Robert Hackl

Interesting statistics from BoFA on Erica's usage. Erica is the BoFA assistant, and it is interesting to see what customers use it for. #1 assistance request: what is my routing number? It makes sense to do this via the assistant rather than with a live agent on the phone or in chat. #customerexperience #AI #banking #deflection

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Sebastian Barros, thank you for sharing these insights for private network monetization and I appreciate your emphasis on key factors like industry focus, partnership selection, and service-centric value propositions. While your post primarily focuses on internal strategies for Telcos, I believe it's crucial to also consider external factors such as regulatory frameworks and spectrum allocation. In my experience, navigating the regulatory landscape can significantly impact the success of private network initiatives. A supportive regulatory environment can facilitate deployment and drive adoption, while outdated or restrictive policies may pose obstacles. As Telcos continue to explore opportunities in the private network market, it's essential to engage with regulatory authorities and advocate for policies that enable innovation and competition. By addressing regulatory challenges alongside internal strategies, Telcos can maximize their potential for growth and success in this dynamic industry.

Excellent post by Javier Domínguez Lacasa about spectrum policy for midband Midband is the lifeline for Telcos to provide high-speed and reliable data services. There is no other spectrum band that offers the reach, bandwidth, and properties like midband. Unfortunately, this is a scarce resource and extremely expensive. As a scarce resource, regulators need to prioritize the benefits of the majority of users who connect daily to these services. Consider this: effective spectrum allocation can enhance network capacity by up to 50%, which directly improves service quality and user satisfaction. With 5G technology expected to cover one-third of the world’s population by 2025, the efficient use of midband spectrum becomes even more crucial. This band is essential for enabling advancements in IoT, smart cities, and autonomous vehicles, and its optimal use could significantly boost these developments. Moreover, the economic implications are substantial. A 10% increase in mobile broadband penetration can lead to a 1.5% rise in GDP in developing economies. This highlights the critical role of midband spectrum in driving not only technological innovation but also economic growth and digital inclusion. https://lnkd.in/gYtybk_s #Telecommunications #Midband #SpectrumPolicy #Connectivity #Innovation

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Amidst the digital revolution, connectivity emerges as our lifeline, enabling the seamless exchange of information vital for progress. In today's interconnected world, we're empowered by wireless marvels, fostering unprecedented bonds. From bustling metropolises to remote hamlets, access to boundless knowledge rests at our fingertips. Yet, behind this digital tapestry lies the cornerstone of stability: reliable connection. It's the invisible thread stitching our global community together. As we navigate this intricate web of data, let's not forget the essence of connectivity. It's not just about being online—it's about staying connected, fostering growth, and shaping tomorrow's narrative. #teksys #horizontaldrilling #WiFi #technology #engineering #network #innovation #LiFi #opticalfibers #wireless #infrared #wirelesscommunication #IoT #datacenterdesign #pointtomultipoint #areaofrefuge #rapiddeployment #5gnetwork #securitysolutions #securitysolutionsprovider #networks #telecommunications #ethetnet #gigabit #datacenter #cloud #Broadband #Connectivity #FiberOpticInstallation #houston #wirelesstechnology #HighSpeedInternet

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Delighting customers and helping telco operators worldwide build well-loved brands are what we do best at Circles. Circles was founded to give power back to customers, and we’ve stayed true to that by striving to understand consumers today across various touchpoints. We’re proud to introduce In The Loop, our new series where we share curated consumer and telco insights from our own digital brands Circles.Life and from our work with telco operators worldwide including KDDI Corporation and e& International. In our 1st article, we highlight 4 distinct mobile consumer segments that telco operators worldwide should be aware of, from surveying nearly 2,000 individuals to understand their needs and preferences. Whether consumers are Digital Vanguards, Saavy Selectors, Price Chasers or Passives, they are united by a strong desire for a great product, more control over their telco plans, excellent customer experience and seamless, intuitive mobile experiences. This is what we have been doing and will continue to do at Circles, building and operating well-loved brands in across geographies. Imagine a world of ideal digital mobile operators, where your telco automatically springs to mind when you think about out-of-the-world customer experience. We’re doing just that, transforming telcos into techcos - into brands we all love - while also continuing to explore consumer trends and what they mean for the future of telco. Read the full article here and tell us what you think: https://lnkd.in/gyeC4AQe

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There are just two days left to register for the latest CCS Insight's webinar: "What are the Key Device Buying Trends in 2024?" It will be hosted by my colleagues Kester Mann and Parul Saxena, and provide insights into the latest consumer device buying trends in the US and European markets. You'll learn about: 🔘 Brand and operating system loyalty 🔘 Device ownership affecting future purchases 🔘 Preferred channels for buying devices Register now to learn more about how these trends will impact your business. Register now! https://lnkd.in/ehNaf_bz

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Today Verizon reported 1Q24 results. Here are some key takeaways: 🗝 We made changes to our operations, leadership, market structure and go-to-market strategy – and it’s paying off. 🗝 Verizon’s Q1 performance positions us for continued growth and profitability throughout 2024. I’m extremely proud of what the #VTeam was able to accomplish in Q1, but this is just the start. See the full 1Q24 Earnings release here: https://lnkd.in/ej6yZh_U

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Very interesting and he has made some good observations with what is going on in the industry today.

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Mobile operators and GSMA unveil a pioneering Mobile Industry Manifesto for Europe: "New Rules for a New Era: Connecting Europe to 2030." A must-read for the future of our sector in Europe: 👉 Connectivity is the backbone of a competitive digital and green economy. It is the lifeblood of technologies, such as AI and big data, cloud, quantum computing, and the metaverse. The mobile sector’s importance as a strategic asset for Europe’s resilience should be recognized, and its value should be enhanced. 👉 Europe is lagging behind other global players. Excessive market fragmentation, spectrum costs, and an outdated regulatory framework have caused the telecom sector’s revenues to decrease. A paradigm shift is urgently needed. 👉 With over 100 operators present in the EU, European telcos have an average customer base of approximately 5 million subscribers each. By comparison, operators in China and the U.S. have 450 million and 110 million subscribers per company, respectively. 👉 A more pro-investment approach to EU spectrum policy can be an essential driver of Europe’s connectivity goals. 👉 There is a regulatory imbalance in the digital ecosystem between the largest tech companies and the telecom operators that needs to be addressed so that all market players benefiting from the digital transformation assume their social responsibilities and make a fair and proportionate contribution to the costs of infrastructures, for the benefit of all Europeans. https://lnkd.in/dVmJJfhn

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Connectivity is key to many futuristic advancements we once thought to be far off and far-fetched. Those of us in telecom are aiding these advancements through innovations in fiber and wireless data connectivity, alongside the enabling SaaS and consulting services that support the telecom ecosystem. 22 years ago, in the movie "Minority Report," several technologies that seemed so distant are now becoming reality. Big data, AI, and more and faster internet connectivity are bringing and have brought many of these technologies to our lives. Watch the movie if you haven’t seen it, and rewatch it if you have. Today, companies use algorithms to analyze our online behavior and tailor ads specifically to us, similar to the targeted ads in the movie. United Airlines just announced they would be using tailored advertising for their in-flight entertainment. (They say you can opt-out of it.) Facial and biomechanical motion recognition technology has also advanced significantly. The movie showed gesture-based interfaces, similar to today's VR and AR advancements, and self-driving cars, which I saw being provided by Zook this week in Vegas. Additionally, retinal scans for identification, touchless interfaces, and real-time language translation were shown in the movie and are seeing real-world applications today. A key to actually applying all those technologies and the ones on the horizon is robust connectivity. The ability to process and transmit vast amounts of data in real-time helps make the future become the present at an ever-increasing pace. The telecom industry has played and will continue to play a big role in the practical day-to-day application of technological advancements. Telecom pulls things together, distributes things out, and brings these advancements to their users. #telecommunications #connectivity, #motivation #success #mindset #growth #SolutionsAsAService

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eSIMs are poised to shake up the telecom industry, and my colleagues Kester Mann and Luke Pearce are hosting a must-attend webinar to clarify the complexities of e-SIM technology’s impact on the telecom industry. Key questions Kester and Luke will explore: 🔘 How will eSIMs change the game for telcos? 🔘 What are the compelling use cases beyond roaming? 🔘 The shift towards eSIM-only smartphones 🔘 How will consumer and enterprise behaviour evolve? Don't miss out on this inside look into the implications of eSIM adoption.  Register for the free webinar here: https://lnkd.in/eS635kva #eSIM #telecom #connectivity #webinar #innovation

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Absolutely fantastic take on recent #telecom M&A's. This is very reminiscent of the late 90's early 2000's, where many "baby bells" and others, were either acquired, reacquired, or merged with partners. As many of us will remember, that was due in-part to the large financial burden of building the fiber networks, and switchovers from legacy copper networks comprising of DSL, T1, etc. This seems to be one of those trends where the new technology and cost are driving these M&A's again.

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Rakuten Symphony is so appreciative to AT&T for being included in its network simplification transformation program. Thank you to all the AT&T executives who have given us this chance to be part of an industry-changing program. Mike Dano's article captures so many aspects of what is required to be successful in an undertaking like this. It starts with the fundamentals of using different words to describe what is being done. "I think the word 'cell site' goes away," AT&T's Todd Zeiler said. "I think this pivots to a world of CU, DU, RU. Servers and access points." Before we built mobile networks. Today we start building distributed data center operations where the primary user is a mobile network. We see so many parallels between how AT&T is approaching this and how Rakuten Symphony already approached it. The hope is we can discover an industry blueprint that can make sense for the whole of telecom to be able to follow and accelerate the change to being a truly software-driven cloud-native operation. From Mike Dano's below article when describing the vendors involved "One is Japan's Rakuten Symphony. According to The Mobile Network, AT&T counts roughly 7,000 users of Rakuten Symphony's Site Manager software within its own and its contractor construction teams. The software automates parts of AT&T's site deployment processes." To listen to the full discussion between Yigal Elbaz and Sharad Sriwastawa at MWC BCN this year click here https://lnkd.in/e5ErFYJg To learn more about Rakuten Symphony Site Management solution click here https://lnkd.in/eq8Bsx27

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Want to stay a step ahead in the rapidly evolving world of consumer purchasing of smartphones? Join our upcoming webinar, "What Are the Key Device Buying Trends in 2024?" On Wednesday 22 May 2024, 10:00 BST, our expert analysts, Kester Mann and Parul Saxena, will dive into the latest CCS Insight research, unveiling: 🔘 Consumer outlook for 2024 - are buyers looking at increasing spending? 🔘 The shift between new vs. second-hand device purchases 🔘 Device loyalty trends – which brands and ecosystems are gaining traction? 🔘 Repair vs. replacement: how consumer habits are changing 🔘 The latest in mobile purchasing habits This webinar is essential for anyone in the device industry who wants to make informed strategic decisions. Register now for this FREE webinar: https://lnkd.in/gJRXwdDc #devicetrends #consumerinsights #marketresearch #CCSinsight #webinar

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🌐 The telecom sector in the US is gearing up for notable expansion in the coming years. Industry giants like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast are channeling substantial resources into research and development, paving the way for cutting-edge advancements. The telecom landscape is set for exciting change with these leaders driving progress. Follow InteleCOM for the latest updates and developments in this ever-evolving industry. If you need assistance upgrading your building's telecom connectivity, give us a like and reach out—we're here to help! 📲 Contact us today at 703-282-7065 | contactus@intelecom.us or Schedule a meeting here at https://lnkd.in/dAdnhhYM #Telecom #Telecommunications #TechUpdates #USMarket #Innovation #R&D #ATT #Verizon #Comcast #InteleCOM #IndustryUpdates #MarketExpansion #TechNews #BusinessAdvancement #FutureOfTelecom

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The evolution toward Open RAN is one of the major trends in our industry today. In almost every discussion I have with customers, we touch on the transition toward open, programmable, and resilient networks. Many questions focus on how to make the transition to an open RAN architecture, both from strategic and technological perspectives, and how to guarantee performance, security, and interoperability in a multi-vendor environment. In the new episode of Ericsson’s Tech Unveiled, we break down the most common challenges related to Open RAN when it comes to adoption, deployment, and interoperability – and discuss ways to overcome them. The bottom line is that the network evolution journey is unique for every CSP, and it is important to be aware of the potential challenges along the way, so you can build the best strategy and identify the right partners based on your starting point and your specific network needs. At Ericsson, we have already delivered more than 1 million Open RAN-capable radios, and we are ready to support our customers on their openness journey regardless of what it looks like. Our efforts in Open RAN are recognized in the recently released Frost Radar™ 5G network infrastructure market 2024 ranking. Ericsson tops this ranking for the fourth year in a row thanks to our wide product portfolio and sustained investments in R&D. https://lnkd.in/dDFxnFHn You can find the Tech Unveiled episode here: https://lnkd.in/dBEwrwQx #5G #OpenRAN

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Cord Cutters not seeking live TV certainly should be a red flag to cable companies. But more importantly, it should be a harbinger of doom for the off-air stations that broke the CATV market to begin with by demanding higher than justified rates. With the limited coverage area of UHF digital signals, local TV stations need the CATV and streaming markets to retain their customer base. Without that added base, advertising dollars will go down, resulting in increasing costs to the remaining CATV and streaming platforms; a continuing death spiral. Rural areas will be hurt the most, as they will lose reliable local news and weather sources. https://lnkd.in/g8P7Ae6b

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Valuing the cost of licensed spectrum as part of an auction has long been an esoteric process for the telecom industry. One of the key considerations in pricing spectrum licenses for a given area is the economic value of each mobile end user in that area. Thus, $/MHz/pop is commonly used to quantify spectrum auction results where 'pop' refers to the population in the license area; more populated areas typically command a higher price and more competition. We at Tiami Networks believe that beyond 5G use cases such as integrated sensing and communications can alter how spectrum is valued. If spectrum is now used to also perform radar sensing, then there are instances where unpopulated or de-populated regions are still highly valuable for spectrum acquisition. Needless to say, spectrum values in densely populated could go up even more, resulting in a doubling of total perceived value. Thus, $/MHz/pop may need to be replaced with $/MHz/(pop+sensing points). See our thoughts in our new blog post:

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Life at the intersection of telecoms + utilities. As CenterPoint Energy, Oncor Electric Delivery and others were struggling to restore power to 3M ratepayers after a hurricane Beryl-ed through Texas I was talking with an #electrification colleague. He was lamenting the nature of utilities, generally around #evcharging connections, planning and policies, and now service interruptions. Alas, Texas and ERCOT in the news again! This conversation felt familiar. My first work in the Lone Star State was at the invitation of Voicestream Wireless. They were launching PCS service in DFW, Austin and the Red River Valley and called in legacy contractors from around the country. We were tapped for our specialty: telecom attachments on utility transmission rights of way. Then it struck me, that was 25 years ago. So much has changed since then. Turf contracts were unheard of. Omnipoint Corporation would become T-Mobile. Hutchinson and Voicestream would be replaced by Deutsche Telekom. Mo Katibeh was still in college. The parrot would disappear. Our primary transmission counterparty TXU Energy would change, change and change again, leaving transmission assets with Sempra Oncor Electric Delivery. Focus would shift from market launches and coverage to density and bandwidth. Circuits would be replaced by packet switched networks bringing FTTx, Convergence, Consolidation, Streaming, DAS & Small Cells, #IoT, #telematics and flirtations with autonomy. Utility deregulation would evolve into #ancillaries, #DERs and #resilience. But much hasn't. The tension between emerging technology companies and regulated utilities really hasn't changed that much. The former focus on speed to market; the latter on safety & reliability. So whether its a hurricane or an ice storm, the local service companies don't want to go before the PUC and explain that a third party contributed to outages and restoration. Play it again, Sam. https://lnkd.in/eDXSD-qc

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