Faulkner Information Services

in-depth information for technology professionals

Telecom Daily

Welcome to Faulkner's Telecom Daily. We publish Monday through Friday, updating top stories as events warrant.

Thursday, September 20...

Google Launches More Accurate Location Services for Emergency Callers on Android
Google announced that it is bringing its more accurate Emergency Location Services (ELS) to the US. The company is collaborating with RapidSOS, T-Mobile, and West to provide first responders with a more accurate location for customers calling emergency hotlines. The technology behind this enhancements offers a more exact location for indoor and outdoor callers by incorporating available data from GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile data, and other sensors located in the caller's phone. Google claims this all combines to provide a location accuracy similar to what a user would expect to see in its Google Maps navigation software. Google claims that, on average, the introduction of ELS dropped the "average uncertainty radius" of a caller's location from 522 feet to 121 feet. It should be noted that ELS functionality in the US is currently limited to T-Mobile and West subscribers using an Android 4.0 or later device. However, Google has said that it continues to expand the availability of the service in the US and elsewhere.

AT&T Signs On to Provide 4G LTE Connectivity for Airstream Trailers
AT&T signed an agreement with recreational vehicle maker Airstream to bring 4G LTE connectivity to the company's well-known Airstream Silver Bullet line. The new service will launch with the 2019 model Airstream Classic travel trailers. Tiers will be available for $25 per month for 5GB of data, or $360 per year for "unlimited" data. The connectivity will be provided via the Airstream units' built-in Wi-Fi hotspots. These hotspots can also provide the trailer's owner with remote access to temperature controls, lighting, and propane and water levels, and more through the companion Airstream Smart Control app. The in-trailer Wi-Fi can support up to 10 devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and more. The duo has posted a video with additional details on how the new connectivity option works.

Ericsson Reportedly Delays Spinoff of Media Solutions Business
Ericsson has reportedly delayed the planned spinoff of its media solutions business. According to a report from FierceVideo, the spinoff of the division, which currently operates under the name MediaKind, has been moved back from its planned third quarter 2018 window to some time close to the end of the calendar year. A majority stake in the division is being sold to One Equity Partners, although Ericsson will retain 49 percent ownership following the transaction closure. Ericsson blamed the delay on the unexpected level of complexity involved in creating appropriate operating entities and ensuring a smooth transition for customers, FierceVideo said. No financial terms for the transaction have been made public.

... Michael Gariffo, Faulkner Information Services

New Security Management Product Is Now Available on the Web
Faulkner's newest information service, Security Management Practices, is now available to subscribers over the Web! For information about subscribing, just send an email message to sales@faulkner.com or call 800-843-0460 (856-662-2070).