In the news

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Restoring Trust in Calling Information Is Key for Maximizing Call and Text-Answer Rates

Americans were inundated with more than 58 billion illegal robocalls in 2019, plus 4.5 billion spam text messages. Consumers are so fed up that when they see a call from an unfamiliar or unidentified number, they let it drop into voicemail 76 percent of the time. In this Connections Magazine article, iconectiv’s Mike O’Brien explores the telecom ecosystem battle against illegal robocallers and SMS fraudsters, and why it’s essential to restore consumer confidence in legitimate calls.
Nov 2, 2020
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Convenient & Spam-Free: Why 800-Number Texting (8MS) is a Growing B2C Channel in North America

Texting is catching on as the preferred way to contact businesses. Texting is widely available, 93% of people consider text a trusted communication, and 85% of people prefer sending a message to a business to get information about products and services. In this article, Black Swan Telecom Journal interviews iconectiv’s Michael Gilbert on the company’s text-enabling B2C communications program and why text is increasingly preferred over voice.
Oct 19, 2020
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Coronavirus stress: Mental health issues are rising among workers, but help is available

Technology is offering news ways for individuals who feel isolated in the virtual world to find solace. With Text for Humanity, what started as an idea to combat societal issues was transformed into a messaging switchboard for well-wishers. Texting has become a personal way to get in contact with other people. Using SMS short codes—a five to six-digit phone number that is used mainly for mass communication—over 100,000 messages have been sent in over 90 countries.
Oct 15, 2020
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Wangiri Warriors: A Webinar on Solutions & Strategies for Fighting Call Back Fraud

In this Black Swan Telecom Journal webinar, iconectiv’s Principal Solutions Engineer Director John Haraburda joins a group of fraud control experts to provide a virtual advanced course on tactics and some of the latest thinking and solutions for taming Wangiri fraud. The webinar explores a new variation of Wangiri, where the fraudster’s invitation to call is done through the web.
Oct 1, 2020
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Learn Why Trust is Critical for the Success of Rich Business Messaging at PACE ACX Virtual 2020

Fortune 500 companies and some of the world’s biggest brands are currently exploring Rich Communication Services (RCS) to provide consumers with a deeper, more interactive experience than that offered by traditional SMS texting. At PACE ACX Virtual 2020, iconectiv CTO Chris Drake will describe how brand and logo verification and authentication can and must be part of the foundation for RCS, enabling legitimate businesses to protect their customer experience, reputation and bottom line.
Sep 28, 2020
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Increasing trust and simplifying verification for voice, text, and data

Today, billions of people are connected across voice, text and data communication channels every single day. Increasing robocalls and sophisticated financial scams amidst legitimate communications make it more difficult for businesses to efficiently reach and serve their consumers. Meanwhile, consumer trust is at risk—even for well-established brands. Read more from Vanilla Plus on how iconectiv is ensuring that consumers and businesses communicate with confidence and at industry scale.
Sep 17, 2020
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Trusted Toll-Free with Text Improves Customer Service

Today, there are 42 million toll-free numbers in use. Even during high-call volume periods, customers trust them for engaging with companies. In this Smart Customer Service article, our Senior Account Director Mike Gilbert explores how toll-free numbers can expand the way customer service teams engage with consumers and how business texting can help strengthen customer relationships and improve customer satisfaction.
Aug 20, 2020

Press Releases

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

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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
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UK Broadband Service Providers: Are You Ready for a New Switching Process?

iconectiv’s David Wilson will discuss how UK broadband service providers can prepare for the upcoming "One Touch Switch" deadline at the UKWISPA Members Meeting, addressing challenges and offering insights. His session will cover certification of Managed Access Providers, readiness factors, adherence to standards and best practices.
Mar 20, 2024
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iconectiv Recognized for Its Commitment to Simplifying Network Planning and Operational Efficiencies Across Telecom Ecosystem, and Its Support for Streamlining 5G Network Deployments

iconectiv's TruOps Common Language platform received six Merit Awards for Telecom and Wireless, recognizing its role in seamless interconnection among service providers and highlighting iconectiv's commitment to operational efficiency in the evolving 5G services landscape.
Feb 23, 2024
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With Digital Identity and Fraud Set to Take Center Stage at Mobile World Congress 2024, The Mobile Phone Number is Having its Moment

Acting as a versatile conduit for communication, phone numbers offer convenience for consumers and reliable data for businesses. iconectiv's digital identity portfolio at MWC Barcelona 2024 aims to provide dynamic intelligence for customer categorization, reduced friction and improved security.
Feb 15, 2024
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iconectiv Enhances Operational Efficiency, Simplifies Network Planning for Communications Service Providers and Telecom Infrastructure Owners and Operators

iconectiv enhances its TruOps Common Language platform by introducing a mobile app and network view feature aimed to support Communications Service Providers (CSPs) optimize operations, implementing new technologies like 5G and ensuring efficient network infrastructure management.
Feb 8, 2024
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Video: Navigating the Opportunities of Communications Infrastructure in the 5G Era

Abe Nejad, Network Media Group Publisher, hosts a webinar on the 5G ecosystem, including the dynamic shifts, the impact on traditional infrastructure and neutral host networking. iconectiv’s Director, Jon Herttua, joins other industry experts to discuss their perspectives.
Dec 19, 2023
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iconectiv Toll-Free Numbering Experts Appointed as North American Numbering Council (NANC) Representatives

iconectiv's Mike Gilbert and John Malyar have been selected by the FCC to serve on the North American Numbering Council (NANC), focusing on toll-free numbering matters, until September 2025.
Oct 10, 2023

Speaking Engagements

Michael Iwanoff

Michael Iwanoff

Chief Information Security Officer

Michael Iwanoff, Chief Information Security Officer at iconectiv, leads the Global Information Security organization and is responsible for building and implementing enhanced security policies, standards and technology controls and establishing security strategy and direction for the company.

With more than 15 years of experience in IT Risk and Security, Iwanoff has successfully built and implemented comprehensive IT Security, Risk and Compliance programs for global organizations. His professional experience spans telecom and financial services at leading organizations including AIG, Barclays, Comcast and AT&T. Prior to his current position, he served as the Vice President -- Chief Security Officer for the Property Casualty division of AIG, a global financial business. Iwanoff is a member of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Supply Chain Risk Management Task Force.

Iwanoff holds a Bachelor of Science degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology in Computer Science and is currently pursuing his Master of Science degree in Information Systems Assurance. He has also earned numerous security certifications, including CISSP, CISM, CISA and CRISC.

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Safeguarding the Enterprise Against Escalating Global Cyber Threats

iconectiv Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, Michael Iwanoff, will participate in this panel discussion to give insight on cybersecurity emerging threats, cyber resilience, and what iconectiv does to stay cyber-secure. The other panelists include John McDonough, Cloud Architect/Cloud DevOps Engineer at Fortinet, Arvin Bansal, Senior Director, Cloud Security & Data Protection at AmerisourceBergen, and moderator Rocco Grillo, Managing Director – Global Cyber Risk Services & Incident Response Investigation at Alvarez & Marsal.
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Fighting the Rise of Financial Crime

iconectiv’s George Cray, Senior Vice President of Information Solutions, Products and Services, will be joining this panel discussion, where he and industry experts will explore how increased collaboration between key stakeholders across the eco-system has enabled the development of innovative solutions to increase security and enhance user experience and digital power transformation.
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MEF Webinar- STIR SHAKEN in North America: Lessons learnt, RoboCalls stopped?

Globally telecom users have been suffering RoboCalls, or nuisance calls. The USA and Canada have introduced call tracing capability that should help stop unwanted and fraudulent calls to reach the final consumers – what was then called STIR SHAKEN. Different levels of protection have been rolled out, but the problem seems to persist. MEF is holding a webinar to examine the lessons that have been learned from STIR SHAKEN and what the future holds for RoboCalls. Join speakers Matthew Gamble,…
Chris Drake

Chris Drake

Chief Technology Officer

Chris Drake, SVP 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, and board member for the SIP Forum. 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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Identity in Messaging Solutions are Emerging – how will the industry change?

Sender identity is the root of much of the concerns on fraud and customer experience but changing an established technical framework has proven difficult. Regulatory pressure and solutions are now driving new approaches to limit such as smishing and Spam/unsolicited communications.
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GSMA VoIP Forum – Mitigating Call Fraud in the Network

iconectiv’s George Cray, SVP of Information Solutions, Products & Services, will be joining industry leaders and GSMA to dive deeper into combating VoIP fraud with STIR/SHAKEN.
Johnathan Shulman

Jonathan Shulman

Vice President, Business Development, iconectiv

Jonathan Shulman, Vice President, Business Development at iconectiv, is responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities and future revenue streams across iconectiv’s secure, interconnection solutions with global mobile network operators, telecom regulators, technology and industry partners. He also leads engagement with product and engineering teams to represent the voice of the customer and translate insights into test cases and proof of concept before market launch.

Shulman has more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience at world-class telecommunications, digital, advertising, mobile and technology companies where he has built and led high-performing global sales, marketing and channel teams. Prior to joining iconectiv, he served in high-level positions at Facebook, Lucent Technologies, Nokia and LG Electronics Mobile.

Shulman graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in psychology. He also holds a master’s degree in law and diplomacy from Tufts University, as well as an MBA from the Amos Tuck School, Dartmouth College.

Harold Salters Headshot

Harold Salters

Technology Consultant, CTIA

Harold works as a technology consultant for CTIA – Everything Wireless. He has been a regular participant on the Joint ATIS/SIP Forum IP-NNI Task Force, as well as the ATIS Non-IP Call Authentication Task Force, since November 2016 and June 2020, respectively. As CTIA’s representative on the SIP Forum Board of Directors, he’s well-versed on STIR/SHAKEN and the commercial and ecosystem drivers for enterprise engagement that are addressed by Registered Caller.

Prior to his work with CTIA, he was T-Mobile’s Director of Federal Regulatory Affairs for 14 years working on a broad range of wireless technical public policy issues, including cybersecurity, homeland security, network reliability/survivability and disabilities access. In those roles, he represented T-Mobile at DHS’s National Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Center, the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability & Interoperability Council, and ATIS’s Network Reliability Steering Committee and Interim Non-Voice Emergency Services Incubator. Prior to that, he was Sr. Director for Government Relations at PCIA, predecessor to the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), and worked at two DC law firms and the FCC on private land mobile and microwave issues. At the FCC, he was a charter member of the Future Public Safety Telecommunications Requirements Task Force.

He’s a graduate of Queens College (CUNY) and has an MBA from Cornell University.

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How Verification is Helping Maintain the Integrity of Voice Calls

Studies show that in the U.S., 76 percent of calls from an unidentified or unfamiliar number are left unanswered. While the deployment of the STIR/SHAKEN framework is helping mitigate spoofing and robocalling, some legitimate business calls may consequently be mislabeled as spam, even if they are not.
Jon Herttua is the Senior Director, Information Solutions Business for iconectiv

Jonathan Herttua

Senior Director, Information Solutions, iconectiv

Jon Herttua is the Senior Director, Information Solutions Business for iconectiv. He is responsible for sales of fraud mitigation and prevention solutions for communication service providers and Fintech.

Herttua is an experienced executive in the technology industry with more than 30 years of experience. He previously served as the Vice President for AetherPal Inc. where he acted as an evangelizing change agent to deliver new secure software solutions for management of mobile devices to Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile, EE, Vodafone and enterprise customers.

Herttua holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Carolyn Knight is a Senior Account Manager for the United States Local Number Portability (LNPA) team at iconectiv

Carolyn Knight

Senior Account Manager, United States Local Number Portability (LNPA), iconectiv

Carolyn Knight is a Senior Account Manager for the United States Local Number Portability (LNPA) team at iconectiv. As the LNPA, iconectiv manages the nation’s Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC). Knight is responsible for managing customer relations and communications for the LNPA’s only authorized solution for fraud mitigation and risk assessment in using phone number porting data.

Knight is an experienced executive in the technology industry with more than 30 years of experience. She began her telecommunications career at Bellcore. Prior to iconectiv, she held positions at Verizon Wireless and Telcordia Technologies managing software development and quality assurance teams.

Knight holds Masters of Science degrees in Computer Science and in Computer Systems, Networking and Telecommunications from Stevens Institute of Technology.

speaking engagement

Protecting the Mobile Wallet: Why Number Portability is Critical to Safeguarding Mobile Banking

The Global Mobile Money Market is booming. Originally valued at USD $3.4 billion in 2019, it is expected to grow to USD $25.76 billion by 2027, as more consumers than ever before are turning to their mobile devices to conduct banking transactions via SMS and RCS. And while the opportunity for the burgeoning mobile money market is great, it does not come without challenge.   One of the biggest is around the mobile wallet itself. Since users’ mobile wallets are associated with their…