According to Pyramid Research, mobile number portability (MNP) was first instituted in the U.S. on November 24, 2003 � a date wireless carriers feared most. U.S. mobile operators braced themselves for what they expected to be one of the largest challenges within their industry. Eighteen months after its introduction, number portability has been more of a lumbering elephant and less of a roaring lion. At the onset, the FCC, wireless operators, and many industry analysts expected 30 million subscribers to transfer their wireless number within the first 12 months of MNP�s introduction. Only 7.8 million actually did. The top five national carriers have all added customers during this time, with AT&T/Cingular growing by about 5 percent on the low end, and T-Mobile growing by more than 33 percent on the high end. Overall, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile have been the biggest winners as they have focused on improving network quality and customer service. However, the new Cingular may soon become MNPs largest beneficiary as it has become the nation�s largest carrier.
Technology is a compelling catalyst for economic growth across the globe. Artificial intelligence (AI) rides a seismic wave of transformation in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region — a market bolstered by bold government initiatives, swelling pools of capital, and vibrant tech ambition. The latest IDC analysis sheds light on this dynamic market. Despite a contraction in deal volumes through 2024, total AI venture funding surged to an impressive $15.4 billion — a signal of the region’s resilience and the maturation of its digital-native businesses (DNBs). Asia-Pacific AI Market Development The APAC AI sector’s funding story is not just about headline numbers but also about how and where investments are shifting. Even as the number of deals slowed, the aggregate value of investments climbed, reflecting a preference among investors for fewer but larger, high-potential bets on mature or highly scalable AI enterprises. The information technology sector led the AI investment charge. Top area...