In the news

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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 another level of protection comes with messages from 5 or 6-digit numbers. Businesses have registered and undergone a vetting process to obtain these numbers, making them much more trustworthy.
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.
Mar 8, 2023
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VanillaPlus Magazine Issue 1 2023: Are we nearly there yet?

In VanillaPlus Magazine, iconectiv shares an expert deep dive into origin-based rating. Over the past several years, network service providers have been feeling increased pressure to find new income streams to offset shrinking voice and data revenues, as well as margins. Origin-based rating is an untapped income opportunity that lies in how network service providers operate their business – specifically in relation to how they charge for terminating calls.
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.
Feb 17, 2023
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Interview with CBS: Tax time scams to avoid

Niccole Cann of CBS San Antonio warns tax-payers of this year’s IRS scams. iconectiv CTO, Chris Drake, cautions viewers that links or files sent by a number claiming to be the IRS are infected and should not be clicked.
Feb 6, 2023
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Interview with CBS: Tips for thwarting tax season scamming schemes

Alex Corradetti of CBS Milwaukee seeks the expertise of iconectiv CTO, Chris Drake, in a live interview regarding IRS text scams. Drake advises viewers on ways to spot scammers, how to prevent against attacks and what to do as a recipient of these tax season scams.
Feb 1, 2023
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The Penny Hoarder: I’m an Idiot. Don’t Fall for the Phishing Scam I Just Fell for

In this article, Chris Drake, iconectiv CTO, provides expert commentary on SMS delivery scams. Drake brings color to the situation by sharing that scammers most likely don’t know whether or not a victim is waiting on a package. These fraudsters will play the odds by sending out millions of messages and let people fall into the trap.
Jan 27, 2023

Press Releases

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

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
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“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
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Mobile Phone Numbers Are Core to Good Customer Experience, says iconectiv

Digital interactions define customer loyalty, mobile phone numbers have emerged as a secret weapon for businesses aiming to deliver exceptional experiences and protect against fraud. iconectiv’s latest market brief details how mobile numbers are powerful tools driving personalized service, reduce churn and boost revenue.
Aug 22, 2024
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Ericsson announces sale of iconectiv

Ericsson has agreed to sell its US subsidiary, iconectiv, to Koch Equity Development LLC. The transaction is expected to close in 2025. iconectiv, will continue to grow its numbering and data exchange services under new ownership.
Aug 16, 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.

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.

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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.

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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.
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.

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NMG: Towers, Neutral Hosts and Data Centers Session with iconectiv

In this discussion, iconectiv’s Senior Director, John Hayes, and The Network Media Group’s Publisher, Abe Nejad, discuss neutral hosts, data centers and their role in Telco and 5G rollout with other industry experts.
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

Are We Ready for a Universal Registry of Known Telephone Numbers?

Join iconectiv’s Chris Drake, Senior Vice President - Corporate and Business Development, on June 12 when he moderates the “Are We Ready for a Universal Registry of Known Telephone Numbers?” webinar panel at KYC Summit 2023.
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

NUMBER PORTABILITY, TELEPHONY: Update and Challenges

Join iconectiv’s Alberto Apablaza, LATAM Account Director, on May 17 as he hosts the NUMBER PORTABILITY, TELEPHONY: Update and Challenges session at Internet Day 2023 in Argentina.
john hayes

John Hayes

Senior Director, iconectiv

John Hayes, Head of Solutions Engineering at iconectiv, is responsible for leading the company’s activities that enable carriers to economically meet their rollout objectives and cost effectively support their service portfolio.

With more than 30 years of experience in telecommunications, Hayes has led engagements to improve network operations for global carriers centered around optimizing new investments, utilization embedded capabilities and leveraging carrier interworking.

He has also advocated the need for carriers to focus on establishing a robust data infrastructure that is consistently used across the business to obtain reliable insights that permit effective operational and capital efficiencies to be realized.

speaking engagement

The 5G playbook – What Do you Need to Deploy 5G?

5G may already be available in most of the U.S., but there are still many small operators that are in the beginning of their 5G transitions.  This panel discussion will talk about the spectrum, regulatory challenges, infrastructure needs and investment requirements to build a 5G network. In addition, it will discuss some of the unknowns that we are still learning about 5G, such as why operators have failed to fully monetize 5G at this point.
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.

speaking engagement

Superheroes Unite: Protecting and Defending the Communications Ecosystem

In the ever-expanding telecom universe, there are villains trying to corrupt the communications ecosystem. Fortunately, a legion of Trusted Communication Superheroes—each wielding unique special powers—are laser-focused on keeping people connected, businesses running and commerce flowing by identifying and verifying legitimate callers so that their voice traffic receives the proper authentication and is not inaccurately categorized as potentially suspicious or illegal. Get ready to take your place among the legion of Trusted Communication Superheroes who are mitigating suspicious activity and protecting businesses, communication providers and consumers every day.