February 2024
Satellite Phone Services
By Peter Aggus
In the last issue, we looked at a new technology that is hoped to deliver conventional cellular service in remote areas where there are no cell towers. Currently, service in remote areas is limited to satellite service of various types. Here’s a run-down of current satellite services, including what some people confusingly call Apple’s satellite service.
IT Cost Savings Checklist
By Ellen Koskinen-Dodgson
If one of your departmental goals for 2024 is to save money, this checklist will help. First, it contains the tried-and-true options as you would expect as well as some ideas that require an investment and some that you don’t think of as money savers, but they really do save money. Choose what works best for your operations and save other ideas for another year.
Everyday Succession Planning
By Guy Robertson
A variety of problems arise when one of your key employees suddenly can’t work for an extended period. One way to reduce these problems is through succession planning. Once limited to filling positions vacated by senior managers, succession planners now handle situations arising from the unavailability or loss of any key employee.
Analogue Service Failure
By Kristin Kiewitz
Last year we wrote about global PSTN retirement plans - copper pairs are expensive, fibre optic connectivity is common, so it makes sense to the telcos. Some PSTN users in the UK are protesting plans to shut down service by the end of next year, saying that their existing services will not work adequately over replacement technology. They’re right. Here’s the story.