Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
ARIN seeks volunteers for 2025 Fellowship Selection Committee
What happened: ARIN explores volunteers for Fellowship Selection Committee The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) is inviting volunteers to serve on the 2025 ARIN Fellowship Selection Committee. This committee is responsible for evaluating applications and selecting candidates for ARIN’s …
Solidarity Community FCU joins Mahalo Banking for upgrade
What happened: Solidarity Community upgrades digital banking with Mahalo Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union has partnered with Mahalo Banking to enhance its digital banking services. The credit union will deploy Mahalo’s digital banking platform, designed to streamline online banking processe…
OpenAI partners with Anduril to advance military AI development
What happened: OpenAI and Anduril’s partnership on military AI OpenAI has announced a partnership with Anduril, a U.S.-based weapons and defense technology startup, to explore applications of artificial intelligence in military operations. Anduril, known for its innovative work in autonomous drones …
Xreal unveils augmented reality glasses with custom chip
What happened: Xreal launches AR glasses with new chip Alibaba-backed Xreal unveils its new augmented reality (AR) glasses, featuring a custom-designed chip to enhance performance. The product aims to offer an everyday, practical AR experience, positioning Xreal against Meta’s dominance in the AR an…
AWS pledges $100M in cloud credits to boost education
What happened: AWS Pledges $100M in Cloud Credits for Education Amazon cloud computing division AWS announced the Education Equity Initiative on December 4. This aims to provide “education organizations with technologies to build digital learning innovations for underrepresented communities.” AWS is…
Vega C’s comeback: Europe reclaims space ambitions
What happened: Europe’s Vega C rocket set for crucial relaunch ESA’s Vega-C rocket is complete on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport and ready for liftoff. The final element of the rocket, which includes the Sentinel-1C satellite that will be launched into space, was installed on top of the 35-m l…
Uptiq.AI acquires UpSwot to improve data integration
What happened: Uptiq.AI acquires financial data integration fintech UpSwot US-based Uptiq.AI has acquired financial data integration fintech UpSwot for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition will integrate UpSwot’s data capabilities into Uptiq.AI’s newly launched AI Workbench product. Uptiq.AI, an ente…
RTP network raises transaction limit to $10M to support business growth
What happened: RTP network raises transaction limit The Clearing House, operator of the (Real-Time Payments) RTP® network, has announced a significant increase in the individual transaction limit to $10 million, effective February 9, 2025. This move aims to support growth in sectors like real estate…
ARIN launches consultation on Reg-RWS improvements
What happened: ARIN seeks feedback for Reg-RWS improvements ARIN has initiated a consultation to gather community feedback on potential improvements to its Registration Data Services (Reg-RWS). The consultation aims to refine and enhance the accessibility, accuracy, and privacy of the registration d…
Mastercard reaches $250m settlement in UK overcharging lawsuit
What happened: Mastercard settles UK fee overcharging lawsuit Mastercard has reached a settlement agreement in principle to resolve a groundbreaking legal claim brought on behalf of approximately 46 million UK consumers. The consumers alleged that the payments company imposed unfairly high transacti…
IPH Limited acquires Bereskin & Parr, expanding Canadian reach
Canadian footprint with Bereskin & Parr acquisition IPH Limited, a leading global provider of intellectual property (IP) services, has announced its acquisition of Canadian IP firm Bereskin & Parr. The acquisition strengthens IPH’s presence in Canada, as Bereskin & Parr will merge with Smart & Bigga…
Outcomex: AU’s changing Security Landscape Amid DDoS Attack
Australia faces evolving cyber threats with rise in DDoS attacks The security landscape in Australia is changing rapidly, driven by increasing digitalisation and the corresponding rise in cyber threats. Among these threats, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have emerged as a significant c…
Trump nominates billionaire Jared Isaacman to lead NASA
What happened: Jared Isaacman nominated by Trump to lead NASA “We will never again lose our ability to journey to the stars,” declared Jared Isaacman, founder of Shift4 Payments, as President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination for NASA administrator. Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and…
Kyivstar’s GenAI lab boosts innovation with AWS partnership
What happened Kyivstar, the largest telecommunications operator in Ukraine, has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to establish a Generative AI Lab aimed at empowering Ukrainian businesses to leverage AI technologies for innovation and operational efficiency. The lab will provide AI-driven ser…
Kaizen enhances compliance with RegGenome’s AI-driven data
What happened: Integration of AI-driven regulatory data Kaizen, a provider of regulatory compliance solutions to global financial institutions, has announced a strategic partnership with RegGenome, a global regulatory data provider. This collaboration will leverage AI to significantly expand the cov…
European Commission introduces sustainable finance FAQs
What happened: EU Commission releases sustainable finance FAQs The European Commission has recently unveiled a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) documents to assist investors in navigating the complexities of sustainable finance. These FAQs are designed to provide clear guidance on the applic…
M-Files appoints Jay Bhatt as CEO following major recapitalization
What happened: Jay Bhatt named M-Files CEO amid recapitalization M-Files, recognized for its intelligent information management solutions, has announced the appointment of Jay Bhatt as its new CEO. This leadership transition is in conjunction with the closing of a significant recapitalization deal l…
ICP-2 principles debate: Shaping Asia’s internet governance
What happened: ICP-2 principles debate At the recent Japan Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and JPOPM 47, entities engaged in detailed discussions about proposed updates to the ICP-2 principles. These principles guide Internet governance in the Asia-Pacific region, and the updates aim to align re…
Applications open for fintech startups to pitch at EBAday 2025
What happened: Fintech Zone pitch contest Applications are now open for fintech startups to join the Fintech Zone pitch contest at EBAday 2025, the annual summit hosted by the Euro Banking Association (EBA) and Finextra. The event will take place in Paris and feature a high-level conference alongsid…
ITW Asia 2024: Connecting Asia’s digital future
In a region as dynamic as Asia, the need for robust digital infrastructure has never been more urgent. The upcoming ITW Asia 2024, set to take place from December 4-5 at the Shangri-La Singapore, will bring together key industry players to chart the future of connectivity. With over 1,200 attendees …
Kyivstar and AWS join forces to bring AI innovation to Ukraine
What happened Kyivstar, one of Ukraine’s largest telecom providers, has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch a generative AI lab aimed at transforming business operations in the region. This initiative will provide Ukrainian enterprises with access to advanced AI-driven tools such as c…
IAB appoints Pete Resnick to 2025 ICANN Nominating Committee
What happened: Pete Resnick appointed to 2025 ICANN NomCom The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) has appointed Pete Resnick as the IETF delegate to the 2025 ICANN Nominating Committee (NomCom). The NomCom plays a key role in selecting leadership positions within ICANN, including members of its Board…
TP ICAP collaborates with AWS to scale technology infrastructure
What happened: TP Icap cooperates with Amazon Web Services TP ICAP has signed a significant agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to enhance its technology infrastructure and accelerate innovation. As part of the collaboration, 45 AWS Professional Services engineers will work alongside TP ICAP’s …
Bridging oceans: Google’s Fiji cable ambition
What happened: Google lays the groundwork for Pacific connectivity Google announced on November 30 that it will break ground on a new cable landing station in Fiji. The station will serve as a hub for an international undersea cable connecting the island nation to the wider Pacific Ocean. The facili…
Lumin Digital raises over $160M in growth equity financing
What happened: Digital banking platform Lumin Digital raises over $160M Cloud-native digital banking platform Lumin Digital has secured over $160 million in growth equity financing. The funding round was led by Light Street Capital, NewView Capital, and Partners Group. Founded in 2016, Lumin Digital…
EPC releases the 2025 payment scheme rulebooks
What happened: Payment scheme rulebooks The European Payments Council (EPC) has released five rulebooks for its 2025 payment schemes, along with the Implementation Guidelines (IGs). These updates will take effect on 5 October 2025, instead of the usual November date. This shift aligns with the Insta…
Top tech news today: December 4, 2024
1. AT&T targets 50 million fibre locations AT&T has set a target of expanding its fibre network to 50 million locations by 2025, aiming to enhance its broadband offerings across the U.S. Telecoms.com Viasat satellite messaging 2. Industry responds to Rosenworcel’s ‘rip and replace’ plea T…
Pat Gelsinger resigns as Intel CEO after tough financial year
What happened Pat Gelsinger, Intel’s CEO since 2021, has stepped down effective immediately, marking the end of a pivotal era for the semiconductor giant. Gelsinger’s tenure was defined by the launch of “IDM 2.0,” a strategy aimed at revitalising Intel’s domestic semiconductor manufacturing through …
Nile launches first Campus Zero Trust service
What happened Nile, a Campus Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) provider, launched the Nile Trust Service, a significant advancement in enterprise network security. Designed to simplify network architecture, the service incorporates Zero Trust principles directly into wired and wireless Local Area Networks…
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announces retirement
What happened Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel, announced his retirement effective December 1, 2024. It makes the end of a transformative but challenging tenure. He rejoined Intel in 2021 after leading VMware and embarked on an ambitious strategy to revitalize the company, including the IDM 2.0 initiativ…
Ripple joins Tenity DeFi fund to boost blockchain innovation
What happened Ripple has joined Swiss fintech incubator Tenity‘s Inc. Fund II as a strategic partner and limited partner, marking a significant move to bolster decentralized finance (DeFi) innovation. This partnership will see Tenity expand its focus on DeFi by backing promising startups that are bu…
HSBC partners with Dandelion to optimize cross-border payments
What happened HSBC has announced a strategic partnership with Dandelion, a cross-border payments platform under Euronet Worldwide, to modernize international payment infrastructure. This collaboration allows HSBC clients to send funds to more than 100 destinations across 60 currencies, marking a sig…
Bybit unveils physical card in Brazil to simplify crypto spending
What happened Bybit, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has introduced its first physical crypto card in Brazil, designed to make digital currencies more practical for everyday use. The card allows users to convert cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT directly into Brazilian reais, enab…
Swift crypto legislation expected under Trump
What happened Faryar Shirzad, the chief policy officer at Coinbase, has stated that he anticipates the Donald Trump administration will swiftly pass pro-crypto legislation in the United States. This comes on the heels of the Republican Party‘s significant win, securing control of both the Senate and…
APNIC fosters collaboration at Peering Asia 6.0
What happened APNIC supported and participated in Peering Asia 6.0, held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 6 to 7 November 2024. The event, co-hosted by IDNOG, APJII, and Equinix, welcomed 598 entities who participated in peering meetings, conference, and panel sessions. A peering tutorial was also hel…
Elon Musk accuses OpenAI of antitrust violations
What happened Lawyers for tech billionaire Elon Musk filed a preliminary injunction on November 29 against OpenAI, several of its co-founders, and Microsoft, its investor and close partner, to prevent OpenAI and other named defendants from engaging in what Musk’s lawyers claim are anti-competitive p…
Cellnex and VMO2 enhance connectivity in Bristol
What happened: connectivity in Bristol added by Cellnex and VMO2 Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) and Cellnex have partnered with Bristol City Council to boost connectivity in the city using lamppost-mounted small cells. Bristol City Council has provided Cellnex with access to lamposts to install small cells …
Norway to join Eurosystem’s Instant Payment network by 2028
What happened: Instant payment service Norway has agreed to add the krone to the Eurosystem’s Target Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) service, with plans for inclusion in the first half of 2028. This follows the addition of the Swedish krona and Danish krone, expected next year. The move will allow…
ECB releases second progress report on digital euro
What happened: Digital euro The European Central Bank (ECB) has released its second progress report on the digital euro, marking significant steps in its potential launch. Since the first report, the ECB has updated its digital euro rulebook to standardise payments across the euro area. It has also …
How Anycast routing boosts DNS resilience and reduces latency
What happened At LACNIC 42 LACNOG 2024, Carlos Martínez highlighted the importance of Anycast in enhancing DNS resilience. The technique works by combining Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routing with Domain Name System (DNS) capabilities. DNS, often called “the phone book of the Internet,” maps domai…
CHIPS network sets Black Friday record with $2.63T in transactions
What happened: Payments record The CHIPS network, the world’s largest private-sector clearing and settlement system, set a new record on Black Friday, processing 1,083,550 payments valued at $2.63 trillion. Several factors drove the surge, including transactions from foreign banks that don’t observe…
Viasat pioneers direct-to-device satellite messaging in Saudi Arabia
What happened In a technological first for Saudi Arabia, Viasat demonstrated its direct-to-device (D2D) satellite messaging system, marking a step forward in satellite connectivity. The showcase took place during the “Connecting the World from the Skies” event hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Communications…
Pat Gelsinger steps down as Intel CEO amid financial struggles
What happened Pat Gelsinger, who became Intel’s CEO in 2021, announced his retirement and immediate departure from the board of directors amid challenging economic conditions for the company. Gelsinger had launched the “IDM 2.0” initiative, aimed at reviving domestic semiconductor manufacturing by b…
XRP surpasses $100B market cap, soars 30% in a week
What happened XRP’s market cap soared above $100 billion for the first time since 2018, driven by optimism around Ripple’s expanding market presence and potential regulatory milestones. The token posted impressive gains, with a 7-day increase of 30% and a 30-day surge nearing 300%. A key factor fuel…
Expired DNSSEC signatures disrupt 26 African TLDs
What happened At the end of October 2024, a significant technical issue disrupted 26 African Top-Level Domains (TLDs). One of their authoritative name servers, managed by Afrinic, served outdated data, with DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) signatures flagged as expired. This issue was…
Intel’s $7.86B CHIPS Act funding comes with strict conditions
What happened Intel has secured $7.86 billion in funding under the United States CHIPS Act, but the deal comes with firm restrictions. The conditions, revealed in a recent filing, require Intel to retain at least 50.1% ownership and control of its foundry business if spun out as a private entity. If…
Ex-Tesco leader’s plan to channel Moroccan energy to the UK
What happened Sir Dave Lewis, the former boss of Tesco, is spearheading an ambitious project to build the world’s longest subsea power cable, stretching 4,000 km from Morocco to Great Britain. This initiative, backed by Xlinks, will harness renewable energy from vast wind and solar farms in Morocco’…
KPMG UK and FinTech Scotland unite for fintech growth
What happened KPMG UK has joined FinTech Scotland, the cluster management organization for fintech in Scotland, to work closely on fostering innovation, accelerating growth, and driving technology adoption within the Scottish financial technology sector. This commitment by KPMG UK adds significant e…
Vodafone partners with Quantum Accelerator to advance network optimization
What happened Vodafone announced its collaboration with Digital Catapult’s Quantum Accelerator program, a UK-based initiative designed to enhance quantum technology integration. The program will focus on optimizing Vodafone’s network performance, including capacity management and energy efficiency. …
Chinese ship accused of Baltic undersea cable sabotage
What happened A Chinese commercial ship, Yi Peng 3, is under scrutiny for allegedly cutting two undersea data cables in the Baltic Sea. Investigators believe the ship intentionally dragged its anchor, causing extensive damage to internet links between Sweden, Lithuania, Finland, and Germany. The shi…