Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
Nokia unveils 5G Radio for secure battlefield communication
What happened: Nokia introduces Banshee Flex Radio for battlefield communication Nokia has launched the 5G Banshee Flex Radio, a groundbreaking mobile broadband edge network aimed at enhancing secure communications on the battlefield. Designed for modern military needs, the Banshee Flex Radio integr…
Only 13 FinTech deals close as 2024 nears its end
What happened: A quiet week for FinTech deals in December As 2024 winds down, the FinTech sector experienced a slower week, with only 13 funding deals recorded globally. Despite this, the total raised across these deals reached $736 million, signaling that significant investments are still occurring…
ARIN supports network time foundation with community grant
What happened The Network Time Foundation (NTF), a 2023 ARIN Community Grant recipient, used the funding to design, implement, and test the NTP TCP Services Daemon (ntptsd). This project upgrades the traditional NTP system, which relies on the less secure UDP protocol, by introducing a TCP-based fra…
Corporate execs sell stock amid Bitcoin’s 130% surge
What happened: Corporate execs sell stock as Bitcoin surges Corporate executives are selling their stock shares at unprecedented levels as Bitcoin continues to sustain above $100,000. The corporate executive stock sale ratio reached a new all-time high of six sellers to buyers, according to Financia…
Top tech news today: December 16, 2024
Tech News Summaries 1. Just 13 fintech deals close this week Fintech deals are slowing down as 2024 comes to a close, with only 13 deals reported this week, reflecting the seasonal dip in fintech activity. Fintech Global 2. Worldline partners with Forthcode for in-flight payments in India Worldline …
AbbyPay brand launched by payment giants
What happened: Formation of AbbyPay Brand strategic collaboration Payment Cards Group Limited (PCG) and Black Bear Merchant Services Limited (BBMSL) have announced the establishment of AbbyPay, a new brand aimed at revolutionizing the payment industry in the Asia-Pacific region. This joint venture s…
Torus raises new capital to transform card payment transparency
What happened: SaaS platform’s capital boost Torus, a SaaS platform specializing in card payment solutions, has successfully raised new capital to improve transparency and efficiency in payment systems. The funds will be used to tackle common issues such as hidden fees, opaque workflows, and lengthy…
Upbound and Brigit merge to drive financial innovation
What happened: Fintech leaders join forces to address financial challenges Upbound, a platform focused on simplifying financial infrastructure, has merged with Brigit, a fintech company specializing in consumer financial health. The merger combines Upbound’s operational expertise with Brigit’s AI-po…
APNIC’s response to 2024 survey: A roadmap for 2025
What happened: APNIC responds to 2024 survey feedback APNIC’s Executive Council (EC) has published its official response to the 2024 APNIC Survey on December 13. It provides insights into how community feedback will shape its priorities moving forward. The survey, which is conducted every two years,…
Ethereum’s $418M move: Is a $4,000 surge coming?
What happened: $418M Ethereum shift signals bullish price surge 108,521 ETH worth above $418 million at current market prices were withdrawn from exchanges on December 14. According to Glassnode, this represented the highest number of ETH removed from cryptocurrency exchanges in a single day since M…
WeWork redefines flexible workspaces in Munich
Meet member experience by innovative design WeWork’s Oskar-von-Miller-Ring 20 in Munich has undergone a remarkable transformation, blending elevated design with advanced features to redefine member experiences. Originally opened in 2018, the redesigned space reflects the company’s latest standards i…
Yoast unveils AI optimisation tool for WordPress SEO
Yoast introduces AI optimise for streamlined SEO On 4th September 2024, Yoast, a global leader in SEO for WordPress and a part of Newfold Digital, unveiled its latest feature, Yoast AI Optimise. This AI-powered addition is tailored to make SEO more accessible for small businesses, freelancers, conte…
Global Encryption Day panel highlights encryption’s role in safety
The 2024 Encryption Summit highlighted encryption’s role in safeguarding children online.
Eviden and Ordo pilot open banking-based payment platform
Eviden and Ordo partner with ByzGen to pilot an open banking platform.
Mastercard introduces Apple Pay to Egypt customers
Mastercard brings Apple Pay to Egypt.
Thailand urged to study crypto for global relevance, says ex-PM
Former Thai PM Thaksin urges Thailand to study crypto and expand digital initiatives for global competitiveness.
Kuady extends footprint in Ecuador and Argentina
What happened: Kuady expands digital wallet services in Ecuador and Argentina Kuady, a prominent payments service provider, has announced its expansion in Latin America, unveiling a digital wallet service in Ecuador and introducing a virtual prepaid Mastercard in Argentina. The Ecuadorian wallet all…
Nuvei expands Google Pay integration in Latin America
What happened: Nuvei integrates Google Pay for merchants in Latin America Nuvei Corporation, a leading Canadian fintech company, has announced the expansion of its partnership with Google to integrate Google Pay for merchants in Latin America. This move builds on their existing global collaboration,…
Payments industry urged to address environmental impact
What happened: Standard framework proposed to track carbon emissions The Payments Association, through its ESG Working Group, released a report emphasising the need for industry-wide collaboration to address the environmental impact of digital payments. While individual transactions may have minimal…
Microsoft ends updates for Windows 11 on non-compliant PCs
What happened: Windows 11 installation risks clarified by Microsoft Microsoft has updated its support page to clarify its stance on installing Windows 11 on PCs that do not meet minimum hardware requirements. Users can still install the operating system, but they do so at their own risk, with no sup…
Verizon offers network slicing for free with Enhanced Video Calling
What happened: Verizon leverages network slicing to improve consumer video calling without extra fees Verizon has launched Enhanced Video Calling, a new service that utilizes network slicing to improve the video calling experience for its customers. This service is available for iPhone 14 and newer …
Alianza acquires Metaswitch from Microsoft
What happened: Metaswitch deal enhances Alianza’s cloud communications platform for telecom providers Microsoft has sold its Metaswitch division to Alianza, a cloud communications platform focused on enabling service providers to modernise their offerings. Metaswitch, known for its high-performance …
Visa Direct to enable 60-second bank deposits starting April
What happened: Visa Direct to enable 60-second payments Starting in April, Visa will roll out an update to its Direct real-time money movement platform, enabling consumers, businesses, and governments to deposit funds into bank accounts linked to eligible debit cards in under 60 seconds. Visa Direct…
ExxonMobil targets data center energy with carbon capture
What happened: ExxonMobil to offer carbon capture solutions for data centers ExxonMobil is entering the data center sector with plans to provide low-carbon electricity for data centers across the U.S. using natural gas and its carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The company intends to build…
Boost Mobile and Mavenir achieve first Open RAN handover
What happened: Boost Mobile and Mavenir advance Open RAN interoperability Boost Mobile, in collaboration with Mavenir, has achieved the first-ever inter-vendor Open RAN handover via the 3GPP Xn interface, marking a significant milestone in Open RAN evolution. This innovation ensures seamless connect…
The future of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) in global finance
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) have become a significant topic of discussion in global finance. As central banks explore their potential, CBDCs promise to transform payment systems, financial inclusion, and the role of monetary policy. However, challenges remain, and their adoption could re…
Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin receives green light from NYDFS
What happened: Ripple gets NYDFS approval for RLUSD Ripple Labs has achieved a major regulatory milestone with the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) granting final approval for the launch of its US dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD. This development was confirmed by Ripple CEO Brad Gar…
ABN AMRO and Two launch ‘Pay Later’ for B2B payments
What happened: New Solutions for B2B Payments ABN AMRO, a leading financial institution based in the Netherlands, has launched a pilot program named ‘Pay Later’ in collaboration with B2B tech company Two. This new feature allows business clients to make payments through online invoices, offering a 3…
Ukraine’s plan to legalize crypto: Risk or reward?
What happened: Ukraine to legalize crypto by 2025 Ukraine has announced on Thursday(December 12) that it plans to legalize cryptocurrency by 2025. This is aims to create a regulated environment for digital assets. The Ministry of Digital Transformation will lead the effort, collaborating with blockc…
What is an internet protocol?
The term internet protocol (IP) refers to a set of rules that govern how data is transmitted over the internet or any other computer network. It defines how devices on a network communicate with one another, ensuring that data packets find their way to the right destination. Essentially, the Interne…
UK fibre market grows as competition cuts broadband prices
What happened: ISPs drive price drops in the UK fibre market The UK’s fibre market is seeing significant growth. According to recent reports, increased competition among internet service providers (ISPs) is driving down the cost of high-speed broadband. Smaller, independent providers are leading the…
Digi expands to Belgium with low-cost mobile and fibre plans
What happened: Digi launches low-cost mobile and fibre services in Belgium Digi Communications has officially launched in Belgium, expanding its European footprint. The Romania-based operator introduced a low-cost mobile plan and fibre broadband, although the latter is currently only available in th…
Finny raises $4.3M to redefine financial advisory with generative AI
What happened: Finny’s $4.3M funding Finny, a FinTech startup based in New York City, has successfully secured $4.3 million in seed funding to enhance its generative AI-powered platform. The funding round was led by Maple VC and HNVR, with contributions from prominent investors, including Crossbeam …
ARIN hosts holiday toy drive to support local families in need
What happened: ARIN hosts holiday toy drive for local families ARIN, the American Registry for Internet Numbers, has organized a holiday toy drive to support local families in need. This initiative is part of ARIN’s commitment to giving back to the community during the holiday season. Employees, alo…
APNIC’s Geoff Huston unpacks the quantum threat to security
What happened: APNIC explores transition to post-quantum cryptography In the final episode of the PING podcast for 2024, Geoff Huston, Chief Scientist at APNIC, highlights the urgency of transitioning from traditional public-private key cryptography methods, such as RSA and ECC, to Post Quantum Cryp…
LACNIC publishes RFC 9660 to enhance IP address management
What happened LACNIC has announced the publication of RFC 9660. The document, developed over several years, outlines a new protocol related to the distribution of IP addresses in Latin America and the Caribbean. It addresses key issues such as address allocation and network security. This achievemen…
Navigating change: RIPE NCC’s 2025 strategy
What happened: How RIPE NCC will tackle security, diversity, and sustainability in 2025 In RIPE NCC (Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre) staff presentation which was published on RIPE NCC’s official Youtube channel on December 9, RIPE NCC’s CEO, Hans Petter Holen, outlined how the orga…
Swish introduces tap-to-pay for ＄8.6M users
Swish introduces tap-to-pay for Android users in Sweden.
Yondr Group acquires site for first Canadian data center
What happened: Yondr Group expands to Toronto, supporting RAN interoperability Yondr Group has acquired a 4.5-acre site in Toronto to build its first data center in Canada, marking a major step in expanding its North American presence. The three-story, 27MW facility is set to begin delivering its in…
ACA Group redefines data management with next-gen AI platform
Managing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data is becoming more challenging as regulations tighten and transparency demands grow. ACA Group has launched an advanced iteration of its ACA Vantage for ESG platform, designed to streamline ESG data operations and mitigate compliance risks in t…
YC-backed Finny uses AI to connect financial advisors with clients
Finny uses AI to connect financial advisors with clients.
US firms band together in challenge to T-Mobile and UScellular
What happened: T-Mobile faces strong merger opposition This week, the FCC received four “Petition to Deny” filings from various parties opposing the T-Mobile and UScellular merger, demonstrating strong opposition among US telecom stakeholders. The filings came from organisations including the Commun…
Data consumption to hit new heights in 2024, says VMO2
What happened: VMO2 reveals record broadband data usage VMO2 has reported a record 8.1% increase in broadband data usage for 2024, driven primarily by online gaming, with significant peaks aligning with Call of Duty launches. The first week of December saw notable traffic spikes as six Premier Leagu…
Intel faces credit downgrade from S&P Global due to struggles
What happened: Intel faces credit rating challenges Intel is facing increasing challenges as S&P Global downgraded its credit rating from “BBB+” to “BBB.” This decision, announced on Tuesday, stems from concerns over the chipmaker’s slow recovery and management uncertainty, particularly following th…
Nokia secures deal with Nscale for AI cloud data centre networking
What happened: Nokia will supply Ethernet-based fabric for Nscale’s new data centre Nokia has been chosen to supply IP networking equipment for a new data centre by Nscale, a growing AI cloud specialist. The data centre, located in Stavanger, Norway, will be powered entirely by renewable energy and …
Indonesian telcos merge to create XLSmart
What happened: XL Axiata and Smartfren join forces to strengthen Indonesia’s 5G landscape XL Axiata and Smartfren have signed a $6.5 billion merger agreement, creating a new telecom entity called XLSmart. This merger consolidates their operations, with XLSmart starting as the third-largest telecom o…
Volante: Mid-tier banks invest heavily in payment modernisation
What happened: Mid-tier banks prioritise payment modernisation strategies Volante Technologies, the global leader in Payments as a Service (PaaS), releases its fourth annual survey focusing on mid-tier banks. Conducted in collaboration with Datos Insights, the report highlights how these financial i…
Google taps Intersect Power for clean energy in data centers
What happened: Google provides renewable energy for AI-powered data centers Google has partnered with Intersect Power and TPG to develop gigawatt-scale data center sites across the U.S., powered by clean energy solutions. Intersect will build renewable energy assets, including solar photovoltaics (P…
Vertiv and compass launch innovative cooling solution
What happened: Hybrid cooling system designed to optimize AI data center Vertiv and Compass Datacenters have unveiled a new hybrid cooling solution tailored for AI data centers, addressing the growing challenges of managing heat and energy efficiency in high-performance computing environments. This …
Italy eases planned tax hike on cryptocurrency gains
What happened: Italy to reduce proposed tax increase on cryptocurrency gains The Italian government has decided to reduce its proposed tax increase on cryptocurrency capital gains from 42% to 28% following industry pushback and internal political disagreements. The original plan aimed to raise taxes…