In the news

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Interview with CBS: Basketball fans experience scam through text messages during March Madness craze

CBS Corpus Christi’s Victoria Balderrama reports on the dangers of NCAA March Madness. Balderrama turns to a fraud mitigation expert, Chris Drake, for tips on what to watch out for as the tournament progresses. The SVP of iconectiv warns views to never download a file from a text message sent by an unknown 10-digit number, as they can infect the device with malware. As a precaution, he suggests sports fans freeze their credit and back up their phone. See the full interview here.
Mar 15, 2023
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Interview with FOX: Mobile Betting Scams: Sports betting expert shares ways to avoid scams ahead of March Madness

Fox Boston reports on the uptick in scams looking to cash in on the urgency surrounding March Madness betting. Chris Drake, SVP of iconectiv, shares his insight on the topic and warns viewers to be wary of 10-digit numbers, as they are easy to spoof. Other red flags to be on the lookout for include misspelled words, attachments/links or any request to be sent money via an untraceable method, such as cryptocurrency, gift cards or payment apps. Drake recommends that sports fans caught in a scam…
Mar 15, 2023
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Interview with FOX: March Madness scammers? How to keep yourself safe

FOX Cleveland’s Brad Hamilton seeks input from iconectiv SVP, George Cray, on how scammers are leveraging March Madness to steal personal information. Cray warns that Ohio is a hotspot for scams, as the state can now legally bet on the tournament. He suggests putting a freeze on your credit and reporting scams to the local police. See the full interview here.
Mar 14, 2023
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Interview with FOX: March Madness brings the Final Four, and scammers, to Houston

Tom Zizka of FOX Houston warns viewers that March Madness is an opportunity for fraudsters to steal fans’ personal information. Scammers will use the NCAA tournament to craft texts around ticket sales or a betting opportunity in hopes to trick receivers into sharing personal information or clicking malicious links. George Cray, VP at iconectiv, offers insight as a telecom security expert and recommends never trusting these texts with sensitive information or clicking links. Zizka explains that…
Mar 14, 2023
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Interview with CBS: “They cleared my whole bank account,” Jax woman scammed, experts now warning others about spam texts

Megan Moriarty of CBS Jacksonville shares the story of how Tesa Childs was a victim of number porting fraud. The victim shared that her bank account was emptied, and the scammer had complete access to her phone. Moiarty turns to telecom expert, George Cray, VP of iconectiv, for insight on how viewers can protect themselves. Cray explains that you can never 100% trust a text from an unknow 10-digit number and that 5-6-digit short codes are more reliable. See the whole interview here.
Mar 8, 2023
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VanillaPlus Magazine Issue 1 2023: Are we nearly there yet?

Traditionally, network service providers have charged flat-rate termination fees regardless of the call’s originating country, the network service provider and the type of connection used – mobile or fixed. While a flat-rate billing approach may have its benefits – in terms of it being a simple, clear-cut fee for the network service provider – it is not helping their financial bottom line, and here’s why. Let’s use the example of a mobile customer in Australia who calls a friend in France. With…
Feb 21, 2023
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Interview with FOX: Experts remind people to watch out for tax scams

Joshua Oculam of FOX Scranton cautions viewers of tax scams ramping up before April. iconectiv CTO, Chris Drake, provides expert insight on ways to keep viewers and their information safe. Drake explains that the IRS will contact Americans by notices in the mail, not by text or email. If a suspicious looking message is received, Drake warns to never click the link and to freeze your credit. Watch the full interview here.
Feb 17, 2023

Press Releases

Media Contact:
Sharon Oddy
Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications
+1 732 699-5130
soddy@iconectiv.com

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Industry Experts Convene to Examine Call Authentication for a Safer Voice Channel

iconectiv’s Michael O’Brien to Participate in State of the Call Summit Panel That Explores How to Restore Trust in Voice Calls What: The battle against spam and fraudulent calls demands cutting-edge solutions. While STIR/SHAKEN and regulation has helped address part of the problem—it's a first of several measures needed to be taken by the industry to minimize the robocalls and spoofing that continues to present a significant threat to the integrity of the voice channel. Communications…
Oct 5, 2023
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How Network Element Providers, Equipment Manufacturers Are Taking Advantage of the Common Language of Telecom

iconectiv TruOps™ Common Language® helps maximize operational efficiency, revenue, billing accuracy and competitiveness while capitalizing on trends such as virtualization and disaggregation. What’s the News: A new iconectiv use case explores how NEPs and equipment manufacturers leverage Common Language to drive value for their CSP customers. Why it Matters: NEPs can streamline operations, grow revenue and capitalize on marketplace and technology trends for their business and for their…
Sep 13, 2023
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Telecom Leaders Band Together to Fight Phone Fraud

iconectiv Trusted Communications Experts to Participate in SIPNOC 2023 Sessions Examining Cross Border Call Authentication and Branded Calling What: Consumers globally are increasingly tethered to their phones. Their phone number is an extension of their identity and the single most essential tool for interacting with the world and navigating their day-to-day lives. Despite constant accessibility and the desire to access and exchange information via phone calls securely, consumer…
Sep 12, 2023
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MNP Interconnection Telecom Solutions Marks Major Milestone in India by Surpassing 400 Million Port In Requests

Milestone underpins consumers' and businesses’ continued desire for freedom to choose telecom providers What’s the News: MNP Interconnection Telecom Solutions India (MITS), an iconectiv subsidiary, has passed a major milestone having completed 400 million port-in requests out of a total 580 million subscribers in Zone 2. Why it Matters: Mobile number porting enables India’s consumers and businesses to keep their mobile numbers when switching service providers – fostering competition and…
Sep 7, 2023
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With Global Telecom Fraud on the Rise, Industry Experts Explore How to Mitigate It

Upcoming Mobile Ecosystem Forum CONNECTS Session Examines How Regulatory Agencies Are Responding to the Changing Landscape and Associated Fraud   What: Years of rapid technology and regulatory innovation have created major revenue streams and market opportunities for communication service providers, vendors and businesses alike. They have also increased the need for new ways to mitigate fraud like illegal robocalls, nuisance calls, messaging spam, etc., which undermine consumer…
Sep 5, 2023
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With Callback Fraud a Major Issue, Telecom Leader iconectiv Addresses How to Stop It

Upcoming Telco Transformation LATAM Session Examines How to Protect Businesses and Consumers from Costly “Wangiri” Scams   What: For fraudulent robocallers, the goal isn't always getting you to answer. Sometimes, it's getting you to call back. That’s the intent of the one-ring scam. Known as “Wangiri” – a Japanese word for “one ring and cut” – it is a global scourge creating an illegal $1.82 billion industry, making it one of the top five telecommunication fraud types. It targets…
Aug 29, 2023
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iconectiv Recognized for Mitigating Illegal Robocalls and Restoring Trust in Caller ID

TruReach Certify Wins TMC’s 2023 Communications Solutions Product of the Year Award What’s the News: iconectiv’s TruReach Certify has been selected by TMC as a 2023 Communications Solutions Product of the Year Award recipient. Why it Matters: iconectiv’s TruReach Certify is being recognized for helping mitigate illegal robocalls and restoring trust in caller ID. Who’s it for: Service providers, regulators and enterprises BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – August 21, 2023 – iconectiv, a trusted…
Aug 21, 2023

Speaking Engagements

john hayes

John Hayes

Senior Director, iconectiv

As Senior Director at iconectiv, John Hayes is responsible for leading the company’s global product cost analysis efforts, fixed asset management and regulatory compliance and reporting initiatives. With over more than 30 years of experience in telecommunications, Hayes has led strategic campaigns to improve network operations for global carriers centered around new investments, utilization and fixed operations. He has also advocated for effective regulatory compliance and reporting and spearheaded financial strategies to reduce carrier expenditures and increase cost savings.

eyad

Eyad Alqadi

Regional Sales Director, EMEA, iconectiv

Eyad Alqadi is the Regional Sales Director, EMEA, at iconectiv. He is responsible for spearheading the company’s expansion in Europe, the Middle East and Africa with a focus on sales strategy, customer relations and consultation and establishing channel partner relationships.

With more than 20 years of experience in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, Alqadi has worked successfully with organizations to leverage various technology solutions to generate value and improve operations, efficiencies, productivity and ultimately their bottom lines.

Alqadi holds a Bachelor of Engineering from New Mexico State University and a Master of Business Administration from Alliance Manchester Business School.

michael carroll

Michael Carroll

Editor, GSMA

Michael doesn’t want to admit that he has been a journalist and editor for close to 20 years covering a diverse set of subjects including shipping and shipbuilding, fixed and mobile telecoms, and motorcycling. He joins Mobile World Live as editor following several years as a freelancer, during which time he worked as the managing editor for Fierce Markets’ European wireless newsletter and editor on TelecomsEMEA.net (published by Questex Asia), and produced a range of feature articles and reports covering sectors including connected cars, IP Exchange (IPX), premium rate services and mobile ticketing for companies including Telecom Asia, mobileSquared and Netsize. Michael previously held various roles as reporter and editor with Informa Telecoms & Media, and as a reporter on Motorcycle News (MCN) – the UK’s largest and oldest weekly motorcycling newspaper.

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Driving Financial Decisions and Compliance with Fixed Asset Management

Telecom operators are under significant pressure to sustain revenue growth and profitability, while delivering new digital services. At the same time, regulations, technology disruptions, intensifying competition, and changing customer demands are also placing telecom operators at a crossroads. So how do these service providers – who are investing billions in wireless and wireline networks – ensure they can grow their businesses while mitigating risk? What kinds of solutions are available to…
David Estes

David Estes

Principal Solutions Engineer

Dave Estes is a Principal Solutions Engineer on the iconectiv global sales team. He is responsible for providing technical subject matter expertise for iconectiv’s TruNumber platform, which provides accurate phone number data that operators need to offer seamless portability, detect and diagnose issues quickly, and help combat telephone fraud.

Dave is a wireless industry veteran and before joining iconectiv worked at T-Mobile USA and managed the Roaming Business Operations team, responsible for testing & launching roaming services, fraud, steering and inter-operator issues. Dave also worked at Syniverse Technologies where he held various management roles in Product Management, Account Management and Sales Engineering. Dave has extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in data clearing, financial clearing, fraud and roaming for telecom operators and has participated in many industry and user groups.   
Dave holds a BA in business administration/marketing from the University of Puget Sound.

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Protect Your Customers from One-Ring Scams: Trusted Tools to Fight Fraud

Each year, communications service providers (CSPs) worldwide lose over US$39 billion to fraud such as illegal robocalls, SMS phishing (“smishing”) and “wangiri” callback schemes, according to the Communications Fraud Control Association (CFCA) and analyst firms. To help service providers block suspicious calls on their networks and crack down on illegal robocalls and callback fraud, simple, seamless and secure solutions are available and being deployed. During the panel session, “Protect…
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SHAKEN Goes Global: Opportunities and Challenges for Service Providers and Regulators Worldwide

Keeping the voice ecosystem safe and attractive for consumers and business is an objective we all share. Fortunately, progress with STIR/SHAKEN, centralized caller verification via Registered Caller™ and the emergence of Rich Call Data is having a significant impact on the way we connect and communicate. During SIPNOC 2022, George Cray, Senior Vice President of Information Solution Products & Services at iconectiv, joined executives from ATIS, Microsoft and Bandwidth for the panel…
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Rich Call Data (RCD) Best Practices: Building Trust for Future Success

With illegal robocalls now representing nearly half of all unwanted calls in the U.S., according to the FCC, it’s no wonder that the lion’s share of calls from unidentified or unfamiliar calls (76%) are left unanswered. While verified information and initiatives like STIR/SHAKEN have helped mitigate illegal and unwanted robocalls, the telco industry must continue to develop additional frameworks to protect consumers and businesses. During SIPNOC 2022, George Cray, Senior Vice President at…