![\"FinTech](\"https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/FinTech-credit-unions.jpg\")
The mobile phone\u2019s increasing penetration into global markets is helping blur the lines between telecom and financial services, where digital banks, and especially neobanks, are moving into communications and mobile payments, and telcos, in turn, are branching more fully into finance.
\nAt the end of 2022, PYMNTS Intelligence profiled a trend wherein partnerships with FinTechs or financial institutions (FIs) and telecommunications companies were transforming and boosting financial inclusion in both emerging and industrial economies. The smartphone has been the gateway to access all manner of activities, and PYMNTS surveys showed that more than a quarter of individuals were interested in using banking offerings provided by telecom firms.
\nMore recently, the PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cHow the World Does Digital: A Global Benchmark of Consumer Digital Transformation,\u201d which focused on 11 countries, found that the infrastructure for digital banking and telecom is pervasive, as most populations surveyed have access to and use mobile phones.
\nSeparately, the Global System for Mobile Communications Association estimated that 4.3 billion people have smartphones in hand, but the greenfield opportunity is significant, as 3.4 billion people remain untapped.
\nDrilling down a bit, PYMNTS found that Brazil (an emerging market) is a standout, representing the most digitally connected country in our pantheon, with the most \u201cactivity days\u201d spent online \u2014 361 days compared to the overall sample of 281. The outsized digital momentum included mobile banking, used by 63% of local consumers in Brazil, as measured weekly.
\nLast month, Nu Holdings, the company that owns digital bank Nubank, said in a fourth-quarter earnings release that it increased its customer base by 22% overall and estimated that it became the third-largest FI in Brazil, while boosting its customer count in Mexico by 91%.
\nIts NuCel mobile phone service, which launched in Brazil late last year, is \u201ca mobile phone service designed to transform customer experience and expand the company\u2019s portfolio beyond financial services.\u201d As 2025 dawned, Nubank said NuCel customers would have access to a savings feature, with yields of 120% of the certificate of deposit on customer-deposited amounts, up to 10,000 Brazilian reais (about $1,700), for at least one year.
\nThe Nubank efforts show how cross-platform and cross-company efforts can forge personalized interactions, with the mobile phone at the center, particularly for everyday saving and spending activities.
\nIn another example, Lyca Mobile integrated Revolut Pay into its payment systems. The companies said the joint efforts enable automated payments for subscriptions and bills, and January announcements said most Lyca customers using Revolut have opted to use the automatic top-up feature.
\nEarlier this month, Verizon launched a long-term partnership with Santander\u2019s U.S. digital banking platform. The cross-selling initiative offers a high-yield savings account on Santander\u2019s Openbank platform to Verizon\u2019s mobile and 5G customers in the United States.
\nThe Verizon + Openbank Savings Account has a rate 10 times the national average and offers customers the ability to save up to $180 a year on their Verizon bills. The partnership \u201cenhances Verizon\u2019s financial service portfolio with added benefits for customers,\u201d according to a March 18 press release.
\nAs part of the portfolio, the company offers its Visa rewards card through which users accrue \u201cVerizon Dollars\u201d as a percentage (up to 4%) on everyday spending categories.
\nThe post From Minutes to Money: Telecom Firms Bank on Financial Services appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "The mobile phone\u2019s increasing penetration into global markets is helping blur the lines between telecom and financial services, where digital banks, and especially neobanks, are moving into communications and mobile payments, and telcos, in turn, are branching more fully into finance.\nAt the end of 2022, PYMNTS Intelligence profiled a trend wherein partnerships with FinTechs or financial institutions (FIs) and telecommunications companies were transforming and boosting financial inclusion in both emerging and industrial economies. The smartphone has been the gateway to access all manner of activities, and PYMNTS surveys showed that more than a quarter of individuals were interested in using banking offerings provided by telecom firms.\nMore recently, the PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cHow the World Does Digital: A Global Benchmark of Consumer Digital Transformation,\u201d which focused on 11 countries, found that the infrastructure for digital banking and telecom is pervasive, as most populations surveyed have access to and use mobile phones.\nSeparately, the Global System for Mobile Communications Association estimated that 4.3 billion people have smartphones in hand, but the greenfield opportunity is significant, as 3.4 billion people remain untapped.\nCross-Selling Opportunities\nDrilling down a bit, PYMNTS found that Brazil (an emerging market) is a standout, representing the most digitally connected country in our pantheon, with the most \u201cactivity days\u201d spent online \u2014 361 days compared to the overall sample of 281. The outsized digital momentum included mobile banking, used by 63% of local consumers in Brazil, as measured weekly.\nLast month, Nu Holdings, the company that owns digital bank Nubank, said in a fourth-quarter earnings release that it increased its customer base by 22% overall and estimated that it became the third-largest FI in Brazil, while boosting its customer count in Mexico by 91%.\nIts NuCel mobile phone service, which launched in Brazil late last year, is \u201ca mobile phone service designed to transform customer experience and expand the company\u2019s portfolio beyond financial services.\u201d As 2025 dawned, Nubank said NuCel customers would have access to a savings feature, with yields of 120% of the certificate of deposit on customer-deposited amounts, up to 10,000 Brazilian reais (about $1,700), for at least one year.\nThe Nubank efforts show how cross-platform and cross-company efforts can forge personalized interactions, with the mobile phone at the center, particularly for everyday saving and spending activities.\nIn another example, Lyca Mobile integrated Revolut Pay into its payment systems. The companies said the joint efforts enable automated payments for subscriptions and bills, and January announcements said most Lyca customers using Revolut have opted to use the automatic top-up feature.\nEarlier this month, Verizon launched a long-term partnership with Santander\u2019s U.S. digital banking platform. The cross-selling initiative offers a high-yield savings account on Santander\u2019s Openbank platform to Verizon\u2019s mobile and 5G customers in the United States.\nThe Verizon + Openbank Savings Account has a rate 10 times the national average and offers customers the ability to save up to $180 a year on their Verizon bills. The partnership \u201cenhances Verizon\u2019s financial service portfolio with added benefits for customers,\u201d according to a March 18 press release.\nAs part of the portfolio, the company offers its Visa rewards card through which users accrue \u201cVerizon Dollars\u201d as a percentage (up to 4%) on everyday spending categories.\nThe post From Minutes to Money: Telecom Firms Bank on Financial Services appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-03-31T12:39:48-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-01T13:11:45-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/mobile-banking-telecom-partnerships.jpg", "tags": [ "banking partnerships", "Banks", "brazil", "credit", "digital banks", "Digital Payments", "digital transformation", "Editor's Picks", "Featured News", "financial inclusion", "FinTech", "Lyca Mobile", "Mobile", "mobile banks", "Mobile Payments", "News", "NUBANK", "PYMNTS News", "Revolut Pay", "Santander", "Verizon" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2293627", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/mobile/2024/67percent-of-fintechs-prioritize-mobile-capabilities-to-drive-growth-and-engagement/", "title": "67% of FinTechs Prioritize Mobile Capabilities to Drive Growth and Engagement", "content_html": "FinTechs are pursuing modernization to stay competitive, focusing on mobile capabilities and enhancing user experience.
\nAccording to a PYMNTS Intelligence report, \u201cThe FinTech Innovation Agenda,\u201d a collaboration with Velera, nearly two-thirds of FinTechs are prioritizing mobile feature expansion in the next three years, while refining internal testing and addressing regulatory challenges. The report examines how FinTechs are shaping their innovation strategies to meet growth and operational objectives despite ongoing obstacles.
\nFor FinTechs, innovation isn\u2019t just about staying competitive \u2014 it\u2019s crucial for brand reputation and market expansion. According to the report, 42% of FinTechs prioritize enhancing their brand image, while 39% aim to enter new markets. These factors outweigh profitability and operational efficiency. Internal product testing, particularly with employees, is a key approach, with 44% of FinTechs using this method more than consumer-based testing (17%). Additionally, 50% of FinTechs build their own tools, while 39% partner with industry consultants to refine their products.
\n
Highlighting internal testing illustrates FinTechs\u2019 desire to control product quality and trigger change. By involving employees early on, they can assess market readiness and address potential issues before reaching customers. With 67% of FinTechs prioritizing mobile capabilities for the next three years, it\u2019s clear that enhancing the mobile experience is key to their strategies for consumer engagement and growth.
\nDespite the digital-first nature of Gen Z consumers, FinTechs are somewhat divided on the importance of targeting this demographic. While 62% of FinTechs acknowledge that attracting Gen Z consumers is important for their growth, only 42% deem it \u201cvery important.\u201d This contrasts sharply with credit unions (CUs), where 95% of respondents recognize the value of engaging Gen Z. Notably, FinTechs that are reluctant to focus on this generation cite concerns about their relatively low deposits (71%) and low credit utilization rates (53%) as the main barriers.
\nBut the potential long-term benefits of attracting Gen Z \u2014 such as their growing deposits and high levels of connectivity \u2014 should not be overlooked. Nearly 60% of FinTechs agree that Gen Z represents a key growth market, and 49% see them as highly connected, which could lead to customer expansion. Despite the hesitation of some, the opportunity to build long-term brand loyalty among this digitally native group remains a compelling factor that could shape the future of FinTech consumer engagement strategies.
\nWhile FinTechs are committed to change and modernization, they are not without their challenges. Regulatory compliance is the top issue facing the industry, with 34% of respondents identifying it as a significant barrier to bringing new products to market. Additionally, 31% of FinTechs struggle with system integration and complex internal decision-making processes.\u00a0Few respondents in the report cite a lack of resources or budget as major obstacles, indicating that financial and technological resources are in place to support current and future strategies.
\nThese hurdles highlight the complexity of operating in a heavily regulated and technology-driven environment. As FinTechs look to the future, overcoming these barriers will be critical to ensuring continued growth and successful product launches. A focus on streamlining internal processes, staying ahead of regulatory changes and enhancing collaboration with external partners can help alleviate these ongoing challenges.
\nThe post 67% of FinTechs Prioritize Mobile Capabilities to Drive Growth and Engagement appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "FinTechs are pursuing modernization to stay competitive, focusing on mobile capabilities and enhancing user experience.\nAccording to a PYMNTS Intelligence report, \u201cThe FinTech Innovation Agenda,\u201d a collaboration with Velera, nearly two-thirds of FinTechs are prioritizing mobile feature expansion in the next three years, while refining internal testing and addressing regulatory challenges. The report examines how FinTechs are shaping their innovation strategies to meet growth and operational objectives despite ongoing obstacles.\nInnovation Drives Market Expansion\nFor FinTechs, innovation isn\u2019t just about staying competitive \u2014 it\u2019s crucial for brand reputation and market expansion. According to the report, 42% of FinTechs prioritize enhancing their brand image, while 39% aim to enter new markets. These factors outweigh profitability and operational efficiency. Internal product testing, particularly with employees, is a key approach, with 44% of FinTechs using this method more than consumer-based testing (17%). Additionally, 50% of FinTechs build their own tools, while 39% partner with industry consultants to refine their products.\n\nHighlighting internal testing illustrates FinTechs\u2019 desire to control product quality and trigger change. By involving employees early on, they can assess market readiness and address potential issues before reaching customers. With 67% of FinTechs prioritizing mobile capabilities for the next three years, it\u2019s clear that enhancing the mobile experience is key to their strategies for consumer engagement and growth.\nThe Challenge of Attracting Gen Z\nDespite the digital-first nature of Gen Z consumers, FinTechs are somewhat divided on the importance of targeting this demographic. While 62% of FinTechs acknowledge that attracting Gen Z consumers is important for their growth, only 42% deem it \u201cvery important.\u201d This contrasts sharply with credit unions (CUs), where 95% of respondents recognize the value of engaging Gen Z. Notably, FinTechs that are reluctant to focus on this generation cite concerns about their relatively low deposits (71%) and low credit utilization rates (53%) as the main barriers.\nBut the potential long-term benefits of attracting Gen Z \u2014 such as their growing deposits and high levels of connectivity \u2014 should not be overlooked. Nearly 60% of FinTechs agree that Gen Z represents a key growth market, and 49% see them as highly connected, which could lead to customer expansion. Despite the hesitation of some, the opportunity to build long-term brand loyalty among this digitally native group remains a compelling factor that could shape the future of FinTech consumer engagement strategies.\nRegulatory and Technical Hurdles\nWhile FinTechs are committed to change and modernization, they are not without their challenges. Regulatory compliance is the top issue facing the industry, with 34% of respondents identifying it as a significant barrier to bringing new products to market. Additionally, 31% of FinTechs struggle with system integration and complex internal decision-making processes.\u00a0Few respondents in the report cite a lack of resources or budget as major obstacles, indicating that financial and technological resources are in place to support current and future strategies.\nThese hurdles highlight the complexity of operating in a heavily regulated and technology-driven environment. As FinTechs look to the future, overcoming these barriers will be critical to ensuring continued growth and successful product launches. A focus on streamlining internal processes, staying ahead of regulatory changes and enhancing collaboration with external partners can help alleviate these ongoing challenges.\nThe post 67% of FinTechs Prioritize Mobile Capabilities to Drive Growth and Engagement appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-11-18T04:00:20-05:00", "date_modified": "2024-11-15T15:42:33-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/FinTechs-mobile-capabilities.png", "tags": [ "credit unions", "data brief", "Featured News", "FinTech", "Gen Z", "Generation Z", "mobile capabilities", "Mobile Payments", "News", "PYMNTS Intelligence", "PYMNTS News", "regulations", "The Data Point", "Velera", "Mobile" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1888342", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/mobile/2024/apple-dethroned-by-samsung-as-smartphone-market-recovers/", "title": "Apple Dethroned by Samsung as Smartphone Market Recovers", "content_html": "Apple\u2019s reign as the world\u2019s top smartphone maker was short-lived.
\nThe iPhone maker supplanted Samsung late last year as the number-one seller of the devices, though Samsung regained the crown during this year\u2019s first quarter, according to a report Sunday (April 14) by IDC.
\nThat report shows Apple\u2019s iPhone shipments declining and points to a broader recovery in the smartphone market \u2014 with shipments up 7.8% year over year to 289.4 million units in the first quarter \u2014 although IDC said some turbulence is to still be expected.
\n\u201cThe smartphone market is emerging from the turbulence of the last two years both stronger and changed,\u201d Nabila Popal, research director with IDC\u2019s Worldwide Tracker team, said in a news release.\u00a0
\n\u201cFirstly, we continue to see growth in value and average selling prices (ASPs) as consumers opt for more expensive devices knowing they will hold onto their devices longer. Secondly, there is a shift in power among the Top 5 companies, which will likely continue as market players adjust their strategies in a post-recovery world.\u201d
\nThat top five includes Samsung and Apple, followed by three Chinese consumer electronics companies: Xiaomi, Transsion, and OPPO. Both Xiaomi and Transsion gained market share year over year, the report said, while Samsung\u2019s and Apple\u2019s market share declined a respective 0.7% and 9.6%.
\nApple briefly became the world\u2019s top smartphone company in late 2023, supplanting Samsung for the first time in 13 years. During the first quarter of this year, Apple shipped 50.1 million phones, down from 55.4 during the same quarter last year.
\nThis decline is happening as Apple continues to face pressure in China, one of its most important markets.
\nFebruary brought reports that resellers in China were offering big markdowns on the latest edition of the iPhone. The phone debuted in September but hasn\u2019t sold as well as previous versions, due partially to economic pressures and competition from China-based rival Huawei.
\n\u201cApple is catching up with the \u2018deflation\u2019 trend in China, intending to boost the demand for iPhones,\u201d IDC analyst Will Wong told Bloomberg News last month.
\n\u201cBased on IDC\u2019s preliminary January data, the pressure was mainly coming from other Android vendors as we saw Apple decline by around 10% year-on-year in the month while Huawei grew triple-digits over the same period.\u201d
\n\n
The post Apple Dethroned by Samsung as Smartphone Market Recovers appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Apple\u2019s reign as the world\u2019s top smartphone maker was short-lived.\nThe iPhone maker supplanted Samsung late last year as the number-one seller of the devices, though Samsung regained the crown during this year\u2019s first quarter, according to a report Sunday (April 14) by IDC.\nThat report shows Apple\u2019s iPhone shipments declining and points to a broader recovery in the smartphone market \u2014 with shipments up 7.8% year over year to 289.4 million units in the first quarter \u2014 although IDC said some turbulence is to still be expected.\n\u201cThe smartphone market is emerging from the turbulence of the last two years both stronger and changed,\u201d Nabila Popal, research director with IDC\u2019s Worldwide Tracker team, said in a news release.\u00a0\n\u201cFirstly, we continue to see growth in value and average selling prices (ASPs) as consumers opt for more expensive devices knowing they will hold onto their devices longer. Secondly, there is a shift in power among the Top 5 companies, which will likely continue as market players adjust their strategies in a post-recovery world.\u201d\nThat top five includes Samsung and Apple, followed by three Chinese consumer electronics companies: Xiaomi, Transsion, and OPPO. Both Xiaomi and Transsion gained market share year over year, the report said, while Samsung\u2019s and Apple\u2019s market share declined a respective 0.7% and 9.6%.\nApple briefly became the world\u2019s top smartphone company in late 2023, supplanting Samsung for the first time in 13 years. During the first quarter of this year, Apple shipped 50.1 million phones, down from 55.4 during the same quarter last year.\nThis decline is happening as Apple continues to face pressure in China, one of its most important markets.\nFebruary brought reports that resellers in China were offering big markdowns on the latest edition of the iPhone. The phone debuted in September but hasn\u2019t sold as well as previous versions, due partially to economic pressures and competition from China-based rival Huawei.\n\u201cApple is catching up with the \u2018deflation\u2019 trend in China, intending to boost the demand for iPhones,\u201d IDC analyst Will Wong told Bloomberg News last month.\n\u201cBased on IDC\u2019s preliminary January data, the pressure was mainly coming from other Android vendors as we saw Apple decline by around 10% year-on-year in the month while Huawei grew triple-digits over the same period.\u201d\n \nThe post Apple Dethroned by Samsung as Smartphone Market Recovers appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-04-15T06:47:58-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-04-15T06:47:58-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/samsung-smartphones-india-eCommerce.jpg", "tags": [ "Apple", "consumer electronics", "electronics", "IDC", "iPhone", "Mobile", "mobile phones", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Samsung", "Smartphones", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1862668", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/mobile/2024/dhs-fbi-investigating-service-outage-on-att-mobile-network/", "title": "DHS, FBI Investigating Service Outage on AT&T Mobile Network", "content_html": "Several federal agencies are working with AT&T to identify the cause of a widespread service outage that struck the company\u2019s mobile network Thursday (Feb. 22).\u00a0
\nAn undetermined number of\u00a0AT&T\u00a0customers in the United States were unable to use their mobile phones for a time Thursday as the mobile carrier experienced this service outage.
\nBloomberg\u00a0reported Thursday that it was not immediately known how many AT&T customers were affected but that the problem was experienced in several cities, including New York, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago and Dallas.
\nAT&T, the third-largest retail wireless carrier in the U.S., has about 87 million subscribers, according to the report.
\nThree other mobile carriers \u2014\u00a0Verizon,\u00a0T-Mobile\u00a0and UScellular \u2014 also had service disruptions Thursday, but their outages were more limited than that of AT&T, Reuters\u00a0reported.
\nAT&T said in a\u00a0network update\u00a0posted Thursday at 10:15 a.m. CT: \u201cSome of our customers are experiencing wireless service interruptions this morning. Our network teams took immediate action and so far three-quarters of our network has been restored.\u201d
\nAbout four hours later, in another network update posted at 2:10 p.m. CT, AT&T said: \u201cWe have restored wireless service to all our affected customers. We sincerely apologize to them. Keeping our customers connected remains our top priority, and we are taking steps to ensure our customers do not experience this again in the future.\u201d
\nAsked about the event during a Thursday\u00a0press briefing, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had been in touch with AT&T, the conversations were ongoing and the organizations were trying to figure out what happened.
\n\u201cI can tell you that DHS [Department of Homeland Security] and the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] are looking into this as well, working with the tech industry, these network providers, to see what we can do from a federal perspective to lend hand to their investigative efforts to figure out what happened here,\u201d Kirby said.
\nKirby added that AT&T had reported that there was no reason to believe that the service outage was a cybersecurity incident but that the investigation was in its early stages.
\nThe post DHS, FBI Investigating Service Outage on AT&T Mobile Network appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Several federal agencies are working with AT&T to identify the cause of a widespread service outage that struck the company\u2019s mobile network Thursday (Feb. 22).\u00a0\nAn undetermined number of\u00a0AT&T\u00a0customers in the United States were unable to use their mobile phones for a time Thursday as the mobile carrier experienced this service outage.\nBloomberg\u00a0reported Thursday that it was not immediately known how many AT&T customers were affected but that the problem was experienced in several cities, including New York, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago and Dallas.\nAT&T, the third-largest retail wireless carrier in the U.S., has about 87 million subscribers, according to the report.\nThree other mobile carriers \u2014\u00a0Verizon,\u00a0T-Mobile\u00a0and UScellular \u2014 also had service disruptions Thursday, but their outages were more limited than that of AT&T, Reuters\u00a0reported.\nAT&T said in a\u00a0network update\u00a0posted Thursday at 10:15 a.m. CT: \u201cSome of our customers are experiencing wireless service interruptions this morning. Our network teams took immediate action and so far three-quarters of our network has been restored.\u201d\nAbout four hours later, in another network update posted at 2:10 p.m. CT, AT&T said: \u201cWe have restored wireless service to all our affected customers. We sincerely apologize to them. Keeping our customers connected remains our top priority, and we are taking steps to ensure our customers do not experience this again in the future.\u201d\nAsked about the event during a Thursday\u00a0press briefing, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had been in touch with AT&T, the conversations were ongoing and the organizations were trying to figure out what happened.\n\u201cI can tell you that DHS [Department of Homeland Security] and the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] are looking into this as well, working with the tech industry, these network providers, to see what we can do from a federal perspective to lend hand to their investigative efforts to figure out what happened here,\u201d Kirby said.\nKirby added that AT&T had reported that there was no reason to believe that the service outage was a cybersecurity incident but that the investigation was in its early stages.\nThe post DHS, FBI Investigating Service Outage on AT&T Mobile Network appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-02-22T20:16:18-05:00", "date_modified": "2024-02-22T20:16:18-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ATT.jpg", "tags": [ "AT&T", "DHS", "FBI", "investigations", "mobile networks", "mobile service", "News", "PYMNTS News", "What's Hot", "Mobile" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1654493", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/mobile/2024/t-mobile-and-spacex-to-test-satellite-to-cell-service/", "title": "T-Mobile and SpaceX to Test Satellite-to-Cell Service", "content_html": "T-Mobile\u00a0and\u00a0SpaceX\u00a0have taken another step toward their plan to build global connectivity.\u00a0
\nSpaceX launched the first set of Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities on Tuesday (Jan. 2), enabling the beginning of field testing on a new service that will provide T-Mobile customers with connectivity almost everywhere in the United States, T-Mobile said in a Wednesday (Jan. 3)\u00a0press release.\u00a0
\nThis connectivity, which will be enabled by SpaceX\u2019s constellation of satellites and T-Mobile’s wireless network, will begin with text messaging and will expand to include voice and data coverage in the coming years, according to the release.\u00a0
\n\u201cOur mission is to be the best in the world at connecting customers to their world and today is another step forward in keeping our customers connected even in the most remote locations for added peace of mind when they need it most,\u201d\u00a0Mike Katz, president of marketing, strategy and products at T-Mobile, said in the release. \u201cToday\u2019s launch is a pivotal moment for this groundbreaking alliance with SpaceX and our global partners around the world, as we work to make dead zones a thing of the past.\u201d\u00a0
\nThe new service will give customers an additional layer of connectivity covering the more than half a million square miles in the United States and \u201cvast stretches\u201d of ocean that are unreachable by terrestrial network coverage, according to the release.\u00a0
\nIt will eliminate dead zones, without requiring customers to carry satellite phones, the release said. In most cases, the new service will work with the phones customers already own.\u00a0
\n\u201cThe launch of these first Direct to Cell satellites is an exciting milestone for SpaceX to demonstrate our technology,\u201d Dr.\u00a0Sara Spangelo, senior director of satellite engineering at SpaceX, said in the release. \u201cWe look forward to rapidly scaling up Direct to Cell with our partner operators around the world and rolling out messaging service for T-Mobile customers.\u201d\u00a0
\nT-Mobile and SpaceX announced their plans to provide \u201ctruly universal coverage\u201d in August 2022. With their\u00a0satellite-to-cell service, users will be able to send text messages and images from areas that are currently in traditional networks\u2019 dead zones.\u00a0
\nThe post T-Mobile and SpaceX to Test Satellite-to-Cell Service appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "T-Mobile\u00a0and\u00a0SpaceX\u00a0have taken another step toward their plan to build global connectivity.\u00a0\nSpaceX launched the first set of Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities on Tuesday (Jan. 2), enabling the beginning of field testing on a new service that will provide T-Mobile customers with connectivity almost everywhere in the United States, T-Mobile said in a Wednesday (Jan. 3)\u00a0press release.\u00a0\nThis connectivity, which will be enabled by SpaceX\u2019s constellation of satellites and T-Mobile’s wireless network, will begin with text messaging and will expand to include voice and data coverage in the coming years, according to the release.\u00a0\n\u201cOur mission is to be the best in the world at connecting customers to their world and today is another step forward in keeping our customers connected even in the most remote locations for added peace of mind when they need it most,\u201d\u00a0Mike Katz, president of marketing, strategy and products at T-Mobile, said in the release. \u201cToday\u2019s launch is a pivotal moment for this groundbreaking alliance with SpaceX and our global partners around the world, as we work to make dead zones a thing of the past.\u201d\u00a0\nThe new service will give customers an additional layer of connectivity covering the more than half a million square miles in the United States and \u201cvast stretches\u201d of ocean that are unreachable by terrestrial network coverage, according to the release.\u00a0\nIt will eliminate dead zones, without requiring customers to carry satellite phones, the release said. In most cases, the new service will work with the phones customers already own.\u00a0\n\u201cThe launch of these first Direct to Cell satellites is an exciting milestone for SpaceX to demonstrate our technology,\u201d Dr.\u00a0Sara Spangelo, senior director of satellite engineering at SpaceX, said in the release. \u201cWe look forward to rapidly scaling up Direct to Cell with our partner operators around the world and rolling out messaging service for T-Mobile customers.\u201d\u00a0\nT-Mobile and SpaceX announced their plans to provide \u201ctruly universal coverage\u201d in August 2022. With their\u00a0satellite-to-cell service, users will be able to send text messages and images from areas that are currently in traditional networks\u2019 dead zones.\u00a0\nThe post T-Mobile and SpaceX to Test Satellite-to-Cell Service appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-01-03T17:14:54-05:00", "date_modified": "2024-01-03T17:14:54-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/t-mobile.jpg", "tags": [ "Mobile", "mobile coverage", "News", "partnerships", "PYMNTS News", "satellites", "spacex", "Starlink", "t-mobile", "telecommunications", "tmobile", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1454568", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/mobile/2023/india-outkicking-its-5g-coverage-says-ericsson-exec-at-davos/", "title": "India Outkicking Its 5G Coverage, Says Ericsson Exec at Davos", "content_html": "5G networks are just around the corner from being just around the corner .
\nThis, as B\u00f6rje Ekholm the CEO of Ericsson AB, one of the world\u2019s leading telecom equipment manufacturers, told a panel at the World Economic Forum\u2019s 2023 Davos event that India is beating both the U.S. and Europe in its rollout of 5G network infrastructure.
\n\u201cIndia will have the strongest digital infrastructure outside of China and soon, will be comparable to China,\u201d he said, per a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report on the Davos panel. \u201cThe pace of rollout you see in India is very, very rapid\u2026 If you don\u2019t have a digital infrastructure, you\u2019re unlikely to have digital companies. India will have a digital infrastructure that is world class.\u201d
\nWhere does the U.S. stand? Ahead of Europe, Ekholm said.
\nBut behind China, and now behind India.
\nStill in the Early Stages
\nThe relatively slow rollout of 5G wireless networks and their supporting infrastructure around the globe have made it difficult to predict which of the technology\u2019s moonshot promises for the future will bear fruit and in fact transform industries.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a bit slower than we had hoped for,\u201d the Ericsson CEO said.
\n5G broadband networks give a significant boost to data transfer speeds and allow for highly integrated digital connections between things as disparate as surgical scalpels and factory warehouses.
\nWhile 3G networks provided cellphones with internet access, and 4G allowed video streaming to enter and effectively take over the mainstream, 5G is reportedly up to 100 times faster than 4G at its best.
\nPerhaps the broadband network\u2019s greatest promise is serving as a foundation for the next generation of businesses that will be built on real-time and instantaneous data-transfer capabilities, like remotely performed surgeries or autonomous transit \u2014 both on the ground with self-driving cars and in the air with unmanned drones.
\nVerizon and Meta announced a partnership last spring (March 3) to explore how the faster processing and increased bandwidth of Verizon\u2019s 5G network can support the so-called metaverse.
\n5G technology is believed to be critical in eventually supporting and enabling future, internet-reliant innovations like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and other immersive experiences across metaverses.
\nStill, as PYMNTS reported, T-Mobile has said that the technology\u2019s hype is outpacing the number of innovative use-cases under development.
\nEricsson\u2019s Ekholm said people looking for that \u201ckiller app\u201d need to wait until 5G networks are ubiquitous, adding that video streaming apps and ride-hailing services didn\u2019t take off until 4G had more broadly penetrated the marketplace.
\nThe Ecosystem Exists
\nCellular carriers in the U.S. have been offering 5G capabilities for at least the past three years, and a recent survey shows that over half of American cellular customers (61%) accessed 5G networks in 2022, and that customers with 5G access spent on average a third of their waking day on their devices.
\nPYMNTS has been tracking the United States\u2019 steady transition from an app-based world to an ecosystem-driven one for over half a decade.
\nRecent research in the PYMNTS\u2019 report,\u00a0\u201c12 Months Of The ConnectedEconomy![\"\u2122\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/2122.png\")
\u201d shows that consumers spent 2022 increasingly integrating digital channels into their daily routines, and using connected devices and digital methods to complete tasks 10% more than they were just a year ago.
Younger consumers are driving this trend, with additional research in PYMNTS\u2019 \u201cConnectedEconomy Monthly Report: Meet the Zillennials\u201d showing that the so-called \u201cZillennial\u201d generation is nearly 2.5x times more engaged in the ConnectedEconomy than baby boomers and seniors are, and 36% more engaged than Generation X.
As noted at Davos, efforts are currently underway to create a robust U.S. 5G infrastructure that can effectively compete against the hegemony of foreign offerings and set America up for a further boom in its tech industry.
\nAfter all, digital infrastructure begets digitally native companies.
\nComplicating matters, as highlighted by PYMNTS, is the fact that most telecom operators and carriers globally are using major foreign incumbents like Huawei to build out their big-bet investments in 5G infrastructure.
\nThe Chinese company\u2019s products are viewed as presenting an \u201cunacceptable\u201d national security risk for the U.S., given the multinational\u2019s\u00a0close relationship\u00a0with the Chinese government and its intelligence arm.
\nThis means the U.S., land of the rugged individualist, will have to go it alone, and they have earmarked billions to do so.
\nThe Open Radio Access Network (ORAN), which counts involvement from major U.S. carriers including Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, is seen as one possible frontrunner for helping develop this critical infrastructure.
\nThe post India Outkicking Its 5G Coverage, Says Ericsson Exec at Davos appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "5G networks are just around the corner from being just around the corner .\nThis, as B\u00f6rje Ekholm the CEO of Ericsson AB, one of the world\u2019s leading telecom equipment manufacturers, told a panel at the World Economic Forum\u2019s 2023 Davos event that India is beating both the U.S. and Europe in its rollout of 5G network infrastructure.\n\u201cIndia will have the strongest digital infrastructure outside of China and soon, will be comparable to China,\u201d he said, per a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report on the Davos panel. \u201cThe pace of rollout you see in India is very, very rapid\u2026 If you don\u2019t have a digital infrastructure, you\u2019re unlikely to have digital companies. India will have a digital infrastructure that is world class.\u201d\nWhere does the U.S. stand? Ahead of Europe, Ekholm said.\nBut behind China, and now behind India.\nStill in the Early Stages\nThe relatively slow rollout of 5G wireless networks and their supporting infrastructure around the globe have made it difficult to predict which of the technology\u2019s moonshot promises for the future will bear fruit and in fact transform industries.\n\u201cIt\u2019s a bit slower than we had hoped for,\u201d the Ericsson CEO said.\n5G broadband networks give a significant boost to data transfer speeds and allow for highly integrated digital connections between things as disparate as surgical scalpels and factory warehouses.\nWhile 3G networks provided cellphones with internet access, and 4G allowed video streaming to enter and effectively take over the mainstream, 5G is reportedly up to 100 times faster than 4G at its best.\nPerhaps the broadband network\u2019s greatest promise is serving as a foundation for the next generation of businesses that will be built on real-time and instantaneous data-transfer capabilities, like remotely performed surgeries or autonomous transit \u2014 both on the ground with self-driving cars and in the air with unmanned drones.\nVerizon and Meta announced a partnership last spring (March 3) to explore how the faster processing and increased bandwidth of Verizon\u2019s 5G network can support the so-called metaverse.\n5G technology is believed to be critical in eventually supporting and enabling future, internet-reliant innovations like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and other immersive experiences across metaverses.\nStill, as PYMNTS reported, T-Mobile has said that the technology\u2019s hype is outpacing the number of innovative use-cases under development.\nEricsson\u2019s Ekholm said people looking for that \u201ckiller app\u201d need to wait until 5G networks are ubiquitous, adding that video streaming apps and ride-hailing services didn\u2019t take off until 4G had more broadly penetrated the marketplace.\nThe Ecosystem Exists\nCellular carriers in the U.S. have been offering 5G capabilities for at least the past three years, and a recent survey shows that over half of American cellular customers (61%) accessed 5G networks in 2022, and that customers with 5G access spent on average a third of their waking day on their devices.\nPYMNTS has been tracking the United States\u2019 steady transition from an app-based world to an ecosystem-driven one for over half a decade.\nRecent research in the PYMNTS\u2019 report,\u00a0\u201c12 Months Of The ConnectedEconomy\u201d shows that consumers spent 2022 increasingly integrating digital channels into their daily routines, and using connected devices and digital methods to complete tasks 10% more than they were just a year ago.\nYounger consumers are driving this trend, with additional research in PYMNTS\u2019 \u201cConnectedEconomy Monthly Report: Meet the Zillennials\u201d showing that the so-called \u201cZillennial\u201d generation is nearly 2.5x times more engaged in the ConnectedEconomy than baby boomers and seniors are, and 36% more engaged than Generation X.\nAs noted at Davos, efforts are currently underway to create a robust U.S. 5G infrastructure that can effectively compete against the hegemony of foreign offerings and set America up for a further boom in its tech industry.\nAfter all, digital infrastructure begets digitally native companies.\nComplicating matters, as highlighted by PYMNTS, is the fact that most telecom operators and carriers globally are using major foreign incumbents like Huawei to build out their big-bet investments in 5G infrastructure.\nThe Chinese company\u2019s products are viewed as presenting an \u201cunacceptable\u201d national security risk for the U.S., given the multinational\u2019s\u00a0close relationship\u00a0with the Chinese government and its intelligence arm.\nThis means the U.S., land of the rugged individualist, will have to go it alone, and they have earmarked billions to do so.\nThe Open Radio Access Network (ORAN), which counts involvement from major U.S. carriers including Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, is seen as one possible frontrunner for helping develop this critical infrastructure.\nThe post India Outkicking Its 5G Coverage, Says Ericsson Exec at Davos appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2023-01-18T22:26:50-05:00", "date_modified": "2023-01-18T22:26:50-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/5G-global-rollout-USA.jpg", "tags": [ "5G", "5G networks", "B\u00f6rje Ekholm", "china", "digital shift", "Ericsson", "india", "Innovation", "international", "Mobile", "News", "Technology", "us" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1403389", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/mobile/2022/google-debuts-lower-cost-pixels-iphone-demand-shrinks/", "title": "Google Debuts Lower-Cost Pixels as iPhone Demand Shrinks", "content_html": "Google unveiled a suite of new products Thursday (Oct. 6), including its first-ever watch and phones priced lower than the ones offered by market leaders Apple and Samsung.
\nAnnounced in a company blog post, the products include Google\u2019s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones, which the company said offer improved voice and camera, as well as Face Unlock, a facial recognition feature to help users more easily access their phones.
\nThe phones will sell for $599 and $899, respectively, and include the new generation of Google\u2019s in-house Tensor chip, the post stated. Pricing for the basic version of the iPhone 14 \u2014 the newest version of Apple\u2019s flagship product \u2014 was at $799 Thursday.
\n\u201cWith Google Tensor G2, we\u2019ve improved almost every major subsystem in the chip, and we\u2019ve designed them to work really well together to handle the nuanced and complex nature of our software and machine learning,\u201d Google Vice President for Product Management Brian Rakowski wrote in the post. \u201cSo, your smartphone is even smarter, especially when it comes to understanding speech and language.\u201d
\nThe launch of these new products come as Apple has scaled back its factory output for new iPhones due to weak demand.
\nRead more: Weak Appetite for iPhone 14 Prompts Apple to Reel in Factory Output
\nProduction of the iPhone 14 is expected to be reduced by as many as 6 million units in the second half of this year.
\nThe company had said in August that it planned to make 90 million iPhone 14 units for a total of 220 million iPhones produced this year, the same amount as 2021.
\nDemand for smartphones is expected to contract, with the market projected to shrink by 6.5% in 2022 to 1.27 billion units, according to market tracker IDC.
\n\u201cThe supply constraints pulling down on the market since last year have eased, and the industry has shifted to a demand-constrained market,\u201d said Nabila Popal, research director at IDC.
\nThe post Google Debuts Lower-Cost Pixels as iPhone Demand Shrinks appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google unveiled a suite of new products Thursday (Oct. 6), including its first-ever watch and phones priced lower than the ones offered by market leaders Apple and Samsung.\nAnnounced in a company blog post, the products include Google\u2019s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones, which the company said offer improved voice and camera, as well as Face Unlock, a facial recognition feature to help users more easily access their phones.\nThe phones will sell for $599 and $899, respectively, and include the new generation of Google\u2019s in-house Tensor chip, the post stated. Pricing for the basic version of the iPhone 14 \u2014 the newest version of Apple\u2019s flagship product \u2014 was at $799 Thursday.\n\u201cWith Google Tensor G2, we\u2019ve improved almost every major subsystem in the chip, and we\u2019ve designed them to work really well together to handle the nuanced and complex nature of our software and machine learning,\u201d Google Vice President for Product Management Brian Rakowski wrote in the post. \u201cSo, your smartphone is even smarter, especially when it comes to understanding speech and language.\u201d\nThe launch of these new products come as Apple has scaled back its factory output for new iPhones due to weak demand.\nRead more: Weak Appetite for iPhone 14 Prompts Apple to Reel in Factory Output\nProduction of the iPhone 14 is expected to be reduced by as many as 6 million units in the second half of this year.\nThe company had said in August that it planned to make 90 million iPhone 14 units for a total of 220 million iPhones produced this year, the same amount as 2021.\nDemand for smartphones is expected to contract, with the market projected to shrink by 6.5% in 2022 to 1.27 billion units, according to market tracker IDC.\n\u201cThe supply constraints pulling down on the market since last year have eased, and the industry has shifted to a demand-constrained market,\u201d said Nabila Popal, research director at IDC.\nThe post Google Debuts Lower-Cost Pixels as iPhone Demand Shrinks appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2022-10-06T12:59:27-04:00", "date_modified": "2022-10-06T13:18:24-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Google-Pixel-smartphones-watch.jpg", "tags": [ "Apple Samsung", "Big Tech", "Editor's Picks", "Google", "Innovation", "News", "Smartphones", "Technology", "Wearables", "What's Hot", "Mobile" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1375060", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/mobile/2022/nigeria-implements-5-mobile-services-tax/", "title": "Nigeria Implements 5% Mobile Services Tax", "content_html": "As it deals with a growing financial crisis, Nigeria is preparing to implement a 5% tax on voice calls, text messages and mobile data.
\nAs Bloomberg News reported Friday (Aug. 12), Nigerian Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed announced the tax in a statement outlining the country’s fiscal predicament, as it spends more on debt servicing than it takes in in revenue.
\n\u201cAlthough Nigeria is celebrated as the largest economy in Africa, translating this wealth into revenues remains a challenge,\u201d Ahmed said.
\nBloomberg said Ahmed didn\u2019t say when Nigeria will start collecting the tax, which is in addition to a 7.5% value-added tax on calls and data.
\nThe report notes that Nigeria has one of the world\u2019s lowest tax-to-GDP ratios and is Africa\u2019s largest producer of crude oil. In the first four months of the year, the country generated 1.63 trillion naira (or $3.8 billion) in revenue and made 1.94 trillion naira in debt service payments.
\nSee also: The African Mobile Money Tax Experiment
\nPYMNTS reported last month that a number of African governments have begun trying to tax mobile money transactions.
\nFor example, there\u2019s Ghana\u2019s eLevy, a sweeping tax that covers almost all electronic transactions including mobile money payments. Initially slated to be a 1.7% tax, it was reduced to 1.5% following some fierce \u2014 in one case, there was a fistfight in parliament \u2014 opposition.
\nMeanwhile, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe have all introduced taxes that target mobile money payments.
\nHowever, there\u2019s evidence that these taxes hinder mobile use in the countries that implement them. Data shows that 47% of Ghanaians reduced the number of mobile money payments they make following the debut of the eLevy.
\nAnd in Tanzania, which imposed a mobile money tax in July 2021, peer-to-peer transactions fell by 38% from 30 million to 18 million per month, a study by GSMA found.
\nFor all PYMNTS EMEA coverage, subscribe to the daily EMEA Newsletter.
\nThe post Nigeria Implements 5% Mobile Services Tax appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "As it deals with a growing financial crisis, Nigeria is preparing to implement a 5% tax on voice calls, text messages and mobile data.\nAs Bloomberg News reported Friday (Aug. 12), Nigerian Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed announced the tax in a statement outlining the country’s fiscal predicament, as it spends more on debt servicing than it takes in in revenue.\n\u201cAlthough Nigeria is celebrated as the largest economy in Africa, translating this wealth into revenues remains a challenge,\u201d Ahmed said.\nBloomberg said Ahmed didn\u2019t say when Nigeria will start collecting the tax, which is in addition to a 7.5% value-added tax on calls and data.\nThe report notes that Nigeria has one of the world\u2019s lowest tax-to-GDP ratios and is Africa\u2019s largest producer of crude oil. In the first four months of the year, the country generated 1.63 trillion naira (or $3.8 billion) in revenue and made 1.94 trillion naira in debt service payments.\nSee also: The African Mobile Money Tax Experiment\nPYMNTS reported last month that a number of African governments have begun trying to tax mobile money transactions.\nFor example, there\u2019s Ghana\u2019s eLevy, a sweeping tax that covers almost all electronic transactions including mobile money payments. Initially slated to be a 1.7% tax, it was reduced to 1.5% following some fierce \u2014 in one case, there was a fistfight in parliament \u2014 opposition.\nMeanwhile, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe have all introduced taxes that target mobile money payments.\nHowever, there\u2019s evidence that these taxes hinder mobile use in the countries that implement them. Data shows that 47% of Ghanaians reduced the number of mobile money payments they make following the debut of the eLevy.\nAnd in Tanzania, which imposed a mobile money tax in July 2021, peer-to-peer transactions fell by 38% from 30 million to 18 million per month, a study by GSMA found.\nFor all PYMNTS EMEA coverage, subscribe to the daily EMEA Newsletter.\nThe post Nigeria Implements 5% Mobile Services Tax appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2022-08-12T12:45:09-04:00", "date_modified": "2022-08-14T17:07:10-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/nigeria-mobile-services-tax.jpg", "tags": [ "EMEA", "Mobile Data", "mobile services tax", "News", "Nigeria", "tax", "text messages", "What's Hot", "Mobile" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1313580", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/mobile/2022/5g-to-transform-fan-experience-at-indy-500/", "title": "5G to Transform Fan Experience at Indy 500", "content_html": "With the help of 5G, fans watching this weekend\u2019s Indianapolis 500 will be able to see the action from several viewpoints, virtually stand on the track and in the pit and sit in on the drivers\u2019 meeting.\u00a0
\nVerizon reported Tuesday (May 24) that it will be providing these and other services for the Sunday (May 29) event through its 5G Ultra Wideband, which provides a broadband-like connection in this and other stadiums and arenas.\u00a0
\n\u201cWith 5G Ultra Wideband\u2019s massive capacity, low latency and super-fast speeds, we\u2019re giving racing fans new immersive experiences that will let them personalize how they\u2019re watching the race, whether they\u2019re at the track or at home,\u201d Srini Kalapala, senior vice president of Verizon technology and product development, said in a press release announcing the company\u2019s plans.\u00a0
\nDemonstrating the Capabilities of 5G\u00a0
\nSports events have become popular venues for mobile carriers to demonstrate the capabilities of 5G, as they bring together large numbers of people who are creating traffic that might overwhelm an older cellular network, who want to get a good view of the action and who are looking for new ways to optimize their experience.\u00a0
\nFor example, in December, AT&T installed at the United Center in Chicago two 5G-powered kiosks that enabled fans of the Blackhawks and the Bulls to take video and photo selfies with augmented reality (AR) versions of players and mascots.\u00a0
\nLater, the mobile carrier added\u00a0 this \u201cPose with the Pros\u201d feature to the teams\u2019 apps, which also use 5G and AR technology to show player and team stats superimposed on what is seen through the camera on the user\u2019s smartphone.\u00a0
\n\u201cOur network is packed with speed and capacity to deliver these custom experiences to a stadium near you and to the screen in your pocket,\u201d Jay Cary, vice president of 5G product and innovation at AT&T, said in a press release announcing the launch of these features. \u201cIt\u2019s all about creating new, immersive ways to connect you to the teams and players you love while making it all look seamless to you.\u201d\u00a0
\nRead more: Augmented Reality at Chicago\u2019s United Center Powers the 5G Connected Fan Experience\u00a0
\nSimilarly, T-Mobile said in March that it is collaborating with Red Bull and using its 5G network to cover live sports events and deliver drone footage, athlete point-of-view cameras and simultaneous high-definition broadcast streams.\u00a0
\nThrough the Red Bull TV app, they will also provide multiple viewing angles of the events as well as near real-time biometric and telematic data, including competitors\u2019 heart rates and acceleration.\u00a0
\n\u201cThese immersive experiences are made possible by T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network, which enables high-definition cameras and sensors to transmit large amounts of content wirelessly in real time, allowing for true mobility,\u201d T-Mobile said in a press release announcing the collaboration.\u00a0
\nProviding Livestream, Seven Camera Angles, Augment Reality\u00a0
\nAt the upcoming Indy 500, Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband will enable fans to watch a livestream of the public drivers\u2019 meeting via BlueJeans by Verizon.\u00a0
\nWith Verizon 5G Multi-View, which is available on the INDYCAR app, fans at the track will be able to see seven live camera angles in high definition so they can toggle between different views of the action.\u00a0
\nWith Verizon\u2019s 5G Ultra Pass, fans at home will be able to enter an augmented reality (AR) portal that will virtually transport them to the track and the pit during the race. There, they\u2019ll be able to get a 360-degree view of what\u2019s happening at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.\u00a0
\nIn addition, 5G will provide the capacity needed to enable the expected 300,000 attendees to connect and use their mobile devices at the track without delay.\u00a0
\n\u201cVerizon 5G Ultra Wideband has the area covered so attendees can stream, tweet and share their experiences quickly and reliably,\u201d Kalapala said. \u201cIn fact, in all of Indianapolis, 52% of Verizon\u2019s network traffic is on 5G Ultra Wideband.\u201d\u00a0
\nThe post 5G to Transform Fan Experience at Indy 500 appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "With the help of 5G, fans watching this weekend\u2019s Indianapolis 500 will be able to see the action from several viewpoints, virtually stand on the track and in the pit and sit in on the drivers\u2019 meeting.\u00a0\nVerizon reported Tuesday (May 24) that it will be providing these and other services for the Sunday (May 29) event through its 5G Ultra Wideband, which provides a broadband-like connection in this and other stadiums and arenas.\u00a0\n\u201cWith 5G Ultra Wideband\u2019s massive capacity, low latency and super-fast speeds, we\u2019re giving racing fans new immersive experiences that will let them personalize how they\u2019re watching the race, whether they\u2019re at the track or at home,\u201d Srini Kalapala, senior vice president of Verizon technology and product development, said in a press release announcing the company\u2019s plans.\u00a0\nDemonstrating the Capabilities of 5G\u00a0\nSports events have become popular venues for mobile carriers to demonstrate the capabilities of 5G, as they bring together large numbers of people who are creating traffic that might overwhelm an older cellular network, who want to get a good view of the action and who are looking for new ways to optimize their experience.\u00a0\nFor example, in December, AT&T installed at the United Center in Chicago two 5G-powered kiosks that enabled fans of the Blackhawks and the Bulls to take video and photo selfies with augmented reality (AR) versions of players and mascots.\u00a0\nLater, the mobile carrier added\u00a0 this \u201cPose with the Pros\u201d feature to the teams\u2019 apps, which also use 5G and AR technology to show player and team stats superimposed on what is seen through the camera on the user\u2019s smartphone.\u00a0\n\u201cOur network is packed with speed and capacity to deliver these custom experiences to a stadium near you and to the screen in your pocket,\u201d Jay Cary, vice president of 5G product and innovation at AT&T, said in a press release announcing the launch of these features. \u201cIt\u2019s all about creating new, immersive ways to connect you to the teams and players you love while making it all look seamless to you.\u201d\u00a0\nRead more: Augmented Reality at Chicago\u2019s United Center Powers the 5G Connected Fan Experience\u00a0\nSimilarly, T-Mobile said in March that it is collaborating with Red Bull and using its 5G network to cover live sports events and deliver drone footage, athlete point-of-view cameras and simultaneous high-definition broadcast streams.\u00a0\nThrough the Red Bull TV app, they will also provide multiple viewing angles of the events as well as near real-time biometric and telematic data, including competitors\u2019 heart rates and acceleration.\u00a0\n\u201cThese immersive experiences are made possible by T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network, which enables high-definition cameras and sensors to transmit large amounts of content wirelessly in real time, allowing for true mobility,\u201d T-Mobile said in a press release announcing the collaboration.\u00a0\nProviding Livestream, Seven Camera Angles, Augment Reality\u00a0\nAt the upcoming Indy 500, Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband will enable fans to watch a livestream of the public drivers\u2019 meeting via BlueJeans by Verizon.\u00a0\nWith Verizon 5G Multi-View, which is available on the INDYCAR app, fans at the track will be able to see seven live camera angles in high definition so they can toggle between different views of the action.\u00a0\nWith Verizon\u2019s 5G Ultra Pass, fans at home will be able to enter an augmented reality (AR) portal that will virtually transport them to the track and the pit during the race. There, they\u2019ll be able to get a 360-degree view of what\u2019s happening at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.\u00a0\nIn addition, 5G will provide the capacity needed to enable the expected 300,000 attendees to connect and use their mobile devices at the track without delay.\u00a0\n\u201cVerizon 5G Ultra Wideband has the area covered so attendees can stream, tweet and share their experiences quickly and reliably,\u201d Kalapala said. \u201cIn fact, in all of Indianapolis, 52% of Verizon\u2019s network traffic is on 5G Ultra Wideband.\u201d\u00a0\nThe post 5G to Transform Fan Experience at Indy 500 appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2022-05-25T11:08:35-04:00", "date_modified": "2022-05-25T11:08:35-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Indianapolis-500-5G-entertainment-mobile.jpg", "tags": [ "5G", "AT&T", "entertainment", "Indianapolis 500", "Mobile", "News", "t-mobile", "Technology", "Verizon" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=1236147", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/mobile/2022/faa-investigating-pilot-reports-of-possible-5g-interference/", "title": "FAA Investigating Pilot Reports of Possible 5G Interference", "content_html": "Fears that pilots would experience possible interference from 5G wireless signals near U.S. airports have come true, Bloomberg reported Wednesday (Feb. 2).
\nSince the mobile service was implemented in mid-January, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the agency has received more than 100 pilot reports of possible interference, including three near Chicago O\u2019Hare International Airport.
\nReports of irregularities on aircraft\u2019s radar altimeters, the device that measures an airplane\u2019s height above the ground, are being investigated by the FAA.
\nWhile interference from 5G service has been ruled out in many cases, it is unclear whether the others reveal a safety hazard or pilots being overly cautious, a source told Bloomberg.
\nIn a statement, the FAA said it is using established safety-reporting systems to examine a handful of reports of possible 5G interference. So far, the agency said, none of these reports have been validated.
\nLast fall, a debate ignited between federal agencies and industry groups over 5G\u2019s potential impact on airline safety. The clash was between the FAA and the aviation industry on the one side and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates commercial use of the airwaves, and telecom groups, on the other.
\nRead more: Aviation Industry Emerges As Unexpected Obstacle In Path of 5G Rollout
\nIn January, the CEOs of Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and others, said there could be dire implications as AT&T and Verizon implement their new 5G technology.
\nLearn more: US Airline Chiefs Expect \u2018Chaos\u2019 When 5G Goes Live
\nThe airlines said the new C-Band 5G service could make a lot of widebody aircrafts unusable. That could \u201cpotentially strand tens of thousands of Americans overseas\u201d and become chaotic for U.S. flights, the companies said.
\n\u201cBetting on whether or not the average pilot can resolve the situation is not a bet the FAA wants to make,\u201d Jeff Guzzetti, the former head of accident investigations with the FAA, said.
\nThe post FAA Investigating Pilot Reports of Possible 5G Interference appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Fears that pilots would experience possible interference from 5G wireless signals near U.S. airports have come true, Bloomberg reported Wednesday (Feb. 2).\nSince the mobile service was implemented in mid-January, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the agency has received more than 100 pilot reports of possible interference, including three near Chicago O\u2019Hare International Airport.\nReports of irregularities on aircraft\u2019s radar altimeters, the device that measures an airplane\u2019s height above the ground, are being investigated by the FAA.\nWhile interference from 5G service has been ruled out in many cases, it is unclear whether the others reveal a safety hazard or pilots being overly cautious, a source told Bloomberg.\nIn a statement, the FAA said it is using established safety-reporting systems to examine a handful of reports of possible 5G interference. So far, the agency said, none of these reports have been validated.\nLast fall, a debate ignited between federal agencies and industry groups over 5G\u2019s potential impact on airline safety. The clash was between the FAA and the aviation industry on the one side and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates commercial use of the airwaves, and telecom groups, on the other.\nRead more: Aviation Industry Emerges As Unexpected Obstacle In Path of 5G Rollout\nIn January, the CEOs of Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and others, said there could be dire implications as AT&T and Verizon implement their new 5G technology.\nLearn more: US Airline Chiefs Expect \u2018Chaos\u2019 When 5G Goes Live\nThe airlines said the new C-Band 5G service could make a lot of widebody aircrafts unusable. That could \u201cpotentially strand tens of thousands of Americans overseas\u201d and become chaotic for U.S. flights, the companies said.\n\u201cBetting on whether or not the average pilot can resolve the situation is not a bet the FAA wants to make,\u201d Jeff Guzzetti, the former head of accident investigations with the FAA, said.\nThe post FAA Investigating Pilot Reports of Possible 5G Interference appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2022-02-03T09:47:40-05:00", "date_modified": "2022-02-03T09:47:40-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/5G-1.jpg", "tags": [ "5G", "FAA", "Federal Aviation Administration", "Mobile", "News", "Technology", "transportation", "What's Hot" ] } ] }