Networks

Examining the Reality of Convergence

If there is one word in the telecommunications that has suffered from over-abuse for many years now, it's convergence. The term has been liberally applied to each successive generation of communications technology for their supposed ability to solve a myriad of service delivery problems within a single unifying converged carriage and service delivery solution. Unfortunately, the underlying reality has always been markedly different from these wondrous promises, and we continue to see an industry that deploys a plethora of service delivery platforms and an equally diverse collection of associated switching and service delivery technologies. One can't help but wonder at the collective gullibility of an industry that continues to herald the convergent attributes of each new generation of communications technology, while at the same time being forced to admit that previous convergent promises have never been realized. more

Community Networks Offer a Durable Route Across the Digital Divide

An ITU report finds that community-owned networks, backed by reliable technology, flexible financing and supportive regulation, can bring affordable, meaningful internet access to remote populations that traditional providers have struggled to reach at lasting scale. more

FBI Warns of Russian Cyber Campaign Targeting Vulnerable Routers

The FBI and international partners warn that Russia's FSB Center 16 is exploiting vulnerable routers worldwide, highlighting persistent weaknesses in network security and urging organizations to adopt stronger protections to safeguard critical infrastructure against intrusion. more

Is AI Really Changing Internet Traffic Patterns?

Claims that AI is reshaping internet traffic are gaining attention, but evidence remains mixed as residential ISPs report little change while business networks see steadier demand and faster upstream growth today warrants closer industry scrutiny. more

UK Unveils AI Cyber Shield to Counter Machine-Speed Digital Threats

Britain is developing Cyber Shield, an AI-powered national cyber defense program designed to detect threats, automate responses and protect critical infrastructure as increasingly sophisticated attacks challenge conventional security and strain existing defensive capabilities. more

Network Challenges from AI Traffic

Cisco warns AI traffic will reshape internet infrastructure as inference workloads demand lower latency, stronger upstream capacity and new network architectures, with AI expected to generate one quarter of web traffic by 2035 worldwide eventually. more

IP Geolocation: The New Infrastructure for Internet Interoperability

IP geolocation has evolved from routing metadata into essential Internet infrastructure, enabling compliant content delivery, cybersecurity, and digital governance while raising urgent questions about transparency, interoperability, and fragmentation risks worldwide for policymakers and providers alike. more

June IPv4 Trends: The Quiet Return of the IPv4 Bull Market

New transfer data suggests IPv4's apparent decline has reversed as record trading, rising prices, infrastructure demand and tightening supply reveal a market driven by deployment rather than speculation once again despite accelerating IPv6 adoption globally. more

Vinton Cerf Retires After Two Decades at Google, Looks Ahead to AI Interoperability

Internet pioneer Vinton Cerf will retire from Google after more than two decades, leaving a legacy that shaped the modern internet while predicting standardized protocols will become essential for the next generation of autonomous AI agents. more

NANOG 97 Explores the Networking Challenges Behind the AI Boom

NANOG 97 revealed how AI is reshaping network infrastructure, from lossless data centre fabrics and optical limits to surging investment, while exposing unresolved questions about geolocation, IPv6 adoption and Internet operations in an AI-driven era. more

Spain to Require Four Hours of Mobile Service During Power Blackouts

Spain will require telecom operators to keep mobile networks running for up to four hours during power outages, introducing phased resilience standards, stronger emergency communications safeguards and stricter backup requirements for critical digital infrastructure. more

IPv4 Pricing Through 2026 - Stability as Seller Leverage Begins to Return

After a sharp correction, the IPv4 market is showing signs of stabilization. Rising buyer activity, tightening supply expectations, and growing AI infrastructure demand are expected to support gradual price recovery through 2026, improving conditions for sellers. more

IPv4 Is Now a Sellers Market - What to Expect in 2026

After two years of falling prices, the IPv4 market has turned decisively. Surging transfer volumes, AI infrastructure demand and looming broadband expansion are tightening supply, pushing prices higher and leaving patient buyers facing a costlier reality. more

Time Sovereignty: Internet Policy and Defense Frameworks for Critical Infrastructure Synchronization Under Geopolitical Conflict

As power grids depend on microsecond precision, states must treat time synchronization as sovereign infrastructure, hardening satellite, fiber and orbital defenses against hybrid attacks that could trigger catastrophic blackouts through resilient sovereign time defense frameworks. more

Iran Threatens Subsea Internet Cables in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran is seeking to monetize and potentially weaponize subsea internet cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz, exposing how modern geopolitical conflicts increasingly threaten the digital infrastructure underpinning global finance, communications and trade. more