Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and Cybersecurity Malaysia (CSM) have signed a collaboration agreement to establish a National 5G Cybersecurity Testing Centre and develop new security guidelines to strengthen Malaysia’s 5G network against cyber threats.
The National 5G Cybersecurity Testing Centre will serve as a platform for industry players to identify vulnerabilities, ensure compliance with standards, and validate security features of 5G networks. The upcoming 5G security guidelines will be used as fundamental requirements for the telecommunications industry and serve as guiding principles for future 5G security baselines.
The partnership will also involve exchanging threat intelligence information between DNB and CSM to enhance the nation’s cyber threat combat capabilities. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo emphasised that 5G is a critical national infrastructure sector that impacts national defence, economic stability, governmental functions, and social routines and that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that requires pooling resources, intelligence, and expertise.
DNB’s Chief Operating Officer Nasution Mohamed stated that collaborating with CSM is crucial in establishing a strong and robust cybersecurity ecosystem as the industrial, commercial, and public sectors accelerate their digitalisation efforts through 5G. CSM’s Chief Executive Officer Dato Ts Dr Haji Amirudin Abdul Wabah highlighted that the National 5G Cybersecurity Testing Centre will enhance the ability to secure 5G networks and protect the digital future of 5G networks for Malaysian users.
Why does it matter?
The collaboration between DNB and CSM marks a significant advancement in Malaysia’s efforts to secure its 5G infrastructure against cyber threats. As the National 5G Cybersecurity Testing Centre takes shape and new guidelines are developed, stakeholders can look forward to a more secure digital landscape that supports innovation and growth in the telecommunications sector.
Samsung is reportedly exploring new phone designs tailored for generative AI applications. Roh Tae-moon, president of Samsung’s Mobile Experience unit, stated that upcoming ‘AI phones’ will look ‘radically different’ from current models. These new devices are expected to be more mobile, incorporating additional sensors and larger screens.
Roh revealed that a significant portion of Samsung’s mobile phone research and development is now focused on these AI-driven phones. Although specific designs were not disclosed, the goal is to move beyond the traditional slim rectangular form that has dominated the market since the iPhone’s debut.
The shift towards AI integration in phones follows Samsung’s introduction of the ‘Galaxy AI’ system, enhancing existing features and adding new tools for users. This move is part of a broader industry trend, with major players like Apple and Google also incorporating AI into their devices.
Competitors have tried to launch AI-specific devices with unique designs, but these have not gained mainstream success. Products like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI were criticised for poor performance and battery life, highlighting the challenges in creating functional AI-driven smartphones.
Tesla’s attempt to secure a 5G patent licence in the UK has been dismissed by the High Court. The automaker sought the licence before its planned launch of 5G vehicles in Britain.
The lawsuit, filed against US technology firm InterDigital and the patent licensing platform Avanci, was thrown out on Monday. Tesla wanted the court to determine fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms for using patents owned by InterDigital and licensed by Avanci.
Judge Timothy Fancourt ruled that Tesla’s bid for a license must be dismissed. However, Tesla’s separate claim to revoke three InterDigital’s patents will continue.
Samsung unveiled its latest range of foldable devices, earbuds, and wearables at the Louvre in Paris, followed by a panel discussion with executives from Samsung, Google, Qualcomm, and more. The panel explored various AI-related topics, including Samsung’s two-way Interpreter translations and the company’s collaboration with Google on Circle To Search.
Dr Chris Brauer from Goldsmiths University of London presented findings from Samsung’s Mobile AI Report, highlighting a potential AI divide. He pointed out that while many people are embracing AI for its quality-of-life benefits, a minority remain reluctant, correlating with lower self-reported life satisfaction. This emerging divide could impact individuals’ ability to achieve their goals and navigate life successfully.
The report surveyed 5000 adults across France, Germany, South Korea, the UK, and the US, focusing on creativity, productivity, social relationships, and physical health. The digital divide remains a significant issue, with 30% of the world still under- or unconnected, limiting access to the latest technology. Qualcomm’s Don McGuire emphasised the importance of addressing this divide to ensure broader accessibility to AI tools for healthcare, education, and socioeconomic advancement.
Why does this matter?
AI has been a part of our digital lives for years, but recent advancements have brought it to the forefront, thanks to tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E. As the world moves towards an AI-driven future, addressing the digital divide is crucial to ensure that everyone benefits from these technological advancements.
The India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released the Draft Right of Way (RoW) Rules under the Telecommunications Act 2023, marking a significant milestone in the regulation of telecommunications networks across both public and private properties. The primary objective of these rules is to streamline procedures for establishing and maintaining telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring efficient deployment while addressing crucial concerns related to public safety, property rights, and operational standards. These draft rules are currently open for public consultation, reflecting the government’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity in policy-making.
The Draft RoW Rules in India are comprehensive, comprising seven chapters outlining detailed guidelines for overground and underground telecommunications networks. These guidelines cover many aspects, from application processes to maintenance protocols. The rules define their applicability to public and private properties, specifying the procedures required for network establishment. Emphasising adherence to safety standards and regulatory approvals, the rules aim to ensure telecommunications infrastructure’s structural integrity and safety throughout its lifecycle.
The draft mandates that facility providers submit detailed applications through a designated online portal for public properties. These applications must include technical designs, safety certifications, and mitigation plans to address potential public inconvenience. Underground infrastructure regulations are tailored to minimise environmental impact and operational disruptions during installation and maintenance.
The draft also specifies post-RoW obligations for facility providers, which include compliance with permission conditions, ongoing public safety measures, and real-time information sharing on network status. In the case of private properties, the rules mandate mutual consent agreements for network deployment, detailing terms for entry, compensation for property use, and responsibilities for damage restoration.
Germany has finalised a significant agreement with telecom providers to exclude Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network by 2029, announced Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. The decision, hailed as crucial for digital security in Europe’s largest economy, follows intensive negotiations with Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefonica Deutschland. The aim is to safeguard Germany’s critical infrastructure from potential security risks associated with Chinese technology.
Faeser emphasised that Berlin informed Beijing about the agreement and did not anticipate retaliatory actions despite China’s embassy warning Germany of the consequences. The embassy criticised the move as an attempt to stifle competition, asserting that no conclusive evidence has been provided by any country regarding Huawei’s security risks.
The phased-out approach, initially removing Chinese technology from 5G core networks by 2026 and extending to components like antennas by 2029, marks Germany’s delayed adherence to the EU security measures. While telecom operators have resisted the costly transition, Huawei has condemned the politicisation of cybersecurity in Germany. The minister did not disclose further details of the agreement.
According to Cloudflare analysts, European football fans watching the UEFA European Championship are causing noticeable changes in internet traffic within their countries. The most significant impact on internet usage was observed during the semi-finals, as fans tuned in to watch key matches. Cloudflare’s analysis, which began on 14 June and will continue until the final on 14 July between Spain and England, highlights how major sporting events broadcast on national TV can influence internet traffic patterns across Europe.
Cloudflare noted that traffic drops were particularly pronounced during critical moments of the matches, such as last-minute goals and penalty shootouts, with Spain and England experiencing significant reductions during the knockout stages. For instance, internet traffic in Spain decreased by 19% at the end of games, while England saw an 11% drop. Other countries, including the Netherlands and France, experienced the largest drops in the first half of the finals, with overall average declines of around 6% across participating nations.
Interestingly, while most nations saw reduced internet usage, some, like Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and Albania, experienced increases, likely due to unstable broadcast signals pushing fans online to watch the games. Despite the popularity of online services for live scores, sports news, and betting, national team football still needs to catch up on regular internet activities. Cloudflare, headquartered in San Francisco, emphasises that understanding these trends can help protect against cyber threats and maintain website availability globally.
Sri Lanka’s parliament amended an old law to permit Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite branch of SpaceX, to commence operations in the country. The original law did not permit satellite internet service providers to operate in the country, and according to a parliamentary statement, it is the first amendment made to the telecommunications law in 28 years.
Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, explained how the new telecommunications bill will create a license category allowing Starlink to apply as a service provider in Sri Lanka. The amendments will effectively introduce three new types of licences, one of which will enable Starlink to enter Sri Lanka’s telecoms market as a licensed service provider, pending approval from the telecoms regulator. Herath stated that Starlink had proposed setting up operations in Sri Lanka way back in March, and the country granted preliminary approval in June after expediting the process.
The minister also emphasised, ‘This opportunity is not just for Starlink but any other company that wants to invest in Sri Lanka’. Explaining their rationale, Herath explained that ‘We plan to grow the IT sector to a $15 billion industry by 2030. So we must attract international companies to provide internet, especially to rural areas.’
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai visited Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen to explore surveillance technology aimed at enhancing policing and reducing criminal activity, his office announced on Tuesday. The visit is part of Salwai’s trip to China before attending a Pacific Island leaders meeting in Japan next week.
China is Vanuatu’s largest external creditor and a major provider of infrastructure. Australia, Vanuatu’s biggest aid donor and policing partner, has expressed concerns about China’s expanding security influence in the Pacific Islands, especially after a policing equipment deal with Vanuatu and a security pact with the Solomon Islands.
Huawei has supplied digital systems to cities like Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, to help lower crime rates. However, Vanuatu’s police currently use something other than Huawei’s surveillance system despite the need for a data centre to support such technology. Australia has banned Huawei from its 5G network on national security grounds and has funded subsea telecommunications cables in the Pacific Islands to counter Huawei’s influence, a move Beijing has criticised as discriminatory.
Realme has unveiled plans to integrate Sony’s cutting-edge LYT-701 camera sensor into its upcoming 5G smartphone, marking a significant leap into AI-enhanced imaging technology. The announcement, made at a pre-launch event in Bangkok, underscores Realme’s strategic partnership with Sony to elevate mobile photography capabilities.
Francis Wong, Head of Product Marketing at Realme, highlighted the shift from traditional hardware-centric advancements to AI-driven innovations in mobile photography. He emphasised that while past improvements focused on megapixels and sensor sizes, future progress hinges on AI to redefine the mobile imaging experience.
The Realme 13 Pro Series 5G will feature the HYPERIMAGE+ technology, integrating multiple lenses and a 50MP periscope telephoto camera powered by Sony’s LYT-600 sensor. This setup promises to deliver superior image quality and unprecedented flexibility for users capturing diverse scenes.
The collaboration aims not only to advance technological capabilities but also to democratise advanced imaging tools, enabling users worldwide to capture and share their experiences in unprecedented detail. Realme plans to announce the official launch dates for the device in India and other markets soon.
Why does it matter?
The IATSE’s tentative agreement represents a significant step forward in securing fair wages and job protections for Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes workers, ensuring that the rapid advancements in technology do not come at the expense of human employment.
