December 2023 Summaries

The 2023 Annual Awards show at Bandwidth featured a global audience with hundreds tuning in from various locations worldwide. The prestigious peer-nominated awards recognized employees in eight different categories, including Rookie of the Year, Ruehlen Customer First, Lee Hull Spirit, Mission+ Performer, Giant Leap, Transformer, Innovator, and Notables. Winners were celebrated with cheers and congratulatory messages on Slack channels. The event concluded with a catered lunch, karaoke, bingo, and holiday celebrations in various offices.

"Go! Do! Day" at Bandwidth offers employees the chance to participate in community service without using their earned PTO days. The author volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, assisting with construction on new-build homes for families in need. Initially nervous about learning how to measure, cut, and install vinyl siding, they found the volunteers at Habitat for Humanity to be welcoming and patient. The experience was fulfilling and rewarding, as it helped provide a safe and affordable home for a family.

Apple announced on November 16th, 2023 that it will support Rich Communication Services (RCS) alongside its iMessage system, potentially bridging the gap between iOS and Android users in terms of messaging. RCS is an improved messaging service that combines features from various platforms such as SMS, MMS, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc., allowing for higher-resolution photo and video sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, emoji support, and group messaging enhancements. The history of RCS dates back to 2007 when industry professionals formed the Rich Communication Suite initiative to improve messaging services. Google acquired Jibe Mobile in 2015, a leading provider of RCS services, and began pushing for RCS as the de-facto messaging standard. Apple's adoption of RCS is expected to enhance interoperability between iOS and Android users, with iMessage remaining the primary communication platform for iPhone users. The impact on businesses and consumers will be an overall improved messaging experience across mobile platforms, potentially leading to a decline in SMS and MMS usage.

Toll-free numbers are phone numbers that users can dial without incurring charges for the call. These numbers are often used by organizations to connect with customers and provide information over the phone. There are three types of toll-free numbers: standard toll-free numbers, international toll-free numbers, and universal international freephone numbers. Standard toll-free numbers are set up within a specific country and only people from that country can dial the number for free. International toll-free numbers are accessible within the same country they're designated for, while universal international freephone numbers are reachable internationally but have limited coverage. Vanity toll-free phone numbers are 1-800 numbers that spell out a word, phrase, or acronym chosen by the organization and can bring more value than initially meets the eye due to increased brand recognition, accessibility, and customer loyalty.