Latest news with #GSMA
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Global telecom regulators' collaboration needed to address mobile spam, scams: GSMA
NEW DELHI: Telecom regulators globally need to collaborate to address the growing challenges of mobile spam and scams, which are negatively affecting subscriber experience and causing financial losses, according to GSMA . 'A lot of this scam happens across borders because domestic regulators can't act outside the border. But scammers use multiple, and sometimes different channels, to alter the conversation or scam flow. So they are changing jurisdictions, policies, and the regulations which govern them,' Julian Gorman, head of Asia Pacific (APAC), GSMA, told ETTelecom at a virtual media briefing Monday. 'We also need to step up our game, and collaborate across different platforms, and the participants must ensure that stakeholders come together to address this challenge,' Gorman added. 'What's happening in India (in regulations) is providing a useful reference point around the world.' Lately, telecom carriers globally, including India, have begun using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)-driven solutions to identify and combat pesky messages and calls, in a bid to improve mobile user experience. However, scam and spam communications have gradually moved to OTT communication service platforms, where regulations are not as stringent, telcos allege. According to GSMA, to combat scam, telcos are adopting innovative strategies, including aligning with the GSMA Open Gateway initiative with standardised APIs that leverage AI to detect and block scams, and enable new AI-powered tools such as SIM Swap, Device Location Verification, and others. The London-based telco industry association estimates the size of the global scam economy to be $1 trillion, of which the APAC region has a nearly $700 million share. While GSMA did not divulge specific data for the Indian market, third-party research estimates show that nearly half of the messages received by about 1.10 billion subscribers are spam. 'This (APAC) forms a significant portion. It's important that we act nationally, collectively, and across borders to share information so that we can combat scam scale together,' Gorman said during the media briefing. The top executive said that it is the collective responsibility of telecom carriers and OTT communication service platforms to keep the digital platforms safe. 'We must embrace the responsibility to keep our digital world safe and secure and protect the vulnerable. We should make sure that we have a fully inclusive digital world,' he said.
Phone Arena
5 days ago
- Phone Arena
Google Messages set to benefit as a new RCS upgrade boosts audio and security
The messaging experience on Android is about to improve again. The GSMA has officially announced Universal Profile 3.1, the latest version of the technical standard that powers RCS (Rich Communication Services). The update introduces a few new capabilities that will roll out gradually across apps and carriers that support the platform, including Google Messages (and hopefully Apple Messages at some point as well).The headline feature in Universal Profile 3.1 is the addition of the xHE-AAC audio codec, which supports better sound quality in shared audio content. This means voice messages, background sound clips, and other audio-based features sent through RCS will now have clearer and more natural playback. According to the GSMA, this enhancement benefits both speech and non-speech use cases, including AI chatbot interactions that rely on xHE-AAC codec is designed for efficient audio compression and decompression, which allows for improved quality without significantly increasing file size. It should also help ensure more consistent playback across different devices and network conditions. While it may take some time for apps and carriers to implement this update, it marks a noticeable upgrade in how Android users communicate via voice. RCS messaging use is exploding in the U.S. | Image credit — T-Mobile Beyond audio improvements, Universal Profile 3.1 also introduces technical changes aimed at streamlining how RCS connects to mobile networks. Specifically, the GSMA outlines "new mechanisms for connecting RCS clients to operator services," which should lead to a more reliable and seamless onboarding experience for users setting up RCS for the first time. However, the details of how this works behind the scenes haven't been shared in full yet. There are also a few smaller upgrades included in the update. These include better spam protection, more secure file transfers, and support for using deep links to start conversations from other apps or websites. All of these are expected to roll out in future versions of apps like Google Messages as they adopt the 3.1 standard. We've been following the evolution of RCS closely, especially as it plays a larger role in Android's messaging ecosystem. With this update, the standard becomes even more competitive against services like iMessage and WhatsApp, particularly when it comes to voice communication. While RCS still depends on carrier and device support, updates like Universal Profile 3.1 show that it's steadily evolving into a richer, more capable messaging platform. Switch to Total Wireless and buy 2 months of a 5G Unlimited plan to score the phone free! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
The Verge
5 days ago
- The Verge
RCS is getting improved audio messages.
Posted Jul 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM UTC RCS is getting improved audio messages. The RCS Universal Profile 3.1 adds an 'upgrade to audio messaging capabilities,' including support for the xHE-AAC audio codec that enables 'highly efficient compression and decompression of shared audio content,' the GSMA says. This means that 'whether users are sending voice notes, ambient sound clips, or have audio-based chatbot interactions, they can now expect clearer, more natural playback.' Elevating the Messaging Experience with RCS Universal Profile 3.1 [ Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. Jay Peters Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jay Peters Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
Android Authority
5 days ago
- Android Authority
The next version of RCS Universal Profile has arrived, and here's what's new
RCS has been around for over a decade, but the messaging standard gained a major boost when Apple adopted it in 2023. The GSMA has brought several features and improvements to RCS in recent years, and it's just announced another upgrade. The GSMA just announced the release of RCS Universal Profile 3.1, which brings better audio messaging capabilities. This RCS release specifically supports the xHE-AAC audio codec, enabling higher-quality voice notes and other audio clips. It's worth noting that the previous RCS release also supported the xHE-AAC codec. However, the GSMA told us that this initial release only supported decoding, while Universal Profile 3.1 also supports encoding. In other words, you can send and receive higher-quality audio clips instead of only receiving them. Universal Profile 3.1 also offers 'new mechanisms for connecting RCS clients to operator services.' The blog post mentions that this enables a 'more seamless and reliable user experience, especially in challenging coverage conditions.' The GSMA also elaborated on exactly what this means in response to an Android Authority question: It's not about enabling RCS, but rather at run time where up until now those (RCS) clients needed to have a permanently active connection to the RCS network. With the new release it would be possible to take that down, triggering the network to send a push notification when it has something to send to the client (e.g. an incoming message). Thus, clients would not have to update the network whenever their connectivity changes (e.g. moving to Wi-Fi). This release comes months after the GSMA announced Universal Profile 3.0. That release offers long-awaited end-to-end encryption for iPhone-Android chats and easier subscription management with business messaging senders.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Maxis inks MOU with Aduna, boosting digital business innovation
From left: LiLian Hor, Head of Enterprise Marketing & Digital, Maxis; Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific, GSMA; and Chee Kean Chan, Vice President of Sales, Key Account, Ericsson Malaysia, during the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange at the GSMA Digital Nation Summit Singapore KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis, Malaysia's leading integrated telecommunications (telco) provider, has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Aduna, a landmark venture between some of the world's leading telco operators and Ericsson. The MoU aims to drive the adoption of standardised network application programming interfaces (APIs) that will accelerate digital innovation for businesses. In a statement, Maxis said the partnership would provide developers and businesses with seamless access to Aduna's global platform of common network APIs. It said these advanced API solutions will enable businesses in Malaysia to unlock new use cases and deliver next-generation services by harnessing the full potential of Maxis' advanced connectivity and network capabilities. The telco said the collaboration will enable faster and more secure development and deployment of API-driven solutions, reducing time-to-market for new features and services. "Initial offerings will focus on high-impact APIs such as number verification, SIM Swap, know-your-customer (KYC) match and location verification, key enablers to combat digital fraud and strengthen the security of online transactions. "This would benefit businesses in sectors such as financial services and e-commerce, for example, e-wallet providers and hyperscalers," it said. Maxis chief enterprise business officer Prateek Pashine said the partnership with Aduna enables the development of more secure, user-centric services, backed by seamless access to advanced network APIs. "Our mission is to equip businesses with the tools they need to innovate for tomorrow, today. "APIs play a critical role in the modern digital economy, and Maxis is committed to leveraging them to unlock greater value for businesses," he said. Meanwhile, Aduna chief executive officer Anthony Bartolo said the collaboration with Maxis will bring their unified network APIs to one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic digital economies, providing businesses in Malaysia with access to powerful and scalable solutions. - Bernama
