In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, effective communication is the backbone of any successful business. Whether you're a small startup, a growing enterprise, or an established corporation, the ability to connect and collaborate is essential for achieving your goals. However, navigating the complex world of telecommunications can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of providers, plans, and technologies. This is where Simplified Communications comes to your rescue as a trusted telecom broker.
Introducing Simplified Communications: Connecting You to Success
Simplified Communications is not just another telecom broker – it's your strategic partner in simplifying the intricacies of telecommunication services. With a mission to streamline your connectivity needs, this dynamic brokerage firm stands out for its commitment to delivering tailored solutions that align with your unique business requirements.
Unlocking Access to Leading Providers
What sets Simplified Communications apart is its extensive network of partnerships with leading telecom providers. Instead of spending countless hours researching and comparing different options, Simplified Communications leverages its relationships to secure the best deals for your business. Whether you need high-speed internet, robust phone systems, secure data connections, or cutting-edge cloud solutions, they have you covered.
The Benefits of Choosing Simplified Communications

1. Expert Guidance: Navigating the world of telecom can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with technical jargon and intricate plans. Simplified Communications' team of experts acts as your personal guide, breaking down complex concepts and presenting you with options that make sense for your business.
   
2. Cost Savings: Telecom expenses can quickly add up if not managed efficiently. Simplified Communications not only helps you find cost-effective solutions but also negotiates on your behalf to ensure you get the best possible rates. This translates into significant cost savings over time.
   
3. Tailored Solutions: Your business is unique, and so are your communication needs. Simplified Communications takes the time to understand your objectives, challenges, and growth plans, enabling them to recommend solutions that align perfectly with your goals.
   
4. Time Efficiency: Rather than spending hours researching, comparing, and negotiating with different providers, you can rely on Simplified Communications to do the legwork for you. This frees up your time, allowing you to focus on what you do best – running your business.
   
5. Holistic Approach: Simplified Communications takes a holistic approach to your communication needs. They consider factors such as scalability, flexibility, and future technological trends to ensure that the solutions they recommend will serve your business well into the future.
   

How Simplified Communications Works

1. Consultation: Your journey with Simplified Communications begins with a comprehensive consultation. This is where they dive deep into your business's communication requirements, challenges, and goals.
   
2. Provider Matching: Leveraging their extensive network, Simplified Communications identifies the telecom providers that best align with your needs.
   
3. Customized Solutions: Based on your consultation and provider analysis, they present you with customized solutions that optimize your communication infrastructure.
   
4. Negotiation and Implementation: Once you've selected a solution, Simplified Communications negotiates with the provider on your behalf to secure the best rates. They also oversee the implementation process, ensuring a seamless transition.
   
5. Ongoing Support: Your partnership with Simplified Communications doesn't end once your new communication system is in place. They provide ongoing support, helping you adapt to changes, scale your services, and address any future needs.
   

Conclusion
In the ever-evolving world of business communication, having a reliable partner like Simplified Communications can make all the difference. By simplifying the complex process of selecting and implementing telecom solutions, they empower businesses of all sizes to stay connected, efficient, and ahead of the curve. So, whether you're looking to enhance your connectivity, optimize your communication costs, or future-proof your operations, consider Simplified Communications – your pathway to seamless success in the digital age.

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Ever-nostalgic Gen Z-ers are resurrecting a bygone ghost of technology's past: flip phones, or "dumb phones" of a bygone era that long predates the smartphone age.

"I think you can see it with certain Gen Z populations — they're tired of the screens," Jose Briones, a dumb phone influencer who moderates the r/dumbphones subreddit, told CNBC. "They don't know what is going on with mental health and they're trying to make cutbacks."

​Honestly? We get it. Kids today have grown up surrounded by more technology than older generations could only imagine, and while phones and social media have become integral to everyday life in a society-shifting way, a lot of recent research has suggested that constant exposure to screens and social media might actually be really, really bad for people — especially for young folks.

How Big Tech companies treat user data has been controversial for some time. Meta, Apple, Google and Microsoft are often accused of collecting and selling the personal data of their users. Though, where exactly this data goes, and how much of it is given over to companies and governments, is unclear.

However, a new study from Surfshark reveals requests for personal user data from global governments are on the rise. The study focused on the period from 2013 to 2021, with 2020 seeing the largest year-over-year increase of 38%, followed by a 25% increase in 2021.
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Meta, Microsoft, Apple and Google were the four Big Tech firms included during the survey, with Meta having the most accounts of interest from authorities. Two out of five accounts hosted by Meta were requested (6.6 million) during the study period.

The Defy Satellite link gives any Android or iPhone an instant upgrade with the ability to send and receive text messages via satellite, solving the problem of mobile dead zones for emergencies and wilderness adventures.

Announced ahead of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and produced by the British phone manufacturer Bullitt under the Motorola brand, the Satellite link connects to a normal smartphone via Bluetooth and uses an app to send not only SOS messages but general two-way chat via texts.

The lightweight, credit card-sized puck will ship from about April, costing £99 on its own or £149 when bundled with 30 messages a month and an SOS assistance service from FocusPoint for the first year. It connects to geostationary satellites via a new MediaTek chip to send SMS to regular phones with replies sent using the cross-platform Bullitt Satellite Messenger app. A button on the side can also send an SOS alert with location without needing to connect to a smartphone.

​Alongside the puck, Bullitt also announced the Cat S75 rugged smartphone, which has the same satellite communications system built into it, costing £549. The Android is the continuation of Bullitt’s long-running rugged phone business aimed at first responders, rural workers and off-grid hobbyists.

Appliance makers like Whirlpool and LG just can't understand. They added Wi-Fi antennae to their latest dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators and built apps for them—and yet only 50 percent or fewer of their owners have connected them. What gives?

The issue, according to manufacturers, is that customers just don't know all the things a manufacturer can do if users connect the device that spins their clothes or keeps their food cold—things like "providing manufacturers with data and insights about how customers are using their products" and allowing companies to "send over-the-air updates" and "sell relevant replacement parts or subscription services."

“The challenge is that a consumer doesn’t see the true value that manufacturers see in terms of how that data can help them in the long run. So they don’t really care for spending time to just connect it,” Henry Kim, US director of LG's smart device division ThinQ, told the Journal.

Whirlpool told the Journal that customers "have the opportunity to opt in or opt out" of sharing data with the company. LG doesn't offer that option, but Kim told the Journal that "all data is anonymized."

While the manufacturers blame technical constraints, some customers may simply not want to provide companies with vague privacy policies or bad histories with security access to their networks.

Continue reading.
Article by KEVIN PURDY

In 2021, mobile carriers imposed new restrictions on business SMS traffic sent from text-enabled phone numbers, known as “10DLC,” in line with industry requirements set out in the CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices.

The mobile carriers have extended these restrictions to all business SMS, including conversational texting. All customers using SMS must now self-register with The Campaign Registry (TCR) or their SMS traffic will be blocked by the mobile carriers.

To simplify this process, RingCentral will be adding the ability to self-register inside of the admin portal. We expect this feature to be available February 10, 2023 at which time we highly recommend you register. Please note carriers and TCR impose registration and other fees. Read more about these fees here.

After March 31, 2023, SMS will be automatically disabled for all existing numbers that have not been registered. If you have already registered via the manual PDF form process, your registration will automatically be added to the admin portal for you to manage moving forward. You can learn more about these changes here.

RingCentral is making every effort to support our customers using SMS, as we react to constantly changing requirements from the mobile carriers over which we have no control. If you have any questions, please reach out to your representative and we are happy to help. We appreciate your understanding of this required registration process by the carriers. 

What is a brand ID?
A brand ID is a collection of information to identify the business sending an SMS. A brand identifies the company or entity the end-user believes to be sending a message. For example, if an HVAC company, Acme HVAC, sends SMS maintenance reminders to its end customers using RingCentral, the brand would be identified as Acme HVAC.

What is a campaign ID?
A campaign denotes your phone numbers and how you’ll use them for SMS. A company will typically have only one brand ID but may have several campaign IDs, depending on its SMS usage. For example, if the medical facility Acme Healthcare wants to send appointment reminders to its end customers via SMS, the campaign ID for that usage would be “appointment reminders.”

How much does registration cost?
Registration costs vary depending on business classification and SMS usage. Costs include one-time registration fees and monthly registration fees. RingCentral is currently covering standard registration costs for our customers until February 10, 2023, at which time any new registration fees will be the customers' responsibility. Customers who register prior to February 10th will continue to have their TCR costs covered by RingCentral until April 3, 2023, at which time the recurring monthly maintenance fees charged by TCR will be added to their bill (customers should expect a new charge typically between $1.50 and $10/mo). Please note that certain cases may require additional information and incur costs that RingCentral will not pay. We will notify you before charging any registration fees.

Can I opt out of registration?
If you want to opt out of registering with TCR, you may do so, but you will be unable to use SMS messaging on RingCentral’s network.

RingCentral can’t allow unregistered message traffic across our network. You can, however, port SMS capabilities to another provider, allowing you to utilize RingCentral for message, video, and phone while using a third-party provider for your SMS messages.

To opt out, contact RingCentral support and ask for SMS capabilities to be disabled on your account.

How does CTIA relate to the FCC?
The FCC adopts what CTIA sets as regulations as valid policies. CTIA publishes Best Practices and Principles for Messaging every quarter.

Is opt in/out/help required for non-marketing messages?
Yes, US carriers require these options for any kind of message. This includes two-way conversational messages, marketing, informational-only messages, customer care, etc.

Can I get business SMS messaging without an EIN/Tax ID?
No, at this time US carriers only allow business messaging from companies registered with the applicable federal agency (e.g. IRS in the United States). For businesses outside of the US and Canada, additional proof of registration may be required.

Do I need to list all my phone numbers on the TCR form?
No, the form only requires your main business and support numbers. RingCentral will move all of your existing numbers under your new TCR brand ID and SMS campaign. Please note that when adding additional numbers, you may need to submit a support request to have these numbers registered under your TCR campaign. This will be a temporary step as beginning early next year, you will be able to manage campaign assignments through the Admin Portal.

How do I get updates about my TCR registration?
RingCentral’s TCR registration service level agreement (SLA) allots 10 business days for completion. You can contact Support for an update.

What is vetting?
Along with registration, some companies will be required to undergo additional vetting to determine business trustworthiness. This will apply to specific industries or use cases, as well as companies that need to send more than 2,000 SMS/mo. Once vetted, a trust score is assigned to your company that impacts deliverability - the higher your trust score the greater the deliverability of your messages will be. RingCentral uses a third-party TCR-approved vendor to manage the vetting process. Please note there is a $40 charge for this vetting service that may be assessed to you by RingCentral. You can request vetting by opening a case.

Do I need to register every time I add a new number?
No, we only require one registration per business. However, new numbers may not automatically be assigned to your existing campaign. We recommend contacting support to ensure new numbers are properly assigned until our self-service solution in the Admin Portal is released in early 2023.

How can I expedite my TCR registration?
RingCentral handles hundreds of submissions every day. We do our best to complete TCR registration as quickly as possible, typically within ten business days. To help us, please ensure you correctly fill out the form as outlined above. Rejections due to an incorrect submission start the process all over again.