In the news

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5G and Common Language levels the playing field to new players, creates opportunity, Podcast

In the latest podcast by Telecom Reseller, iconectiv’s Director of Product Management, Sharon Dileo, is joined by Chris Bain, Director, Common Language Services at iconectiv to discuss the recent whitepaper findings and how a common naming strategy improves the effectiveness of real-time network operations and key business management functions while also bringing increased awareness when launching and managing new network-based services.
May 21, 2021
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Why ‘common language’ could clarify the DSP route through network complexity

In the latest IDC white paper, “Common Language Drives Customer Value for All Network Technology: 5G/MEC and Virtualized Networking,” iconectiv’s Karl Whitelock points out that while Common Language has been used by communications service providers for over 40 years, iconectiv’s TruOps Common Language was established to facilitate the service design and asset tracking needs of the operations and business management processes for prevailing and emerging network connectivity architectures. Additionally, Common Language is expected to play a major role in the evolution and deployment of new facilities-based networks.
Apr 30, 2021
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IDC Whitepaper Addresses the Challenges of Cost-Effectively Deploying 5G At Scale

Communication service providers face the major challenge of keeping up with the latest technology advancements, such as 5G, that support the rollout of new revenue-generating services in a way that is both profitable and scaleable. Industry analyst firm IDC has released a new whitepaper that addresses this challenge. The whitepaper explains how service providers can achieve business value by maximizing use of a standardized nomenclature and how iconectiv’s TruOps Common Language will play a larger role in the evolution of networks.
Apr 29, 2021
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A Matter of Trust: Leveraging Short Codes to Bolster Vaccine Communication Efforts

As we move toward nationwide vaccine eligibility, the logistics of helping people schedule and confirm appointments through a process they trust will be crucial. In this Healthcare Business Today article, iconectiv’s Cliff Holsenbeck explores how short codes are an ideal option for providing necessary communications and navigating the logistics of vaccine distribution. Across the country, text messaging has already been implemented as a tool by healthcare and other facilities throughout the pandemic for services like telehealth, virtual care, contact tracing, pre-screening questionnaires and sending updates to loved ones and caretakers.
Apr 8, 2021
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Wireless industry readies as STIR/SHAKEN deadline approaches

By the end of June all U.S. voice providers are required to implement STIR/SHAKEN technology, to fight against robocallers by authenticating caller ID to help ensure a phone number isn’t being spoofed. To date, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon have protected millions of customers from billions of robocalls. In this Fierce Wireless article, iconectiv’s CTO Chris Drake discusses iconectiv’s role as industry and policy administrator for SHAKEN and the upcoming deadline to implement this technology. iconectiv has processed over 100 carriers to be enabled for SHAKEN certificates and there are still between 50 and 100 carriers still in the queue.
Mar 25, 2021
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How the U.S. response to one-ring ‘Wangiri’ robocall scams affects non-U.S. service providers

Wangiri is a global scourge that costs service providers $1.82 billion annually, making it one of the top five fraud types. In this Vanilla Plus article, iconectiv’s principal solutions engineer director John Haraburda discusses how iconectiv is taking steps to help service providers protect their customers and their bottom lines against one-ring fraud.
Mar 22, 2021
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Michael O’Brien of iconectiv: “Having a recognized centralized resource for providing this trust is essential”

The telephone changed the way people communicate all over the world, and then email and text messaging took it to the next level. In the latest Thrive Global article, iconectiv’s Chief Product Officer Michael O’Brien explores the future of communication, his career and what led iconectiv to create their cutting-edge and innovative communication technologies.
Mar 8, 2021

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.