovation.
Red Helix’s $1M SOC investment boosts headcount by 150%
What happened: Red Helix expands team with $1M investment Red Helix has announced a significant investment of $1 million to expand its 24/7 security operations centre (SOC) based in Buckinghamshire. This strategic move has led to a remarkable 150% increase in the SOC team’s headcount throughout 2024…
Chip firms embrace CES 2025 with bold AI claims
Chipmakers dominate CES 2025 with AI innovations, as Nvidia, Intel, and AMD unveil game-changing hardware and OpenAI teases AGI milestones.
New study highlights evolving DDoS threats and mitigation gaps
A new study on DDoS attack trends underscores the need for improved collaboration between academia and industry to address evolving threats.
AI-powered platform Fazeshift secures $4M for AR automation
Fazeshift secures $4 million in seed funding to automate accounts receivable processes with AI, backed by Gradient and Y Combinator.
A new administration sets fresh direction for networks
What happened: New policies drive secure, scalable network innovation The new administration has taken steps to reshape the direction of enterprise networks by prioritizing security, scalability, and innovation. Network managers are being encouraged to adopt modern solutions that cater to an increas…
IGF 2025 calls for your inputs on the future of the internet
What happened: IGF 2025 seeks your input The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is currently soliciting thematic inputs from various stakeholders for its 2025 annual meeting. This initiative is crucial as it aims to set a focused agenda that addresses pressing internet issues. The IGF Secretariat encou…
Shaping IGF 2025: insights from IGF 2024
What happened: IGF 2024 insights shape IGF 2025 The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Secretariat calls for feedback to refine the planning for IGF 2025, using insights from IGF 2024. Stakeholders, including small tech companies and community organisations, are encouraged to contribute their experienc…
WordPress.org faces shutdown concerns for 2025
What happened: WordPress faces potential shutdown in 2025 On January 3, 2025, WordPress.org staff announced a resumption of suspended services, but uncertainty looms over the platform’s future. Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg revealed plans for a potential shutdown of nearly all services on WordPress.…
BGP routing trends 2024 key insights and outlook
Analysis of BGP routing trends in 2024 reveals slowing IPv4 growth, rising IPv6 adoption, and a shift towards CDN-driven traffic patterns
Eutelsat’s OneWeb faces 48-hour outage from leap year bug
What happened: Leap year bug disrupts Eutelsat’s OneWeb network Eutelsat’s OneWeb satellite broadband network faced a 48-hour outage starting on December 31, 2024. The disruption was caused by a software bug in the ground segment, specifically related to the leap year in 2024. The issue occurred due…
SpaceX outlines satellite deployment in next Starship test
SpaceX’s next Starship test flight will feature satellite deployment and key design updates to advance system reusability
Community tokens boost memecoin index to new highs
What happened: Community tokens surge memecoin index In 2024, the GMCI Meme index achieves remarkable success, recording a 320% return and outpacing other cryptocurrency sectors, including AI and top cryptocurrencies. This surge indicates a significant market shift, with community-driven tokens gain…
Ryan acquires Altus Group’s property tax business for $518M
Ryan finalises a $518 million acquisition of Altus Group’s property tax services, enhancing its global presence and service capabilities.
Aave’s USDe-USDT peg proposal raises decentralisation concerns
Aave’s proposal to peg Ethena’s USDe to USDT faces criticism as users question its impact on decentralisation and stablecoin stability.
Gaming and Layer 2 token indices face losses in 2024
What happened: Gaming tokens face major market decline In 2024, the gaming and Layer 2 token indices reported notable losses, diverging from the overall positive performance of other sectors in the cryptocurrency market. This downturn highlights the struggles faced by gaming tokens, which have been …
MARA loans 16% of its BTC reserves for modest yield
What happened: BTC reserves loaned by MARA for yield MARA, a prominent player in the cryptocurrency sector, recently disclosed that 16% of its Bitcoin (BTC) reserves have been loaned to third parties. This strategic move aims to generate a modest yield for the company while also utilising its crypto…
Move up Internet: Enhancing comfort and safety
Why tech gadgets are essential for seniors Tech gadgets provide a wide range of benefits for seniors, significantly improving their quality of life. These devices offer greater independence, allowing older adults to manage their health more effectively, stay connected with family and friends, and en…
Nvidia acquires Runai and plans to open source AI software
Nvidia completes its acquisition of Run:ai for $700 million, announcing plans to open source the AI infrastructure company’s software.
Checkout.com cuts 230 jobs due to revenue decline and client loss
Checkout.com has laid off 230 employees and seen its valuation drop by 75% due to revenue losses and the end of its partnership with Binance
Employer.com acquires Bench Accounting to expand its offerings
What happened: Bench Accounting joins forces with Employer.com On 2nd January 2025, Employer.com, a San Francisco-based start-up, announced its acquisition of Canadian fintech Bench Accounting for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2012, Bench offers bookkeeping, tax filing, and advisory services tailor…
POET Technologies acquires SPX for $6.5m
What happened: POET Technologies completes Google Pay merger POET Technologies has acquired its former joint venture partner, Super Photonics Integrated Circuit Xiamen Co (SPX), for $6.5 million. The deal gives POET full control of SPX’s operations, including its optical engine assembly facilities i…
Coverage
Governance / RIR Watchdog / ARIN / Story
In this section: 3 briefingsARIN launches new IP management service
What happened: ARIN launched enhanced IP management service for streamlined resource allocation The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) has officially launched a new IP address management service designed to improve how IP resources are allocated and managed. According to ARIN’s announceme…
Riley O’Connor shares insights from ARIN Fellowship experience
What happened: Riley O’Connor recounts ARIN Fellowship journey and key takeaways Riley O’Connor, a recent entity in the ARIN Fellowship program, has shared their experience in a detailed blog post. The fellowship, organized by the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), aims to equip ind…
ARIN concludes consultation on Reg-RWS improvements
What happened: What happened: ARIN reviews Reg-RWS feedback The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) recently concluded a consultation, held from 3 to 20 December, seeking community feedback on improving the RESTful API used to manage registration records, Reg-RWS. Among the suggestions was…
Coverage
Governance / RIR Watchdog / LACNIC / Story
In this section: 2 briefingsLACNIC enhances RPKI security with a comprehensive checklist
What happened: RPKI enhancements by LACNIC improve security In early January 2025, LACNIC announced the implementation of an advanced system to enhance the security of its Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI). This initiative focuses on managing cryptographic entities associated with RPKI, intro…
LACNIC looks at internet security through RPKI deployment
What happened: RPKI enhances internet security amid routing incidents LACNIC has highlighted the successful implementation of RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure) in the context of recent routing incidents. In February 2008, a significant BGP hijack disrupted a popular video-sharing platform, i…
Coverage
Governance / RIR Watchdog / APNIC / Story
In this section: 1 briefingAPNIC joins AFNOG 2 for Internet growth in Afghanistan
APNIC and APNIC Foundation supported AFNOG 2 and AFSIG 2024 to enhance Internet governance, infrastructure, and connectivity in Afghanistan.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global National Telecom Trends
In this section: 1 briefingVerizon sets new 5G speed record with 5.5Gbps trial
What happened: Verizon tests record 5.5Gbps 5G speeds in breakthrough trial Verizon has announced a major milestone in 5G innovation, achieving download speeds of 5.5Gbps during a recent trial. Conducted in a controlled environment, the trial showcased Verizon’s ability to deliver ultra-fast and rel…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingPaysafe expands payment solutions into Brazil’s iGaming market
Paysafe receives a Central Bank licence, entering Brazil’s regulated iGaming market and offering solutions for eCommerce growth.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Institutional Trends
In this section: 1 briefingCourt blocks Biden’s net neutrality revival, limits FCC authority
What happened: Court ruling disrupts Biden’s net neutrality agenda A significant court ruling has dealt a blow to President Biden’s efforts to revive net neutrality regulations. These rules, initially introduced during the Obama administration and repealed in 2017, aimed to ensure that internet prov…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Regional ISP Trends
In this section: 1 briefingTaiwan reports China-linked ship damaged key submarine cable
What happened: Taiwan accuses China-linked ship of damaging submarine cable. Taiwanese authorities have reported that the vessel Shunxing 39, allegedly linked to China, damaged a submarine cable operated by Chungwa Telecom while leaving the port of Keelung last Friday. The ship was heading towards S…
Coverage
Governance / CASE FILE
In this section: 1 briefingAppeals court blocks US net neutrality rules for ISPs
What happened: Net neutrality rules blocked by appeals court A US appeals court has blocked the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) attempt to reinstate net neutrality rules, leaving the future of internet regulation uncertain. This ruling, made on January 2, 2025, upholds a previous stay on t…
Coverage
Governance / IETF
In this section: 1 briefingIETF 122 Bangkok considers future of internet protocols
What happened: Global technology leaders gather in Bangkok for IETF 122 IETF 122, the 122nd meeting of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), convened in Bangkok, bringing together industry experts, engineers, and policymakers from around the world. The event focused on critical developments in…
Coverage
Market / Trends / North America Trends / North America Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 3 briefingsRipple launches major hiring spree across the US
What happened: Ripple strengthens US operations with large-scale hiring Ripple, a leading blockchain and cryptocurrency company, has announced a large-scale hiring initiative across various states in the US. This development comes despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny from the Securities and Exchange …
Base explores bringing COIN to layer 2 for US citizens
What happened: Base explores COIN integration for USD Jesse Pollak, head of Base and Coinbase Wallet, announced on social media that the team is “looking into” the possibility of integrating COIN into the Coinbase-incubated layer 2 platform, Base, by 2025. Despite this interest, Pollak clarified tha…
Spirit Blockchain Capital targets yield generation from Dogecoin
What happened: Spirit Blockchain Capital leverages Dogecoin for yield generation Spirit Blockchain Capital, a digital asset investment firm based in Canada, announces plans to generate yield on its Dogecoin holdings. The company aims to capitalise on the growing popularity of the cryptocurrency by u…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Africa Trends / Africa Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingBillboxx raises $1.6M to improve SME cash flow in Africa.
Billboxx raises $1.6m pre-seed funding to enhance cash flow management for SMEs across Africa through innovative financial solutions.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Institutional Trends
In this section: 1 briefingUnion Bank of India enhances digital rupee app accessibility
What happened: Union Bank enhances digital rupee app Union Bank of India has introduced significant accessibility features in its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) application, known as the Digital Rupee. This initiative marks the bank as the first public sector bank to offer such inclusive funct…
Coverage
Governance / RIR Watchdog / RIPE NCC / Story
In this section: 1 briefingRIPE NCC activity plan and budget 2025 highlight new goals
What happened: RIPE NCC outlines goals in activity plan 2025 The RIPE NCC has published its Activity Plan and Budget for 2025 following board approval on 11 December 2024. The plan provides an overview of operational goals and funding, detailing €41.1 million in projected income and €40 million in e…