In the news

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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
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Interview with FOX: Big tax season scam arrives as a text

FOX’s Dana Fowle warns viewers to be vigilant of scammers taking advantage of tax season. Fraudsters will send text messages to victims posing as the IRS. Chris Drake, iconectiv’s SVP Corporate and Business Development, advises viewers to freeze their credit as a preventative measure to protect against identity theft.
Jan 27, 2023
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Interview with NBC: How to Avoid These Tax Season Scams

NBC’s Sasha Jones reports on how to be alert this tax season as IRS scams start to appear. iconectiv’s SVP Corporate and Business Development, Chris Drake, offers his expertise on how to spot these text message or email phishing scams. Drake warns victims to never click links sent by a number claiming to be the IRS, as they are likely infected. Additionally, Drake tells viewers to never send money to these numbers by way of gift card, debit card, wire transfer or money transfer apps, as these methods are largely untraceable and nonrefundable. He tells viewers that threatening texts or voicemails from the IRS are imposters and to report the numbers to the IRS.
Jan 26, 2023
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VanillaPlus Issue 6 2022: Reinvention doesn’t mean the wheel

In this interview, iconectiv’s EVP, Head of Information Solutions Business, Peter Ford, speaks on his vision for the reinvented teleco. Ford shares his thoughts on how CSPs can reinvent themselves and discover new streams of revenue by focusing on their ability to verify identity and drive value from voice. This issue also includes a case study on how iconectiv has created tools to help CSPs navigate complicated regulations surrounding caller ID.
Dec 23, 2022
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Interview with FOX: Scammers taking over bank accounts, stealing funds

FOX Houston’s Heather Sullivan warns viewers of their bank accounts being taken over. In an interview, iconectiv’s Senior Vice President, George Cray, provides expert insight on how fraudsters are able to steal bank account information and funds. First, scammers will text victims, as if there is an issue with their bank account, prompting victims to click the link and log in. Once the victim enters their information, the fraudster will access the account, change the password and drain the funds. Cray advises viewers to look for texts from short codes, which are more trustworthy, monitor bank accounts for unexpected withdrawals, use strong passwords and an antivirus firewall and to not use WiFi at hotels or restaurants.
Dec 9, 2022
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An Easy-to-Deploy Fraud-Control Handshake for Voice Operators is Here: When Will it Takeoff?

In this interview, Vasily Birulin discusses how the Trusted Communications Superheroes at AB Handshake are protecting the world, one call at a time. The upstart company introduced a new, low cost and easy to implement solution that can have a major industry impact when influential operators and/or regulators adopt it. AB Handshake is a perfect example of iconectiv’s Traffic Fraud Fighters.
Dec 5, 2022
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Interview with ABC: Here's how thieves may use your phone to steal from you

ABC Austin’s Erica Proffer cautions viewers of fraudsters that are taking advantage of the holiday shopping season using text scams. In an interview, iconectiv’s Senior Vice President, George Cray, provides expert information on why scammers are heading towards texts. Cray explains that text messages are more likely to be opened and engaged with than an email scam. Some common text scams this season include information on gift cards or shipping delays. iconectiv advises viewers to be wary of texts with a sense of urgency, requests for personal information or sent from a standard 10-digit phone number. Cray explains that large companies will often use short codes. These are more trustworthy due to the vetting and monitoring process to ensure they are not being exploited or used for scams.
Nov 23, 2022

Press Releases

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

press release

iconectiv Chief Technology Officer Elected to SIP Forum Board of Directors

Steve Tang, Chief Technology Officer at iconectiv, has joined the Board of Directors of the SIP Forum, showcasing his expertise in trusted communications and iconectiv's dedication to advancing communication services, supporting emerging technologies and combating the misuse of communication networks.
May 16, 2024
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Cross Border Call Authentication for Fighting Fraudulent Calls Takes the Stage at CABASE Internet Day

iconectiv's Angelica Ford and Bob Grant will dive into Common Language and Cross Border Call Authentication at CABASE Internet Day, emphasizing the importance of establishing a common language in network interconnection and resolving international calling challenges to uphold trust in Argentina's communications.
May 16, 2024
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Today’s Digital Age Calls for Increased Protection of the Phone Number, says iconectiv

In the digital age, phone numbers have become essential components of identity verification. In their new market brief, iconectiv emphasizes the critical need to safeguard phone numbers, offering a digital identity portfolio that helps businesses strengthen security measures and streamline customer verification processes.
May 2, 2024
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The Path to 5G Profitability for Data Centers, Towers and Real Estate Companies

A new iconectiv white paper explores how data center operators and commercial real estate companies can use Common Language to build awareness of their fiber, interconnection and tower/site portfolios. iconectiv will showcase Common Language during Connect(X) 2024 in Atlanta on May 14.
Apr 30, 2024
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Upcoming Live Webinar Shines Light on Best Practices to Secure the Digital Identity

iconectiv’s Michael O’Brien will discuss the vital role of phone numbers in digital identity verification during the "Securing the Digital Frontier” webinar on April 23, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET. He will cover fraud prevention, regulatory compliance and ensuring trustworthy digital identity signals, highlighting the need for global collaboration.
Apr 23, 2024
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How Financial Service Companies Are Using Phone Number Data to Mitigate Fraud

iconectiv's recent case study demonstrates how financial institutions leverage numbering data to enhance security and combat fraud. By identifying recently ported phone numbers through iconectiv's data exchanges, companies can verify phone number accuracy, crucial for identification amidst rising mobile-focused fraud threats.
Apr 22, 2024
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The Common Language of Telecom Helps Rural Service Providers Close the Digital Divide

iconectiv’s case study highlights how rural service providers can use Common Language to efficiently evaluate network infrastructure, enabling faster and more affordable broadband expansion to tackle the persistent issue of limited internet access in rural areas, benefiting a wide range of service providers in rural America.
Apr 11, 2024

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.

speaking engagement

Driving Financial Decisions and Compliance with Fixed Asset Management

This session will explore the role of a universal Fixed Asset Management (FAM) structure in the deployment, interconnection and management of service providers’ physical and virtual assets. 
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

During the panel session, “Protect Your Customers from One-Ring Scams: Trusted Tools to Fight Fraud,” iconectiv telecom fraud expert David Estes discussed how CSPs are upgrading their existing call-blocking analytics to identify calls from high-risk and unallocated number ranges and suspicious premium-rate numbers.