In the news

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We need an industry-backed, tech-neutral resource to restore trust in voice communications

With illegal robocalls now representing nearly half of all unwanted calls in the U.S., consumers are opting to simply not pick up their phones. In fact, studies show that in the U.S. alone, 76% of calls from an unidentified or unfamiliar number are left unanswered, and 58% of consumers only answer calls from numbers they recognize. In a recent Help Net Security article, Chris Drake, SVP of Corporate and Business Development at iconectiv, explains the need for a centralized, industry-standard framework, where legitimate numbers can be registered to help avoid confusion, unnecessary costs and inconsistency.
Apr 1, 2022
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Scam attacks are on the rise, but can they be fully stopped or prevented?

The Covid pandemic has accelerated not only digital adoption but also the scale and spread of scams. Every month, over 4 billion scam calls are made globally, with 23% of Americans reporting that they have lost money due to such calls in 2021 alone. George Cray, Senior Vice President at iconectiv, is featured in a recent Cybernews article regarding the rise in global scam attacks.
Mar 17, 2022
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MWC22 gets ready to unleash connectivity

As companies gear up to spend approximately $2.8 trillion USD on digital transformation by 2025, network operators and the ecosystem that makes B2C communications possible, need to make sure their customers have the confidence that the calls and texts they are receiving are from legitimate companies. In anticipation of MWC22, VanillaPlus magazine recently spoke with Peter Ford, Executive Vice President at iconectiv, regarding the impact digital transformation will have on connectivity and communications, as well as identity verification.
Feb 25, 2022
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CSPs must adopt a common language to ensure optimised operations

iconectiv estimates that CSPs lose up to 20% of their annual capital expenditure—$65 billion industry-wide—because of communication challenges, asset complexity and misunderstood inventory. Under pressure to deliver 5G, edge computing, virtualized networking and other capabilities, CSPs are using a common language for the deployment, interconnection and management of physical and virtual assets. In this VanillaPlus article, Eyad Alqadi and John Hayes explain how common language provides visibility for CSPs and their external organizations—such as partners and vendors—to easily understand and optimize their assets.
Feb 25, 2022
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Registered Caller: A Centralized Registry Service to Collect, Vet and Send Enterprise STIR/SHAKEN and Rich-Call-Data to Consumers

STIR/SHAKEN is a now widely-adopted protocol enabling telecoms to feed calling party attestation info to consumers when they receive a call from businesses and organizations of all types and sizes. George Cray, iconectiv Senior Vice President of Product along with an expert from CTIA, sits down with Dan Baker, editor from Black Swan Telecom Journal, to discuss the adoption of initiatives like Registered Caller.
Jan 7, 2022
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Tuning Your Selling Approach For 2022

The science of selling is constantly evolving. Over the last several decades, selling has become more capital intensive, data driven and teamwork oriented. Several secular forces have been changing the nature of selling incrementally over time. Peter Ford, Head of Information Solutions Business at iconectiv, shares his insights on allocating the most effort toward the biggest customer opportunities.
Dec 28, 2021
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5G: The Universal Structure for Service Providers

Multi-access edge computing, virtualized network function and 5G give service providers powerful new ways to maximize scalability, flexibility and operational efficiency while enabling new services and revenue streams. In the latest Network Media Group panel, experts from iconectiv and AT&T explore how a common naming strategy plays a fundamental role in unlocking the true promise and commercial value of 5G.
Nov 5, 2021

Press Releases

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

press release

Strengthening Cyber Defenses: iconectiv’s Ongoing Commitment to Secure Communications During Cybersecurity Awareness Month

During Cybersecurity Awareness month, iconectiv reaffirms its commitment to robust security through ongoing assessments, trusted partnerships and certifications like ISO 27001:2022, ensuring businesses stay protected in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Oct 24, 2024
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Expanding Global Access to Argentina’s Porting Data: A New Weapon Against Fraud and Risk

Businesses can now access Argentina’s porting data globally through iconectiv’s new agreement with the Number Portability Committee. This authoritative data empowers companies to enhance fraud prevention, assess risk, and protect customer trust while optimizing business processes.
Oct 7, 2024
press release

Steve Tang joins NMG: bridging the digital divide with FWA

The latest Network Media Group video explores the 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) market and the impact of federal funding from RDOF and BEAD. With insights from iconectiv®’s Steve Tang, the discussion highlights how tools, like iconectiv TruOps® Common Language®, are improving network connectivity.
Oct 3, 2024
press release

“We’re on a Mission,” says new iconectiv Operativ Task Force

Meet the iconectiv Operativ Task Force, tackling the toughest global communications challenges. From fraud prevention to digital identity, these agents use real-world expertise to deliver trusted solutions. Explore their missions and see how iconectiv keeps industries connected and secure.
Oct 2, 2024
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Authoritative Mobile Phone Number Data Amps Up Fraud Prevention in the Finance Industry

See how leveraging authoritative mobile number data is transforming fintech fraud prevention. Insights like SIM tenure, porting history, and line type give financial institutions the edge in detecting scams, enhancing verification, and safeguarding customer transactions from fraud.
Sep 24, 2024
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New Video: BEAD Program, Efficiently Harness Federal Funding for Connectivity for All

Unlock the full potential of $42.5B in BEAD funding with iconectiv® TruOps® Common Language®. Join iconectiv’s Bob Grant as he breaks down how to streamline reporting, auditing and compliance to supercharge rural broadband efforts.
Sep 19, 2024
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600K Ways Telcos Can Maximize Efficiency, Competitiveness, Customer Satisfaction Daily

iconectiv® TruNumber® Gateway LSMS extends real-time phone number porting data across all departments, empowering U.S. and Canadian CSPs and telecom providers to enhance operational efficiency, streamline billing and improve customer satisfaction without network disruption.
Sep 10, 2024

Speaking Engagements

Bob Grant

Bob Grant

Principal Product Manager at iconectiv

Bob Grant, Principal Product Manager at iconectiv, is responsible for setting the strategy, roadmap and feature definition for TruOps TRA and TruReach Certify. His role entails working collaboratively across all functions within the organization to ensure strategic and tactical alignment of goals and resources. 

Grant has more than 20 years of experience managing products in the telecommunications industry. Before joining iconectiv, Grant served as Channel Operations Director for Avaya. 

He holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Montclair State University and a Master of Business Administration in international business from Fairleigh Dickinson University. 

Angie

Angelica Ford

Sr. Account Director

Angelica Ford, Global Senior Account Director at iconectiv, is responsible for the operations and implementation of number portability, number management, Common Language and more in the Latin America Region.

Angelica as a trusted business leader with more than 30 years of experience in telecommunications and sales, she has a demonstrated history of working worldwide. Previously, she worked in numerous management and expansion roles from sales engineering to new business development.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Howard University.

speaking engagement

Common Language and Cross Border Authentication at CABASE Internet Day

iconectiv’s Angelica Ford, Global Senior Account Director, and Bob Grant, Principal Product Manager, join other industry leaders at the CABASE Internet Day from May 16-17, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to cover Common Language and Cross Border Authentication.
Mike

Michael O'Brien

Executive Vice President, Business Development

Michael O’Brien is Executive Vice President of Business Development at iconectiv. He is responsible for executing on the company’s strategy and driving new pathways of sustainable growth for the company.

An experienced industry veteran, O’Brien has more than 30 years of experience in the mobile communications industry. He most recently served as Group Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Syniverse, where he focused on product and geographic expansion to support the company’s strategic priorities.

O’Brien was recently named one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in the Roaming and Interconnect Industry by Rocco Research. He holds a Bachelor of Computer Science Degree from the University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

speaking engagement

VanillaPlus Webinar with iconectiv

iconectiv’s Michael O’Brien, Chief Product Officer, joins the VanillaPlus webinar with iconectiv, “Securing the Digital Frontier: Navigating Challenges and Best Practices in Digital Identity Verification,” on April 23, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET.
David Wilson

David Wilson

Vice President of Global Sales

David Wilson is the Vice President of Global Sales for iconectiv. He is responsible for leading go-to-market, business development and sales efforts. Through his work, enterprise solutions for messaging, compliance and identity verification are supported through the development and execution of sales strategies.

Wilson is an experienced executive in the telecommunications industry with more than 30 years of experience. He previously served as the Executive Director of Numbering Market Management for Telcordia Technologies, where he managed Technical Sales Support and Contract Administrator teams. He led the efforts to define and complete technical and commercial numbering solutions in multiple countries.

Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Notre Dame de Namur University.

speaking engagement

iconectiv Session During UK WISPA Spring 2024 Members Meeting

iconectiv’s David Wilson, Vice President of Global Sales, joins other industry leaders at UK WISPA Spring 2024 Members Meeting on March 20-21, 2024, in Birmingham, UK, for a panel to discuss the UK’s new era of broadband switching.
JC

Juan Carlos Ortiz

Principal for Corporate Business Development

Juan Carlos Ortiz is a Principal for Corporate Business Development at iconectiv. He is responsible for contributing to the continued product evolution within the TruOps platform. Ortiz has 34 years of experience in the Telecommunications sector performing work for customers worldwide. His expertise has focused on the analysis of the financial feasibility and risk profile of new communications service provider programs across a broad spectrum of domain areas. Ortiz holds a master’s degree in Operations Research and Decision Sciences from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico. He is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute. 

Chris Bain

Chris Bain

Director, Common Language Services

Chris Bain, Director, Common Language Services at iconectiv is responsible for establishing and evolving the industry naming standards that comprise TruOps Common Language. His 40+ years of process automation experience include various aspects of inventory management and service provisioning. Additionally, he contributes to technical forums in support of the industry.

speaking engagement

CCA Webinar with iconectiv

iconectiv is hosting a webinar on October 25, 2023, with CCA featuring Juan Carlos Ortiz and Chris Bain, iconectiv's Principal for Corporate Business Development and Director of Common Language Services . The webinar, "Advancing Connectivity for All with a Common Language," will spotlight iconectiv®'s TruOps™ Common Language® and its role in unlocking connectivity opportunities for all Americans while assisting service providers.
Mike

Michael O'Brien

Executive Vice President, Business Development

Michael O’Brien is Executive Vice President of Corporate Business Development at iconectiv. He is responsible for executing on the company’s strategy and driving new pathways of sustainable growth.

A skilled industry veteran, O’Brien has more than 35 years of experience in the mobile communications industry. Prior to joining iconectiv, he served as Group Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Syniverse, where he focused on product and geographic expansion to support the company’s strategic priorities.

O’Brien was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in the Roaming and Interconnect Industry by Rocco Research in 2020. He holds a Bachelor of Computer Science Degree from the University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
 

speaking engagement

HIYA State of the Call

iconectiv’s Executive VP, Michael O’Brien, joins other industry leaders at the State of the Call Summit, presented by HIYA, in New York City on October 5, 2023, to discuss call authentication.
Bob Grant

Bob Grant

Principal Product Manager at iconectiv

Bob Grant, Principal Product Manager at iconectiv, is responsible for setting the strategy, roadmap and feature definition for TruOps TRA and TruReach Certify. His role entails working collaboratively across all functions within the organization to ensure strategic and tactical alignment of goals and resources.

Grant has more than 20 years of experience managing products in the telecommunications industry. Before joining iconectiv, Grant served as Channel Operations Director for Avaya.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Montclair State University and a Master of Business Administration in international business from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Chris Drake

Chris Drake

Chief Technology Officer

Chris Drake, Senior Vice President - Corporate and Business Development, at iconectiv, is responsible for internal and external technology initiatives including emerging opportunities in trusted communications, cybersecurity, mobile content, mobile identity, virtualization and M2M/IoT.

Drake began his career at Bell Northern Research and has over 25 years in the telecommunications industry. Prior to iconectiv, Chris held executive positions at Neustar, Sonus Networks, Telcordia Technologies as well as other companies.  Drake is also an executive advisor to technology startups and had worked with the Canadian Consulate Tech Accelerator @ NYC for many years. Drake contributes to various GSMA efforts including the Fraud and Security Group, The Networks Group, and the Industry Specification Approving Group. Drake is on the board and executive committee of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), chair of the ATIS Technology and Operations Council.  Drake is a longstanding member of the CTIA cybersecurity working group, the Cybersecurity Advisory Board for the Pace University Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, and has served on the Industrial Advisory Board for the Security and Software Engineering Research Center (S2ERC) for Georgetown and Ball State Universities through the National Science Foundation. Drake also serves on the FCC federal advisory committee, the North American Numbering Council.

speaking engagement

SIPNOC 2023

Chris Drake, iconectiv’s SVP of Corporate and Business Development, and Bob Grant, iconectiv’s Principal Product Manager, are speaking SIPNOC 2023, which will be held September 12-13, 2023 in Herndon, VA. Their sessions include: “The Future of End to End Branded Calling Using Authentication" and "Cross-Border Authentication."
Alberto

Alberto Apablaza

Account Director, LATAM at iconectiv

Alberto Apablaza, Account Director, LATAM at iconectiv, is responsible for the operations and implementation of the Number Portability in Chile and Argentina including managing new initiatives in the region. As a trusted business leader, Apablaza has demonstrated history of working in the Telecommunications Industry from the beginning of his career in Chile and then in South America. He has been involved in the Chile Number Portability from its conception where he led the project program in one of the most prominent carriers in Chile. Apablaza is a Computer Science Engineer with a Master Degree in Management in Technological Entrepreneurships.

speaking engagement

Telco Transformation LATAM

As a platinum sponsor, four members from iconectiv’s team will attend CONECTA LATAM's Telco Transformation LATAM, including Alberto Apablaza, Director of Account Manager, who will be speaking on August 30th. The two-day conference that will bring together industry experts to discuss the impact of 5G and AI.