Business

OneWeb’s broadband satellites could be used to plug rural black hole

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OneWeb is reportedly in talks with BT to use its satellite broadband technology to provide coverage to rural areas of the UK.  The firm, which was bought by the UK government after nearly going bankrupt last year, intends to launch a network of more than 650 low Earth orbit satellites that will be able to beam down … Read more

Beijing launches Alibaba antitrust investigation

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China has opened an investigation into e-commerce giant Alibaba over alleged anti-competitive behaviour, regulators announced this week. Despite keeping a relatively low profile in Western countries, Alibaba Group is one of the world’s largest corporations, with offerings span e-commerce, AI, cloud computing, gaming, and financial services. Its success has made founder Jack Ma – a … Read more

EU lays out plans for new digital regulatory regime

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The EU Commission has outlined its long-awaited plans to overhaul ageing regulations for digital companies. Under the sweeping plans, the largest tech companies could face hefty fines and the threat of being broken up.  The Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act will update the 20-year-old e-Commerce Directive, which regulates digital services in the EU. … Read more

US antitrust action could force Facebook to divest Instagram and WhatsApp

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Facebook is facing what may be its greatest legal battle yet, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and nearly every US state separately filing antitrust lawsuits against the company.  The competition watchdog has accused Facebook of engaging in a “bury or buy” strategy to eliminate competition, including by purchasing growing rivals Instagram (acquired in 2012 … Read more

Manufacturing for both local and global markets

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The manufacturing industry can play a significant role in the vision of making India self reliant or ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’. This can happen if manufacturing units raise the bar of production and make products for both the local and global markets.  The pandemic has nudged us from the familiar world of the physical to that … Read more

Ineos and Hyundai to partner on hydrogen production

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Chemicals giant Ineos has partnered with Korean automaker Hyundai to establish a “hydrogen value chain” in Europe.  Under their memorandum of understanding, the companies have committed to “explore new opportunities” to accelerate the hydrogen economy, investigate opportunities for the production and supply of hydrogen and for the global deployment of hydrogen technologies. They will also … Read more

Apple to pay $113m for intentionally slowing down iPhones

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Apple is set to pay $113m (£85m) to a coalition of 33 US states over its decision to intentionally slow the processor speeds of ageing iPhones.  In 2017 it emerged that, following a software update, older iPhone models were having their performance gimped, with Apple claiming this was to enable the processor to continue to operate … Read more

Apple lowers App Store fee for small developers but monopoly criticisms remain

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Apple has said it will launch a programme cutting the commission it takes from app sales to 15 per cent for developers who make less than $1m annually through its iOS App Store.  The ‘Small Business Program’ follows legal action taken by Fortnite developer Epic Games, which in August accused Apple of following monopolistic practices for its … Read more

Air taxi hub to be established in Florida

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The US’s first regional hub for flying cars is to be built in Orlando, Florida by the Tavistock Development Corp and aviation startup Lilium.  The Lake Nona Vertiport will be built near Orlando International Airport in the Lake Nona community, which has ambitions to become a ‘smart city’ and is already home to medical and … Read more