In the news

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The Future of Communication Technology with Michael O’Brien

In this recent Authority Magazine article, iconectiv’s Chief Product Officer Michael O’Brien discusses the next generation of communication technology and how iconectiv works to re-establish trust in communications platforms. He dives into what led iconectiv to build their innovative technologies and how they plan to impact the world of communication.
Mar 3, 2021
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How Text Message Short Codes Help Retailers Boost Sales and Engagement

Today, roughly 20% of American adults are “smartphone-only” internet users, meaning they own a smartphone but don’t have home broadband service. In this RIS article, iconectiv’s Cliff Holsenbeck explores how retailers and other businesses use text message short codes as a powerful tool to engage customers. Short codes are ideal for engaging consumers who use a smartphone as their primary or only connection to the internet. Businesses that embrace short codes text messaging make it easy for consumers to act on a retailer’s advertising and marketing.
Feb 22, 2021
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An Interview with Mr. Jonathan Shulman, Vice President, Business Development iconectiv

Consumers have become increasingly wary of robocalls and have stopped answering their phones for unknown numbers. Communication channels are constantly being infiltrated by scammers and people are losing trust in these channels. On this episode of Enterprise Talk podcast, iconectiv’s Jonathan Shulman discusses the importance of trust in communications and networks across the global service provider and telecommunications ecosystem and how RCS can improve customer engagement for contact centers.
Feb 17, 2021
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How HR Professionals Can Connect With Candidates and Employees Through Short Code Messaging

With 96% of Americans owning mobile phones, HR recruiters are now leaning toward tools such as online chatbots and short code messaging. However, with so many cases of fraudsters and a surge in robocalling, people aren’t answer calls from numbers they don’t know. Communications channels like text messaging are considered safer, with 93% of consumers viewing text messaging as a trusted communication environment. In this article, iconectiv’s Cliff Holsenbeck explores how short codes offer the perfect opportunity for starting a trusted conversation between recruiters and candidates.
Feb 16, 2021
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CTIA Wireless Foundation Launches Catalyst 2021, Competitive Grants Program for Health and Well-Being

iconectiv is a proud sponsor of CTIA Wireless Foundation’s Catalyst 2021, a competitive grants program accelerating social entrepreneurs using wireless to address pressing health and well-being issues. As the foundation’s signature initiative, Catalyst identifies and funds early stage organizations that take advantage of the speed, efficiency and versatility of wireless to improve the health and well-being of Americans.
Feb 9, 2021
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5 Ecommerce Trends to Watch for in 2021

In this recent Shogun article, iconectiv’s Cliff Holsenbeck discusses how SMS marketing can be valuable to ecommerce businesses. Text messaging via shortcodes can offer the perfect opportunity for ecommerce businesses to engage in two-way text conversations with their consumers. With over 275 million smartphone users in the U.S. alone, there is a wide pool of potential customers. Data also shows that at the beginning of 2020, SMS was already averaging 2,755% ROI for ecommerce marketers — not too far behind email’s ROI of 3,800%.
Jan 14, 2021
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How CSPs can restore consumer trust in communications in 2021 – and beyond

In this Vanilla Plus article, iconectiv’s chief product officer Michael O’Brien discusses how understanding the real perception of consumer trust in communications these days is hard to know exactly because so many factors play into it. Over 76% of consumers no longer answer calls from unfamiliar and unidentified numbers, letting them drop into voice mail instead. Some contact center operators say that outbound call answer rates are down 30%.
Jan 7, 2021

Press Releases

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

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Mobile Phone Numbers Are Core to Good Customer Experience, says iconectiv

Digital interactions define customer loyalty, mobile phone numbers have emerged as a secret weapon for businesses aiming to deliver exceptional experiences and protect against fraud. iconectiv’s latest market brief details how mobile numbers are powerful tools driving personalized service, reduce churn and boost revenue.
Aug 22, 2024
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Ericsson announces sale of iconectiv

Ericsson has agreed to sell its US subsidiary, iconectiv, to Koch Equity Development LLC. The transaction is expected to close in 2025. iconectiv, will continue to grow its numbering and data exchange services under new ownership.
Aug 16, 2024
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Koch Equity Development Signs Agreement to Acquire Telecommunications Solutions Leader iconectiv

Koch Equity Development LLC (KED) has reached an agreement to acquire iconectiv from Ericsson and Francisco Partners. iconectiv will continue to operate, independently, under KED, focusing on number portability and fraud prevention services. The deal is expected to close in 2025.
Aug 16, 2024
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Powering a Global Stand Against Robocalls: ATIS and iconectiv Collaborate with Bandwidth and Microsoft to Lead Industry-Wide Initiative

In a bold move to safeguard global communications, ATIS and iconectiv, in collaboration with Bandwidth and Microsoft, have launched an initiative to combat the growing menace of unwanted robocalls and fraudulent scams. This leading-edge effort seeks to extend the success of the SHAKEN protocol across international borders, ensuring that legitimate voice traffic is authenticated and protected, regardless of where it originates.
Aug 15, 2024
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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

Speaking Engagements

john hayes

John Hayes

Senior Director, iconectiv

As Senior Director at iconectiv, John Hayes is responsible for leading the company’s global product cost analysis efforts, fixed asset management and regulatory compliance and reporting initiatives. With over more than 30 years of experience in telecommunications, Hayes has led strategic campaigns to improve network operations for global carriers centered around new investments, utilization and fixed operations. He has also advocated for effective regulatory compliance and reporting and spearheaded financial strategies to reduce carrier expenditures and increase cost savings.

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NMG: Towers, Neutral Hosts and Data Centers Session with iconectiv

In this discussion, iconectiv’s Senior Director, John Hayes, and The Network Media Group’s Publisher, Abe Nejad, discuss neutral hosts, data centers and their role in Telco and 5G rollout with other industry experts.
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

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.
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.

speaking engagement

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.