Latest news with #Connectivity
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
$1.3bln in airline funds blocked by governments
New Delhi – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that $1.3 billion in airline funds are blocked from repatriation by governments as of end April 2025. This is a significant amount, although it is an improvement of 25% compared with the $1.7 billion reported for October 2024. IATA urged governments to remove all barriers preventing airlines from the timely repatriation of their revenues from ticket sales and other activities in accordance with international agreements and treaty obligations. "Ensuring the timely repatriation of revenues is vital for airlines to cover dollar-denominated expenses and maintain their operations. Delays and denials violate bilateral agreements and increase exchange rate risks. Reliable access to revenues is critical for any business—particularly airlines which operate on very thin margins. Economies and jobs rely on international connectivity. Governments must realize that it is a challenge for airlines to maintain connectivity when revenue repatriation is denied or delayed,' said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General. 10 countries are responsible for 80% of blocked funds 10 countries account for 80% of the total blocked funds, amounting to $1.03 billion. Country Amount USD Million Mozambique 205 XAF Zone* 191 Algeria 178 Lebanon 142 Bangladesh 92 Angola 84 Pakistan 83 Eritrea 76 Zimbabwe 68 Ethiopia 44 * XAF Zone (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon) Country Highlights Pakistan and Bangladesh, previously in the top five blocked funds countries, have made notable progress in clearing their backlog to $83 million and $92 million, respectively (from $311 million and $196 million in October 2024, respectively). Mozambique has climbed up to the top of blocked funds countries, withholding $205 million from airlines, compared with $127 million in October 2024. The Africa and Middle East (AME) region accounts for 85% of total blocked funds, at $1.1 billion as of end April 2025. The most significant improvement was noted in Bolivia, fully clearing its backlog that stood at $42 million at end October 2024. -Ends- For more information, please contact: Corporate Communications Email: corpcomms@ IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 350 airlines comprising over 80% of global air traffic. You can follow us at follow us on X for announcements, policy positions, and other useful industry information. Fly Net Zero.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
TRAI responds to DoT's queries on digital connectivity rating for buildings
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI ) on Thursday released its response to the Department of Telecommunications ' ( DoT ) back-reference in respect of telecom regulator's 'Recommendations on Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity' made in February 2023. Digital connectivity is vital to the way people live and work. The exponential growth in digitalization during the last two decades has revolutionized the world impacting everything, from economy, innovation, science, and education, to health, sustainability, governance, and lifestyle, according to Ministry of Communications release. In the past, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Government have taken various policy initiatives to fulfil the demands of telecom connectivity . Key recommendations already made by TRAI in this regard have been given in the Consultation Paper (CP) on 'Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity' in March 2022. These policy interventions have helped in improving connectivity. However, the Authority noted that all these efforts have fallen short in achieving the desired level of digital connectivity specifically inside the buildings or areas. The Authority noted that confluence of the Internet of Things (IoT) with building operations and the future of the workplace is creating a significant opportunity for building owners, operators, and occupants to create smart, digitally connected spaces to support the end users. To fulfil such demand, development of Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) should be made an integral part of basic infrastructure for Buildings. However, there are various issues in the current framework which are bottlenecks in achieving the demands of good digital connectivity. In respect of development of buildings, there are relevant Acts, bye-laws, and regulations that prescribe minimum or essential requirements for building services like water, electricity, gas, fire safety, structural safety and other provisions. There are local bodies and authorities who are responsible to enforce the same by granting approvals at various stages of the construction of the Buildings as well as supervision during the construction and approval for the use of such facilities. Model Building By laws (MBBL) published by the Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO) under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) contains the provisions for all building services. States adopt the provisions of the MBBL in their respective State bye-laws for building development related activities. In this context, the Authority had submitted comprehensive recommendations dated February 20, 2023 to the Government on 'Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity' to address the issues relating to in-building digital connectivity in a collaborative manner. "These recommendations become more relevant in the present context and to achieve seamless 5G and upcoming 6G services inside buildings and to make them future ready. The 5G and upcoming 6G access networks require higher frequency to deliver high data rates, but higher frequency have higher attenuation rates due to building walls and other building materials," the release said. Subsequently, the DoT, through a back-reference dated March 19, 2025, sought clarification from TRAI on certain recommendations. After examining the issue, TRAI has finalized its response to the back-reference.
Globe and Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Smart City Platforms Market Growth Size, Opportunities, Future Scope, Business Scenario, Share, Key Segments And Forecast To 2028
" GmbH (Germany), Quantela, Inc. (US), Cisco Systems, Inc. (US), Ericsson (Sweden), Fujitsu Limited (Japan), Fybr (US), Google LLC (US), Hitachi, Ltd. (Japan), Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (China), IBM (US), Intel Corporation (US), KaaIoT Technologies (US), Microsoft (US), NEC Corporation (Japan), Oracle Corporation (US)." Smart City Platforms Market by Offering (Platforms (Connectivity Management, Integration, Device Management) and Services), Delivery Model (Offshore, Hybrid, On-site), Application (Smart Transportation and Public Safety) and Region - Global Forecast to 2028. The size of the global market for smart city platforms is expected to increase at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.8% from USD 191.6 billion in 2023 to USD 292.1 billion by 2028, according to MarketsandMarkets. The market for smart city platforms is anticipated to expand due in large part to the necessity of automating network architecture and the growing demand for an effective connectivity network to manage an increasing number of devices on the network. Download PDF Brochure@ By offering, platforms are estimated to account for the largest market share in 2023. Smart city platforms enable the integration of various software, devices, sensors, machines, routers, controllers, gateways, and edge-computing systems to streamline business processes and increase operational efficiency. Smart city platforms enable connectivity between objects or platforms and consist of a variety of important building blocks, such as connectivity and normalization, device management, database, processing and action management, analytics, visualization, and external interfaces. Rising urbanization resulting in increasing demand for space optimization and asset management is encouraging vendors to enhance the capabilities of their platforms. Managed services are expected to register the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. Managed service providers (MSPs) assist clients in efficiently managing key operations of smart city infrastructure. MSPs handle end-to-end deployment and after-sales services for the deployed smart city platforms. Smart city platforms and systems need to be upgraded regularly to detect physical attacks on smart city infrastructure and counter newly introduced cyber threats, attacks, ransomware, and sophisticated cybercriminals. As a result, companies are rapidly handing over their smart city infrastructure and asset security to specialized service providers, such as Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), who help secure data generated from the infrastructure and ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Asia Pacific is likely to emerge as the fastest-growing market during the forecast period Asia Pacific is anticipated to have highest CAGR for the forecasted period. Asia Pacific is an emerging smart city platforms market. China, Japan, and Australia are the major countries contributing to the growth of the market in the region. Asia Pacific also houses other major economies, such as Singapore, South Korea, and India. Japan has already declared completion of most of its smart city projects, while the other countries in the region are still in the initial development phase. China is the biggest marketplace in the Asia Pacific region in terms of developing IoT technology for smart cities. In Asia Pacific, around 311 cities were selected for transformation into smart cities in 2013; significant progress has been observed in nearly 80 cities. Request Sample Pages@ Unique Features in the Smart City Platforms Market Smart city platforms are characterized by their ability to integrate diverse urban technologies—such as transportation, energy, water, and public safety—into a unified ecosystem. A unique feature here is interoperability across legacy and modern infrastructure, allowing cities to incrementally upgrade without full system overhauls. This modularity enhances cost-effectiveness and scalability. A distinguishing feature of leading smart city platforms is their capacity for real-time data processing and predictive analytics. Leveraging IoT sensors, machine learning, and AI algorithms, these platforms provide actionable insights for city management—ranging from traffic optimization to crime prediction—improving urban responsiveness and efficiency. Modern platforms emphasize engagement and inclusivity, offering user-friendly applications that enable citizens to report issues, track services, and receive alerts. Some platforms include gamification features and digital twin technologies to simulate urban scenarios, fostering community participation in planning and sustainability efforts. As data volumes and connectivity expand, smart city platforms distinguish themselves with robust security frameworks. These include multi-layered encryption, role-based access controls, and GDPR-compliant data governance models. Privacy-by-design approaches ensure that personal data is anonymized and ethically managed. Major Highlights of the Smart City Platforms Market With global urban populations continuing to rise, there is increasing pressure on city infrastructure. This has significantly boosted the adoption of smart city platforms, which help manage traffic, energy, water, and waste more efficiently. The market is witnessing strong demand from governments and urban planners to create sustainable, livable, and resilient cities. Government-led smart city initiatives are a key growth driver. Programs like India's Smart Cities Mission, Europe's Horizon 2020, and China's New Smart City Plan have injected substantial public investment into digital urban infrastructure. These initiatives act as a catalyst for large-scale deployments and public-private partnerships. Smart city platforms are evolving rapidly due to innovations in Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and 5G connectivity. These technologies enable real-time monitoring, automation, and data-driven decision-making, transforming urban management across domains like transportation, energy grids, and public safety. Environmental concerns are at the forefront of urban development, and smart city platforms are instrumental in achieving sustainability goals. Solutions now often include carbon footprint tracking, renewable energy integration, and smart waste management, supporting cities in their green transition. Inquire Before Buying@ Top Companies in the Smart City Platforms Market The major vendors covered in the smart city platforms market include Alibaba Group Holding Limited (China), Amazon Web Services, Inc. (US), GmbH (Germany), Quantela, Inc. (US), Cisco Systems, Inc. (US), Ericsson (Sweden), Fujitsu Limited (Japan), Fybr (US), Google LLC (US), Hitachi, Ltd. (Japan), Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (China), IBM (US), Intel Corporation (US), KaaIoT Technologies (US), Microsoft (US), NEC Corporation (Japan), Oracle Corporation (US), SAP SE (Germany), Schneider Electric (France), SICE (Spain), Siemens AG (Germany), Sierra Wireless Inc. (Canada), SIRADEL SAS (France), Smarter City Solutions (Australia), (Spain), Ubicquia, Inc (US), Verdigris Technologies, Inc (US), Softdel (US), Igor, Inc (US), Telensa Inc (UK), Enevo Inc. (US), Confidex Ltd (Finland), 75F (US), Ketos (US), and Cleverciti Systems GmbH (Germany). IBM is one of the leading vendors that provide smart city platform solutions. The company has a wide product portfolio for smart city platforms and and related solutions. The R&D investments of the company are applied generally to all product areas, with specific areas of focus being identified regularly. The company's recent areas of increased focus include smart infrstructure solutions, AI and hybrid cloud capalities along with IoT. The company also focuses on acquisitions and partnerships to achieve business growth and increase in smart city platforms category. In the year 2022, the company acquired Dialexa and to improve its product portfolio. Siemens provides smart enterprise and smart city platform solutions that transform the experience of users with resilient, intelligence, and automation powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The company also focuses on launching smart city platform products regularly. Siemens has entered into strategic acquisitions and partnerships with strong players, which would help it to expand its product portfolio and distribution networks in several markets. Siemens has emerged as a key player for smart city platform services and solutions. In addition, Siemens has global operations and earns its revenue from multiple regions, including within India and outside India regions. The company also focuses on acquisitions and partnerships to achieve business growth and increase in smart city platform across key industries, including education, healthcare, public infrastructure, and manufacturing. For instance, siemens acquired Brightly Software in August 2022, enabling Siemens to establish cloud-based and fully automate the complexities of operations. In the year 2021, the company collaborated with Telefónica Tech to provide improved performance and sustainability for built infrastructure. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., founded in 1987 by Ren Zhengfei, is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, headquartered in Shenzhen, China. The company is known for its comprehensive product and service offerings, including telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, and enterprise solutions. Huawei is a significant player in the development of 5G technology and has a substantial presence in the global smartphone market. Despite facing challenges due to geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions, Huawei continues to innovate and expand its technological capabilities across various domains, including cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Hitachi, Ltd., established in 1910 by Namihei Odaira, is a diversified multinational conglomerate based in Tokyo, Japan. The company operates across various sectors, including information technology, energy, infrastructure, industrial systems, and healthcare. Hitachi is known for its advanced technology solutions and has been instrumental in developing and implementing innovative products and services, such as data storage systems, railway systems, and social infrastructure solutions. With a strong focus on digital transformation, Hitachi leverages its expertise in big data analytics, IoT, and artificial intelligence to drive sustainable growth and address global challenges. Microsoft Corporation, founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, is a leading technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft is renowned for its software products, particularly the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office suite. The company has successfully expanded into cloud computing with Azure, one of the largest cloud service platforms globally. Additionally, Microsoft offers a wide range of consumer and enterprise services, including LinkedIn, GitHub, and Xbox. Under the leadership of CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft has focused on innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and productivity solutions, maintaining its position as a dominant force in the technology industry.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
SASTRA conducts Indo-German workshop
Trichy: A three-day Indo-German workshop on ' Quantum Technologies – Computing, Connectivity and Security' (QTCCS) was held at SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, in collaboration with Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), event was funded by the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC), a joint initiative of India's Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).Saquib Shaikh, scientific officer at IGSTC, inaugurated the workshop, while Kamal K Agarwal, deputy director-general for quantum technology at the Telecommunication Engineering Centre, delivered the keynote part of the event, a quantum-based OTP generator named SAKURA-Q—developed by Dr Padmapriya, associate professor at SASTRA and CEO of MSME startup ROBOT RACE—was workshop featured 15 speakers from leading institutions and industries across India and Germany. Discussions focused on transitioning from classical to quantum systems in computing, connectivity, and security. Topics included the feasibility of using nanomaterials to realise qubits, quantum algorithms, and the development of real-time devices and machine learning 2025 will continue to explore advances in quantum computing , communication technologies, and the convergence of classical and quantum systems.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top TSX Opportunities for Canadian Investors in 2025
Written by Sneha Nahata at The Motley Fool Canada Canadian investors looking for top TSX opportunities for 2025 could consider adding shares of Celestica (TSX:CLS), Shopify (TSX:SHOP), and Brookfield Asset Management (TSX:BAM). These Canadian stocks have fundamentally strong businesses and are likely to benefit from investments in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, e-commerce penetration, digital shift, and adoption of green energy. Let's take a closer look at each of these stocks. Celestica is a top AI play. The company is benefiting from the surge in AI infrastructure investments by hyperscale customers. Notably, its networking products within its Hardware Platform Services (HPS) business are witnessing unprecedented demand, which is supporting its financials and share price. Celestica's stock has soared approximately 28% year to date and an impressive 235% over the past year. This growth reflects strong demand for its AI platform and promising growth prospects. The company's business momentum shows no signs of slowing down in 2025. The company's Connectivity & Cloud Solutions (CCS) portfolio, especially its data centre hardware business, provides solid growth opportunities. As AI adoption accelerates, demand for high-performance networking infrastructure will likely surge, creating significant opportunities for Celestica's networking business. With AI training costs declining, the need for high-bandwidth, low-latency networking solutions will only increase, positioning Celestica for sustained growth. The company's management remains optimistic about future demand for AI-driven data centre investments and continues to expand Celestica's footprint in this space. Recently, the company secured two major contracts that will enhance its AI system design capabilities and further strengthen its competitive edge. Celestica is well-positioned for continued growth with the acceleration in AI adoption and rising investments in AI infrastructure. Shopify is a top stock to capitalize on the growing penetration of e-commerce within the retail space and the ongoing shift in selling models toward omnichannel platforms. This Canadian tech giant provides a multi-channel commerce platform and is expanding its merchant base, which now includes larger, high-volume global brands. Further, Shopify continues to grow its gross merchandise volume (GMV) and revenue at a solid pace and is focusing on operational efficiency. Its most recent earnings report highlights this momentum, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of at least 25% revenue growth and the sixth straight quarter where GMV expanded by more than 20%. Even more compelling, Shopify has now delivered nine consecutive quarters of positive free cash flow, demonstrating its ability to scale profitably. Looking ahead, Shopify's investments in enterprise solutions, international markets, and offline commerce are opening new revenue streams. Moreover, it is strengthening its position in the B2B sector. These initiatives and the rising adoption of its platform and products position Shopify for sustained long-term growth. Moreover, its efforts to improve efficiency and reduce costs augur well for profitability, which will support its share price. Brookfield Asset Management is another top TSX stock to buy now. This alternative asset management company is poised to deliver strong growth led by its investments in high-growth sectors such as AI infrastructure, nuclear power, and renewable energy. These industries offer a strong foundation for long-term expansion, providing Brookfield with a steady runway for growth over the coming years. Moreover, Brookfield's diverse portfolio and asset-light business model augur well for growth. Additionally, Brookfield's consolidation of its credit division, growing fee-bearing capital, and rising fee-related income add stability and will likely support its long-term growth. It has a strong balance sheet, holds significant cash reserves, and operates without debt. This financial flexibility allows the company to capitalize on new investment opportunities and enhances its shareholder value through consistent dividend payouts. Brookfield aims to double its business over the next five years. This plan includes growing earnings at a double-digit rate. Moreover, it will support higher dividend payments and drive its share price. The post Top TSX Opportunities for Canadian Investors in 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. Before you buy stock in Brookfield Asset Management, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Brookfield Asset Management wasn't one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the 'eBay of Latin America' at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $21,058.57!* Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 38 percentage points since 2013*. See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 2/20/25 More reading 10 Stocks Every Canadian Should Own in 2024 [PREMIUM PICKS] It's Time to Buy: 1 Canadian Stock That Hasn't Been This Cheap in Years Where to Invest Your $7,000 TFSA Contribution 3 No-Brainer TSX Stocks to Buy With $300 5 Years From Now, You'll Probably Wish You Grabbed These Stocks Subscribe to Motley Fool Canada on YouTube Fool contributor Sneha Nahata has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Asset Management. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
