In the news

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The Genius is Within: Real Innovation Begins by Listening to the Right Voices

Throughout the nearly four decades Richard Jacowleff has spent in the telecom industry, he’s witnessed and been a part of extraordinary changes, from the breakup of AT&T in 1983 to the ubiquitous use of smartphones. Rising through the ranks from technician to director, executive director, vice president and now president and CEO of iconectiv, he’s always considered himself a builder rather than a manager. Whether putting together brilliant teams or technology solutions, it is a matter of wanting to improve things by doing better and inspiring others to do the same.
Apr 22, 2020
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Member Spotlight | April 2020

At iconectiv, we are dedicated to helping you navigate the ever-changing communication landscape. New technologies have revolutionized the way brands and consumers connect and engage with one another. This has given rise to unforeseen challenges, such as a rise in illegal robocalling and caller-ID spoofing. As a result, confidence in the communications industry and new technology is declining. Our TruReach platform features four unique products to simplify processes and help you maintain consumer confidence at a time when trust in communications is wavering.
Apr 2, 2020
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The PKI Guy examines how to end robocalls with Chris Drake of iconectiv

Currently over 75% of calls are left unanswered when it comes from an unidentified or unfamiliar number. This is due to the spike in illegal robocalls. In October 2019, Americans were inundated with more than 2,000 robocalls every second, which is enough to put the annual total over 49 billion. Given this, the situation has progressively gotten worse and people are not trusting that what they see on the caller ID is correct. The SHAKEN/STIR framework aims to verify calling number information between networks.
Mar 31, 2020
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Robocalling faces a new Robocop with US TRACED Act

Robocalling has been an intrusive annoyance to millions of people on a day-to-day basis to the extent that they no longer pick up their phones to calls from outside their contact lists. Fortunately in the US, which saw more than 48 billion robocalls in 2018, regulation has been enacted to stamp out the practice. New legislation, called The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act (TRACED) could see robocallers fined up to US$10,000 per call by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Mar 30, 2020
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Companies face fresh security risks from people working from home

Millions of people are working from home around the world as the coronavirus pandemic spreads and authorities plead for people to stay at home to slow the rate of contagion. Though people staying and working from home helps stop the spread of the virus, it increases the likelihood of companies getting hacked through weaknesses in employees’ home networks and misuse of VPN.
Mar 23, 2020
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Black Swan Solution Guide: Getting Porting History and Carrier Data to Verify Identity and Mitigate Account Takeovers

Not all risk intelligence sources are of equal value.  Some are so important that ignoring them might prove disastrous. One intelligence source of increasing importance is getting real-time notice of changes to telephone number ports and the carrier-of-record.  There are good reasons why this intelligence is so vital. Indeed, checking on the security and stability of the smartphone account is now considered critical by enterprises and identity aggregators in banking, e-commerce,…
Mar 6, 2020
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iconectiv Enables Consumers to Trust Calls, Text Messages and RCS Interactions

iconectiv developed the TruReach platform to give service providers a convenient, streamlined way to identify legitimate voice, SMS and RCS communications attuned to how those enter their network in a variety of ways. This verification is particularly valuable for businesses that have multiple service providers because they have operations around the U.S.
Feb 18, 2020

Press Releases

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

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With New Mandated OTS Switching Process on the Horizon, UK Communications Providers Have Viable Managed Access Provider Option

The United Kingdom’s One Touch Switch (OTS) deadline is 12 September 2024, requiring communications providers (CPs) to comply with specific OTS requirements. As a registered Managed Access Provider with TOTSCo, iconectiv UK Limited offers the necessary flexibility for providers to meet today's residential broadband market demands.
Jun 12, 2024
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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

Speaking Engagements

Matthew Lear

Matthew Lear

Senior Director of Product Management

Matthew Lear, Senior Director of Product Management at iconectiv, is responsible for overseeing the Trusted Communications portfolio, focused on bringing increased trust in B2C communications in voice, messaging and data. 

With more than 25 years of technology and business leadership in the telecommunications industry, Lear has created product strategies and delivered enterprise and consumer products and solutions to market. Prior to iconectiv, Lear served as Director of Product Management at ZOS Communications, where he developed product strategies and delivered cloud and mobile device solutions focused on location-based services and contextual geo-fencing.

Lear graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology with a Master of Science degree in computer science and received his Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Rutgers University.

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MEF Leadership Forum + MEET UP

Hosted by MEF and the Canadian Telecommunications Association, the MEF Leadership Forum is being held on July 18 in Toronto, Canada. Matt Lear, iconectiv’s Senior Director of Product Management, joins as a panelist, discussing "One Medium, Many Paths: Differentiating Shortcode, Toll Free + 10 DLC."
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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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 Apablaza

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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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.

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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.

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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.
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.

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Cloud Comms Summit US

The Cloud Comms Summit is the leading and largest vendor-agnostic event for service providers focused on the Cloud Communications industry. Established by Cavell, the summit offers key findings from the latest Cloud Comms Market and Enterprise Insight Research Reports to help you understand the market.
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Not All Numbers Are Created Equal: Finding the Right Messaging Solution for Your Business

The business messaging landscape is constantly changing as new entrants disrupt the ecosystem. Nearly 70% of consumer brand interactions shifted to messaging during the pandemic, and this trend is expected to continue as nearly 65% of the global population send and receive SMS messages.