Victoria Fox's Blog, page 122

“Right to the Internet”: Network Agency orders Internet provision for a household for the first time

For the first time, the Federal Network Agency has obliged an internet provider to provide a remote household with internet and telephone services. The authorities in Bonn announced that a corresponding notice had been sent to the company. It’s about a household in Lower Saxony.

The authority’s decision was triggered by a consumer complaint. At his place of residence, an internet connection was only possible “at a consumer price that was too high”. Based on the legal minimum requirements, the Federal Network Agency then identified an undersupply.

Decision made in “commitment procedure”

Afterwards, “all telecommunications providers active on the market” were called upon to offer coverage. Since no company complied voluntarily, a so-called commitment procedure was carried out in which the authority chose a suitable provider. This must now guarantee the minimum supply for the remote household – based on legally established values. Legal action can still be taken against the decision.

Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency, said of his agency’s decision that every citizen has “the right to adequate care.” “We are now enforcing this right in a pilot process in the interests of consumers.”

Consumer advocates criticize minimum values that are too low

According to the Federal Network Agency, the minimum service includes a download speed of at least 10 megabits per second and an upload of at least 1.7 megabits – at an “affordable consumer price”, which, according to the authority, was recently around 30 euros per month.

Consumer advocates viewed the network agency’s decision as fundamentally positive. It is good “that a commitment is made and the legal right to the Internet is used,” said Felix Flosbach from the NRW consumer advice center. At the same time, he criticized the fact that the Federal Network Agency was only taking action now. “More than two years have passed in which the citizens had nothing of the legal right,” said Flosbach.

The minimum values for download and upload speeds determined by the authorities are also criticized. These are too low, said Flosbach: “It is unfortunate that the Federal Network Agency has not already increased from 10 to 15 or 20 megabits per second.”

Around 400,000 households in Germany are undersupplied

The consumer advocate is therefore calling for a significant increase in order to increase the pressure on Internet providers and to stimulate nationwide Internet expansion. “The right to the Internet must become an effective tool to strengthen rural areas and enable them to participate in the digital age,” said Flosbach.

The current decision by the Federal Network Agency is the first of its kind, but others are likely to follow: According to the authority, around 130 additional complaint procedures are currently being examined. According to the Federal Network Agency, there are an estimated 400,000 households in Germany that are considered underserved within the scope of the legal entitlement.

The so-called right to fast internet, the right to be provided with telecommunications services, on the basis of which the network agency made its decision, has been in force since December 2021. The regulation on the currently applicable minimum supply values has been in force since June 2022.

For the first time, the Federal Network Agency has obliged an internet provider to provide a remote household with internet and telephone services. The authorities in Bonn announced that a corresponding notice had been sent to the company. It’s about a household in Lower Saxony.

The authority’s decision was triggered by a consumer complaint. At his place of residence, an internet connection was only possible “at a consumer price that was too high”. Based on the legal minimum requirements, the Federal Network Agency then identified an undersupply.

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TIM continues with the 2024-2026 industrial plan despite the setback on the Milan Stock Exchange

The telecommunications company Telecom Italia (TIM) continues with its Industrial Plan for the period 2024-2026, despite the setback it took on the Milan Stock Exchange, where it fell almost 24% this Thursday due to the doubts raised after the presentation of its new biannual program.

This was decided by the Extraordinary Board of Directors of TIM held this Sunday so that the company’s CEO, Pietro Labriola , could inform the directors of the situation, according to local media.

Labriola and his advisors have explained what happened last Thursday, explaining to the board that the causes that have triggered the nervousness of the markets are not attributed to the plan , so the meeting had a purely informative nature and concluded without the need for any deliberation.

Therefore, the so-called “Free to run” plan approved unanimously by the board last Wednesday continues and a complementary communication to the market from management is now expected, the same sources indicated.

TIM shares plummeted last Thursday on the Milan Stock Exchange by almost 24% after the company’s Board of Directors approved the new Industrial Plan for the period 2024-2026 , which will not include its fixed network subsidiary Netco. , in the process of sale to the American fund KKR.

The Plan foresees an average increase in revenue of 3% per year until the last year, 8% in the case of profit before taxes (ebitda) and a positive cash flow in both Italy and Brazil.

In addition, it is committed to maintaining sustainable debt and then reducing it after completing Netco’s debt . It is also selling its subsidiary Sparkl e, which manages underwater cables, to the Italian State , but the latest offer has been “unsatisfactory”, according to the Efe agency.

The group’s financial director, Adrian Calaza , tried to reassure the market: “It is not an aggressive plan but an ambitious one. If we strive as we must, we will achieve it,” he told the media.

TIM closed last year 2023 with revenues of 16.3 billion euros (17.49 billion dollars), 3.1% more than the previous year, and confirming “strong growth” in Brazil.

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Platforms: The Worsening Failure of the Internet

Last year I coined the term enshittification , which you could probably translate as worsening shittification, to describe how online platforms deteriorate. The obscene little word found a large audience; it captured the zeitgeist. The American Dialect Society even chose it as their Words of the Year for 2023 (which probably means I’m now guaranteed a poop emoji on my gravestone).

So what is aggravated shit, and why did the expression catch fire? My theory behind this is how the internet has been colonized by platforms, why all of these platforms are deteriorating so quickly and so consistently, why this matters and what we can do about it. We are all going through a major mess where the services we care about and rely on are turning into giant turds. This is frustrating. This is grueling. It’s even frightening.

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Indra will create an advanced technology center in 2026 in which it will invest 100 million

The Spanish multinational Indra plans to create a state-of-the-art integrated technology center in 2026, called “Indra Technology Hub”, in which it will invest 100 million euros, which will be focused on the research and development of cutting-edge technologies for defense and aerospace businesses. .

The objective is to promote the digitalization of systems from this center in order to reinforce Indra’s evolution towards industry 4.0. , that is, a company that incorporates intelligent digital technologies in manufacturing and industrial processes.

This center, whose location has not yet been decided, will not be a subsidiary, but will be 100% owned by Indra and will be located in facilities other than the company’s headquarters, as company sources have informed the Efe agency.

These 100 million that will be invested in this center are part of the 3.1 billion euros that Indra plans to spend on technological development until 2030.

This amount is expected to be allocated to artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, internet of things and cloud technologies.

It is a center whose creation is contemplated in the strategic plan ‘Leading the future’ , which was presented this Wednesday by its president, Marc Murtra , and the CEO, José Vicente de los Mozos , at the investor day. , in which they outlined the strategy until 2026, with an eye toward 2030.

Indra, which plans to focus on the defense and aerospace sector, wants to carry out a complete transformation of its operations to achieve greater efficiencies and evolve its systems integration capabilities and, to achieve this, this center will be essential.

In addition, it will be for the objectives pursued with the standardization and modernization plan for Indra’s engineering and production models.

The company wants to put a greater focus on advanced engineering ; greater agility and resilience, through digitalization and integration with the supply chain and the implementation of methodologies; and new, more efficient and quality processes.

The company’s intentions are to create 5,000 jobs with high added value until 2026, of which it has not been revealed how many will be allocated to this new center.

Currently, according to data at the end of 2023, Indra has 57,755 employees, of which more than half (32,498) are in Spain.

Indra, a technology and consulting company, of which almost 30% of the capital is owned by SEPI, is focused on the aerospace, defense, mobility sector, as well as digital transformation and information technologies in Spain and Latin America through of its subsidiary Minsait.

In 2023, it earned a total of 4,343 million euros in its Transport and Defense and Minsait divisions, 12.8% more than in 2022. It plans to achieve a turnover of 6,000 million euros by 2026 with its new strategy.

Its challenge is that in 2030 the satellite sector will generate revenues of 1,000 million euros compared to the around 65 that it represents now.

All of this appears in a plan that consists of seven strategic lines , including strengthening Indra’s presence in new markets; establish alliances with other partners; increase investments in new technologies and search for talent.

Its CEO has held the position since May. The month after starting at Indra, in June, he announced at the company’s Shareholders’ Meeting that a new plan was going to be presented with a horizon until 2030.

This plan was prepared by about 200 people and approved unanimously by the company’s Board of Directors . All of this at a crucial time for the defense and technology sectors, for which an increase in investments is expected and which offers unique opportunities for the company.

With this plan “the mountain has been identified and now we must conquer it,” said the CEO and Indra, who stated that “it is the most ambitious plan that has ever been proposed in Spain in the defense industry.”

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"Enshrouded": There it is, the hit from Germany

Maybe digging is the secret to successful games. There’s something very satisfying about having dug the basement of your own house. Or an escape tunnel. Or a way around the annoying boss. In the survival role-playing game Enshrouded , all of this is possible because the game world is not rigid, but rather changeable.

Enshrouded has touched a nerve with many players, and not just because of the digging. A few weeks after its release at the end of January, the game was even in second place among the most played games on the Steam sales platform in Germany. The development studio Keen Games from Frankfurt has achieved a hit with more than two million copies sold. And that, you might have to say, even though the studio comes from Germany.

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ChatGPT developers: OpenAI boss Altman back on the board of directors

Almost four months after his brief expulsion from ChatGPT developer OpenAI, company boss Sam Altman was reappointed to the board of directors, which determines the strategy of the developer of software with artificial intelligence. This means Altman has his previous power back.

Altman was unexpectedly fired by members of the previous board of directors in November – but returned to the top management a few days later after protests from employees. A now-completed investigation has found that there were no compelling reasons to fire Altman.

Details of the dismissal remain unknown

A year ago, OpenAI became one of the most important start-ups in the world as the developer of the AI chatbot ChatGPT – and Altman became the face of the new AI movement.

However, board members removed Altman in mid-November, saying they had lost trust because he had not been honest in his communications with the board. The committee did not confirm speculation that under Altman’s leadership the AI software was developed and commercialized too quickly without regard to safety concerns. There were no details about this in the announcement at the conclusion of the investigation.

Feud between Sam Altman and Elon Musk

OpenAI was originally founded as a non-profit organization, but now raises billions in investor money. One of the largest investors is Microsoft. Altman’s dismissal also caused a stir because X company boss Elon Musk was involved in the founding of OpenAI. Musk is now suing OpenAI, accusing Altman of breach of contract because of this profit orientation.

Three additional new members of the Board of Directors were also announced on Friday. They include the former head of Bill and Melinda Gates’ charitable foundation, Sue Desmond-Hellmann, and the boss of the delivery app Instacart, Fidji Simo, who was responsible for the Facebook app in her previous job. Former Sony general counsel Nicole Seligman will also become a member of the board of directors. Since the Altman controversy, the committee has been led by software entrepreneur Bret Taylor, who was once chairman of the Twitter board of directors when it was taken over by Elon Musk.

Almost four months after his brief expulsion from ChatGPT developer OpenAI, company boss Sam Altman was reappointed to the board of directors, which determines the strategy of the developer of software with artificial intelligence. This means Altman has his previous power back.

Altman was unexpectedly fired by members of the previous board of directors in November – but returned to the top management a few days later after protests from employees. A now-completed investigation has found that there were no compelling reasons to fire Altman.

SOURCE

Here’s the HP PrintOS Key Features and Benefits

Overview of HP PrintOS

HP PrintOS is a cloud-based print production operating system developed by HP Inc. It is designed to streamline and enhance various aspects of print production, enabling print service providers (PSPs) to increase efficiency, optimize workflows, and deliver high-quality print products to their customers.

With HP PrintOS, PSPs can access a wide range of tools, applications, and services that are integrated into a single platform. This allows them to manage their entire print production process from one central location, making it easier to collaborate with team members, track job progress, and maintain control over their print operations.

Key Features and Benefits

HP PrintOS offers a range of features and benefits that can greatly improve the print production process. Some of the key features include:

1. **Job Submission and Management**: Print service providers can easily submit jobs to the system and track their progress in real-time. This helps to streamline the workflow and ensure that jobs are completed on time.

2. **Print Production Apps**: HP PrintOS provides access to a variety of production apps that can be used to enhance and automate specific print processes. These apps cover areas such as color management, file preparation, proofing, and imposition.

3. **Print Beat**: Print Beat is a powerful analytics tool integrated into HP PrintOS. It provides valuable insights into the production performance, helping PSPs to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.

4. **Collaboration and Communication**: HP PrintOS allows for easy collaboration and communication between team members, customers, and suppliers. Users can share files, exchange comments, and track revisions, improving overall efficiency and reducing errors.

5. **Automation and Integration**: The platform supports automation and integration with other systems and devices, enabling seamless data exchange and reducing manual intervention. This helps to minimize errors, improve productivity, and reduce costs.

6. **Security and Reliability**: HP PrintOS is built with robust security measures to protect sensitive data and ensure the reliability of the system. It provides secure access controls, encrypted communication, and data backup features.

Getting Started with HP PrintOS

To get started with HP PrintOS, print service providers need to sign up for an account on the official HP PrintOS website. Once registered, they can access the platform and explore its various features and applications.

HP PrintOS is compatible with a wide range of HP printing presses, including Indigo, PageWide Web Press, and Scitex. However, it is always recommended to check the compatibility of specific models before integrating them with the system.

Conclusion

HP PrintOS is a comprehensive cloud-based print production operating system that offers a range of features and benefits for print service providers. It simplifies and enhances print workflows, improves collaboration, and provides valuable insights through analytics. By leveraging the power of HP PrintOS, print service providers can streamline their operations, boost productivity, and deliver high-quality print products to their customers.

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Will 'Big Tech' accept European standards?

The deadline for technology companies to comply with the new EU regulations has just passed.

Christian Kroll is frustrated. The founder of Ecosia, a Berlin search engine company, says he has been stressed in recent months about whether Google will comply with new EU rules aimed at opening up competition.

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Social media: TikTok calls on US users to protest to MPs

TikTok warns its users in the USA of a possible ban on the video app and calls for protests. “Congress is planning a total ban on TikTok,” said a notification sent by the service on Thursday. There was a button on the display to call the representatives from the user’s respective electoral district. The Information portal reported that a parliamentarian’s office was so flooded with calls that staff had no choice but to switch off the phones.

With the warning, TikTok referred to a law that is currently being drafted in the US House of Representatives. The app has been criticized there because of its owner ByteDance’s China connections. The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a bill that gives ByteDance six months to divest from the video app. Otherwise, TikTok risks being banned from the app stores in the USA , where the service claims to have 170 million users.

TikTok rejects criticism

TikTok is the only successful online platform in the West that does not come from the USA. There are concerns, especially in the USA, but also in Europe, that the app could be misused by Chinese authorities to collect information about users. Governments of several countries and the EU Commission banned the use of TikTok on work cell phones.

TikTok always rejects concerns and emphasizes that it does not see itself as a subsidiary of a Chinese company. ByteDance is 60 percent owned by Western investors. The company headquarters are on the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. Critics counter that the Chinese founders, with a share of 20 percent, maintained control thanks to higher voting rights and that ByteDance has a large headquarters in Beijing. US lawmakers often directly link TikTok to the Chinese Communist Party.

During his term as US President, Donald Trump tried to force a sale of TikTok’s US business to American investors with threats of a ban. But the plan failed because US courts suspected the plans for a TikTok ban to violate the freedom of speech enshrined in the US Constitution. This also affects a law in the state of Montana that was supposed to ban TikTok from the app stores there.

TikTok warns its users in the USA of a possible ban on the video app and calls for protests. “Congress is planning a total ban on TikTok,” said a notification sent by the service on Thursday. There was a button on the display to call the representatives from the user’s respective electoral district. The Information portal reported that a parliamentarian’s office was so flooded with calls that staff had no choice but to switch off the phones.

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Telefónica launches an exclusion takeover bid for its German subsidiary at 2.35 euros

The German subsidiary of Telefónica will say goodbye to the Stock Market after a journey of almost 12 years. The Spanish telecom company has presented a public delisting offer for 5.65% of the capital of Telefónica Deutschland, at a price of 2.35 euros per share. Its objective is to acquire the shares that it does not yet control in its subsidiary.

Telefónica launches this exclusion takeover bid for its German subsidiary at a rate of 2.35 euros per share , which means paying a maximum of 395 million euros for the 5.65% that it does not yet control, that is, for 168 million shares.

The presiding operator

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