May 2023 Summaries

The MAN program, a regulatory move against illegal robocalls in France, aims to reduce fraudulent robocalls by providing an efficient and reliable system for authenticating phone calls. Similar to the U.S. STIR/SHAKEN framework, a call is authenticated based on the originating number, and any calls made from that number will be signed with an A, B, or C based on the carrier's relationship with the calling party. The MAN program was developed as a collaborative effort between French telecom operators and the French Telecom Federation (FTT). Bandwidth is in the process of implementing a solution to satisfy MAN requirements while following a timeline to meet the deadline of July 25, 2023.

The Enterprise Communications Landscape report highlights the importance of building for a total experience (TX) in both employee and customer interactions. By 2024, organizations offering TX are expected to outperform competitors in both EX and CX metrics by 25%. Achieving TX requires a Communications Cloud to integrate and create interoperability across solutions. Many enterprise IT leaders face challenges in creating consistent, friction-free user experiences (UX). The market has begun to see a convergence between Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and Contact Centers as a Service (CCaaS) solutions. Less than half of participants said their current communications solutions meet their needs, and the average global enterprise uses 364 SaaS apps, highlighting the need for more connected digital environments to improve flexibility, scalability, and UX while reducing unnecessary costs.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated annually on May 17th to acknowledge advancements in telecommunication technology. The day was first established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 1969, initially as World Telecommunications Day. In November 2005, the UN General Assembly declared it as World Information Society Day, and from March 2006 onwards, it has been celebrated annually as WTISD. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the potential of telecommunication in bridging societal gaps and supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Celebrations can vary from paying tribute to industry leaders to simply using technology to connect with others.

Hybrid work has become a reality for many, with 46% of participants working in a hybrid or fully remote office daily. Cloud-based tools are essential to deliver accessible and best-of-breed customer and employee experiences. Migrating to the cloud is now an imperative rather than a future consideration. UCaaS migrations are underway, with 44% of enterprises shifting to cloud-based communications and collaboration solutions. Session Border Controllers (SBCs) are also moving to the cloud via hosted models. However, contact center migrations lag behind, with only 37% having already migrated to the cloud. Enterprises need to consider their unique needs when migrating to the cloud for optimal UX and CX.

Network jitter refers to irregularities in sending data packets, which can cause issues such as voice break-ups or dropped calls. Common types of jitter include constant, short-term delay variation, and transient jitter. Causes of network jitter may include wireless networks, insufficient bandwidth, lack of packet prioritization, and outdated equipment. Jitter is measured by calculating the average packet-to-packet delay time using tests like double endpoint, single endpoint, and bandwidth tests. Acceptable jitter levels should be below 30 milliseconds to prevent distortion or dropped calls. To prevent network jitter, businesses can test their internet connection quality, prioritize packet flow, upgrade tools, schedule system updates outside working hours, use jitter buffering, and find a reliable VoIP or UCaaS provider.

Bandwidth has released its Maestro platform, a connectivity fabric that allows businesses to bridge the gap between best-of-breed CCaaS and UCaaS tools. The visual builder includes a drag-and-drop interface for building and customizing communication workflows across the two platforms. It also integrates with conversational AI and CPaaS platforms, as well as machine-learning-based fraud detection, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text tools. Bandwidth Maestro won the "Overall Best of Enterprise Connect Award" during a recent conference and expo, highlighting its unique position in combining leading CCaaS and UCaaS solutions.