高通在美国对华为提起诉讼，指控华为未经授权使用其多项专利，特别是在5G技术领域。华为则反诉高通滥用专利权，要求高通支付合理的专利使用费，并停止对华为的专利侵权指控。

COMCAST OPENS NEW XFINITY STORE IN COVINGTON

Comcast Washington

Today Comcast opened a new Xfinity store in Covington to meet the growing needs of its local customers who enjoy testing and learning about the latest technology in a retail environment. Located at 17039 272 nd St., Ste. 116 Kent, WA 98042, the 1,569 square foot store offers Comcast’s industry-leading consumer products and services. Customers at the new Xfinity store will find a welcoming and modern retail environment that highlights the complete line of Xfinity Home and Comcast Business technology offerings, including Xfinity Mobile, Xfinity X1, Xfinity Home and Xfinity Internet. For example, Xfinity Internet customers can get Xfinity Mobile, which combines the nation’s best 5G network with the power to auto-connect to millions of Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country; starting at $45 for one line, the lowest entry price for 5G unlimited data in the market, unlimited pricing for Xfinity Mobile is $80 for two lines, $100 for three lines and $120 for four lines ($30 per line). Additional, Xfinity Store customers are eligible to join Xfinity Rewards, a rewards program for our customers in Washington and across the country. Members enjoy special perks like $1 Movie Rentals, access to free content, discounts at Universal Parks & Resorts, early access to the latest Comcast technologies, products, and Xfinity Mobile benefits and savings. Joining Xfinity Rewards is FREE for customers. Signing up only takes a minute through the Xfinity App or online at xfinity.com/rewards. In addition to offering Comcast’s industry-leading consumer products and services, the new Xfinity store in Covington provides local residents with a convenient location to receive customer support, turn in used equipment, pay their bill and more. For local businesses interested in utilizing the latest in internet and technology solutions, the store also has a dedicated space for Comcast Business customers and prospects to discuss their business technology needs with a subject matter expert. The new Xfinity Store by Comcast Branded Partner is the latest example of the company’s investment made in Washington state. Comcast invested approximately $2 billion in its network technology and infrastructure statewide in the past six years. Comcast has 20 Xfinity retail locations throughout Washington and employs approximately 4,500 people across the state. Store Information The new Covington Xfinity store is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. To find the nearest Xfinity store or device support center in Washington state, visit www.xfinity.com/local/wa. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Jack Follman jack_follman@comcast.com Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

March 21, 2022 08:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Editorial Webinar: The Green Credentials of 5G and IoT—Can Technology Help Save the World?

Ericsson

The powerful combination of 5G and the internet of things, complemented by supporting players such as mobile edge computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, are billed as key to digitizing vertical industries and commerce. The same companies looking to buy and sell this connected digital transformation are also grappling with the long-term implications of individual and collective sustainability. As the telecoms set and their customers integrate sustainability into their corporate visions and missions, do 5G and IoT have a more comprehensive role to play? Can this technological confluence deliver meaningful business outcomes while also advancing global sustainability priorities? Speakers: Sean Kinney, Editor-in-Chief, RCR Wireless News Mike Murphy, Chief Technology Officer, Ericsson North America Rami Reshef, CEO and Co-founder, GenCell Energy Register here View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ericsson on 3blmedia.com

March 18, 2022 11:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Release

Breaking the Energy Curve With Ericsson's Kevin Zvokel

Ericsson

Network energy performance is an increasingly prevalent issue for mobile network operators (MNOs) in North America. If 5G is deployed in the same way as previous generations, energy consumption of mobile networks would increase dramatically. This is unsustainable in terms of cost as well as environmental impact. In this digital interview with Kevin Zvokel, the Head of Networks at Ericsson North America, we delve further into what factors are driving this issue, address some of the key challenges faced by mobile network operators and gain insight into Ericsson’s proposed solutions to reducing network energy use. Kevin Gray: All right. Hello. My name is Kevin Gray, Publisher of Fierce Wireless, and I'm here today with another Kevin, Kevin Zvokel, the Head of Networks at Ericsson North America. Kevin, thank you so much for joining us here today. Kevin Zvokel: Thank you, Kevin. Good to be here. Kevin Gray: Great. Okay. So first off here, I just love to set the stage, Head of Networks for Ericsson North America seems like a big all-encompassing title. Can you tell us a little more about your role and additionally your pathway to getting there at Ericsson? Kevin Zvokel: Yeah. So again, my name's Kevin Zvokel. I head up the networks organization in North America. And so that encompasses all the Ericsson radio portfolio with transport and all of the services in North America. So network design, network build, and network operations. And so I'm 25 years and a couple weeks with Ericsson, 32 years in the telecom industry. And I really started off as a field technician. And so I started off in the field building radio networks and I've been blessed to be able to work my way up through a great company like Ericsson. Kevin Gray: That's awesome. I wonder how often that actually happens out there in our business, but really cool background. Okay. So next up, for today, I want to focus on network energy performance. Okay? So it seems like this is becoming a top issue for mobile network operators in North America as of late. And given your role, I'm sure you're hearing a lot about this from some of the network operators that you work with in North America, right? So can you explain just a little bit more as to what the key drivers are for this issue? Kevin Zvokel: Yeah, so I mean, energy performance is a big focus. It's not only for business. Typically, when we hear about topics like this, it's very business, but it's also sustainability. The good news in this topic is that all the tier one operators in North America have already made their commitments to be carbon neutral over the next 10 to 15 years, depending on which operator you're talking to. I think the thing to keep in mind is, about 90% of all the emissions from the network operators come from the actual power driven to run the networks. And so to achieve carbon neutral, it's important for these network operators to manage the increase in power consumption. As we all know, the increase in traffic is driving these networks harder and harder. So they need to balance that and they also need to purchase renewable power. If you look at their OPEX budget, about 40% of their OPEX budget's made up of the power consumption. And so it's very much financially driven as we drive more and more traffic in the network. And if that's not enough, I mean, investors in a lot of the network operators, BlackRock, for example, they've come out and said publicly that they're going to hold companies accountable for their progress in this topic. And so I think it's super critical that we all focus on, and I'm glad to hear that we have commitment from the tier one operators. And Ericsson's here to support them. Kevin Gray: So that speaks to some of the reasons why this is becoming a top issue and the opportunity for it, right? Now, what are some of the key challenges that are faced by mobile network operators that are pursuing these initiatives to improve their network energy performance? Kevin Zvokel: Yeah. There's competing priorities, I would say in the network operators. If you think about, network operators have lots of challenges and they're driven by consumers and, of course, their brand recognition for network performance. And they lack sometimes the horizontal energy policy across their organization that will help them make key decisions in all aspects of the network. When you think about the design equipment choices, when you think about how do you operate your network and make sure you balance that in the right way. And then there's a piece of that that comes on the OEMs, like Ericsson. We need to develop technology that helps them to balance and maximize power efficiency with network performance. And of course, overall it's OPEX and CAPEX. Where do you make investments to drive coverage and capacity in the network and still balance energy consumption? So those choices are very difficult and sometimes competing within the network environment. Kevin Gray: Okay, great. And let's get to Ericsson's involvement in all of this, in the next question. Right? What is Ericsson doing specifically to help out all these mobile network operators that are trying to overcome all the issues you just talked about? Kevin Zvokel: Yeah. So Ericsson's committed to providing solutions and through increased investments in our R&D, we're building solutions that will break the trajectory of energy consumption. So as data increases, we want to bend that energy curve and to see energy consumption go down, rather than follow the trend up. And so we've developed a holistic approach to secure network energy performance, and we see that in four different distinct areas of our portfolio. So one is around hardware modernization. And so building our hardware with the latest Ericsson Silicon. Two is intelligent energy savings through software features. And so building intelligence into our software to make networks smarter. Then we look at our services. So number three is really about building networks with precision. So making sure we build cell sites in the right area with the right solution for the right consumers in mind. And four is using artificial intelligence and machining learning to operate networks to make it as efficient as possible so we can avoid truck rolls and to do things smarter. And as a proof point, we're launching seven new brand solutions and it's led by our dual-band product. And that dual-band product already has proven to be 25% less power needed to support the same capacity. So we're seeing great efficiencies. And we also see that utilizing 5G, our private network portfolio, other industries are leveraging 5G technology to gain efficiencies. And so through mining and manufacturing and utilities across the North American marketplace, we see new industries trying to get more efficient through 5G technology. Kevin Gray: Great. And let's talk about the manufacturing set of things there really quick. I've heard a lot about a factory that you all have launched in Texas. Could you actually elaborate a little bit more on that and particularly the role that something like that might play in everything else you were just talking about? Kevin Zvokel: Yeah. Thanks, Kevin. I mean, we're committed too to be carbon neutral, our operations carbon neutral by 2030. And so part of that is changing the Ericsson mindset of all of our employees to focus on that common goal. And so a few years ago we decided that we were going to move manufacturing to the US. And so we're going to build 5G right here in Lewisville, Texas. And so we invested $100 million in our Lewisville facility, created 200 new jobs. And recently we're recognized by the World Economic Forum for sustainability and deploying new technologies. Ericsson not only makes commitments, but we put our money where our mouth is and that smart factory is a proof point. Kevin Gray: Okay, great. So the last question I'm going to have for you here, this is going to be a friendly softball question. Okay? So what makes you and your position most proud of the work Ericsson employees are doing to keep the networks running as essential infrastructure of our society? Kevin Zvokel: There's so many things at Ericsson that make us proud, but the first and foremost is our employees. And it's hard to believe that two years into COVID, we're still working in an environment where many of us are working from our homes. When COVID hit two years ago, the wireless infrastructure network's traffic pattern completely changed. And so, where most of us were able to work from home, the Ericsson field services team were out there maintaining networks and deploying new capacity. And many times over, we were asked by different cities and municipalities to grow capacity into networks so that kids could take their schooling from home. And so for two years running, our Ericsson field services team continue to engage in the field, to keep our networks running and to keep us all engaged and connected. Kevin Gray: Wow. That's great to hear, and that's a great way for us to wrap things up today. Kevin, thank you so much for your time. Kevin Zvokel: Thank you, Kevin. I appreciate it. This article was created in collaboration with the sponsoring company and our sales and marketing team. The editorial team does not contribute. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ericsson on 3blmedia.com

March 17, 2022 02:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time

10 Innovation Areas for 5G Advanced and Beyond [Video]

Qualcomm

By Dr. John E. Smee | Senior Vice President, Engineering, Qualcomm Technologies This week kicks off one of the most important events of the year for the mobile industry — Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (MWC22). The focus this year is on 5G Advanced, which starts the second phase of the 5G decade and will bring to the world a new wave of wireless innovations. Today, we are at the starting line of this evolution as the work for 5G Advanced Release 18 is expected to begin shortly. To prepare, we have been conducting research in many areas of wireless, and we believe this work will ultimately bring us another step closer to 6G by the end of this decade. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through 10 key wireless innovation areas that will fuel the 5G Advanced evolution toward 6G — five in the area of foundational air interface enhancements and five in 5G expansion into new applications and verticals. At the same time, I will also provide a short preview of our MWC22 technology demonstrations in each area. You can also see them in action at MWC22 YouTube playlist. Five air interface enhancements for 5G and beyond At Qualcomm Technologies, we have been driving the advancements of cellular air interface designs for many decades. Looking forward to 5G Advanced and the path to 6G, we continue to push the technology envelopes that can improve the overall performance and efficiency of the cellular system. Below are the five areas of system innovations, not in any particular order, that our research teams have been working on. 1. Advanced MIMO Evolution We continue to lead the technology curve of complex RF and massive MIMO antenna designs that can deliver new levels of performance, efficiency, and flexibility. This year, we have prepared three demos that showcase our longer-term research. Subband full duplex (SBFD): our real-time OTA prototype in San Diego can now support simultaneous downlink and uplink transmissions, utilizing a single antenna divided into two subband panels. SBFD brings additional network capacity and lower latency communications. Upper mid-band expansion with Giga-MIMO: we continue to make new spectrum bands viable for cellular communications. Giga-MIMO, which can utilize an order of magnitude more antenna elements than 5G massive MIMO, unlocking more wide-area bandwidth in the upper mid-band (i.e., 7—24 GHz). Sub-THz lensed MIMO: a key vector for 6G is the utilization of new spectrum bands. This demo showcases how a lensed MIMO design can efficiently unlock wider bandwidths in the 100+ GHz spectrum to deliver 100s of Gbps throughput suitable for diverse use cases. VIDEO: Advanced MIMO antenna design demo 2. Mobile mmWave technology evolution The push for more efficient deployments and higher performance systems are the focus for the mobile mmWave technology evolution. We have three demonstrations that highlight our work in this area of research. Intelligent 5G mmWave deployment: building on last year’s demo, we’ve made significant progress with our machine learning (ML) and optimization-based approach to mmWave network planning. The tool evaluates different mmWave infrastructure options for the most cost-optimized deployment. 5G mmWave mobility enhancement: one key enhancement for the mmWave system is the shift to L1/L2-based mobility. It further enhances system performance for demanding use cases such as mobile virtual reality (VR). mmWave spectrum sharing: we can achieve new efficiencies through more sophisticated spectrum sharing schemes by utilizing narrow beamforming, which put the spotlight on quality of service while delivering significantly higher network capacity for all users and set up a new paradigm of spectrum sharing in mmWave band. VIDEO: Mobile mmWave enhancements demo 3. AI-enabled air interface Looking forward at 5G Advanced and beyond, artificial intelligence will play an essential role in solving difficult wireless challenges. For MWC22, we have two OTA demonstrations that adopt machine learning techniques to bring new levels of air interface performance and efficiency. Cross-node ML for channel state feedback (CSF): building on the system simulations last year, we have now implemented this new data-driven air interface design, targeting Release 18, in our OTA network. It reduces communication overhead that leads to improved capacity/throughput. Cross-node ML for beam management: we have expanded our 5G mmWave OTA prototype to quantitatively showcase the benefits of ML-enabled beam management, which includes improved usable network capacity and extended device battery life. VIDEO: AI-enabled Air Interface prototype demo 4. Green networks One exciting new area in 5G Advanced Release 18 is the project on green networks, which focuses on increasing energy efficiency to help 5G become more sustainable. Our demonstration shows how cancelling out noise can make communications both faster and more energy efficient. Super-QAM: using our novel technique, we show how we can cancel out noise in an iterative fashion enabling the use of higher order modulation for increased speed and efficiency. In particular, we demonstrate achieving an incredible 16k-QAM in sub-7 GHz spectrum in a lab setup as well as 1K-QAM in mmWave in a real-time OTA demonstration. VIDEO: Super-QAM demo 5. 5G positioning evolution We continue to enhance the performance and efficiency of 5G positioning. Last year, we showcased wide-area positioning in our OTA testbed, and this year, we’re taking precise positioning into the mmWave spectrum as well as down to narrower bandwidths for low-complexity IoT devices. 5G mmWave precise positioning: our OTA prototype shows that higher positioning accuracy can be achieved thanks to mmWave’s wider bandwidths. mmWave positioning can also benefit a wide range of indoor and outdoor deployments such as manufacturing. Narrowband positioning for 5G NR-Light (RedCap): utilizing a device-based positioning technique like multi-cell downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD), we can overcome the reduced time-domain resolution in narrowband devices to achieve more accurate positioning. VIDEO: 5G positioning evolution demo Five 5G expansion areas into new applications and verticals We envisioned 5G to connect virtually everything around us, and we continue to introduce new capabilities that will optimize the expansion to new devices, services, and deployments. This year, we have selected five key innovation areas that exemplify our latest R&D efforts. 1. Enabling the metaverse The metaverse is an ever-present spatial internet complete with personalized digital experiences that span the physical and virtual worlds, where everything and everyone can communicate and interact seamlessly. Our demonstrations show how our cutting-edge research is enabling the metaverse. Boundless augmented reality (AR): with our prototype boundless AR system, we showcase our end-to-end latency optimizations across various radio conditions with the AR glasses communicating with the user’s phone over Wi-Fi and the phone using 5G to communicate with the network server. 5G cloud gaming: to deliver rich interactive digital experiences, our OTA 5G sub-6 GHz system showcases not only our on-device 5G latency optimizations but also the Qualcomm 5G AI API for Gaming, which helps applications dynamically adapt to the radio and network conditions. Cooperative sensing: understanding the physical world is a key requirement for the metaverse, and we’re utilizing wireless systems to provide object sensing capabilities. In this demo, we are using mmWave, deployed for communications, to detect the environment including the location of “device-free” objects that do not have transmit or receive. Secure services beyond data: the role of wireless in enabling the metaverse expands beyond data communications, and our vision is to optimize the wireless system for secure services beyond data such as positioning, ranging, and time-resiliency applications. VIDEO: How Qualcomm's advanced wireless research is enabling the metaverse demo 2. Wide-area IoT expansion Scaling down the 5G NR design for lower complexity IoT devices is one key evolution area that started in Release 17. Reduced Capability devices (RedCap), also known as NR-Light, will continue to evolve in 5G Advanced and beyond, supporting new features such as sidelink, positioning, and more. 5G NR-Light capacity: as the mobile ecosystem is preparing for the upcoming commercial deployment of 5G NR-Light, our system simulations show how a significant number of NR-Light devices can be supported in addition to wider bandwidth eMBB devices with a moderate use of network resources. 5G device mesh network for IoT: our OTA testbed shows how a mesh network can effectively extend coverage, enable connectivity for a large number of IoT devices through a single wide-area connection to the network, and enable 5G IoT deployments to be more cost efficient. VIDEO: Enhanced wide-area IoT connectivity with 5G demo 3. Advanced automotive connectivity For automotive, we are pioneering the use of ubiquitous 5G connectivity to the cloud, and Cellular-Vehicle to everything (C-V2X) connectivity among vehicles and infrastructure to improve safety, positioning, and services for the entire transportation ecosystem. This year, we have three demos showcasing the value 5G connectivity delivers. Cooperative radar sensing: radar is a common sensor in vehicles that provides a good estimate of distance and velocity of moving objects. This demo shows how 5G cloud connectivity can be used to enable cooperative sensing between vehicles close to each other to improve range and performance. Positioning with C-V2X RSUs (roadside units): positioning/localization is becoming increasingly important as we move toward autonomous driving. This demo shows how sidelink ranging with a single C-V2X RSU can be combined with Qualcomm Dead Reckoning to enable accurate positioning in GNSS-challenged scenarios. Smart RSUs for traffic reporting: adding AI-based vehicle detection capabilities to RSUs allows vehicles with C-V2X to benefit from the network effect where additional benefit is accrued even when all vehicles in a vicinity do not have C-V2X capabilities. This demo shows how a smart RSU can share its perception with vehicles to enhance safety. VIDEO: Advanced automotive connectivity demo 4. Industrial 5G networks We continue to drive innovations that can meet the most stringent industrial system performance requirements, such as latency and reliability. This year, we are not only making enhancements to our OTA testbeds, but also setting up an innovation platform for end-to-end research for new verticals. 5G advanced for the smart factory: our latest smart factory setup combines AI for coordinated multi-point transmissions and 5G sidelink to connect even more devices in the factory of the future with 99.9999% reliability. 5G/6G innovation platform for new verticals: based in Lannion, France, our 5G private network testbed allows for end-to-end research and collaboration with partners on new verticals and use cases such as extended reality, industrial IoT (IIoT), drones, and mission-critical applications. VIDEO: Industrial 5G networks demo 5. Industrial precise positioning Precise positioning is another key enabler for Industry 4.0, where the 5G system can deliver both high-performance connectivity and centimeter-level device positioning. This has been implemented in our indoor testbeds for both sub-7 GHz-licensed and 60 GHz-unlicensed spectrum bands. Sub-7 GHz positioning with ML: we expanded our IIoT testbed for positioning using the 3.5 GHz band. With machine learning and RF fingerprinting, we’re able to improve positioning precision for challenging indoor industrial environments with obstructed line of sight and multipath. 60 GHz unlicensed positioning: we show precise positioning in 60 GHz for the dual benefit of better time and spatial resolution and ease of deployment, to empower industry globally with a common solution in an unlicensed frequency band for high-performance connectivity and positioning. VIDEO: Industrial precise positioning demo View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Qualcomm on 3blmedia.com

March 17, 2022 11:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Release

U Mobile Awarded Qualcomm Wireless Reach Grant to Provide Telemedicine Services to B40 Community

Qualcomm

March 16, 2022 /3BL Media/ - U Mobile, the data-centric and award-winning telco, recently received a grant from the Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ initiative, which aims to bring advanced wireless technologies to people and communities who need it most. In Malaysia, U Mobile will use the funds to provide remote healthcare services to Malaysians with the lowest 40% household income (B40 community). Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death and morbidity among adults in Malaysia. A total of 8.1% of Malaysian adults have all three risk factors for diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Nearly 7.9 million individuals residing in rural areas in Malaysia have a low level of healthcare coverage. Rural settings often have a greater likelihood of undiagnosed NCDs cases, which could be attributed to inaccessible healthcare. Qualcomm Incorporated and U Mobile will collaborate with DoctorOnCall, Malaysia's first and largest digital healthcare platform, to implement telemedicine for diabetes and hypertension services. Together, the parties will introduce a 24-month healthcare programme called SIHAT or Sistem Integrasi KeHidupan Antara Teknologi. The SIHAT programme will monitor and manage diabetes and hypertension conditions of 100 participants in the target community using wirelessly connected medical devices like blood pressure monitors and glucometers. In addition, doctors will conduct live video teleconsultations with their patients on the DoctorOnCall's platform. These doctors will use Snapdragon-powered Always Connected PCs (ACPCs) and tablets. Low-cost mobile PCs and tablets powered by the Snapdragon® platform with embedded cellular connectivity will empower patients and medical staff to communicate from virtually anywhere. U Mobile's award-winning 4G network will facilitate the video consultation, ensuring a secure, stable, and positive patient experience. The initiative launched in January 2022 and began with the recruitment process for SIHAT. In addition to remote healthcare management, SIHAT will also gather insights on the benefits of telemedicine and provide recommendations on how the services may be implemented on a broader scale. The research team of Monash University Malaysia will study the programme insights and eventually publish a research paper. "U Mobile is honoured to receive the Wireless Reach grant, especially since we will be using the funds to help B40 Malaysians, particularly those who may be disabled or have mobility challenges, manage their health conditions remotely and seamlessly. This is very appropriate as we are still experiencing a pandemic. We are pleased to work with DoctorOnCall again for this initiative, a partner that we have conducted various 5G use cases in the past. U Mobile is delighted to unleash the unlimited potential of telemedicine by making technology and digital innovations meaningful, accessible and affordable for all," said Jasmine Lee, Chief Digital Officer of U Mobile. "U Mobile's SIHAT is aligned with the Wireless Reach Initative's goal of leveraging advanced mobile broadband technologies to enable point-of-care devices to provide access to information, reduce costs, increase efficiencies, facilitate remote care in even the most resource-scarce settings, and better connect people to their health care providers. We look forward to seeing how the programme progresses, as well as the learnings from it, which can be used to develop remote healthcare in Malaysia further and leverage these learnings globally" said Ehsanul Islam, Vice President of Engineering, QUALCOMM Communication Technologies Ltd. in Qualcomm Southeast Asia. For more information on SIHAT, the latest initiative between U Mobile and DoctorOnCall, visit SIHAT Infographic | DoctorOnCall. About U Mobile U Mobile, we want to help our consumers realise their Unlimited Potential. We make it our business to constantly innovate so that we can create products and services that our consumers value most. With our continuing commitment to expand our 4G network and roll out 5G powered innovations in various sectors, we are in the position to deliver an enhanced network and customer experience that will add unlimited fun and freedom to our consumers' lives. For more information on U Mobile's products and services, please visit www.u.com.my or contact U Mobile's customer service at 018-388 1318. About Qualcomm Qualcomm is the world's leading wireless technology innovator and the driving force behind the development, launch, and expansion of 5G. When we connected the phone to the internet, the mobile revolution was born. Today, our foundational technologies enable the mobile ecosystem and are found in every 3G, 4G and 5G smartphone. We bring the benefits of mobile to new industries, including automotive, the internet of things, and computing, and are leading the way to a world where everything and everyone can communicate and interact seamlessly. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering, research, and development functions, and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business. Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ Initiative Wireless Reach invests in sustainable programs that demonstrate innovative uses of wireless technology to strengthen economic and social development globally. Our programs foster entrepreneurship, aid in public safety, enhance the delivery of health care, enrich teaching and learning, and improve environmental sustainability. Since 2006, Wireless Reach has benefitted more than 20 million people. Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm, Snapdragon and Wireless Reach are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. About DoctorOnCall DoctorOnCall is Malaysia's first and largest online medical video-consultation platform that combines advanced video and voice technologies with the medical knowledge and experience of Malaysia's top doctors. They are a one-stop complete healthcare solutions provider with over 3 million visitors monthly on their website. DoctorOnCall's services include online medical consultation and e-prescription, online pharmacy, corporate and insurance subscription plans, specialists and allied medical booking services, preventive health management, labs and health screening. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Qualcomm on 3blmedia.com

March 16, 2022 02:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time

How to Engage With Suppliers to Join the 1.5°C Journey

Ericsson

Louise Rehbinder, Responsible Sourcing Program Manager Sara Gorton, Head of Environmental Strategy Nearly three months after COP26, and six years after the Paris Agreement of 2015, why has so little happened to combat climate change, and how can businesses take action? In light of the newly launched 1.5°C Supplier Engagement Guide, we outline how to engage suppliers to take climate action. We have just closed the doors behind COP26, yet another gathering of the big players of the world. The event brought together politicians, companies, and organizations to continue discussions on climate change and agree on the path going forward. The basis for the meeting is what was once agreed upon in Paris in 2015 – to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees, preferably to max 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. So, great things must have happened since then and the curves pointing upwards need to have been bent, right? It is after all six years ago! But that is not what we saw in reality. Changes in the Earth’s climate have been observed in every region of the world and across the whole climate system with devastating effects on ecosystems, human lives, and local economies. The pace of climate change has intensified in ways that earlier modelling had not foreseen, and ecosystems are reaching tipping points. Scientists can link specific weather events to human-made climate change. We are, without doubt, causing this and the destiny of humankind lies in our own hands. Why has so little happened since that groundbreaking meeting in Paris 2015? One of the big problems is that everyone seems to be waiting. Countries are waiting for what other countries will do. Scientists are waiting for political action. People are waiting for someone to fix the problem (yet expecting it will not affect them too much). Businesses are waiting for regulatory requirements. Politicians are waiting for when the timing is right, working on pleasing their voters, while at the same time making sure to keep track of Greta’s latest move. How do we make people act? And for the sake of this blog post, how do we make sure people within businesses act? Often, this climate inactivity originates from insecurity, from not knowing where to start and what steps to take to move forward. When the decision is difficult, we tend to do nothing. If we think it will be costly, we tend to do nothing. And if it takes an effort, we don’t want to do it, we’d rather continue doing business as usual. That is the nature of humans. It’s understandable. And this is the purpose and beauty of this newly launched guide – the 1.5°C Supplier Engagement Guide. As the name and context suggests, it is a guide for how to engage suppliers to take climate action or quoting the guide itself: “The guide provides practical guidance that any company can utilize to work with suppliers to set and implement a 1.5°C aligned target and move to action.” The aim is to remove that feeling of not knowing how to move forward with climate action in a supply chain, so that more of us can start already today. So, if your company has a supply chain, this guide is relevant for you. Regardless of whether you are brand new to the topic or if you’ve had a structured way of working for many years, the 1.5°C Supplier Engagement Guide is a possibility for learning and for action. New players will receive guidance on how to build a structure for their work with access to current best practices for supplier climate engagement. Established players can find inspiration to step up their work even further. And for those who have nothing more to learn, they can still contribute by sharing their examples, and thereby strengthen the guide and its best practices, so others can learn and take action. When requesting climate action from suppliers, we need to approach both large and small companies that may have various experience in climate action. To specifically support small- and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, the SME Climate Hub has been developed. This is a platform that provides simple tools and practices to support SMEs in their commitment to the 1.5°C degree pathway. It can be used as an asset to the 1.5°C Supplier Engagement Guide when approaching SMEs. To speed up action, collaboration is crucial! We need to work together internally, cross company functions and cross geographies. Furthermore, we need to work together externally, with suppliers, customers, and peers. By learning from each other, taking advantage of each other's strengths, and collaborating to innovate together we will move faster. Re-use of good ideas and focus of resources to get magnitude, rather than aiming for uniqueness, will be key to gain momentum for climate action. There are fewer than ten years left until 2030, together let’s fill them with action! Want to learn more? Read the 1.5°C Supplier Engagement Guide Here’s how technology for good is helping us restore planet earth. How can technological innovation mitigate climate change? This is how digitalization with 5G enables further acceleration of climate action. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ericsson on 3blmedia.com

March 15, 2022 11:41 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Comcast Offering Free and Discounted Internet Through Affordable Connectivity Program

Comcast Twin Cities

Comcast in the Twin Cities is offering free and discounted Internet options through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP provides eligible low-income households a credit up to $30 a month toward the cost of Internet service ($75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands). Customers who qualify can apply ACP credits to any tier of Xfinity Internet, including Internet Essentials. “As the world becomes more digital, it is crucial that everyone has the needed resources and opportunities to excel in today’s environment,” said Kalyn Hove, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast Twin Cities. “The Affordable Connectivity Program is a once in a lifetime opportunity that Comcast is proud to be participating in and offer to any of our customers who qualify so they can benefit from the connectivity needed to function in today’s world.” Comcast recently introduced two new ways for customers to benefit from the ACP: Internet Essentials Plus Internet Essentials Plus is a new tier of service for Comcast’s hallmark digital equity program that is available in all Comcast service areas to any customer who qualifies. It offers twice the download speed – up to 100 Mbps – of the traditional Internet Essentials service, which has a 50 Mbps download speed. Internet Essentials Plus is available for $29.95/month to new customers who qualify. Existing Internet Essentials customers can upgrade to this new, faster tier at any time. Customers who subscribe to Internet Essentials Plus and enroll in ACP will effectively get broadband for free after the $30/month government discount is applied. Xfinity Mobile Comcast’s top-rated Xfinity Mobile service, which includes 5G, is now available to customers enrolled in ACP, giving them the ability to save money on their connectivity needs inside and out of the home. Internet Essentials customers can use their $30/month ACP discount to pay for both Xfinity Internet and Xfinity Mobile service. For example, an Internet Essentials customer (paying $9.95/month) can add one line of Unlimited on Xfinity Mobile ($45/month) for $24.95/month after applying the ACP discount. Xfinity Mobile has no line access or activation fees and comes with unlimited talk and text, so customers only pay for cellular data. Customers can mix and match between two straightforward plans on Xfinity Mobile with 5G included, Unlimited or By the Gig, and pair these mobile plans with any tier of Internet service to provide ultimate flexibility. They can also switch back and forth between Unlimited and By the Gig mobile plans at any time. In addition, Xfinity Mobile devices automatically connect to millions of Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country to reduce customers’ dependence on cellular and save money. Sign up for ACP Eligible households that enroll in the program can receive $30/month toward their Internet and mobile service ($75/month on Tribal lands). New and existing Xfinity Internet or Internet Essentials customers can visit www.xfinity.com/acp or call 844-389-4681 for more information, to determine eligibility, and sign up. Today’s announcement is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people over the next 10 years with the tools, resources, and skills needed to succeed in a digital world. For more information about Comcast’s comprehensive connectivity program for low-income Americans visit: https://corporate.comcast.com/values/internet-essentials. About Internet Essentials Internet Essentials is Comcast’s signature digital equity initiative and the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. In 10 years, it has helped connect 10 million low-income Americans to broadband Internet at home, most for the very first time. It has a comprehensive design that addresses each of the three major barriers to broadband adoption. This includes multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online, and in person; the option to purchase a heavily subsidized, low-cost Internet-ready computer; and low-cost, high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month, plus tax. The program is structured as a partnership between Comcast and tens of thousands of school districts, libraries, elected officials and nonprofit community partners. For more information about Internet Essentials and Comcast’s commitment to education and digital equity, please visit https://corporate.comcast.com/education. To apply, visit www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376 for English or 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish. About Comcast Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the XFINITY brand. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Jill Hornbacher +1 651-425-1695 Jill_Hornbacher@comcast.com Company Website https://twincities.comcast.com/

March 15, 2022 08:00 AM Central Daylight Time

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imimobile and SMARTY Partner to Bring End-to-End Personalised Communication to Its Growing Customer Base

imimobile

imi mobile, the global cloud communications software and solutions provider (part of Webex by Cisco), has announced that SMARTY, a UK SIM-only mobile network, has deployed imi connect and imi campaign to support its growing subscriber base and drive a more seamless customer experience across its marketing journeys and digital channels. With imi mobile’s communications platform as a service (CPaaS) solution – imi connect - at its core, SMARTY can now better support seamless customer engagement across its customer onboarding programme as well as throughout its in-life and retention campaigns which required greater need for effective, cross-channel, personalised communications. This has allowed SMARTY to replace disparate services and vendors, consolidating these channels and services to minimise costs, maximise operational efficiencies and improve campaign response rates. Replacing the manual processes of previous solutions with imi mobile’s multi-channel CPaaS technology has provided SMARTY with better automation through one central platform to manage all its customer interactions. Its teams now have real-time insight into the communications customers are receiving and how they are interacting and responding to these, which in turn offers the ability to add further levels of automation and intelligence throughout the customer journey to improve the overall experience. “As we continue to grow our customer base, it was becoming apparent that we needed to change the way in which we interact with customers,” said Sayed Hajamaideen, Head of Marketing & Propositions at SMARTY. “Our ethos is simple, honest mobile and we found that imi mobile aligned very strongly to this with its easy, straightforward, and intelligent technology. SMARTY is in an extremely competitive industry, and we are an ambitious company – we were looking for a highly personalised, automated customer experience solution that would keep pace with the speed at which we are moving. imi mobile has helped overhaul our entire approach to customer communications through its CPaaS platform and multi-channel capabilities to ensure a frictionless experience for our growing customer base.” imi connect sits at the heart of SMARTY’s customer communications, from welcome and onboarding to loyalty and retention campaigns. It directly integrates with SMARTY’s existing systems, including its CRM platform, which allows SMARTY to automate communications with customers at key moments to, for example, ‘refer a friend’ or ‘leave a review’. This integration also provides a complete view of the customer and helps SMARTY’s teams to craft appropriate communications specific to their journeys. The platform also syncs with SMARTY’s Trust Pilot reviews programme, using rich communication services (RCS) to make it even easier and more convenient for customers to leave reviews, with SMARTY now reaching a 70% 5-star rating. This end-to-end journey orchestration allows for more interactive conversations that better relate to each individual customer and their needs at that time. “We know that customer experience is becoming a board-level discussion, as more and more business leaders understand its increasing impact on the bottom line,” said Jay Patel, VP & GM, Webex CPaaS. “SMARTY is at the forefront of this curve, seeing the critical importance for implementing a CPaaS solution to manage its customer communications. They needed a better solution to support their customer base, one that could help evolve marketing-led journeys to an end-to-end customer experience. The imi connect platform acts as a central hub, delivering automation, personalisation, innovation, and a multi-channel approach to support how SMARTY is able to engage their customer base at each and every stage of their journey. Using this approach to reaching out across the most appropriate channel, SMARTY has unsurprisingly seen up to a 500% uplift in campaign engagement compared to the traditional single channel approach.” With automation, personalisation, and the ability to innovate with agility at its core, imi mobile enables seamless 'two-way' communications for SMARTY’s customers, giving customers the ability to respond directly in the same channel where they have received the messages from SMARTY’s team. This joined up communication across all channels has made it extremely easy and efficient for SMARTY to continually communicate with its customers in a place and time that suits them best so that they can be kept up to date with new products and services, while also be able to make informed decisions on tariffs and packages. For more information on imi connect, please visit imimobile.com/products/imiconnect About SMARTY: All of SMARTY’s plans are jam-packed with data, unlimited calls and texts and are flexible 30-day plans. With SMARTY, EU roaming is included (up to 12GB) and, as there’s no contract and no tie in, customers are never forced into accepting price rises, giving customers complete honesty, flexibility and simplicity. SMARTY is powered by Three’s strong and reliable 3G, 4G and 5G network, which delivers super-fast speeds for browsing, streaming, gaming, downloading, and emailing. The SIM-only network is on a mission to put the trust back into the mobile industry, by doing things properly. SMARTY believes there’s a better way to do things; great value, simple plans, transparent pricing and flexible 1-month plans. On SMARTY, customers don’t need to worry about a hefty bill or nasty surprises at the end of the month – it’s simple, honest mobile. For more information on the new plans, visit www.smarty.co.uk About imimobile imi mobile, part of Webex, provides cloud communications software and services that manage business-critical customer interactions at scale. We believe that customer experience is the key competitive advantage for consumer businesses. So, we're creating a world where enterprises can stay constantly connected to their customers. A world where every touchpoint, on every channel, is an opportunity to deliver rich, engaging, intuitive experiences. Our API and low-code Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) offering, imi connect, enables large enterprises to automate, orchestrate and monitor their customer interactions all on one platform. This helps businesses to lower costs, reduce complexity and accelerate IT roadmaps. Our innovative platform and applications are being used at scale today by blue-chip global enterprises and leading public-sector organizations to deliver smarter customer interactions, such as AA, Best Buy, BT, Capitec Bank, Centrica, EE, IHG, Mercedes, Orange, O2, Vodafone and Walgreens. The business was acquired by Cisco Systems in February 2021 and has global offices across the UK, USA, Canada, India, and South Africa. www.imimobile.com Contact Details Michael Kocher +1 704-960-2295 michael@kitehillpr.com Caroline Brunton +44 7796 274416 caroline@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://imimobile.com/gb/products/imiconnect

March 10, 2022 04:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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What Is the Gig Economy and How Will It Change the Future of Work?

Ericsson

The Covid-19 pandemic certainly has had a profound impact on both private and work life for many of us. While many businesses are working hard to reach an international customer base, we as consumers have also become more aware of local businesses close to where we live. The gig economy Whenever I walk around in my hometown Uppsala these days, I’m always amazed by how many food delivery couriers buzz up and down the streets, and how the pandemic seems to have acted as a boost for these types of delivery jobs. Over the last 18 months, we’ve been encouraged to use food delivery apps as an alternative to in-person visits to restaurants, or to use online commerce instead of physical retail shopping. As a result, the gig economy has received a boost. In fact, a study by Upwork concluded that 12 percent of the US workforce started freelancing during 2020. The term ‘gig’ is a slang word for a job assignment with a limited duration. While temporary work roles have existed before in the form of freelancers, independent contractors, and project-based workers, for example, the digital platform has enabled gig workers to take the temporary job to a new level. Even if gig work and digital platform-based work are two separate things, digital platforms have come to drive the evolution of the gig work market by bringing together supply and demand for labor into one single, and often global, platform. Interestingly, and what is maybe not as well-known is the silent evolution of gig work among white collar workers, with platforms such as Amazon mTurk and Fiverr attracting freelance workers from around the globe. This is part of a general growing trend – in fact, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates a fivefold increase in the number of digital labor platforms during the last decade. Another example is LinkedIn, which is entering the scene by offering a worldwide gig platform for freelancers. A possible reason for the recent uptake of gig jobs is that people spend more time online. In addition, many of us now prefer to avoid physical contact in shops and restaurants, something highlighted in Ericsson’s ConsumerLab report, The future urban reality. It reveals that consumers expect to have increased the time they spend online by 10 hours a week in comparison with their pre-pandemic habits. This also raises questions around what technology, and 5G in particular, can do for the future labor market and internationalization. This triggered us at Ericsson IndustryLab to go out and look for answers. It resulted in the report ‘ The dematerialization path to profitability and sustainability’. Growth of the international labor market Despite worldwide trade conflicts and the pandemic, our research data shows that enterprises expect to continue to grow internationally. In fact, six in 10 current domestic enterprises expect to have an international customer base by 2030. This will also have an impact on the labor market and four in 10 enterprises agreed that the ability to hire employees globally will be key by 2030. The need for skilled personnel and the internationalization of business as such, are key drivers for this shift. The role of technology Traditionally, it has been quite demanding for enterprises to expand their business internationally, since the establishment of local branches overseas for local markets is fraught with legal and practical challenges. Technologies such as cloud and mobile connectivity have however proven to be game changers for internationalization, allowing white-collar employees to work anywhere outside the office, and enabling the set-up of cloud-based e-commerce services or even the remote operation of equipment and facilities over a secure connection. Our research also confirms the important role of technology for international businesses. Cloud, 5G, VR/AR and IoT technologies are being adopted by enterprises and are regarded by more than two thirds of surveyed decision-makers to contribute to internationalization. This internationalization is, however, calling for ICT solutions, such as IoT, cloud and mobile connectivity, that are independent of geographical boundaries and borders. This evolution is enabling enterprises to establish an international presence without the need to set up a local branch or workforce. The changing situation for work This evolution is calling for a change to how work is organized in the future. It’s clear that jobs and location are being decoupled, which means white-collar employees can select among temporary jobs and projects around the world, while employers can select the best individuals for specific projects from a larger pool than what's available in any given area. Our recent study shows that by 2030, two in three decision makers believe that hiring employees across the world regardless of national boundaries will be key. Temporary jobs are generally on the rise. According to the OECD, they have already increased by 8 percent during the last 20 years. In our study, six in 10 decision makers believe the share of those who are temporarily employed will increase significantly by the year 2030. The evolution to more temporary jobs suggests a drive towards more task-based rather than today’s job-based structure. Our report reveals, that 2 in 3 believe the workforce will be structured around projects rather than fixed-job functions by the year 2030. This evolution certainly comes with its downsides, not least in areas such as company culture and competence. As employment becomes more flexible, but also uncertain, enterprises might also experience a less loyal workforce, as well as loss of social cohesion in the workforce. Additionally, 44 percent of white-collar employees think that replacing long-term positions with short-term assignments and project-based employment will make life more difficult. The new Urban reality report points out that more than three in five believe the majority will juggle multiple jobs to maintain a decent income. The lack of financial stability and uncertainty about the availability of paid work tasks are therefore key challenges for future workers, as they possibly struggle to make ends meet or be able to get (and pay for) mortgages and loans. To make matters even worse, the self-employed today normally lack pensions, sick pay, holiday, and parental leave schemes. As pointed out by ILO research, the flexibility that comes with more task-based work is also a challenge for gender equality. Research has revealed that women undertake three times more care and domestic work than their male partner. This has increased further during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite time spent on care and domestic work increasing in general for both men and women. The evolution to gig work or more home-based work may therefore reinforce some of this skewed distribution of work and pose a risk to the progress already made for gender equality. The call for regulation and organization It’s clear that the evolution towards more temporary and international jobs is not without its challenges. Another controversial and ongoing issue is the employment status of platform workers. So far, gig workers’ employment conditions have often been unfavorable or unclear, they’re not unionized or represented and they lack the benefits that employees normally have, such as unemployment insurance, pensions and healthcare. However, in October 2020 a tribunal in the UK ruled that two Uber drivers were to be considered workers and not self-employed contractors, meaning they were entitled to a minimum wage and holiday pay. This set vital precedents for other gig businesses in other countries where policies are being reviewed and studied closely. Another topic of debate is worker representation in the gig economy. The fact that gig workers are independent means that collectively driving agendas for workers' rights, by forming unions for example, are often difficult. However, digital platforms can also be used to enable the opposite. For example, by finding each other and developing a transnational network of resistance over forums, groupchats, and video calls. In response to the growing criticisms of workers' rights and lack of representation, a group of gig workers has developed a third-party platform called Turkopticon which allows workers to give feedback on their employers, allowing other users to avoid potentially unfavorable jobs and to recommend employers. Another service called Dynamo was created to allow the workers to collect funds anonymously to organize campaigns to strive for a better work environment. All this is calling for a strengthening of international policies and cross-national labor and trade organizations. One example is when gig workers from over two dozen countries met in person to form the International Alliance of App-based Transport Workers (IAATW) towards the end of 2019. Technology has been used to shape a new labor market based on more temporary international jobs, but it has also been used to enable new ways for workers to get organized and cooperate for better working conditions. Summarizing, we can see that Covid-19 has been a further driver of an already existing upward trend in the labor market, such as the increase of freelance and gig jobs, as well as the increasing amount of remote work and the internationalization of labor, all of which has been fueled by technology development. Going back to my experience in my hometown – in the future, I expect to continue to see even more gig workers all over the city center, along with huge amounts of people working from home, at least some of the time, while visiting their local restaurants and coffee shops during their breaks! Learn more Read how dematerialization is the path to profitability and sustainability. Read more about Why the future of work is increasingly remote View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ericsson on 3blmedia.com

March 09, 2022 01:02 PM Eastern Standard Time

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