Monthly Archives: October 2019

As we prepare to enter the next decade, telecoms are being transformed by technology in a variety of ways. From artificial intelligence (AI) to the threat of cyberattack, here are the 7 biggest technology trends that will transform telecoms in 2020.

The 7 Biggest Technology Trends That Will Transform Telecoms In 2020

5G

5G promises some dramatic changes. The European Unions 5G action plan includes uninterrupted 5G coverage by 2025 for railways and major roads. In addition to being able to support a hundredfold increase in connected devices per each unit area, 5G will offer ultra-low latency, improved data rates and enable network slicing. This opens the door for new services, network operation and customer experience for telecom operators.

5G will change telecom's role: telecoms will not only be technology distributors, but also service providers. This shift will require telecoms to engage with governments, enterprise customers and alter their sales approach to help customers leverage the power of 5G.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Telecommunications is one of the industries that use artificial intelligence in many aspects of business today. Through virtual assistants and chatbots, and the artificial intelligence that runs these tools behind the scenes, telecommunications companies improve customer service and satisfaction. Artificial intelligence is essential for the optimization and predictive maintenance of telecommunications companies networks. AI is also hard at work detecting fraudulent activity. Additionally, through predictive analytics, artificial intelligence makes it possible for telecoms to glean actionable business insights from the volumes of data they gather every day.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Because the telecom industry enables internet device connectivity it is one of the largest players in the Internet of Things market, everyday items that are connected to one another and the internet. Internet of Things technology helps telecoms monitor base stations and data centers remotely. This helps ensure minimal downtime for the network. Since telecom is so instrumental in providing IoT infrastructure, the industry is uniquely poised to develop and offer their own services for IoT. Since IoT technology results in more devices on the network there are more opportunities for security and privacy breaches to occur so telecoms need to plan and prepare defenses for that. While there are still a lot of unknowns regarding the transformation IoT will have for telecoms, theres little doubt that it will disrupt the industry.

Big Data

Its undeniable that telecommunications companies are collecting and generating volumes of data from mobile devices and apps, wearables and morewireless data is expected to continue to increase through the 2020sbut it will be the companies that use it to their competitive advantage that will survive. Telecommunications companies need to ensure that their networks can move extraordinary amounts of data through their network efficiently and continue to support new technologies. Telecoms also need to address the new security challenges that have arisen with new technology that use their networks. Ultimately, the data that telecoms collect can be analyzed to improve customer service, determine and evaluate new products, as well as monitor and optimize the network. When evaluated and acted upon, big data can help telecoms build a stronger business.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Robotic process automation can take over repetitive, rules-based, high-frequency processes and complete them very accurately. When telecoms deploy RPA for tasks, error rates and costs are reduced while customer service and operational efficiency are boosted. The telecommunications industry has one of the highest adoption rates for RPA technology since it seems to serve it so well. RPA offers high levels of scalability and agility for telecoms and can take over many tasks such as report generation, responding to customer questions, order processing, price tracking and more.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computings pay-per-use service model helps telecoms introduce new services, reduce their costs and adjust to market demands more effectively. The cloud offers economies of scale, scalability and cost effectiveness to telecoms. Not only can telecoms be a cloud service provider, but they can use the cloud themselves. When telecoms adopt cloud technology and switch important business functions to the cloud, they benefit from the clouds efficiency.

Cyber Security and Resilience

We take for granted the services that are enabled by telecoms including phone and video calls, email and messaging until we experience an outage and realize how dependent we are on those services. Due to telecoms storing vast amounts of sensitive data on complex networks that act as gateways to other businesses and because they build and operate critical infrastructure, telecoms are increasingly a target for cybercriminals. From direct cyberattacks such as distributed denial of service to indirect attacks such as malware, telecoms need to protect themselves and prepare for the future of 5G and the security hurdles that will represent. This includes having not only the right IT infrastructure in place but the talent and processes to support resiliency when attacked. Currently, there is room for improvement to the industrys response to a cyberattack. Even false claims of attack can damage a telecoms reputation, as well as create a considerable business impact in terms of time and money spent to respond.

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The 7 Biggest Technology Trends That Will Transform Telecoms In 2020 - Forbes

For as long as humans have been on this planet, weve invented forms of communicationfrom smoke signals and messenger pigeons to the telephone and emailthat have constantly evolved how we interact with each other.

One of the biggest developments in communication came in 1831 when the electric telegraph was invented. While post existed as a form of communication before this date, it was electrical engineering in the 19th century which had a revolutionary impact.

Now, digital methods have superseded almost all other forms of communication, especially in business. I cant remember the last time I hand wrote a letter, rather than an email at work, even my signature is digital these days. Picking up the phone is a rare occurrence tooinstead, I FaceTime, Zoom, or join a Google Hangout.

When I look back at how communication has advanced over the years, it really is quite incredible

The Telephone

In 1849, the telephone was invented and within 50 years it was an essential item for homes and offices, but tethering impacted the flexibility and privacy of the device. Then, came the mobile phone. In 1973, Motorola created a mobile phone which kick-started a chain of developments that transformed communication forever.

Early smartphones were primarily aimed towards the enterprise market, bridging the gap between telephones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), but they were bulky and had short battery lives. By 1996, Nokia was releasing phones with QWERTY keyboards and by 2010, the majority of Android phones were touchscreen-only.

In 2007, Steve Jobs revealed the first iPhone to the world and Apple paved the way for the aesthetics of modern smartphones. Before the iPhone, flip phones, and phones with a split keyboard and screen were the norm. A year later, a central application store with an initial 500 downloadable apps was launched. Currently, there are over two million apps available in the Apple App Store.

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The Internet

Since the mid-1990s, the Internet has had a revolutionary impact on communication, including the rise of near-instant communication by electronic mail, instant messaging, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone calls, two-way interactive video calls, discussion forums, blogs, and social networking.

The internet has made communication easier and faster, its allowed us to stay in contact with people regardless of time and location. Its accelerated the pace of business and widened the possibilities within the enterprise space. Its allowed people to find their voice and express themselves through social media, YouTube and memes. The internet has connected and divided us like nothing before.

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Email

As a byproduct of the World Wide Web, email was introduced to the world in 1991 (although it had been operating years before) and it has vastly changed our liveswhether for better or worse depends on your viewpoint. The first users of the messaging platform were educational systems and the military who used email to exchange information. In 2018, there were more than 3.8 billion email usersthats more than half the planet. By 2022, its expected that we will be sending 333 billion personal and business emails each day.

While email is invaluable and we cant imagine a world without it, there are tools that are springing up that are giving email a run for its money. Take Slack (an acronym for Searchable Log of All Communication and Knowledge) for example, the company which launched in 2014 has often been described as an email killer. However, while Slack has become the most popular chat and productivity tool in the world used by 10 million people every day, email is still going strong. In recognition of this, Slacks upgrades have ensured that people who still rely heavily on email are not excluded from collaboratory work.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Wearable Technology

The first instance of wearable technology was a handsfree mobile headset launched in 1999, which became a piece of tech synonymous with city workers. It gave businesspeople the ability to answer calls on the go, most importantly, while driving.

Ten years ago, the idea that you could make a video call from an item other than a phone would have been a sci-fi dream. Now, with smartwatches, audio sunglasses, and other emerging wearable technology, these capabilities are a part of our daily lives.

Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash

Virtual Reality (VR)

The next generation of VR has only been around since 2016, but its already shaking up communications. The beauty of VRpresencemeans you can connect to someone in the same space at the same time, without the time sink and cost of travel, even if participants are on different continents.

VR also helps to facilitate better communication. In a typical discussion, a lot of information is non-verbal communication which can be transcribed in VR. Voice tone, hesitations, head and hand movements greatly improve the understanding of the participants' emotions and intents. Plus in VR, all distractions are removed and people can be fully focused on what is happening around them. In fact, MeetinVR claims that there is a 25% increase in attention span when meeting in virtual reality compared to video conferencing.

In addition, research suggests we retain more information and can better apply what we have learned after participating in virtual reality. 3D is a natural communication language overcoming linguistic barriers as well as technical jargon.

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5G

5G, the 5th generation of mobile network, promises much faster data download and upload speeds, wider coverage, and more stable connections. These benefits will bring about significant improvements in communication. Instantaneous communication will be possible and those patchy frustrating video calls will be a thing of the past.

The average 4G transmission speed currently available for our smartphones is around the 21 Mbps mark. 5G will be 100 to 1000 times faster. The Consumer Technology Association notes that at this speed, you could download a two-hour movie in just 3.6 seconds, versus 6 minutes on 4G or 26 hours on 3G. The impact of 5G will go far beyond our smartphones as it will allow millions of devices to be connected simultaneously.

Looking ahead, there is already buzz about 6G. Although its still in basic research and around 15-20 years away, its interesting from an innovation point of view. 6G will form the framework of the connected utopia we aspire towards, and with it will come untold improvements in the speed and consistency of our communication.

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More:

The Role Of Technology In The Evolution Of Communication - Forbes

Sir Martyn Lewis and I met back in April to discuss the impact of technology on humanity at The Club at The Ivy in London. It was a well-received debate, so we reconvened to tackle a new subject last month. As education is one of the key industries being disrupted by technology, and a subject both Martyn and I feel passionate about, it felt apt to put it on the agenda for the evenings discussion.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution will see an increase in workforce automation. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that over the next 10 to 20 years, 14 percent of jobs are at high risk of being fully automated, while another 32 percent at risk of significant change. It is imperative, therefore, that education systems adapt to ensure students are equipped with the right skills to survive in our changing world.

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While there are many different theories on what and how students should learn, I believe there is no escaping the fact that students will need to be prepared to continuously learn and upskill people will be learners for life, rather than a set period. I also believe technology is playing, and will continue to play, a key role in the way skills are acquired and developed for the 21st Century workforce. So, it is no surprise that the Education Technology (EdTech) industry is set to reach $252 billion by 2020, growing at a 17% annual rate.

Technology presents a wonderful opportunity to re-shape 21st-century education because its popular with students and teachers. One study in the US has shown that the introduction of technology makes 87% of students more likely to attend class and 72% of them more likely to participate. While a study by Smoothwall found that 96% of teachers believe technology has had a positive impact on the way children participate and learn in lessons.

Take augmented reality for example. The technology can be used to augment field trips by adding a layer of information and interactivity to the activity, help with foreign language studies by translating text, or bring subjects such as coral reefs and electromagnetism to life through apps like Google Expeditions. Considering all the applications and appeal of the technology, its no wonder that the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) reports augmented reality has the potential to revolutionize learning in primary and secondary schools more than any other technology has done in the recent past.

Orboot is a 10-inch globe and companion app (iOS or Android) that lets kids check out the world and complete activities in an augmented reality environment.

If we look at virtual reality, we can see great benefits in using the technologyfrom its ability to enhance recall through to its capacity for building empathy. These advantages position VR as a unique learning aid.

There are many companies that are focusing on driving positive change in education through technology. Martyn and I asked a couple of people doing great work in this space to join the discussion. First up was Seth Andrew.

Seth is a serial social entrepreneur, having founded Democracy Prep, Democracy Builders, REV, and Washington Leadership Academy. He then led policy and partnerships for the worlds largest network of schools for families earning less than $2 per day. Previously, Andrew served as the Senior Advisor for Education Technology in the Executive Office of President Barack Obama where he helped launch Computer Science for All, Vote.Gov, and #FutureReadySchools as well as helping to make the White House accessible in Virtual Reality for the first time in American history.

Seth Andrew, the founder of Democracy Prep in Harlem.

Seth is a leading advocate for the power of technology to transform the fundamentals of global schooling. In addition to helping buildthe dozens of schools in the US, and hundreds in Africa, he founded Washington Leadership Academy as a lab school to explore these new ideas and was awarded a $10m prize from the XQ: Super School Project to build out that new model. What goes into this ambitious vision? Seth wanted to see WLA build a virtual-reality high school chemistry lab and require every student to learn computer science in all four years of high school, plus build meaningful digital projects, including content in XR.

As this vision comes to fruition, Seth explained to the room: no child will be burned, no teacher will have to clean up a chemical spill, and access to a state-of-the-art science lab will cost just a fraction of the bricks and mortar version." In addition to these practical benefits, there are pedagogical benefits as well: We can drill down into the valence of each individual atom to see electrons spinning in a way you cant in a regular laboratory. The big goal is to inspire students to use the tools of technology to build the future world they will inhabit. Thats why computer science is a required course and students will graduate with the technical skills to code their own projects in Virtual Reality among other mediums.

Washington Leadership Academy

Tej Samani was also invited to join the conversation. Tej is the founder ofPerformance Learning, a British company that, for the last nine years, has helped thousands of learners boost their exam and classroom performance through its machine learning platform. Tej dropped out of school aged 16 to pursue a tennis career but hung his racket up at 21 to become the Founder of Performance Learning.

Tej speaking at the event at The Club at The Ivy.

Deployed from primary education (starting in Year 5) through to further and higher education, the digital platform and assessments accurately predict, monitor and evaluate learner performance with a core focus on mental health and attitudes and behavior towards learning.

Lessons are delivered through a combination of online, face-to-face, and cloud-based learning via trained Performance Learning coaches. From how they sleep to how they retain information, users get to understand more about themselves so they can improve how they learn and maximize potential.

Tej explained how the platform worked: The applications algorithm quietly and perpetually learns about the student and each time ensures it delivers the most appropriate learning pathway to ensure the student not only learns but wins. Learners interact with curriculum-specific learning journeys, ranging from Easy' to 'Genius mode, in a fully gamified experience.

He went on to explain that users have to beat the AI system in order to progress: The more the users play, the smarter the system becomes. It begins to predict core metacognitive and cognitive skill gaps within the user, encouraging the user to partake in training modules within the system to improve.

Topcliffe School Birmingham

Speaking about education and technology in general, Tej said: "Our education system has needed significant progression to just keep up, let alone stay ahead of the leaps in technology we are experiencing. While technology will always struggle to replace an effective teacher, it can help develop effective teaching as well as deliver tailored, personalized education to learners of all standards, irrespective of how complex their barriers to learning are. The advancement in education technology can bring in areas such as grade prediction, performance tracking, and personalizationthis will help to ensure that the most critical stage of a persons life is delivered with accuracy, engagement, and foresight

It is clear technology can be leveraged to create an engaging and personalized environment and open up opportunities for deeper learning technology should be used as an opportunity to acquire more knowledge, not an excuse to know less. Furthermore, students no longer have to be confined to the classroom or forced into a one-size-fits-all system. However, technology is not the answer to everythingwe still need classroom leaders and students with an appetite for learning.

Read more:

The Revolutionary Impact Of Immersive Technology On Education - Forbes

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Super-Resolution Imaging Technologies in Life Science" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report includes:

Super-resolution imaging (SRI), which is also known as nanoscopy or super-resolution microscopy, is a group of technologies that allow performing optical imaging beyond the diffraction limit of light. Light consists of electromagnetic radiations with wavelike characteristics. When light passes through a small opening or meets a small obstacle, it does not continue in a straight path, but it bends. This phenomenon is known as diffraction.

Image resolution measures the number of details in an image. The resolution of optical instruments, such as microscopes and telescopes, is affected by diffraction. The diffraction limit is the minimum distance between two objects that permits to differentiate the objects one from the other.

Key Topics Covered

Chapter 1 Technology Highlights & Market Outlook

List of Tables

Table 1: Applications of Super-resolution Imaging in the Life Sciences

Table 2: Common Types of Super-resolution Imaging Systems

Table 3: Current and Emerging Trends in Super-resolution Imaging Technology

Table 4: Global Market for Super-resolution Imaging Systems in the Life Sciences, by Type of System, Through 2024

Table 5: Global Market for Super-resolution Imaging Systems in the Life Sciences, by Region/Country, Through 2024

List of Figures

Figure 1: Global Market Shares of Super-resolution Imaging Systems in the Life Sciences, by Type of System, 2024

Figure 2: Global Market Shares of Super-resolution Imaging Systems in the Life Sciences, by Region/Country, 2024

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/izpzp7

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Super-Resolution Imaging Technologies in Life Science | 2019-2024 Technology Highlights and Market Outlook - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire

The use of classroom technology in the form of iPads, computers and interactive whiteboards are becoming so commonplace in some schools that its hard for teachers to remember a time without them.

While education technology certainly has several benefits for teachers and students alike such as making learning more fun, bridging communication gaps and engaging more students are schools becoming overly reliant on screens?

In line with 21st century learning trends, todays kids are being taught how to be effective communicators, empathethic listeners, and be well-versed on interpersonal communication.

Face-to-face communication is best for developing these types of skills, but overuse of screen technology in school classes could hinder progression.

Matthew Howell, a middle school principal, recently relayed his experience of implementing screen-free days in his school once every quarter on Edutopia.

He wrote, Its clear that our students spend a lot of time online. Thats why the staff at my school dedicated time to discussing healthy practices for the integration of technology.

While there is no conclusive research regarding what is best, we discussed the life of a typical student and the impact constant access to the internet and social media has on their well-being.

As students today are digital natives, they couldnt quite comprehend being away from their beloved Chromebooks for one day a week. But once they got used to the idea, they actually found it quite enjoyable.

Howell wrote, After our first screen-free day, students mentioned that they were surprised they had enjoyed it, and they expressed an unexpected sense of relief.

Finding ways to help our students connect with one another is essential. While technology is woven into the fabric of our world, it should not be the dominant thread in the tapestry of a learners life.

Howell also wanted to incorporate screen-free days during the school year due to the rising cases of student anxiety and depression, which could be attributed to the amount of time students spend online.

So how did students learn on days where screens were not allowed in school?

According to Howell, Instructionally, these days allow us to consider our approach to the curriculum from another perspective.

For some teachers, this means unearthing a lesson plan that is valuable but has been tabled for some time, while others come up with something completely new. Teachers collaborate and seek ways to help students build their imaginative faculties through hands-on activities.

On our first screen-free day this year, for example, some teachers planned hands-on, collaborative STEAM activities focused on the engineering and design process.

Another teacher facilitated an escape room with students, using challenges linked to literary devices. There is an increase across the board in creating opportunities for students to reflect on their learning as well.

The school also plans to hold simple events that give students the chance to socialise without devices, such as Board Game Nights.

Howell wrote, We want our learners to enjoy face-to-face interactions without checking on their social media likes or considering comments made on their latest group assignment in the cloud.

By taking a screen-free day every now and then, schools provide a balance where technology and face-to-face interaction are equally utilised.

In doing so, students take a break from screens while developing social-emotional learning skills through other tech-free means.

What is Holoportation technology and how is it used in schools?

Robots to the rescue: How technology helps chronically ill students keep up in school

Read more:

Schools should take the occasional break from technology - here's why - Study International News

There is an increasing pace of change in how we work and the role that technology plays in every aspect of business. Innovative cloud and as-a-service technologies have made it easy for anyone within an organisation to acquire their preferred applications, commonly without intervention from IT. Whilst this can mean that technology which meets user need can be accessed, this change has also affected the ability of the IT department to control security and operational risks. Whilst the natural reaction of those in IT will be to lock down their estate, a responsive IT department will recognise that workers should be able, wherever possible, to access applications they wish to use, in a safe and secure way.

Workers have definite preferences when it comes to the technology they use every day, and this can put them at odds with IT and, perhaps more worryingly, the best interests of their organisation. According to a recent survey of global workers, 41 per cent of employees will avoid consulting IT when wishing to access to professional software and applications that they feel are essential to doing their job. In addition to this, of those responding to the survey, most have accessed work assets on their personal devices.

The use of cloud and SaaS means that IT decisions are being decentralised. This has, in the past, been described as shadow IT, as this expansion of technology has become the new normal. Whilst this is a good thing, with any systemic transfer of power, an organisations IT infrastructure can quickly descend into chaos if employees, IT teams and decision-makers dont collaborate.

Survey data suggests that different generations consider and use technology in different ways. So-called millennials have grown up with technology and seamlessly incorporate technology into their personal and professional lives more than previous generations. These digital natives are moving into leadership positions (and more importantly, buying decision roles).

This generation expects workplace technologies to mirror the technologies they use in their educational and personal experiences, and have a greater tendency to resent barriers to access. 81 per cent of millennials admit they have used or accessed unapproved technology or assets on their work device without ITs permission. Millennials are therefore almost twice as likely to adopt unauthorised technology compared to other generations.

Millennials are also exponentially more resistant to asking for permission to access software in the workplace. Compared to older workers, they are more than four times as likely to feel it is beneath them and over three times more likely to believe it is an outdated concept.

To effectively manage todays workforce, business leaders need a comprehensive understanding of the different groups of workers and how to best utilise their knowledge and experience.

Managers or more senior staff have been found to be almost twice as likely to use unauthorised professional or personal software or applications. In the survey, over 90 per cent of executives admitted that they knew such behaviour is problematic for their business, but more than half (57 per cent) avoid IT when accessing professional software and apps. Entry-level employees appear to be the most well behaved, with 38 per cent reporting they never access software or applications on their work device without ITs consent.

As staff admit that they know their behaviour can cause issues, it is clear that this knowledge is not enough on its own to effect change. When faced with such risky technology behaviour, visibility and understanding of the scope of the problem is a critical step towards identifying a feasible and efficient solution.

To help manage employee behaviour and encourage proper device usage, best practice would be to rely on a combination of approaches including:

1. Security awareness education: ongoing training and communication to your organisations workforce are required to communicate risks such as browser hijacking, ransomware and malicious software downloads. This helps to educate staff on what is appropriate and what crosses the line. Its important to make this training tangible and avoid hours of compliance style videos.

2. Visibility of the organisations IT estate: it is important that businesses understand what employees actually use day-to-day and week-to-week in order to spot both unauthorised usage and software installed on end-user devices. If there is an unapproved tool which is being widely used across an organisation, it may be worth the IT team considering investing in the tool or investigating and providing an authorised alternative.

3. Implement active controls: through the use of unauthorised or unapproved technology, employees can create security issues for an organisation. It is therefore critical that security remains strong. Review your active controls at the network perimeter or with anti-virus vendors to try and prevent malicious downloads or employees visiting known piracy sites.

In summary: our relationship with work and technology has changed and worker expectations are increasing. As the guardians of both the security and reliability of their organisations technology ecosystem, it is up to IT to find a balance between empowering a new, more demanding workforce whilst also serving and safeguarding the businesss needs.

Alastair Pooley, Chief Information Officer, Snow Software

See the article here:

Finding a balance between security and responsive technology - ITProPortal

NBN Co chief executive Stephen Rue has argued Australias poor showing in global speed test rankings cannot be relied on because the data is unrepresentative of broadband available in the rest of the world.

Broadband speed reports released by companies such as Ookla, M-Lab and Akamai show how each country fares for broadband, with Australia lagging behind.

According to the latest Ookla report for September, Australia ranks at 61 in the world for fixed broadband.

The result is often seized upon by people unhappy with the speeds they can get on the Coalitions multi-technology mix NBN, but NBN Co said the results cannot be relied upon and has devised another measure to make the rankings a more fair representation of Australias broadband.

NBN Co commissioned research firm Alpha Beta to analyse the data behind speed tests and come up with a method of ranking broadband that is a more like-for-like comparison with other countries around the world. Rue launched the report at Broadband World Forum in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

Alpha Beta argues in its report that speed tests are not representative of the whole countrys internet access because they only account for people who use the speed tests.

For companies such as Ookla and M-Lab, the tests work by people testing the speed of their connection from their device to a server.

Alpha Beta said that, because the test is self-selecting, 38% of Australian households (or 3.5 million) have used the M-Lab speed test, while countries that rank higher in the speed test results are based on much smaller sample sizes.

The companys other concern with the data is that it doesnt account for access to broadband meaning countries without as much access to broadband such as Thailand, Panama and Paraguay rank higher than Australia.

Alpha Beta did not analyse Akamais data directly which is likely to be a much more accurate reading of broadband speeds because it measures speed of requests to its HTTP/S platform, and therefore has a larger sample size.

But the companys previous concern about not capturing those who do not have access to broadband in every country remains a concern in the Akamai data. It is a point the company made in 2017 when Akamai ranked Australia below Kenya in broadband speeds.

According to Alpha Beta, it is much more reliable to say Australia ranks 17 out of 37 countries using what Alpha Beta claims is representative data. It still puts Australia behind countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and the United States, but ahead of countries such as Indonesia, Russia, China, France and Germany.

To achieve this ranking, however, the company has largely relied on subscription speeds the price people are paying for rather than actual achievable speeds, and weighted it down against the availability of broadband, where countries where fewer households have internet access are penalised. Alpha Beta has used this because it is something collated by governments and more easily verifiable.

This methodology is likely to be controversial, considering the biggest complaint facing the NBN as the rollout nears completion is that people arent able to achieve the speeds theyre paying for on weaker technologies such as fibre-to-the-node, or cable.

The ACCCs latest report on broadband speed in August found fibre-to-the-node users had the lowest percentage of hours where the speed they were paying for was available, at 80% compared to 90% for fibre-to-the-premises users.

Rue admitted in a statement that there was no perfect ranking of fixed broadband, but the popular speed tests were unrepresentative.

We hope this report can play a role to balance the way we talk about broadband and its contribution to our societies and economies, he said.

This report confirms that Australia ranks 17th in the world against comparable nations. This is a strong position and a great benchmark for us to continue our mission to improve.

The communications minister, Paul Fletcher, said he welcomed the insights provided by Alpha Beta.

Quite a few broadband surveys which are quoted in the media do not properly take account of the many factors that influence speed test rankings, such as broadband penetration rates, network capability, population density, market structure and so on, he said.

Today there are more than 6 million homes and businesses connected to the network and 65% are choosing broadband plans of 50 Mbps and above.

Original post:

NBN chief blames Australia's poor speed rating on 'unrepresentative' data - The Guardian

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Smart homes are no longer just a sci-fi-esque vision of the future connected homes and gadgets are quickly becoming the norm. Technology is developing at an extremely fast rate and the recent increase of IoT devices in the consumer market resulted in 8.4 billion connected things in use worldwide.

The rapid adoption of connected devices has empowered consumers to control their home appliances and protect their homes remotely from their smartphones or tablets. In fact, connected devices are taking over the homes of UK residents YouGov research predicts that close to a quarter of Britons (23%) own one or more smart home devices already.

There are a number of things fueling this consumer adoption of connected smart home technology; the convenience of always being connected, even when youre not home, is of huge value to a millennial generation who value freedom, control and interaction. So it is no surprise that PwC predicted 10.8bn would be spent on smart home devices in 2019 alone.

Smart tech has gone beyond the label of a home accessory and has transformed the way people live their everyday lives. With the interest and appetite for smart home devices on the rise, we have taken a look at three of the emerging trends in the market.

We live in an age where you can arrive home, flop down on the couch, tell your device to turn on the lights, and ask Alexa to set a reminder for you to go to yoga. Then you pull out your phone and use it as a remote to turn on the TV and scroll through the series that youre bingeing. Convenience is at the tip of our fingers when it comes to entertainment; its no wonder entertainment products led the way in a survey from GfK Global where people were asked to pick the product/solution with the most appeal. In the survey, 20% of respondents chose smart home entertainment as the most appealing followed by security and control (14%).

Smart home tech is disrupting home security as we know it. The importance of protecting the home along with all the valuable possessions, both monetary and sentimental, that come with it has not been overlooked by consumers. The same survey from GfK Global showed security devices coming out as the second most appealing kind of smart devices after entertainment. Rather than taking out an insurance offering on its own, home owners are looking for ways to protect their homes in a more proactive way. Smart devices, such as smart security cameras, window sensors, and smart doorbells alert users to potential issues as and when they arise, so they can react quickly, no matter where they are in the world giving them a better chance of preventing an issue before the damage is serious.

As well as security gadgets becoming a part of our everyday lives at home, technology is revolutionising security by enabling insurance and technology to work together. Our insurance offering at Neos encourages homeowners to take the power of proactive security into their own hands and this is only possible with technology.

Smart homes are no longer limited to us helping us now devices in homes are also looking out for our pets. According to American Express, its estimated that the average pet owner spends approximately 1,252 on their pets every single year. Devices such as automated feeders mean your dog wont miss their dinner if youre home late, while smart cameras enable pet owners to keep an eye on their animals no matter where they are using their connected device, whether that is at their desk at work or even if they are just in the next room in the house.

Research by SmartBrief discovered trends in who is likely to own smart home devices. Interestingly, men are twice as likely to own smart speakers, thermostats, CO2 monitors and security systems than women. Additionally, while smart home technology has benefits for people of all ages, smart home security products appear to be particularly popular with first-time home owners and young parents. Smart home devices offer users the freedom to maintain control ver their homes while still living a busy out and about lifestyle and for parents, smart home devices such as smart camera mean that they are able to relax while still keeping an eye on what their kids are getting up to.

North America still reigns as the largest market for sales of smart home tech, but Europe is hot on its heels. In fact, the UK was named as the fastest-growing and second largest market for sales of smart devices for the home, according to a survey from GfK Global. 72% of UK consumers reported that smart home technology can improve their lives, so it is no surprise that the industry is rocketing onwards and upwards. Taking a closer look at Europe, research this year found that Germany and France joined the UK as the leading countries in Europe to adopt smart home devices, followed by Italy and Spain.

As smart home technology continues to advance, we will see it become even more integrated in our everyday lives. As it continues to shape our habits, it will evolve from a lifestyle accessory and take on an even bigger role as a lifestyle enabler.

Guest post by Matt Poll,CEO at Neos an insurance company that provides smart home technology and home insurance.

Image Credit: Amazon

Stay tuned toSilicon Canalsfor more European technology news.

In a recent development, Netatmo was acquired by Legrand, a French digital building infrastructure. But both the companies have remained tight-lipped regarding the terms of the deal. Netatmo, a French smart home startup offers IoT solutions for its users. With its products and services, it lets you manage everything

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5 smart home technology trends to keep your eye on in 2019 - Silicon Canals

Technology has changed the world, the world has changed technology

In the past ten years we have witnessed an unprecedented world upheaval as we know it. Three are the clearest factors that distinguish these changes: technological innovation, globalisation, climate change and a focus on sustainability and preservation of Planet Earth.

This is not the first time technology has allowed jolt to be important in this process: lets think about printing, steam engines, internal combustion engines, electricity, mass media. It is now clear to everyone that even the Internet and everything that passes through it is a great network that connects the world: for the first time, however, access to the power of technology is accompanied by its diffusion and accessibility and for the first time (digital) technological tools are also means of mass communication (social networking): also means individuals and not just companies, states, publishers who have control and regulate the use of technology. Now this is also a known fact: indeed, in recent months there has been much debate on the negative side of the democratisation of digital technology: sociologists and humanists struggle around themes such as false news, alternative truths, haters, while technicians and scientists discuss the topic on the side cybercrime or the implications of artificial intelligence, ending both groups to find themselves around common ethical issues.

Talking with young people is the best way to find out more and learn more about their perceptions about the possible risks and benefits that they will experience using the internet through various devices. Todays teens are included in what is called i-Generation (also known as Generation Z), which includes those born from the mid-nineties to 2010. These children move comfortably on a new set of screens (cellphones, consoles, etc) online and offline. Their fluency is such that they do not use the net, but go through it, passing easily from the inside out and making the boundary between the two worlds very fluid, such that many events that occur on the internet have strong power. relapse also in their real life.

There is no doubt that the benefits associated with correct and numerous internet usage are clear: with our search engine immediately having an unimaginable amount of information at our fingertips, we can do research and research without moving from home by tracking all the material what we need, to advertise affordable products and services; through social networking we maintain relationships with people who are even physically far away, we find old friends and we stay informed about the people we care about even after years, we contact people who are unreachable; we can also make a diary, express considerations, and even make works on a special platform.

From online trading to riskier games such as http://www.casinosx.com and professional blogging, the web seems to value good ideas: it doesnt have to be the smartest, but of course, it manages to identify current hot topics and attract users. The opportunity to be publicly involved, to experience the power of ones beliefs by indirect comparison, is also a strong incentive to strengthen ones identity. The involvement of everyone seems to be changing existing technologies, adjusting them according to their wants and needs. Technology changes the world and the world changes technology.

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Technology has changed the world, the world has changed technology - The Upcoming

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Scammers call on the phone, send text messages and even track people down on social media.

It's annoying to most, but for those who fall victim scammers cause more than a headache.

For Arthur Lindsay, it started with a text message.

"Offering me an opportunity to advertise Haagen Daz ice cream with a decal on his car," Lindsay said.

Lindsay told 10/11 NOW he had been looking for some extra money, so he signed up.

The scammer sent him a check, which he deposited into his bank account.

"I asked the clerk, is this check real and she said it was," Lindsay said.

The money even showed up in his account, so at the scammer's request, he sent more than $900 of his own money to the scammer.

Then a few days later, the check bounced.

"The first thing is you feel so stupid, I thought I had protected myself," Lindsay said.

Stories like this, don't come as a surprise to Lincoln Police.

"We could work those probably every day, there are so many we get overwhelmed," Sgt. Steven Wiese with LPD's technical investigations unit said.

In 2018, 1,958 frauds were reported to police. In the last 20 years, that number has increase 122 percent. Meanwhile, forgeries have dropped significantly. In 2018 about a seventh of the number of forgeries were reported as were reported in 1998.

LPD's crime analyst, Jeff Peterson, said it all comes down to technology.

"People just don't write checks anymore," Peterson said. "Everybody has access to the internet and you have people who will abuse the internet and take advantage of mistakes that others make on the internet."

Messages like Lindsay got, phone calls threatening people with arrest warrants and romance scams are among the most common frauds the department sees. They're also the most difficult to solve.

"By and large, these individuals are overseas," Wiese said. "They've used that as a safety net because they know their country may not cooperate with law enforcement in the United States."The best thing you can do is prevent yourself from falling victim.

"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't," Lindsay said.

If you've been the victim of a fraud, forgery or scam, call police at 402-441-6000. You can also reach out to the Nebraska Attorney General's Office at the following website: https://protectthegoodlife.nebraska.gov/ or call their mediation center between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: (800) 727-6432 (toll-free)

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Technology sparks dramatic rise in scams reported to the Lincoln Police Dept. - 1011now