Tag: private

EV charging solutions needed for inner city households

Current rules for on street charging are preventing inner city homes from making the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), the Lord Mayor of Dublin has said.

Councillor Ray McAdam has called on the Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, to prioritise legislation to address restrictions in Ireland’s private wires rules, which are currently preventing electric vehicle charging for households without driveways.

The call comes as cities across Europe and the UK are introducing safe cross pavement charging solutions that allow residents to charge electric vehicles directly from their homes where they rely on street parking.

In many older neighbourhoods of Dublin, particularly across the inner city, homes open directly onto the street and do not have private driveways. As a result, many residents who would like to switch to electric vehicles are effectively locked out of home charging and must rely on public charging infrastructure.

“The transition to electric vehicles must work for everyone. Across the inner city of Dublin there are thousands of homes where residents park outside their front door on the street and those households cannot safely connect a charger from their home.

“In other cities, like Plymouth, we are now seeing pilot programmes where discreet cable channels are built into pavements, allowing residents to safely charge their vehicles from their homes while maintaining safe and accessible footpaths.

“We need guarantees that the private wires legislation will allow electricity to be supplied from a private home to a car parked on the street.”

The Lord Mayor said that a clear legislative framework would allow local authorities such as Dublin City Council to pilot safe cross pavement charging systems in appropriate streets and neighbourhoods.

“This is a practical, common-sense change that would help thousands of Dublin households participate in the transition to cleaner transport.

“It would mean that a household in Ballybough, Stoneybatter, Phibsborough or the Liberties could purchase an electric vehicle knowing they have a reliable way to charge it at home.

“As Lord Mayor, my goal is to ensure that the move towards cleaner transport is something all Dubliners can participate in. Ensuring the private wires legislation guarantees on street charging would be a small but important step that could unlock practical EV charging solutions for thousands of homes across our capital city.”

The Lord Mayor said he would be raising the issue with the Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy and the relevant departments in the coming weeks with a view to enabling pilot schemes in Dublin.

Why You Should Buy a Disposable SMS Number Secure Your Privacy with Ease

In today’s digital age, protecting your privacy has become more important than ever. With data breaches, spam, and unwanted marketing calls on the rise, many users are searching for ways to keep their personal information secure. A disposable SMS number is one of the most effective solutions to this problem.

In this article, we’ll explore what a disposable SMS number is, how it works, and why you should consider using one. Plus, I’ll show you where to get one and how to make the most of it.

What Is a Disposable SMS Number?

A disposable SMS number is a temporary phone number that can receive text messages. It functions just like a regular number but is often used for short-term purposes. These numbers are especially useful for situations where you don’t want to share your personal phone number but still need to receive SMS.

Think of it as a temporary email address you might use for signing up for a new service to avoid spam in your main inbox. Once you no longer need it, you can stop using it, protecting your real number from unwanted texts or calls.

Why Use a Disposable SMS Number?

There are countless reasons why using a disposable SMS number can be incredibly beneficial. Let’s break down a few of the most common use cases:

1. Online Verification

Many websites require phone number verification through one-time passwords (OTPs) for added security. But do you really want to give out your personal number to every service? By using a virtual number for OTP, you can complete the verification process without exposing your private information.

2. Signing Up for Free Trials

We’ve all been there – signing up for a service that promises free trials, only to forget to cancel, resulting in surprise charges. Using a disposable number lets you keep track of trial services without using your actual number.

3. Maintaining Privacy

Imagine you’re selling something online. Sharing your personal number with buyers might not feel secure, especially if you’re posting on public platforms. A disposable number keeps your real phone number out of the picture, ensuring your privacy is protected.

How Does It Work?

Buying a disposable SMS number is straightforward. Services like www.freeje.com offer easy access to temporary numbers. Here’s how the process generally works:

  1. Choose Your Country: Disposable numbers can be chosen from various countries, allowing you to select a region that fits your needs.
  2. Pick Your Plan: These numbers usually come with flexible plans – pay-per-use or a subscription for long-term use. You only pay for the duration you need it.
  3. Use It for SMS Verification: Once you’ve purchased the number, use it for whatever verification or communication you need. After the task is done, you can dispose of the number or keep it for future use.

Just like disposable cups are handy when you don’t want to wash dishes after a party, disposable SMS numbers are great for avoiding spam or excessive communication.

Practical Ways to Use a Disposable SMS Number

If you’re still unsure about how to integrate disposable numbers into your routine, here are some examples of where they can be helpful:

  • Social Media Accounts: Platforms like Instagram or Facebook often ask for phone verification. If you don’t want them to keep your personal number in their database, a disposable number does the trick.
  • Classified Ads: When selling items on websites like Craigslist, a temporary number gives you a layer of privacy, reducing the chances of getting spammed after the deal is done.
  • Dating Apps: For those who prefer keeping their personal life separate from their phone number, using a disposable SMS number for dating apps is a great solution.

Long-Term Security and Convenience

Many people believe disposable numbers are only useful for short-term purposes. However, they can also serve long-term needs. If you run a business, you may want to separate different areas of your work life – for example, having a separate line for customer inquiries without giving out your personal phone number.

Moreover, they are perfect for travel. If you’re in a foreign country and need a local number to receive messages or verify accounts, disposable SMS numbers are a convenient option.

Final Thoughts: The Smart Way to Protect Your Privacy

A disposable SMS number provides a smart, easy, and affordable way to protect your privacy and streamline communication. From online signups to selling products, there are numerous applications where having a temporary number can make a big difference.

Next time you need a quick solution for receiving texts without revealing your personal number, consider purchasing a virtual number for OTP. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your privacy is intact.

ITU report details USD 2.6-2.8 trillion cost to connect everyone meaningfully by 2030

Achieving universal, meaningful Internet connectivity by 2030 could require an investment of USD 2.6 trillion to USD 2.8 trillion at current prices, according to the Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint released today by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – the UN agency for digital technologies – and the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The report outlines the challenges, projected costs, and collaborative strategies needed to make sure everyone, everywhere, can use the Internet, including the estimated one-third of humanity currently offline.

The largest investment component — USD 1.5 trillion to USD 1.7 trillion — is required for hard infrastructure, alongside substantial funding for human and institutional capacity, mainly in developing countries.

“Digital connectivity means creating opportunities for education, jobs, and access to essential services that can transform lives and communities,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “While significant resources are needed to meaningfully connect everyone, these are investments that will contribute to a prosperous digital future for all.”

The challenge of connecting billions

ITU estimates that 2.6 billion people are still excluded from the digital world, with connectivity closely linked to levels of socio-economic development. In 2024, an estimated 93 per cent of the population in high-income countries was using the Internet, compared to just 27 per cent in low-income countries.

The new report on achieving universal meaningful connectivity builds on ITU’s original 2020 Connecting Humanity study, published under the direction of the G20 during the presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by identifying critical gaps with the anticipated costs for addressing them.

“The world needs between USD 2.6 trillion and USD 2.8 trillion to connect humanity by 2030. This figure is nearly five times higher than the last assessment conducted in 2020 in partnership with ITU during the Saudi chairmanship of the G20,” said H.E. Eng. Haytham AlOhali, Acting Governor of CST. “Such a dramatic increase underscores the urgency for international cooperation, collective investment, and the sharing of expertise if we are to achieve the vision of universal, meaningful connectivity for all.”

Key costs highlighted in the report include:

  1. Digital infrastructure – USD 1.5 trillion to USD 1.7 trillion: Expanding broadband networks to underserved populations represents the single largest cost. The report estimates the costs of deploying fibre networks in and around urban areas, 4G fixed wireless in rural regions, and satellites in the most remote locations.
  2. Affordability – USD 983 billion: Reducing the cost of smartphones and broadband services — both fixed and mobile — is vital so that individuals and households worldwide, particularly in lower-income regions, can afford to connect and stay online.
  3. Digital skills – USD 152 billion: Connectivity alone is not enough — people must have the skills to use the Internet effectively. Investments to fund large-scale digital literacy initiatives can empower individuals to access online education, secure better jobs, and actively participate in a digitally-driven society.
  4. Policy and regulation – USD 600 million: Modernizing regulations and creating predictable policy environments worldwide are essential to unlock efficiencies and promote innovation. While this represents the smallest cost component, it holds back digital transformation and sustains the other gaps. The impact of closing it would be massive.

Public-private collaboration needed

As the Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint highlights, global progress on connectivity has been uneven, with the world’s 46 least-developed countries lagging significantly due to financing barriers, limited technical expertise, and unreliable infrastructure.

To address these challenges, ITU calls for innovative business approaches and renewed collaboration between governments, the tech industry, development finance institutions, and civil society, to close current divides and prevent future ones, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence (AI).

The report concludes with recommendations to accelerate digital inclusion worldwide, including using schools as gateways to Internet access, investing in energy infrastructure in Africa, and enhancing data collection at the sub-national level.

 

  • Read the full report here.
  • Learn more about the report project here and access the Executive Summary here.

 

30% of office workers have tried to gain unauthorised access to a colleague’s device

IT.ie, a leading Irish IT managed services company, today announces new survey results which reveal the prevalence of insider-threats within Irish businesses with 30% of office workers admitting that they have tried to gain access to a colleague’s device without their permission in the last 12 months.

The research also found that 35% of employees have actively sought out private information about a colleague, client, or customer such as their age, salary, CV or home address, from a work computer system.

The research of 1,000 office workers based in Ireland was carried out by Censuswide on behalf of IT.ie and SonicWall, a global leader in cybersecurity innovation. It forms part of IT.ie and SonicWall’s ‘Cyberpulse Ireland 2025’ report, which explores the cyberthreat landscape in Ireland, according to the sentiment and behaviours of employees.

Alongside the above high-risk behaviours, the survey also showed that a cohort of office workers may see themselves as internet sleuths, possibly influenced by viral online videos featuring content creators who try to outsmart online scammers. Almost two-in-five (38%) have engaged with a scammer – intentionally or unintentionally at work in the last 12 months, while one in four have sent an angry response to someone who they presumed to be a scammer. Furthermore, 17% say they have either duped, or attempted to dupe, an online scammer.

Concerningly, 17% have engaged with a scammer to try to convince them not to target the business – an approach that still carries significant risk.

Eamon Gallagher, Founder and Managing Director, IT.ie, said: “The report highlights some troubling behaviours among office workers that has the potential to expose businesses to considerable risk. While some employees, particularly from the younger cohort, attempt to challenge, outsmart, or reason with scammers, cybercriminals will often capitalise on their efforts, using manipulation tactics that leave the organisation more vulnerable to compromise.

“This behaviour is similar to that of those who attempt to gain access to their colleague’s device or are seeking out their personal information. While their actions may not always stem from malicious intent, it does represent a breakdown in boundaries and data responsibility.

“While these findings may raise concerns, they ultimately represent a valuable opportunity for businesses. By investing in employee training and onboarding, strengthening internal policies, implementing more robust access controls, and creating better cybersecurity awareness, organisations can address these vulnerabilities head-on. At the end of the day, a company’s cybersecurity is only as strong as its least prepared employee.”

Stuart Taylor, Senior Director of Regional Sales for Northern Europe, SonicWall said: “These findings are a stark reminder that the greatest risks often come from within the organisation, not intentionally, but through curiosity, complacency, or even misplaced confidence.

“Every click and every login matters. That’s why businesses need layered security that combines zero-trust principles, strong access controls, and continuous user education. Technology alone isn’t enough; it has to work hand-in-hand with clear policies and a culture of accountability. When employees understand the ‘why’ behind security and organisations enforce the ‘how’ through smart solutions, you close the gaps that attackers are so quick to exploit.”

IFA 2025: Ticket sale for private visitors open now!

IFA Berlin, the world’s largest event for home & consumer tech, has officially opened the ticket sale for private visitors for its 2025 edition: ifaberlin.seetickets.com. The event will take place from 5 to 9 September 2025 at Messe Berlin. 

This year’s ticketing model introduces new access times and an adjusted price structure – with a clear focus on comfort, inclusivity and value to enhance the visitor experience across all audience groups. Furthermore, select exhibition halls are under renovation during the event, and the updated entry structure is designed to ensure better crowd management and smoother operations.

New ticketing structure. Same WOW. 

IFA 2025 places greater emphasis on accessibility, comfort, and value. The updated ticketing model reflects how most guests plan their time at the event, while enabling more focused access to exhibits, activations and features.

The opening hours of IFA 2025:

  • Private visitors:
    Friday, 5 September: 12:00–18:00 
    Saturday to Tuesday, 6–9 September: 10:00–18:00

  • Families, school groups & visitors with disabilities:
    Daily, 5–9 September: 10:00–18:00

  • Trade visitors, professionals & media:
    Early entry with access to the Trade Visitor Lounge from 08:00 via “Messe Süd” entrance, exhibition access from 09:30.

These adjustments ensure a safer, more relaxed and comfortable experience during peak times – particularly on Friday mornings, which continue to be reserved for political, media and business delegations as well as for families, school groups and visitors with disabilities. To avoid missed moments, major public programming will start after 12:00 on Friday.

Fair pricing that prioritises experience 

Following the special pricing during IFA’s 2024 centenary, ticket prices have been adjusted for 2025 to reflect a fair balance of access and experience.
Visitors who book in advance online save up to 22%:

  • Adults: €19.50 advance / €25.00 on site
  • Students: €12.00 advance / €14.00 on site 
  • People with disabilities: €12.00 advance / €14.00 on site (free companion ticket)
  • Kids: Free admission for children aged 15 and under
  • School Group: €39.00 (2 teachers + up to 33 students) 
  • Family: €39.00 advanced / €50.00 on site (2 adults + up to 3 children)

Meanwhile, the IFA Sommergarten will once again host concerts and live programming, with separate tickets available for all IFA visitors. Each IFA Sommergarten ticket includes same-day admission to IFA.

Join them in Berlin from 5 to 9 September 2025 – where inspiration, entertainment and next-gen tech come together. More information at ifa-berlin.com.

Nokia supplies private wireless to Maersk’s fleet for real-time cargo tracking

Nokia today announced that it has signed a contract with Danish global integrated logistics leader, Maersk, to equip 450 vessels in its fleet with Nokia’s industry-leading private wireless network solutions. This important deployment is part of Maersk’s IoT connectivity platform, OneWireless, which offers numerous benefits to its customers, including real-time cargo tracking, enhanced supply chain visibility, and improved operational efficiency.

The evolving environment of logistics and maritime operations is uniquely complex and highly mobile, requiring resilient and flexible technology for real-time asset tracking and positioning. By transitioning to Nokia’s private wireless technology, Maersk will overcome the challenges of its current infrastructure onboard both its own and chartered vessels and gain access to increased scalability and future-proof connectivity.

The new unified mobile network powered by Nokia’s radio portfolio is designed to support numerous IoT devices and secure interoperability between private and public networks, ensuring Maersk customers’ cargo is reliably monitored at sea, port, or land. This is especially important for tracking parameters such as temperature and humidity for fruit and other perishables.

“With our next-generation connectivity platform, we will be able to offer our customers notable benefits, including real-time cargo tracking, enhanced supply chain visibility, and improved operational efficiency. This platform is designed to support thousands of IoT devices, ensuring optimal performance for reefer tracking and fleet IoT,” says Kjeld Dittmann, Head of Vessel & Cargo Connectivity at Maersk.

“Nokia’s technology leadership in private wireless goes far beyond just connectivity, as demonstrated by this major new contract with Maersk. Our Radio Access portfolio and MantaRay network management solution will deliver reliable, real-time, and future-ready mobile networks that will optimize Maersk’s marine operations. We look forward to working collaboratively with them on this important project,” said Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia.

The solution leverages Nokia’s small cells portfolio, including Nokia Shikra Remote Radio Heads (RRH) and compact baseband, along with custom-designed antennas. Each vessel has a small core connected to the radio, utilizing satellite communication for backhaul. Additionally, Nokia’s intelligent network management system, MantaRay NM, located in Maersk’s operations center, provides a consolidated network view for optimal monitoring and management.

The deployment is underway and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.

Multimedia, technical information, and related news

Product Page: Shikra remote radio heads

Product Page: MantaRay NM

Web Page: Private networks

Modern AI chatbots: Roleplay for adults

Every roleplayer knows that it’s quite hard to find a decent co-player who is always available and willing to play along with your fantasies. That’s when NSFW AI roleplay chats can help you a lot, because they’re basically created to become your perfect roleplay tool, bringing all your spicy fantasies to life. No judgment, no neglect, no waiting – just pure fun. To try roleplay AI chat bot NSFW, you don’t need to wait for anyone or to get their approval. So, why using an NSFW RP bot is a good idea?

Judgement-free exploration

An NSFW AI RP chat provides a completely judgement-free environment where you can freely express your thoughts, desires, and specific kinks without fear of criticism, embarrassment, or misunderstanding. Unlike real people, AI chatbots have no biases or personal boundaries, allowing you to explore your imagination as deeply as you wish. This lack of judgment makes it easier to discuss topics that you may feel hesitant to share with others, creating a space where you can be your true self. Additionally, the more open you feel, the more satisfying and fulfilling the roleplay experience becomes, encouraging personal growth and deeper creative exploration.

Fully customizable co-players

One of the most appealing aspects of AI chatbots is their ability to be tailored to your specific preferences. You can fine-tune their personality traits, tone of communication, emotional responses, and even the way they express affection or excitement. This customization ensures that every interaction feels more genuine, as if you are talking to someone who truly understands you. Furthermore, being able to mold the AI’s personality allows you to explore different scenarios and conversational styles, providing an endlessly versatile experience. Whether you prefer a caring and gentle partner or a playful and teasing one, an NSFW AI roleplay chat can adapt to your desires, making roleplay sessions feel more natural and engaging.

Always available, anytime

Unlike real people who have their own schedules, personal needs, and emotional states, AI chatbots are accessible whenever you need them. Whether it’s early in the morning, late at night, or during a lunch break, your AI partner is always ready to engage in meaningful conversations or roleplay scenarios. This availability removes the frustration of conflicting schedules or waiting for someone to be in the mood to interact. With AI chatbots, you’re in complete control of when, where, and how you engage, allowing you to enjoy immersive experiences whenever the mood strikes. Additionally, this constant availability can provide a comforting sense of companionship and stability.

Boosts creativity and imagination

The AI’s adaptability and responsiveness allow you to test various ideas, experiment with new concepts, and even build elaborate storylines without feeling rushed or judged. As the AI learns from your preferences and adjusts accordingly, it can help you explore uncharted aspects of your imagination, making each interaction feel fresh and exciting. Just keep in mind that a free NSFW AI roleplay chat can be limited, which can kill the mood – so the premium ones are preferable.

Private and secure interactions

Privacy is a significant concern when it comes to discussing personal thoughts, desires, or fantasies. AI chatbots offer a secure, confidential space where you can be completely open without worrying about judgment or betrayal. Since AI chatbots are designed to respect your privacy, you can freely express yourself without the fear of someone using your words against you or leaking your conversations. This assurance of privacy helps build trust and allows you to explore your imagination with total peace of mind. For those who are cautious about sharing intimate thoughts with others, AI chatbots can provide a comfortable alternative.

Public, private and voluntary sector organisations join forces to boost software skills in North and West Belfast

Leading organisations in IT, training and education have joined forces to provide young people from North and West Belfast with the chance to learn software skills that will help them work towards a future in the tech sector.

Over six months, Queen’s University Belfast and Impact Training, supported by Telefónica Tech UK&I, delivered a coding academy training programme to help 16-19-year-olds from the Greater Shankill, West and North Belfast gain essential workplace skills and learn about the latest technologies and opportunities within the IT industry.

This is the second year that the programme has run, and it saw the young people attend a series of regular coding sessions, delivered by Queen’s and Impact Training, with a graduation for the students held in the Telefónica Tech Belfast offices, which employ 330 people in Belfast. Sponsored by Telefónica Tech, each student was also provided with a Raspberry Pi for graduating, a small and affordable computer used to learn programming, which they can use to continue to develop their coding skills.

The graduation ceremony for those who completed the course took place on Wednesday 24th April at Telefónica Tech UK&I’s office in Titanic Quarter. As part of the event, awards were presented to the young people, including an outstanding achievement award to recognise a participant who went above and beyond and demonstrated true potential and dedication to learning new skills. This year’s winner was Justin Clarke.

Delivering training opportunities for young people in Greater Shankill, West and North Belfast for over 45 years, Impact Training, provides training options for school leavers who have chosen to pursue a more vocational path.

Ellen Dickson, Strategic VP of Enterprise Health at Telefónica Tech UK&I, commented: “Congratulations to all of the young people who completed this year’s course. Telefónica Tech UK&I is incredibly proud to once again support and be part of such a fantastic programme that will hopefully mark the beginning of an exciting career in IT for those who participated. As well as providing young people with essential skills to widen their career options, the programme will also help boost the pipeline of skills that is needed to enable our IT sector to continue to thrive.”

Dr David Cutting, Director of Education in the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen’s University Belfast, said: “We are delighted to join forces with Impact Training and Telefónica Tech UK&I to deliver something so worthwhile, helping young people discover their love for IT and embark on careers in the sector. We are proud to see our peer mentors support the next generation of experts in coding and share their love and enthusiasm.”

This has been an outstanding programme to help the young people of Belfast kickstart their IT careers.  It is incredible to see how quickly the participants took up coding and the amount of talent and passion that each of them had. It is fantastic to see our students helping to train the next generation of experts in coding.”

Gerard Fox, Vocational Employment Manager at Impact Training, added: “It is fantastic to witness how much students can grow and reach their full potential when completing the course and it is fantastic to offer it once again to young people in Belfast. It not only gives them an insight into the IT sector but it is also a fantastic way for them to gain confidence and grow as they begin the journey towards their future careers. Congratulations to everyone who completed the course.”

HFR Unveils Private 5G Solution with AI at Mobile World Congress 2024

HFR’s my5G solution enables very simple seamless 5G business structure and enables enterprises and public institutions that are promoting AI innovation to conveniently subscribe to services at a low cost through 5G (including WiFi and IoT). With large multi-cell base station virtualized on a small server, my5GBox enables businesses to use regular internet lines or Low Earth Orbit satellite internet lines without using expensive high-speed leased lines. HFR provides a service operation center (SOC) that enables small organizations to fully provide and manage the costs of Private 5G and various application services. HFR is responsible for the installation, operation, and maintenance of network equipment on-site through its Network Operation Center (NOC) service.

HK Jung, General Manager of HFR’s Private Mobile Group, expressed a strong commitment by stating, “Our goal is to make AI innovation available to small and medium-sized enterprises who have limited investment and operational capabilities. We will accomplish this by providing affordable, convenient, and secure solutions that will allow these businesses to easily adopt 5G technology. Furthermore, we plan to assist public institutions in creating a smarter and safer society.”

HFR has supplied my5G solutions to several companies and public organizations, including the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company and the Japan Railway Agency, and has signed business partner agreements with NEC-affiliated system integration companies in Japan as well as a memorandum of understanding with KT in Korea.