Month: February 2023
Google really wants to help telcos get into hybrid cloud
Google Cloud has some exciting news for telcos at MWC 2023.
Google Cloud has announced three new products aimed at communication service providers (CSPs) to help them transform their networks with hybrid cloud technologies.
At MWC 2023, the tech giant revealed Telecom Network Automation, Telecom Data Fabric, and Telecom Subscriber Insights, which it says will provide telcos with an all-in-one cloud solution to build and run a hybrid cloud network.
The cloud storage provider also promises that the products will help them to “collect and manage network data; and improve customer experiences through artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics.”
Insights and growth
Google Cloud is also updating its Google Distributed Cloud Edge (GDC Edge) to allow CSPs to bring the cloud to more parts of their radio access networks (RANs) and 5G networks, and introducing the Network Function Optimizer for the Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), so that CSPs can run their network functions in any Google Cloud region.
With over 70% of CSPs expected to move to the cloud for network functions by the end of the year, Google believes that its new Telecom Network Automation will speed up network and edge deployments by using automation tools in the cloud.
It is a cloud version of the open-source Nephio project, which Google developed in partnership with The Linux Foundation last year. Google claims that the new Telecom Network Automation will help CSPs to “improve time-to-market, multi-vendor interoperability, reduce error-prone configurations, and lower operational costs.”
It is now available in private preview globally, although Bell Canada has had access to an early release and is currently using it to “automate its implementation of Google Distributed Cloud Edge”.
“Our partnership with Google Cloud advances our goal to fully automate our hybrid 5G core implementation with control functions over Google Kubernetes (GKE) and Google Distributed Cloud Edge”, said Bell Canada VP Petri Lyytikainen.
Also available in private preview globally is the second of Google’s newly announced products, Telecom Data Fabric. This aims to make data collection by CSPs simpler and gain insights quicker.
BigQuery and DataPlex data mesh architecture is used to unify the data and improve reusability, as well as meeting the requirement for data governance and sovereignty. It also uses Vertex AI so that CSPs can create AI applications “that support cross-domain network operations, energy efficiency, subscriber experiences, and monetization.”
The third and final product that Google is offering, Telecom Subscriber Insights, also utilizes AI and is designed to help telcos realize the best strategies for increasing customer engagement, whilst promising to do so “in a privacy-safe manner.” Google believes that it will help CSPs to “understand subscriber behavior, cross-sell and upsell, manage churn, and acquire new customers more effectively.” Again, this is also now available in private preview globally.
As network costs continue to rise for telcos, Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud, believes that “by applying cloud-native principles to network architectures, and accelerating subscriber growth through a holistic data management source, CSPs have the opportunity to bridge the gap between connectivity of today and connectivity of the future.”
Here are the best cloud hosting providers
Snag Soundcore’s Already Affordable Headphones for Even Less at Amazon – CNET
Soundcore by Anker makes some of our favorite budget-friendly headphones on the market, and right now you can snag a pair for up to 35% off.
Soundcore by Anker makes some of our favorite budget-friendly headphones on the market, and right now you can snag a pair for up to 35% off.
What the Mesopotamians can teach us about Chat GPT and the impact of new tech
Adapting to technological advances is a defining part of 21st-century life. But it’s not unique to us: it’s been part of the human story since our earliest written records – even featuring in the plotlines of ancient myths and legends. While ChatGPT threatens to change writing (and writing-related work) as we know it, the Mesopotamians, who lived 4,000 years ago (in a geographical area centred in modern-day Iraq), went through this kind of seismic change before us. Their civilisation is credited with the invention of writing. The Mesopotamians are credited with the invention of writing. The city of Babylon, whose…This story continues at The Next Web
Adapting to technological advances is a defining part of 21st-century life. But it’s not unique to us: it’s been part of the human story since our earliest written records – even featuring in the plotlines of ancient myths and legends. While ChatGPT threatens to change writing (and writing-related work) as we know it, the Mesopotamians, who lived 4,000 years ago (in a geographical area centred in modern-day Iraq), went through this kind of seismic change before us. Their civilisation is credited with the invention of writing. The Mesopotamians are credited with the invention of writing. The city of Babylon, whose…
This story continues at The Next Web
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is Getting Two DLC Packs – CNET
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero rolls out in fall and winter.
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero rolls out in fall and winter.
4 Ways to Effectively Outsource Hiring
High-profile layoffs may lead you to think top talent abounds, but teams everywhere continue to struggle to fill open roles with quality candidates. If your organization is at a recruiting impasse, it may be time to outsource your hiring function. External partners may be the secret to ending your talent drought, but using tools, tactics,
The post 4 Ways to Effectively Outsource Hiring appeared first on ReadWrite.
High-profile layoffs may lead you to think top talent abounds, but teams everywhere continue to struggle to fill open roles with quality candidates. If your organization is at a recruiting impasse, it may be time to outsource your hiring function. External partners may be the secret to ending your talent drought, but using tools, tactics, and efficiencies in-house teams cannot.
By partnering with an external human resources expert, your organization can better leverage its time and resources for major initiatives. Instead of monopolizing hours trying to crack the code on recruitment, your HR partners can support your hiring needs. Together, you’ll recruit the talent your teams need through efficient and effective processes.
1. Engage the Right Partners for Your Priorities
Just like you’re searching for the right hires for your open roles, you’ll need the right partners for your goals. As these organizations will be an extension of your human resources team, you’ll need to identify the right fit. Establish your organization’s needs before you launch your search. This key action will help you focus on services and capabilities that will resolve your pain points.
Teams that require an extra recruiter might hire a third-party contractor for a fixed duration. Organizations needing greater support and more complex solutions may do best to work with an employer of record. An EOR can offer additional flexibility for organizations whose potential hires live in countries with different employment laws.
Determine your goals as you research potential solutions to increase the effectiveness of your partnerships. Get consensus among your internal hiring team before launching your search. When you earn buy-in early, you’ll improve your odds of an efficient kickoff followed by quality results.
2. Develop Clear Job Descriptions
An unfortunate reality in modern workplaces is confusion about job roles and responsibilities. And without clarity, current employees and new hires alike have little chance of thriving. Before you launch your partnership, take a look at the job descriptions of your high-priority openings. Ensure that they’re clear, measurable, and complementary to those of your current team.
Draft descriptions that reflect the mission and values of your organization to attract the right talent. Be clear on deliverables and expectations, so candidates have a good grasp of what the work looks like. Consider loosening education and other qualifications when you can. This adjustment can expand your hiring pool and encourage high-quality candidates with less traditional backgrounds to apply.
This effort may expose gaps in your current job description practices. Instead of shying away from developing new ones, consider the insight your HR partners can provide. Their outside perspective can lead to long-term improvements. Whatever your timeline, ensure that new descriptions are accurate and include key factors that attract top talent. For additional transparency, include how candidates’ performance will be measured and any major milestones associated with their role.
3. Set Ranges for Negotiable Factors
When you outsource components of your business, it’s usually because your in-house team needs help. Protect your recaptured time from unnecessary touchpoints by outlining which factors your partners have the authority to negotiate on your behalf. Most commonly, this shows up when candidates ask about compensation and benefits.
Review your company budgets to kick off the conversation but be ready to listen to your HR partners for recommendations. Teams hiring overseas may find compensation expectations differing from those in your location. For example, some countries have regulations mandating certain benefits, time off, or contract requirements.
These details can get complex quickly, so be open to your partners’ insights, using them to help structure future hiring initiatives. Ensure key factors are included in the aforementioned job descriptions, which may make or break international candidates’ interest. This can be especially helpful when specifying technical aptitude, coding environments, and certifications essential for your business. Avoid overstating your requirements and instead focus on essential factors for hireable talent.
4. Set Expectations, Establish Key Milestones, and Make Final Selections
Handing over the hiring function for your organization can give teams much-needed breathing room. However, don’t let the recaptured time tempt you to check out of the process. Protect your process by setting expectations for your engagement.
Discuss key milestones to ensure your candidate search is timed for when your organization needs new hires on board. If, say, your company is planning a product launch next year, you’ll need a team that’s fully staffed and trained in time. Check with your department leads to ensure your timeline matches up with strategic plans and departmental priorities.
Determine when it’s appropriate for your HR leaders or hiring managers to step in. While these stakeholders should be involved in developing the job description and hiring timeline, their interview time may be limited. Decide when it’s appropriate and efficient for hiring managers to engage with talent shortlists and conduct final interviews. Full-time hires may need screening for culture fit, while short-duration talent may require less. No matter the method, clarify expectations and then meet them to achieve the best results.
Clear Communication Helps Solidify an Effective Partnership
Before launching your external hiring initiative, outline the communication cadence to keep all parties engaged. Establish clear communication channels, set expectations for touchpoints, and identify major deadlines. Agree on the rules of engagement and keep each other accountable for your shared commitments. Together, you’ll launch an effective partnership that will enable you to hire the qualified talent your organization needs.
Featured Image Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko; Pexels; Thanks!
The post 4 Ways to Effectively Outsource Hiring appeared first on ReadWrite.
5 Best Supplements for Heart Health – CNET
Support a healthy heart with these natural vitamins and minerals found in your diet or boost your levels with supplements.
Support a healthy heart with these natural vitamins and minerals found in your diet or boost your levels with supplements.
America’s Chip Moonshot Should Take Aim At Its Education System
An anonymous reader shares a report: In the decade following US President John F Kennedy’s 1961 announcement of America’s mission to put a man on the moon, the number of physical science PhDs tripled, and that of engineering PhDs quadrupled. Now, the country is embarking on a moonshot to rebuild the semiconductor fabrication industry. Corporations that want a cut of the $39bn in manufacturing incentives within the Chips and Science Act programme can start filing their applications for subsidies on Tuesday. In order to get them, they’ll have to show that they are contributing to something that may be even more difficult than putting a man in space: building a 21st-century workforce. America has plenty of four-year graduates with crushing debt (the national average for federal loan debts is more than $37,000 a student) and underwhelming job prospects. It also has plenty of college dropouts and young people with high-school degrees who are trying to make ends meet through minimum-wage jobs supplemented by gig work.
What it lacks are the machinists, carpenters, contractors and technicians who will build the new fabrication facilities. It also needs to triple the number of college graduates in semiconductor-related fields, such as engineering, over the next decade, according to commerce secretary Gina Raimondo. Raimondo, who is well on her way to becoming the industrial strategy tsar of the administration, gave a speech to this effect earlier this month. In it, she underscored not only the need to rebuild chip manufacturing in a world in which the US and China will lead separate tech ecosystems, but also to ensure that there are enough domestic workers to do so. “If you talk to the CEOs of companies like TSMC and Samsung [both of which are launching fabs in the US], they are worried about finding these people here,” Raimondo told me. She cites workforce development — alongside scale and transparency — as major hurdles that must be overcome to meet the administration’s goals.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
An anonymous reader shares a report: In the decade following US President John F Kennedy’s 1961 announcement of America’s mission to put a man on the moon, the number of physical science PhDs tripled, and that of engineering PhDs quadrupled. Now, the country is embarking on a moonshot to rebuild the semiconductor fabrication industry. Corporations that want a cut of the $39bn in manufacturing incentives within the Chips and Science Act programme can start filing their applications for subsidies on Tuesday. In order to get them, they’ll have to show that they are contributing to something that may be even more difficult than putting a man in space: building a 21st-century workforce. America has plenty of four-year graduates with crushing debt (the national average for federal loan debts is more than $37,000 a student) and underwhelming job prospects. It also has plenty of college dropouts and young people with high-school degrees who are trying to make ends meet through minimum-wage jobs supplemented by gig work.
What it lacks are the machinists, carpenters, contractors and technicians who will build the new fabrication facilities. It also needs to triple the number of college graduates in semiconductor-related fields, such as engineering, over the next decade, according to commerce secretary Gina Raimondo. Raimondo, who is well on her way to becoming the industrial strategy tsar of the administration, gave a speech to this effect earlier this month. In it, she underscored not only the need to rebuild chip manufacturing in a world in which the US and China will lead separate tech ecosystems, but also to ensure that there are enough domestic workers to do so. “If you talk to the CEOs of companies like TSMC and Samsung [both of which are launching fabs in the US], they are worried about finding these people here,” Raimondo told me. She cites workforce development — alongside scale and transparency — as major hurdles that must be overcome to meet the administration’s goals.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Win a mystery bag from The Verge brimming with free tech
Peak Design’s ultra-sleek Everyday Backpack is just one of the freebies you could win.
Want a new backpack and a smattering of tech accessories without sacrificing your hard-earned spending cash — or worse — your rent money? As it turns out, we just so happen to be giving away a bag chock-full of freebies to one lucky Verge reader.
Why? Well, besides the fact that we love you all, we have a bunch of older gadgets just lying around the office that we no longer need. So we figured: why not do a little preemptive spring cleaning and give them away to our loyal readers? It’s a win-win, really.
All you need to do is take a few seconds to submit an entry, and if selected, you’ll win a bag and some free gear worth about $500 in total. And this isn’t just any run-of-the-mill bag, either; it’s the Peak Design Everyday Backpack, which typically retails for $219.95 and offers up to 20L of internal storage. The sleek weatherproof backpack also comes with space to store a 16-inch MacBook Pro and handy dividers for organizing cameras, lenses, and a range of other equipment.
The Peak Design Everyday Backpack is a spacious bag with dividers for staying organized.
To enter, simply subscribe to the Verge Deals newsletter using the widget below. Once signed up, you can submit an additional entry by following Verge Deals on Twitter (@VergeDeals). The sweepstakes will begin at 10AM ET today, February 27th, and run through 10AM ET on Monday, March 27th. Best of luck!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes begins at 10:00am ET on 02/27/2023 and ends at 10:00am ET on 03/27/2023. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and Washington D.C., of legal age of majority and have access to the internet, and a valid email address. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Subject to Official Rules, additional eligibility restrictions apply. Official Rules, which govern, can be here: Official Rules. Sponsor Privacy Policy Sponsor: Vox Media, LLC, 1201 Connecticut Ave., 12th Floor, Washington DC 20036
Peak Design’s ultra-sleek Everyday Backpack is just one of the freebies you could win.
Want a new backpack and a smattering of tech accessories without sacrificing your hard-earned spending cash — or worse — your rent money? As it turns out, we just so happen to be giving away a bag chock-full of freebies to one lucky Verge reader.
Why? Well, besides the fact that we love you all, we have a bunch of older gadgets just lying around the office that we no longer need. So we figured: why not do a little preemptive spring cleaning and give them away to our loyal readers? It’s a win-win, really.
All you need to do is take a few seconds to submit an entry, and if selected, you’ll win a bag and some free gear worth about $500 in total. And this isn’t just any run-of-the-mill bag, either; it’s the Peak Design Everyday Backpack, which typically retails for $219.95 and offers up to 20L of internal storage. The sleek weatherproof backpack also comes with space to store a 16-inch MacBook Pro and handy dividers for organizing cameras, lenses, and a range of other equipment.
The Peak Design Everyday Backpack is a spacious bag with dividers for staying organized.
To enter, simply subscribe to the Verge Deals newsletter using the widget below. Once signed up, you can submit an additional entry by following Verge Deals on Twitter (@VergeDeals). The sweepstakes will begin at 10AM ET today, February 27th, and run through 10AM ET on Monday, March 27th. Best of luck!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes begins at 10:00am ET on 02/27/2023 and ends at 10:00am ET on 03/27/2023. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and Washington D.C., of legal age of majority and have access to the internet, and a valid email address. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Subject to Official Rules, additional eligibility restrictions apply. Official Rules, which govern, can be here: Official Rules. Sponsor Privacy Policy Sponsor: Vox Media, LLC, 1201 Connecticut Ave., 12th Floor, Washington DC 20036