Dinis is the founder/CEO of ztudium https://www.footballthink.com/author/dguarda/ Openbusinesscouncil Fri, 02 Sep 2022 12:45:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.6 https://www.footballthink.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/faviopen-63x63.png Dinis is the founder/CEO of ztudium https://www.footballthink.com/author/dguarda/ 32 32 Fintech 7 Big Trends for 2022: ESG, Digital Assets, Metaverse NFTs, Healthcare Fintech, AI Open Finance, Dinis Guarda expands on those in his newest piece https://www.footballthink.com/fintech-7-big-trends-for-2022-esg-digital-assets-metaverse-nfts-healthcare-fintech-ai-open-finance-dinis-guarda-expands-on-those-in-his-newest-piece/ Fri, 02 Sep 2022 12:12:28 +0000 https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/?p=21784 Our times are revolutionary for the future of fintech and digital assets. We are seeing the emergence of new carbon-neutral strategies, NFTs, and the Metaverse. It will see the increased importance of ESG – the Environmental, Social, and Governance investment factors. These will be driving most of the trends for the world economy overall. To […]

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]]> Our times are revolutionary for the future of fintech and digital assets. We are seeing the emergence of new carbon-neutral strategies, NFTs, and the Metaverse. It will see the increased importance of ESG – the Environmental, Social, and Governance investment factors. These will be driving most of the trends for the world economy overall.

To summarise these are the top areas to consider:

1. ESG 360 will become a new DNA for finance and businesses

2. Digital assets, including Bitcoin, will become mainstream 

3. Metaverse NFT certification will become mainstream 

4. Carbon footprint will become the new financial credit score

5. The healthcare sector and data will become the new ID fintech footprint

6. DeFi and Cefi will increasingly merge 

7. AI Open Finance Web3.0 Metaverse will lead, disrupt, and replace the global financial economy

The last years were the years of fostering innovation and digital transformation for fintech and for our society, partly because of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, 2022 will accelerate the AI and P2P growth, creating fintech-driven communities continuously using Blockchain, the Metaverse, and NFTs as critical pillars of their foundations.

The financial services continued to have their waves and moments, as fintech fundraising surpassed the levels seen in previous years. In the next years, we might experience some troubles in the financial sector. Hence why we project that 4IR and Society 5.0 will drive fintech. These technologies will transform our society in a way that welcomes fintech into all business sectors, with a view that every business becomes a fintech eventually.

According to the data from Infinite Market Capitalisation, the market cap of Ethereum has surpassed that of every global bank, including JP Morgan.

 

1. Digital assets, including Bitcoin, become mainstream 

As businesses evolved over the previous decades, taken over by the internet and wireless communications in every dimension, the use of crypto is gradually becoming a common trend, especially in the financial services industry. Finance-related apps are increasingly adding crypto products and features to their wallets. For example, some challenger banks are allowing their customers to increase their share of yield by offering DeFi (decentralised finance) solutions. Similarly, larger banks are experimenting, for now at a small scale, with lucrative crypto offers. Another trading app, Robinhood, has recently started to allow crypto trading on its platform.

 

To facilitate the integration and management of the correct balance between the fiat and crypto financial solutions, we will see the advent of more (and better) crypto infrastructure. This trend will enable consumers to utilise transfers, yield, and many more related services. Further, these infrastructure moves will support a new wave of fintech companies, giving rise to a revolutionary phenomenon – DeFi mullets in 2022 (DeFi in the back end, and fintech in the forefront). 

Over the past decades, Bitcoin has entered the mainstream to successfully become a value store. After a slow rise, it gained immense traction in 2021, reaching all-time highs, and building up a considerable demand for the cryptocurrency. This trend is promising to blossom in the coming year, with the increase in trust among the users of the underlying blockchain technology. 

2022 looks very promising for Bitcoin owing to its guerilla-style marketing strategy involving word-of-mouth practice and heightened expectations due to promising projections. Further, its unpopularity amongst the federal governments is one of the factors that drive the victims of the flawed system of traditional banking to embrace revolutionary technology.

2. Institutional retail interest in digital assets grows

With many institutions accepting the trade of cryptocurrency for carrying out their businesses, the masses are increasingly vesting their trust in blockchain technology. By the end of the previous year, institutional investments started flowing in from the like as – The European Investment Bank, Visa, JP Morgan, Square, and even Twitter. 

The trend looks even brighter for the coming year with the rise of more crypto exchanges in the marketplace. This is bringing more cash flows due to conversions from fiat currencies to crypto. Technology seems to be evolving with the passage of time, tempting many new players to enter the grounds.

3. A shift to Metaverse experiences progresses 

The web-based social platforms – Reddit, Twitter, Meta, and other online discussion forums are constantly discussing crypto for good reasons. A variety of participants- crypto enthusiasts, investors, and traders are increasingly getting involved in almost every manner- discussion forums, chats, and even live interactive broadcasts. These are the enlightening sources that can guide a seasoned as well as a new entrant in the world of crypto about price trends, trading strategies, and volatility.

Community-level crypto fundraisers like GameStop saga, ConstitutionDAO, or Citadel’s Ken Griffin provide an illustrious picture of the digital community that willingly directs its funds for a greater cause. Such a trend will gain momentum in 2022 when collective action of the community would involve various technological solutions like NFTs, digital assetisation, and Metaverse experiences.

4. Carbon footprint becomes the new financial credit score

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) is a critical aspect of our modern-day sustainable living. 

According to an estimate by OECD and World Bank, an investment of 6.9 trillion will be required by 2030 to meet the ESG targets for climate and development. The current spending on infrastructure is no more than USD 3.4 – 4.4 trillion, lagging significantly more than what is required.

Fiscal constraints and societal challenges like health, ageing population, and education overwhelm the governments and central institutions in bridging this gap. These enormous infrastructure challenges make it difficult to realise the UN estimates that by 2050, approximately 70% of the global population would be inhabiting urban areas. Thus, while governments, communities, and businesses would be upgraded to an equal economic status, society still faces the challenge to increase the momentum of development with innovation and technological advancements. 

5. The healthcare sector becomes fintech-savvy

Some fintech products have the potential to be a breakthrough for the healthcare sector. In this industry, diversification into new revenue streams is critical. The payments are usually complicated (using the third-party payer system), for instance, which means that traditional products such as Stripe may not be the answer. The potential here is enormous.

6. Metaverse, NFTs, and DeFi increasingly merge with fintech

 

Decentralisation is the term of the day. Everyone is speaking about it. DeFi (Decentralised Finance) is not just a trend, however. It is clear that the everyday person is tired of centralised money supply control; the growth of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies proves that. And although the federal government may still stop this development and come in with new regulations, this would be against the wishes of its electorate.

7. AI Web3.0 community will lead the global financial economy and society

The current financial system is not working for everyone, it is clear. The communities that have been unable to build generational wealth are looking for a meaningful alternative. This is where Web3.0 comes in. Its constituency is young and diverse. Statistically, 9% of millennial voters, 73% of Hispanic voters, and 79% of Black voters are more likely to support a candidate who agrees that we should expand Web 3.0. 

Conclusion:

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change” – Charles Darwin.

If the 1st generation of the digital revolution brought us the Internet of information and data, the 2nd generation, now powered by blockchain + AI, as well as NFTs and Web3.0, is bringing us the Internet of value, money as digital assets, and digital twins identity.

We are now at a stage where digital community, token-driven platforms are the go-to platforms reshaping the world of business, healthcare, wellness, finance, and human affairs.

Finance is about managing financial assets. What we are experiencing now is all about technology and data but without forgetting the basics – the relationships between clients/partners.

New technologies are rapidly reshaping the entire financial services sphere. Fintech is no longer the headline, it is now the industry reality. Banks, insurers, and asset managers are knee-deep into the potential of such technologies. These will soon merge with Web 3.0 integration. This is followed by Blockchain, NFTs, and increasingly the Metaverse, where digital twins will become an integral part of our lives.

These technologies are the main drivers helping transform the finance industry and to stay on top of ever-changing consumer expectations. 2022 will be a powerhouse year for substantial disruption in this area.

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]]> Infographic: The Layered Realm of The Metaverse Architecture https://www.footballthink.com/infographic-the-layered-realm-of-the-metaverse-architecture/ Fri, 08 Jul 2022 15:16:54 +0000 https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/?p=21032 The Metaverse and the new generation of the internet, Web 3.0, are already here. But what exactly is Metaverse? Here’s an infographic that explains all the layered framework of the metaverse: a metaverse that is distinct in architecture and simple in existence. With a projected market of $800 billion, Metaverse is the next big revolutionary […]

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]]> The Metaverse and the new generation of the internet, Web 3.0, are already here. But what exactly is Metaverse? Here’s an infographic that explains all the layered framework of the metaverse: a metaverse that is distinct in architecture and simple in existence.

Infographic: The Layered Realm of The Metaverse Architecture by Dinis Guarda
Infographic: The Layered Realm of The Metaverse Architecture by Dinis Guarda

With a projected market of $800 billion, Metaverse is the next big revolutionary technology that is attracting almost every segment of the business. A metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds that is centred on social connections made by its participants.

Characterised as a simulated digital environment, Metaverse incorporates technology like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain.

All this, and a realm built on the principles of social media creates a sphere that resembles the real world very closely.

Metaverse is this self-contained virtual economy that is powered by digital currencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

“The metaverse is best understood as the shift of computing and interaction from a device in your pocket into a virtual simulation.” – Matthew Ball, author of “The Metaverse”.

Obviously, there is a need to know this immersive virtual space deep down the intrinsic layers of its architecture, to the very core.

With his expertise in digital and technological advancements and creativity, Dinis Guarda, Founder CEO ztudium citiesabc explains Metaverse to be layered. Here, he follows a systematic approach to describe the framework of the technology.

Let’s dig through these layers and find out the very essence of the Metaverse.

Experience (Virtual and Real)

Most people, while thinking of the metaverse, focus on this layer- the experiences of interacting while engaging in digitally-driven landscapes, like shopping, games, NFTs, digital media, NFTs, etc.

Perhaps, the popular culture of gaming best describes the features of this evolution- avatar identities, virtual immersion, storytelling, and other social interactions.

Besides this, volumes of data could be generated through everyday experiences too, like office meetings, gym workouts, cooking, tourism, theatre, holiday, or even classroom sessions could be classified under this layer.

Discovery

The information and data are collected either through inbound or outbound sharing or marketing systems.

Inbound discovery includes platforms that are involved in community content. In other words, the places that hold public information of the likes and recommendations by the users are responsible for the inbound discovery, like the social networking sites, app stores, and even search engines.

Outbound discovery, on the other hand, includes notifications and display ads.

In the metaverse, the real-time presence of the users would generate additional data about their physical and social ‘immersiveness’. For instance, during a virtual tour of a property, the systems track a user’s choices, preferences, and dilemmas.

Spatial Computing

It is the technique that blurs the boundaries between the real physical and the virtual world. In other words, constantly blends the two intersecting spheres by manipulating 3D online spaces into uncanny realism, or augmenting the real world with digital experiences.

Advanced technologies like 3D programs and engines, geospatial mapping, AR/VR, and XR have proved useful for spatial computing. Biometric applications, voice recognition, and even gesture recognition are some of the verticals of IoT gaining traction to leverage spatial computing and make the metaverse look more real.

Decentralisation

The key to a successful metaverse lies in its open, decentralised, and distributes nature. With the momentum that blockchain technology has gathered over the past decade, it seems plausible that open-source platforms, smart contracts, a sovereign digital identity, DeFi protocols, and dealing in NFTs are soon to be a consensual choice of the metaverse.

AI agents, Microservices and Edge Computing are going to be the latest trends.

Human Interface

The human-technology interface is getting more illustrious by the day. VR headsets, AR smart devices, neural networks, smart glasses, and other wearables are enhancements to smartphone devices. These merely enhance the human body with digital capabilities.

Digital Twin Infrastructure

It encompasses all the technology that is capable of enabling, connecting, and empowering digital devices. The ultimate goal is to realise the potential earthed within each layer. Data centers, wireless, cloud computing, and related materials and processes make up the infrastructure for digital twin technology.

The Metaverse is already here

With an explosion of technological advancements over the past few years, we are already experiencing the ingression of the metaverse in our lives. Nevertheless, there is still a lot to be learned and evolved. The basic infrastructure already laid down by the wealth of knowledge from thinkers and the pioneers in the metaverse shines brightly to guide humanity towards better frontiers (that are yet to be explored).

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]]> Metaverse ABC — Closing The Gap Between The Physical And Digital World Of The Metaverse From A To Z https://www.footballthink.com/metaverse-abc-closing-the-gap-between-the-physical-and-digital-world-of-the-metaverse-from-a-to-z/ Mon, 20 Jun 2022 16:23:59 +0000 https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/?p=20705 Metaverse technologies will change the way we behave as a society. Our new iteration of society will include Metaverse(s) — metaversive ecosystem platforms that will have NFTs and web 3.0 iteration of technologies at their basis. If the Metaverse is a new door for Humanity, NFTs are the keys. It is an emerging tunnel for […]

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]]> Metaverse technologies will change the way we behave as a society. Our new iteration of society will include Metaverse(s) — metaversive ecosystem platforms that will have NFTs and web 3.0 iteration of technologies at their basis.

If the Metaverse is a new door for Humanity, NFTs are the keys. It is an emerging tunnel for a fast-forward, rapidly developing societal change in virtual reality. The Metaverse(s) will open new roads and create digital interactive worlds. While these started as fantasies, they are quickly becoming our reality.

When defining the Metaverse, we have to consider Blockchain-powered NFTs, the expanded concept of the Web 3.0 Internet Paradigm, and all the related technologies. I created this infographic research where I define and highlight these concepts that are critical to gaining a better understanding of what the Metaverse is:

1. Metaverse experience;

2. Metaverse discovery;

3. Metaverse Creator Gig economy;

4. Metaverse Digital twins spacial computing;

5. Metaverse and Decentralisation;

6. Metaverse and Human Interface;

7. Metaverse Infrastructure.

Metaverse ABC and the brave new world of NFTs, Web 3.0, Internet and AI-powered by Avatars

The quotes below highlight the challenges and, in particular, the complexities of the multiple confluence of technologies and change that the Metaverse concept will bring us:

“By the time we get to the 2040s, we’ll be able to multiply human intelligence a billionfold. That will be a profound change that’s singular in nature. Computers are going to keep getting smaller and smaller.“ Ray Kurzweil

“What is inevitable is not death but change. Change is the only abiding reality. The metaverse evolves, fractally and forever. Saints become singers, sinners become saints. Dusts become men, men become gods, gods become dust.” Robert Charles Wilson

“This Metaverse is going to be far more pervasive and powerful than anything else. If one central company gains control of this, they will become more powerful than any government and be a god on Earth.” Tim Sweeney

“Augmented reality will drive all things like chat, social networking, photos, videos, organizing data, modeling, painting, motion capture, and visual programming. Every form of computing will be combined together and unified in a single platform.” Tim Sweeney

“The metaverse has become the newest marco-goal for many of the world’s tech giants.” Mathew Ball, EpyllionCo

“The (NFT) technology is here to stay. It’s a simple way to own things digitally. The royalties paid to the original creator in perpetuity is what is so exciting.” Marc Cuban

So what is the Metaverse? The definition is open and signifies something bigger than anything ever done by Humans. For now, we can summarise it as an expanded, communal, virtual interactive, and immersive space, based on various platforms, linking AR and VR — mixed reality, allowing avatars a.k.a.us — you — us, your digital twins — to move from the next-related or not – at a single starting point. This will happen in a digital 360 platform that allows immersive experiences, including gamification, payments, exchanges of digital experiences and reward solutions.

Imagine: Ready Player One meets Second Life and you are being able to interact in a world of your own such as Tim Burton’s “the Nightmare Before Christmas”.

Metaverse = Immersive virtual worlds with their own interactive economic reward Systems, Gig economy new type of jobs, AR V-Shopping Areas and rich Media interactive consumer-driven universes.

Metaverse ABC — Bridging the physical and digital twin avatar world of the Metaverse, infographic and research by Dinis Guarda

Below, find some of my top-level ideas about the Metaverse, from A to Z:

A) ABC of anything internet Metaverse platforms are and will create the immersive accessible digital metaversive ecosystems platforms for our society.

B) Bold Metaverse — Our social-economic dynamics will be based on boldly created and framed Metaverse(s) platforms with ecosystems that offer reward and gamification ESG-driven experiences, solutions, and rewards for creators, brands, retail, entertainment industry, businesses, and the public in the virtual world.

C) Critical Metaverse platforms combine elements of social media, e-commerce like TikTok and Amazon with AR, 3D communities like Roblox, Decentraland within an expanded virtual post-pandemic digital circular economic virtual world.

D) Dynamics Metaverse platforms will make available virtual AR mall future utopia cities and virtual for creators, brands and v-commerce.

E) Explosive effusive Metaverse platforms will allow effusion and explosive experiences where Users can create, play, interact, enjoy experiences, get entertainment and buy!

F) Future Metaverse platforms will build a new Society 5.0 immersive digital tools for people, businesses and creators to market and sell their real and digital products in a virtual world!

G) General foundation technologies such as Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are enabling the next iteration of the Metaverse Internet: Web 3.0, an intelligent, immersive Internet.

H) Hyperbolic — The Metaverse is an example of how digital transformation is reshaping and hyperbolising our society, enabling super-fast changes in our physical merging with virtual worlds, such as democratising trade and reengineering supply chains, while redefining how we behave in the virtual world.

I) Immersive Augmented Reality (AR) enhances and augments our experience of the physical world with information as a virtual overlay.

J) Jack of all trades Virtual Reality (VR) that enables ever-expanding virtual experiences outside of physical reality in an entirely newly-created and interactive virtual world.

K) Keys — with Mixed Reality (MR), or polyplexity, — the keys of the Metaverse are MR — hybrid of AR and VR — that merges the real and virtual worlds. Mixed Reality is a critical focus on how to create new Metaverse technology and ecosystem environments in which physical and digital objects coexist interactively in real-time.

L) Leading 3D technology is going to be an emerging sector that highlights the construction of a three-dimensional object that is being embraced by businesses to simplify the working process and improve online experiences such as shopping.

M) Metaverse Mechanics will include the Applications of Avatars, advanced and cartoonish avatars, 3D technologies include 3D modelling, 3D printing, 3D visualisation, and 3D display.

N) Native Avatars. The metaverse and related avatar technologies are a fast-growing social Development that will change the way we behave and the way we look at humanity. Avatars are our evolutionary digital twins as humans. They will become our native avatars footprint.

0) Objectiveness will be going forward defined with Avatar technology is a digital variation of a human character based on the computer representation of users in a computer-generated 3D world. Avatars are critically used in chat and entertainment websites.

P) Personal Avatars will create new business applications that will expand social health and economic models and will include gamified training, health care checks, wellbeing, customer support, training or sales, where avatars in an enterprise’s website may assist potential customers through text or audio links.

Q) Quantified and augmented social-economic gamified metaverse ecosystems. The metaverse will expand our ecosystems and quantify everything we do with AI qualitative and quantified analytics and interactive UI UX and experiences.

R) Realistic virtual worlds are vast and changing and key to the metaverse. These realistic virtual and imaginative worlds cannot be created and maintained without advanced automation.

T) Tech Metaverse — Metaverse technology Infrastructure includes tech semiconductors material science, AI, cloud computing and 4G, and 5G, telecommunications networks that make it possible to construct any of the above layers.

U) UI UX is key for the Metaverse ecosystem. There is no Metaverse without users, only a static, empty virtual space. User experience needs to be as seamless and sophisticated as possible, and AI is key to enabling this.

V) Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-generated environment with scenes and objects that appear to be real, making the user feel they are immersed in their surroundings. This environment is perceived through a device known as a Virtual Reality headset or helmet.

W) Web 3.0 suggest an open future Internet in which different people and machines can interact with data, ideas, objects and each other without third party involvement. Something that would not be possible without AI and blockchain.

X) eXperiences — the metaverse platforms of the near present future will be using native in-game gamification advertising experiences in new ways that will integrate influencer, social media and interactive data quantified systems. Brands such as Coca-Cola, Samsung, and Volkswagen all have virtual billboards within video games like Football Manager and Hyper Scape. Platforms like the in-game advertising platform Bidstack revealed that these ads enhanced gameplay realism for 95% of players and increased purchase intent by 12%.

Y) Young and old will be part of the virtual worlds; we will expand into the Metaverse. All ages and social groups will be interacting in the metaverse new iteration of humanity that just started.

Z) Zeppelins and the Metaverse have a lot in common. Like in the age of the vast, ocean-crossing zeppelins, that came to an end in 1937, when the Hindenburg — the largest craft of its type ever built — erupted in flames while landing in New Jersey, we will see a lot of zeppelin Metaverse platforms. But as the technology evolves we, all of us, will definitely be living in Metaverse ecosystems.

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]]> Ultimate Guide To NFTs: How to build an NFT Ecosystem? https://www.footballthink.com/ultimate-guide-to-nfts-how-to-build-an-nft-ecosystem/ Mon, 14 Mar 2022 18:16:02 +0000 https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/?p=19043 Ultimate Guide To NFTs: How to build an NFT Ecosystem? NFTs are the key that brings offline world assets to the online, open, and decentralised digital world, fuelling the rise of new digital immersive ecosystems. This is an extract of the upcoming ‘Metaverse NFTs Uprising Ultimate Guide to NFTs’ By Dinis Guarda.   NFTs are […]

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]]> Ultimate Guide To NFTs: How to build an NFT Ecosystem?

NFTs are the key that brings offline world assets to the online, open, and decentralised digital world, fuelling the rise of new digital immersive ecosystems.

This is an extract of the upcoming ‘Metaverse NFTs Uprising Ultimate Guide to NFTs’ By Dinis Guarda.

 

NFTs are the future. Just recently, the famous whistleblower Edward Snowden used the technology to auction a piece called “Stay Free”:

“We’re very excited to use the proceeds of this auction to help further our work developing and improving technology that can protect journalists and their sources, like SecureDrop, our open-source whistleblower submission system”.

Ownership and trade are vital aspects of prevalent human culture.  However, human concepts of, and our need for, ownership extend far beyond the practical necessities of food, land, resources, and energy.  Throughout history, our most prized possessions have often been things with no direct useful or economic purpose.  We have created and destroyed, fought over, won, and lost, items of emotional and cultural currency such as religious icons, jewellery, and art that represent the less tangible of our being. Things that manifest the unmanifest codify our ideas and encapsulate our humanity.

Since our earliest history, we have found ways to control the exchange of physical value.  More recently, we have also devised and defended systems, such as trademarks and patents, that ascribe ownership and prevent the unauthorised use of intellectual property, intangible assets such as ideas, patterns, designs, and processes, which may have economic and cultural value.

These assets will become increasingly digital as we digitise our lives and culture in what is being called the Metaverse.

Since the advent of the Internet, we have increasingly codified the intangible aspects of our culture electronically in digital media, relying less and less on real-world physical objects. Adoption cryptocurrency is a critical stage in this transition, enabling an exchange of value.  NFTs provide the next step, enabling a unique description of a discrete entity.

Ultimate Guide To NFTs: How to build an NFT Ecosystem?, NFTs, Metaverse, Web 3, blockchain, Metaverse NFTs Uprising Ultimate Guide to NFTs, NTF book, Dinis Guarda
The NFT Metaverse Blockchain AI Pioneer Ecosystem, Infographic by Dinis Guarda

NFTs – the definition

A non-fungible token is a unique and non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a digital ledger (Blockchain).  Although NFTs use the same blockchain technology as cryptocurrencies, what distinguishes them is their lack of interchangeability (fungibility).  Each NFT has a unique blockchain address. This characteristic enables NFTs to act as a digital twin for any unique digital or physical asset to provide public proof of ownership.

The world economy has been evolving toward increased digitisation, creating digital twins of everything around us. A digital twin is simply a digital representation, a unique identity, of whatever exists.  However, we did not have a way to certify and monetise our digital world as we did with paper technology until recently.

NFTs provide an essential building block for the creation of the Metaverse. They offer a ubiquitous means to securely share ownership, access, and use of a unique set of data. As such, NFTs are then a key enabler of digital transformation and a much-needed invention, enabling us, for the first time, to certify an ever-expanding digital ecosystem on which we are increasingly dependent.

The breadth of NFTs is just beginning to be shown and more developments are taking place as we write this book. The market for NFTs is also expanding. It surged to new highs in the second quarter of 2021, with $2.5 billion in sales so far this year (the NFT wave became serious in 2020), up from just $13.7 million in the first half of 2020, according to marketplace data. Moreover, as Visa bought a $150k NFT, Opensea surpassed $1bn in turnover for August 2021 alone.

Ultimate Guide To NFTs: How to build an NFT Ecosystem?, NFTs, Metaverse, Web 3, blockchain, Metaverse NFTs Uprising Ultimate Guide to NFTs, NTF book, Dinis Guarda
Mapping the growing NFT marketplaces – Fat Cat Fun

NFT uses – examples

• Automotive, Aerospace and Maritime Industries – Virtual Planes, Trains and Automobiles

As with land and buildings, virtual cars, planes, and boats have also been created and tokenised as NFTs.

CryptoMotors, are a professional car design studio based in Germany dedicated to creating de-centralised digital vehicles using the Ethereum blockchain.  Every car they make is unique and 100% owned by the token owner.  It cannot be destroyed, replicated, or taken away.

The idea of a custom-made car usable in virtual worlds is an enticing one, and together with F1 Delta Time and Battle Racers, Cryptomotors have sold hundreds of ETH worth of digital cars.

It is not just cars that have become popular.  CryptoYachts are one of several companies that also produce virtual boats, an item with an elite appeal.

In December 2021, a digital mega-yacht sold for 149 ether (about $650,000), making it the most expensive NFT sold in Sandbox’s virtual world.  The ‘Metaflower Super Mega Yacht comes with two helipads, a dancefloor, hot tubs, and a DJ booth among the three-story boat’s amenities.

• Collectables

Cryptokitties, CryptoPunks, Blockchain Cuties, and Avastars are all examples of tradable NFT collectables.

Some CryptoPunks have sold for more than $1 million.

The concept of ownership and the desire to have something iconic seem alive and well.

Exclusive ownership is a concept that appeals to human nature and applies across many sectors, such as fashion, luxury goods, which will be explored further in subsequent chapters.

• Sports

One very recognisable area where NFTs have been adopted is the sports sector, specifically in connection with sports collectables, which can be either physical or virtual.

Digital media vastly expands the possibilities for owning sports content and memorabilia, enabling ownership of unique stills, video, and audio content, such as scoring a goal, with additional content such as commentary provided by the player/s involved.

Sports organisations such as NBA have been quick to replicate other implementations of virtual collectables.

A prime example is NBA Top Shot NFTs which offer basketball fans the opportunity to buy and sell NFT collectables of moments in the NBA league’s history.  Developed in collaboration between the NBA players and several notable entrepreneurs, these have been hugely popular and achieved over $100 million in sales volume.

These NBA NFTs are not just collectables; they have a utility value in being usable in multiple games.  A whole ecosystem of sports games is being built around these NFTs.

Conclusion

We have seen that already many industry sectors have found valuable ways to use blockchain, cryptocurrency, tokens and NFTs.

NFTs have been adopted in multiple industries, and their use is now widespread and popular.   With so many use cases, without doubt, NFTs disrupt and revolutionise most, if not all sectors, not just the creative industries, or even just business; they have the potential for application in all areas of the economy and society at large.

It is not just about doing the same things differently, NFTs enable new and hitherto unimagined transactions. The future is exciting.

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]]> Shaping The Metaverse With NFTs And Blockchain https://www.footballthink.com/shaping-the-metaverse-with-nfts-and-blockchain/ Thu, 03 Feb 2022 16:24:47 +0000 https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/?p=18370 The ‘Metaverse’ represents the concise form of concepts that are the foundations of our ever-expanded universe. It is the sum of all the processes and protocols empowering the digital transformation of our lives, the internet systems, and the emerging blockchain empowered with AI Web3. The Metaverse transforms our experiences as society, and opens the doors […]

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]]> The ‘Metaverse’ represents the concise form of concepts that are the foundations of our ever-expanded universe. It is the sum of all the processes and protocols empowering the digital transformation of our lives, the internet systems, and the emerging blockchain empowered with AI Web3.

The Metaverse transforms our experiences as society, and opens the doors to digital transformation- the digital twins of our imagination, health, physics, and desires. The Metaverse will transform our present and virtual world in a way where digital twins (avatars) connect through houses, cities, work, buildings, travel, or entertainment, with the help of increasing AR and VR solutions- improvised far ahead of the present-day headsets.

The tech and business world, as well as smart city builders are preparing for a Metaverse-based future, with NFT-based certified and augmented experiences. This vision shows the Metaverse is a cornerstone of our physical and digital social media experience.

With the Metaverse, you can do a virtual digital twin check of your body. A present use of Metaverse is the VR that is presently being used in the training of doctors and medical staff to take learners within the human body, providing digital twins and a 360° view of ailments or replicating real-world procedures. In the current era of high-tech health care, as the Metaverse grows, doctors are going to be able to visualise and contribute patient data and diagnosis information. Metaverse would help in getting insights from a massive database accessible to physicians all around the world.

This explosive future from Metaverse will come hand in hand with the potential for blockchain-based ID certification systems that will accelerate the adoption of media, personal profiles, and increasing financial services in the Metaverse.

In the near future, the Metaverse will increasingly give birth to a potential independent state of its own, presided over by various self-governed DAOs or other decentralised systems. This is partly already real with the hacker and gaming communities worldwide that have millions of users.

The entertainment, property, tourism, health, fintech/DeFi sectors will be the ones where we will find better present/future solutions. The Metaverse will empower peer-to-peer experiences that will offer jobs, financial empowerment, lending, and trading. The Metaverse and NFTs certification solutions will take on the role of a virtual business-empowered financial system.

NFTs are now our keys, ID cards, and passports, like email was in the beginning of the internet. The possibilities are, of course, much bigger, more powerful, and disruptive. The NFTs are the glue that put together the puzzle pieces that already exist on the internet, and expand them to the Metaverse of experience.

The role of Blockchain and NFTs

With Blockchain advanced NFTs and AI, the Metaverse possibilities are only limited by the capacity we can put our imaginations as humans, the capabilities of creators and developers, and the demands of users.
While NFTs are becoming the DNA certification for our society, they are the central pillars of Metaverse, where they are pivotal in building the digital twin of our society. Art, fashion, collectives, history, cities, property, and tourism experiences- all benefit and grow in terms of experiences with the expansion of Metaverse.

If Metaverse is the door to the unique space of experiences, NFTs are the keys to that door. To explore this vast span of exciting and exclusive events, these keys are inevitably necessary.

The Metaverse is an inspiration to create an architectural bedrock in a decentralised and always-expanding interoperable space. It is a realm where real, online, and all types of experiences that we partly saw in science fiction blend into each other.

In its present (or the future) scenario of Metaverse, all our societal features- personal health and wellbeing, communications, finances, game, personal and collective worlds, and personal profiles- will use the NFTs as the door keys, unlocking the ever-growing online experiences on the course of its journey.

Blockchain is the foundational architecture and engineering of the Metaverse. Blockchain technology is, in itself, a powerful combination of three popular concepts- cryptography, peer-to-peer networking, and game theory.
Blockchain’s fast growing distributed-ledger-solutions permeate various verticals for identity and protection, transparency of data and transactions, and ways to reward. Further, it gives us an opportunity to gamify the systems of our society – businesses, experiences, and our personal, online, and digital twins.

This goes hand and hand with the way blockchain-expanded protocols can empower communities, artists, creators, cities, developers, businesses and all types of organisations to lead experiments. Existing Metaverses have been using digital tokens since their inception. Digital tokens have been used as a way to reward developers, and have been using cryptocurrency as a form of payment to services and activities. However, you’ll need exposure for your NFT collection. That’s why you need to reach to a specialised crypto ad network to promote your NFT. The leader in the crypto ad networks space is Coinzilla.

The growing Metaverse opens the doors with NFTs ‘keys to not only new experiences, but new levels of digital transformation and digital twins of literally everything that makes humans, the visibility and control for users. While the Metaverse has been there for more than a decade, it’s NFTs that stand to open bigger doors and solve the puzzle to bring it to a much more impactful place in our society- life in our real, perceived and blurred physical world.

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]]> Green Development: Huawei To Lead Green Tech Solutions For The ICT Industry https://www.footballthink.com/green-development-huawei-to-lead-green-tech-solutions-for-the-ict-industry/ Wed, 27 Oct 2021 15:51:22 +0000 https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/?p=16749 The world is witnessing an increasing demand for wireless networks, projecting an unprecedented rise in data traffic in the near future. Tech advancements made to satisfy this demand should go in sync with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by the ICT industry. As part of their social responsibility to grow in a sustainable manner, […]

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]]> The world is witnessing an increasing demand for wireless networks, projecting an unprecedented rise in data traffic in the near future. Tech advancements made to satisfy this demand should go in sync with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by the ICT industry. As part of their social responsibility to grow in a sustainable manner, Huawei committed at the Better World Summit (Dubai, October 18) to incorporating green development as a key pillar of their business operations.

Huawei, one of the leading global providers of ICT infrastructure and smart devices, hosted the Better World Summit (BWS) in partnership with Informa Tech in Dubai on October 18, 2021. The event marked both companies’ commitment to green development, especially in the areas of ICT related technologies. Throughout the event, both companies’ representatives laid out a battery of green, sustainable and more efficient tech solutions to cut carbon emissions drastically, including the creation of a platform to that end.

And that would be only possible thanks to a collaborative effort of the network industry, materialized in the BWS under the Network Carbon Intensity (NCI) initiative, proposed jointly by the two companies back in June 2021. “With our innovative products and solutions, we will help operators cut carbon emissions and make their networks more energy efficient. We also want to work with operators and use ICT to better enable other industries to cut carbon emissions and become carbon neutral faster.” Bob Cai, Chief Marketing Officer of Huawei’s Carrier Business Group.

Bob Cai went on to assure that Huawei has set out on a mission to bring industry partners and operators together. For the CMO, this is a key step to share their latest and innovative technology and practices, cutting down carbon emissions and contributing to a greener ICT industry.

Taking place in the thriving city of Dubai The Better World Summit: Green ICT for Green Development gathered world-recognized speakers such as Richard Mahony, Vice President of Service Provider Markets of Informa Tech; Dr. Dena Assaf, UN Resident Coordinator of the United Arab Emirates; Dr. Ahmed Bin Ali, Corporate Communications SVP of Etisalat; Hervé Suquet, Group Energy SVP of Orange; Dirk Karl, Chief Procurement Officer of MTN; and Tanveer Mohammad, SVP of Global Operation of Telenor, and more.

The Role of the ICT Industry: Building Greener Network Solutions

While delivering his keynote speech “Green 5G Lights the Way to a Low Carbon Future ” Aaron Jiang, Vice President of Wireless Product Line, Huawei, presented the promising aspects of 5G technology as a rapidly emerging innovative engine to drive the growth of wireless networks.

He emphasized that: “In this context, we must innovate equipment, sites, and networks from end to end, to build green 5G networks that will facilitate low-carbon development”.

5G has become an essential wireless technology for industries, allowing for:

1) Enhanced Mobile Broadband, which enables faster data speeds as total capacity is expanded. This helped the introduction of first-edition 5G smartphones and fixed wireless access (FWA) services;

2) Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Connectivity, which is essential for autonomous driving, industrial automation and remote medical assistance applications; and

3) Massive Machine Type Control, which ensures 5G mobile networks are able to connect millions of devices per square kilometre – essential for the development of connected smart cities of the future.

Making this technology more efficient and greener is thus key to Huawei’s mission. The company is working hard towards that goal and has started to implement more efficient solutions in use cases all around the world.

Within that context, Huawei announced the flagship of their exhibition of various technological solutions for a greener future in “Innovation High Land” themed on “Lightning up the future” at Dubai, -that would remain open until the February of the next year-.

Mr. Cai told the delegates at the summit that, currently, the ICT industry enables other industries like coal mining, ports, manufacturing and agriculture, just to name a few. “ICT can make a great contribution to these industries to not only improve efficiency but to bring green solutions to realize carbon neutrality”.

For example, Huawei has deployed technologies like 5G, IoT, and cloud to agriculture in Switzerland to exemplify the application of technology for sustainable operations. To improve farmland management, it has partnered with others to use 5G empowered drones for targeted inspection of crops, intelligent computing, and control to reduce pesticide by about four-fifths, and herbicide use by half using AI on cloud. Mr. Cai assured that green ICT technologies will offer similar benefits to various other industries.

Tommy Stalden, Co-founder and General Partners of Giant Ventures, delegated the session “What a tech-enabled low carbon world looks like for consumers”. He lauded the technologies that Huawei showcased adding that it would help workers together even when they are apart.

R&D: Where The Green Tech Is Born

Huawei invests more than 10% of its sales revenue into R&D, pursuing innovations for continued improvements in efficiency. Its innovative solutions for telecom networks include algorithms for high-performance, technologies for effective heat dissipation, and the development of new materials. This promises to enhance energy efficiency in the telecom sector, as they showcased at the BWS.

With the aim to reduce its own carbon footprint, Huawei has installed a fully hydroelectric-powered R&D centre at Chengdu in Central China. Annually, while consuming 200mKWh of energy, it saves 177,000 tonnes of carbon. This is almost equal to planting 7.7 million trees. The company extends such efforts by assisting other organizations to cut their carbon emissions too.

Huawei also shared their Power 2.0 initiative at BWS. This is a result of its continuous innovation in the previous version of the software Power 1.0 (2018). After the success of its first version, this upgrade imparts a potentially more intelligent base station that can double its energy-saving performance. Aaron Jiang, Vice President of Wireless Product Line, Huawei commented, “Energy consumption is reduced by 25%, but KPIs are the same”.

Green Solutions At BWS

The company believes that end-to-end hardware innovation benefits in two ways- improving the energy efficiency of the device, and simplifying site construction in order to harness the maximum potential the site holds.

MetaAAU is one such hardware innovation to help the operators build green networks using an extremely large antenna array (ELAA). According to the field tests carried out in Hangzhou (China’s eastern Zhejiang), this reduces the power consumption by 30% while providing the same level of coverage.

Adding to the list, Mr. Jiang introduced Ultra-wideband RRU modules to integrate multiple single-band devices down into a single box with an ultra-compact form factor using ultra-wideband power amplifiers, advanced algorithms, and hardware units. This provides support for more bands and improves network coverage and capacity, without affecting power consumption.

The delegates learnt about the ultra-wideband RRU modules deployed 1800MHz and 2100MHz on top of the previous 2600MHz by a Russian operator, achieving a reduction in energy consumption by 16.4%, while improving the overall capacity by about 12%.

The company’s latest cabinet APM5950 can deploy outdoor sites with no requirement of equipment rooms or air conditioners, thereby reducing the overall site power consumption by 30%. This utilizes solar power to compensate for the main power consumption. This has been deployed in Greece, where the mains power consumption has been reduced by greater than 50%.

An intelligent innovation where service traffic collaborates with site hardware enabling it to adjust the power supply while maintaining the consumption efficiency, based on the traffic load, reduced the power consumption by 24% in Shanghai. Other features that enhance the optimal efficiency at the site operation include- service-adapted energy usage and service-driven smart temperature control.

One aspect of technology that could not draw much attention until recently has been achieving energy efficiency in antennas. Huawei has been achieving major breakthroughs here too. It has developed signal direct injection feeding (SDIF) technology through highly integrated design and advanced processing that is able to create a cable-free antenna structure. This facilitated a reduction in energy leak by the cables by eliminating about 100m cable length and eventually boosting its efficiency by 15%. Above that, with 20% lower transmit power, the same level of coverage could be achieved.

A Greener Commitment For The Future

According to the NCI initiative, proposed jointly by Huawei and Informa Tech, the new metric for green networks is the carbon emissions per bit of data used. Huawei believes that the pursuit of better lives must balance the need for lower carbon emissions. With BWS, Huawei takes a leap to realize its dream for green development.

Welcoming all industry partners and operators at the forum, Cai said, “At MWC Barcelona, 2022, Huawei will continue to hold a green development forum with its partners to share industry practices and latest solutions”.

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]]> 4IR And Huawei Connect 2021 – A Deep Dive Into The Digital https://www.footballthink.com/4ir-and-huawei-connect-2021-a-deep-dive-into-the-digital/ Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:28:28 +0000 https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/?p=16691 ‘Reimagine digital’ is the slogan by which Huawei stands this year. Following in the tradition of Huawei Connect yearly events, the company is hosting a month-long series of panel talks from world-class experts unveiling everything the 4IR has to offer: from smart transportations, through green industry, to smart wireless networks. The event is to take […]

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]]> ‘Reimagine digital’ is the slogan by which Huawei stands this year. Following in the tradition of Huawei Connect yearly events, the company is hosting a month-long series of panel talks from world-class experts unveiling everything the 4IR has to offer: from smart transportations, through green industry, to smart wireless networks. The event is to take place from the 23rd of September to 31st of October and can be streamed online, through the Huawei website live.

Huawei Connect 2021 is taking place from 23rd October to 31st October

On September 23, on the first day of the Huawei Connect 2021, the company revealed a White Paper called ‘Intelligent World 2030’ where it forecasted what the world would be like in ten years from now. Huawei’s Intelligent World 2030 report went through eight domains: healthcare, food, living spaces, transportation, cities, enterprises, energy, and digital trust. Powered by next-generation information technologies, health will be computable; people will enjoy higher quality of life; food production can be driven up by data; cities will become more livable; buildings will become greener; travel will become more convenient than ever; industries will become more intelligent; and trust will become more widespread in society.

“Digital technologies ranging from digital infrastructure, cloud computing, and blockchain will make cities more livable and city governance more efficient. Enterprises from countless industries will use more productive machines, such as collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, and digital employees. They will reshape our industrial and commercial models, and make companies more resilient,” commented David Wang, Executive Director and President of ICT Products & Solutions, Huawei, on the first day of the event.

These are the major pillars of what the event will be based on. A full month-long event that will look at how technological development will define our world for years to come. And that it will gather major personalities in their areas such as Ugo Valenti Vazquez, Smart City Expo World Congress, CEO; Dr. Margaret Hu, Huawei. Vice President, ICT Marketing Department; Zhao Zhiyun, President, Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China; Wang Xiangwang, Member, Standing Committee of the Wuhan Municipal Committee, Hubei Province Secretary, Working Committee of Wuhan East Lake High-tech and Tao Jingwen, Board Member, CIO, Huawei among many others.

A Smart Transportation In Smarter Cities

The so-called 4IR – Fourth Industrial Revolution is changing our society. Part of this revolution pertains to how cities are innovating with transportations. The Smart Transportation set of technologies and concepts together with technologies like 5G, IoT, robotics and AI, and more. All these interconnected techs, working together as innovative solutions will be highlighted in Huawei’s Connect sessions.

A smart transportation network is clean and efficient. Reduced traffic congestion results in cleaner air, less wasted time and reduced energy consumption. And cities that are working to accommodate electric and, eventually, autonomous connected vehicles can expect to realize even greater environmental benefits.

Smart transportation is one of the focuses of 4IR

“Vehicles are the ultimate products of deep integration between the internet, big data, AI, and the real economy. Vehicles will be redefined by ICT and become more connected and intelligent. Intelligent connected vehicles will be a key pillar of intelligent transportation. They will also present challenges in terms of technology, policy, laws, and regulations. The standardization of intelligent vehicles is still underway, and we will continue innovating as we build intelligent connected vehicles,” mentioned Huawei’s Intelligent World 2030 contributor Prof. C.C. Chan, Founding President of the World Electric Vehicle Association, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering.

Smart Transportation is a part of a bigger picture and is a vision of a ‘Smart Society’ with the hook idea of ‘Smart cities’ at its center. Smart city technologies, including smart transportations, are already taking off worldwide and more of these technology and data driven ecosystems are definitely on the horizon globally.

The research and scientific organisation SingularityHub report that 1,000 smart city projects and pilots are underway or are in their final planning stages across most of the countries in the world.

Smart cities (and in this case smart transportations) are and will increasingly help us to be greener and will connect countless industries such as real estate, energy, transportation and more! When smart cities reach their peak, they will be able to self-run, and every single one of us will connect our data to the city we live in.

With the advent of the 4IR (4th industrial revolution) and with the data driven “information everywhere” community- concepts and infrastructure like smart transportation will be the critical element for cities, countries. Various key organisations are opening new opportunities to make the existing general transportation network systems and infrastructure far more efficient and user friendly.

A Green Revolution

Another interesting topic that will be covered in the Huawei Connect 2021 is the green revolution that the 4IR will inevitably bring about. With the rapid development of cloud, AI, and 5G, alongside the deeper implementation of new national infrastructure policies, the size and number of data centers are set to grow, exponentially increasing the energy consumption.

The “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” plan poses new energy conservation requirements on data centers. And as the ICT industry consumes more and more energy, how to significantly improve the energy efficiency of data centers, in turn reducing carbon emissions, has become a huge challenge. The Huawei Digital Power Data Center Facility Session presents new opportunities and solutions for data center development, prioritizing carbon peaks and carbon neutrality while exploring new trends in the industry.

“An “energy Internet” will emerge, with digital technologies connecting power generation, grids, load management, and storage, systematically reducing carbon emissions, and digitalizing the entire clean energy process. Blockchain, digital watermarking, and privacy-enhancing technologies will lay a solid foundation for a sustainable digital culture,” said David Wang.

In this context, Huawei released another white paper, called the Global Energy Transition and Zero Carbon Development that analyzes the key factors affecting energy transition, and proposes a new plan for the energy sector — building a net-zero intelligent energy system.

The said system focuses on interconnecting oil, gas, electricity, heat, and hydrogen systems, and aims to achieve secure, reliable, efficient, cost-effective, and clean energy. Anthony Hu , Chief Representative for Energy Transition (Carbon Neutrality), Global Energy Business Unit of Huawei Enterprise BG, said, “The architecture of the net-zero intelligent energy system will interconnect the energy system, carbon system, and ICT infrastructure as well as eventually converging energy, carbon, information, and value flows. Gradually, it will form a system with data at its core, promoting the digitalization of the energy industry.”

The urgency now is to go carbon neutral, which means achieving energy transformation and zero-carbon development as soon as possible. That is the goal Huawei is committed to achieve and its presence at the Better World Summit: Green ICT for Green Development, just reassure that commitment.

Advanced Wireless Connectivity

Moreover, the Wi-Fi 6 Advanced technology will play a pivotal role. In today’s digital era, how can we build intelligent, secure, and freely collaborative office and production environments for higher team creativity, more agile collaboration, higher production efficiency, and better product quality? Huawei CloudCampus Solution gives the best answer. It leverages high-quality enterprise-class Wi-Fi 6 Advanced technologies to offer speedy, stable, and smart fully wireless continuous experience. This eliminates issues such as poor wireless quality and discontinuous coverage. With this solution, enterprises can break down organizational boundaries and inspire more innovations.

Wifi 6 plays an important role in accelerating digital transformation

Connectivity will enable businesses to do more in the next decade as well. Enhanced broadband will make streaming, downloads, and data exchange lightning fast. Because they require less power, LPWANs can extend the battery life of the devices and sensors they connect, making it viable for the Internet of Things to scale up like never before. Ultra-low latency and strong security will create the confidence to run “mission-critical” applications that demand absolute reliability and responsiveness—even in vital infrastructure systems and in matters of life and death. LEO satellites could provide true global coverage.

Huawei has set out on a mission to lead the ICT set of technologies in the ongoing 4IR. Their strong focus on R&D -they invest more than 10% of its sales revenue into R&D, pursuing innovations for continued improvements in efficiency- powers a long-term strategy based on advanced technologies applied to real world scenarios, making industries, businesses and nations greener, more efficient and connected than ever before.  “Together we can build a better, more sustainable, more tech-savvy future,” stated the company.

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]]> This Is How China Is Leading 5G Adoption By Offering 480k 700 MHz Base Stations In 2021 https://www.footballthink.com/this-is-how-china-is-leading-5g-adoption-by-offering-480k-700-mhz-base-stations-in-2021/ Fri, 08 Oct 2021 11:40:31 +0000 https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/?p=16594 Strategy Analytics predicts that 2021 will be another bumper year for infrastructure vendors in China. The launch of the 700Mhz new frequency band and the offering of over 480K 700 MHz 5G base stations this year will be a catalyst for further 5G development in China. Huawei is one of the companies taking the lead […]

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]]> Strategy Analytics predicts that 2021 will be another bumper year for infrastructure vendors in China. The launch of the 700Mhz new frequency band and the offering of over 480K 700 MHz 5G base stations this year will be a catalyst for further 5G development in China. Huawei is one of the companies taking the lead in this area, winning 60% of the 700 MHz 5G network project and around 53% of the 2.1 GHz 5G rollout.

5G, 5G technology, Huawei, China, AR, 700MHz, Digital Transformation, ICT, innovation

How will 5G transform the world as we know it?

5G is a milestone in the history of mobile communications. Going back in history, whilst 2G enabled people to connect through mobile voice devices, 3G and 4G empowered the internet. What about 5G? How will it transform our world as we know it?

According to Ryan Ding, the President of Carrier Business Group, Huawei, “The huge potential of 5G is now emerging. The entire industry needs to act now, to build new capabilities and realise the 5G vision”.

This reassuringly benchmarks the potential of 5G connectivity speed as the latest mobile communications technology that can significantly boost many industries’ performance.

While the 5G ecosystem is evolving, we are witnessing a great increase in the integration of augmented reality (AR) with industry applications. In this context, the symbiosis of 5G + AR expands the scope of connectivity and the boundaries of user experience, enriching both our lives and communications.

Classification of 5G (Source: Digital International)

In that context, we can classify 5G’s capabilities into three areas:

1) Enhanced Mobile Broadband, which enables faster data speeds as total capacity is expanded. This helped the introduction of first-edition 5G smartphones and fixed wireless access (FWA) services;

2) Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Connectivity, which is essential for autonomous driving, industrial automation and remote medical assistance applications; and

3) Massive Machine Type Control, which ensures 5G mobile networks are able to connect millions of devices per square kilometre – essential for the development of connected smart cities of the future.

Resonating with Ryan, Manu Tyagi, associate partner, retail and consumer goods at Infosys Consulting, believes that 5G is not like any other telecoms improvement; with the potential to reach speeds of 10Gbps with minimal latency and pervasive connectivity,

“It opens up an array of possibilities for retailers and their technology teams. 5G will enable them to supercharge innovative consumer experiences and provide highly personalised engagement to consumers, powered by seamless connectivity and ultra-fast response times”.

“The main examples where we expect retailers and leading consumer goods companies to use 5G are smart shelves, real-time merchandising messaging and promotions, personalised digital signage both in-store and in mobile apps, and virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)-enabled technologies like adaptive magic mirrors, which would have an impact for fashion retailers,” he says.

China – the leader in 5G adoption

There is little doubt about China’s leadership in this area, driven by the government’s ongoing investment in better coverage, the offering of new frequencies to reach more areas of the country, as well as a pool of highly specialized tech companies and vendors. Their bet on 5G is going even further this year, with the offering of over 480K 700 MHz 5G base stations.

This investment will boost the number of 5G base stations in China to 1.7 million by the end of 2021, according to Strategy Analysis, This means that Chinese operators will double their 5G base stations in the next 6 months.

Only recently, China Mobile and CBN officially kicked off the procurement process for the base station equipment of a 5G network in the 700 MHz band. It is a significant milestone on the long journey of 700 MHz refarming in China. The 5G network deployments of the Chinese operators have focused on the tier-3 or above cities so far. The 700 MHz 5G will enable China Mobile and CBN to widen the 5G network reach to a broader area in a more cost-effective way.

700MHz – what’s it all about?

As Guang Yang, a 5G expert, explained in his interview with Total Telecom, “We often call this 700 MHz band the ‘Golden Band’ for mobile communications services,” this is because, “This band has much better signal propagation and building penetration than higher frequency bands. With this band, operators can provide nationwide coverage in a very cost-effective way.”

5G delivered through 700 MHz spectrum will be uniquely useful in terms of indoor connectivity. For the 5G networks in the C-band, connection is only possible when being very close to the window. As 700 MHz gets adopted, the indoor coverage will increase significantly.

Huawei at the forefront of the 5G development

Huawei, who currently enjoys the biggest market share in China’s 5G market, is expected to benefit from this strong domestic demand and continue to be the one of the leading vendors in the Chinese market. Huawei won 60% of the 700 MHz 5G network project and around 53% of the 2.1 GHz 5G network project. Huawei’s total contract value in the two projects will be up to more than CNY 33 billion. That is the equivalent of around a quarter of Huawei’s carrier business revenue in the first half of 2021. The fast expansion of 5G networks in China will also benefit the global 5G ecosystem.

Huawei is one of the companies that invest the most in R&D

Huawei has jumped two positions to rank third in the 2020 EO Industrial R&D Investments Scoreboard, compared to 2019, when the company was ranked 5th. The other two companies that bag the top two positions are: Alphabet (Google’s parent company), and Microsoft.

According to Huawei’s 2020 financial report, “By the end of 2020 Huawei held a total of 100,000+ active patents, across 40,000+ families”. The IP analytics firm, IPlytics, pointed out in its recent research paper that Huawei leads in 5G declared patent families.

Since 2017, 5G development has been critical for these R&D efforts. Huawei has been concentrating its research efforts on the next generation of wireless technologies since 2009.

As the digital foundation of innovative technologies, the ICT industry will support carriers and other industry partners in broadening the horizons of 5G implementation in a wide array of industries, dramatically boosting their performance at all levels and paving the way to endless possibilities and opportunities. Huawei and China are at the forefront of this revolution.

Interview with Edwin Diender, CDTO, VP Huawei:

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]]> In 7 Steps: How To Boost Your B2B Sales Like A Superstar https://www.footballthink.com/7-steps-how-to-boost-your-b2b-sales-like-a-superstar/ Thu, 22 Jul 2021 11:44:58 +0000 https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/?p=15856 B2B sales is a craft art that is increasingly critical in our digital enabled business world. Ironically, although all our sales are moving to the metaverse digital realm there is very little digital knowledge from business leaders and their team. B2B is about putting people and relationships first. And the importance of the digital to […]

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]]> B2B sales is a craft art that is increasingly critical in our digital enabled business world. Ironically, although all our sales are moving to the metaverse digital realm there is very little digital knowledge from business leaders and their team. B2B is about putting people and relationships first. And the importance of the digital to any business leader cannot be understated, it is there to build and enable relationships above all else. Sales are about building a solid network of value creation and is where you find your peers, your clients, your sales.

B2B. B2B sales, Sales tips, Business to Business, Startups
In 7 Steps: How To Boost Your B2B Sales Like A Superstar

Boosting B2B sales is all about focusing on solving a specific problem to a very concrete and measured audience. In our digital economic days, this implies a strong digital research and a bold profile for your company, organisation or team. This is both on web, mobile, social media and concrete niche B2B networks. Even the way you appear on zoom or other video calls.

Once you have a tailored capacity and a clear understanding about what you want to sell is only when the sales process can start. This implies a bull persistence of focus. Focus on clear business segmentation. Focus on understanding your target audience and be obsessive about them. Do all the research and know everything about their product(s), companies, their long tail segmentation. Intelligence about your audience and your clients is the number one golden B2B sales rule.

After this critical intelligence and research work, you have to find a clear critical solution and problem solving ways. Only when prepared for this very specific subject and their ecosystem will you be ready to start your process and boost your B2B sales like a bull.

B2B Sales Is All About People First

B2B is about people first. Their businesses come after. Once you take on that journey of understanding your B2B segment you can concentrate all your narrative and your digital outreach -whether on web, mobile, app or social media- to reach their ecosystem, their influencers and especially the thought leaders and decision makers. This implies precision, persistence and a scientific approach down to earth data driven preparation.

Once ready, work on serious messaging and content, explaining how your solution solves their B2B problem. Your solution needs to be simple and efficient and focused on solving concrete problems. Don’t try to solve all their problems. Solve one at a time.

B2B Buying Journey. Source: Gartner

How do you do this?

Make sure you have a credible and solid digital presence and an outreach tailored to their segmentation. Your digital presence will be the first key to open any closed door to your audience. Your digital presence, content, narrative and team are critical.

Build the messaging, competence and outreach to the ecosystem creating engagement with them. And repeat. After your first sale, continue with a simple to buy and clear call to action similar to a subscribe solution.

7 Sales Strategies To Become A B2B Sales Superstar

Last but not least, I propose here the 7 best sales strategies to become a B2B sales superstar that will increase conversions and, therefore, revenue:

1. Smart research-driven outreach. Before you start the sales process and to dial, or send an email, do your research and obsess about knowing your audience, clients and make sure to use solutions-driven narrative and buying intent through sales knowledge and data to reach out to the right people – titles, decision makers and intel about the company and their team.

2. Cold calls work, but you need to use all the channels. You have to cold call and persist in multiple channels – can’t just be emailing. You need to cold call and can’t just dial. You have to be proactive, do it all together and repeat with the right target messaging.

3. Include as many strong calls as possible to action titles, images or video. When you send an email, a tweet or a linkedin message, make sure that the message is strong by featuring an appealing headline and is related to the person you are targeting. Using a strong title, image or video in an email, LinkedIn message or through any other digital channel creates engagement. The focus on the person being targeted and the personalisation will pay off. Doing this your B2B target person will feel like you want to talk to them specifically instead of sending a mass message.

4. Reach out with serious knowledge and intent – don’t waste time with your target audience. Get your homework done on sales-based research intelligence from the company you are targeting. Check the profile of the person you are targeting, make it count. Build a relationship.

5. Create value – connect seriously. Go to your target audience and prospect’s LinkedIn profile, website and find concrete things about their problem and something to reference in your email or connection request. This shows that you want to create value, want to talk to that person, and people find it irresistible to receive a message that is personalized to them if this communication tries to solve a specific problem in their industry. Even if they don’t reply the first time, you’ll find a connection there and from a practical standpoint, it will show up in their feed if they accept the request. Over time, they’ll feel like they know you (as long as you post often). That makes it easier for you to start the B2B sales cycle and will make it likely for them to accept the call when you make a necessary follow-up cold call.

6. Social media intelligence and engagement. Check that person’s B2B business or team multiple accounts and engage. Make sure you know them, that you really care and want to get into their network. Don’t just send a connection request to every single person at that company on LinkedIn, engage and know about them and their multiple social profiles (of course in a wise and respectful way). This will give you a faster -and smarter- shot at finding your way in by creating engagement value.

7. Find the right path and rhythm. Understand where your B2B prospect is in the sales cycle and make sure you know if the targeted person and business is possibly interested in what you are selling or not. The worst thing for a salesperson is to sell a product that does not make sense for a prospect.

Being a sales superstar means being prepared and doing your homework. Boosting sales is about having the passion, dedication, intelligence and persistence to build relationships. It is about being obsessive about solving problems and CREATE VALUE for them and for you. And we need to say this in capital letters.

The post In 7 Steps: How To Boost Your B2B Sales Like A Superstar appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

]]> 2019: The Year of the Intelligent Security https://www.footballthink.com/cybersecurity-trends-for-2019-the-year-of-the-intelligent-security/ https://www.footballthink.com/cybersecurity-trends-for-2019-the-year-of-the-intelligent-security/#respond Thu, 10 Jan 2019 13:28:39 +0000 https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/?p=6532 Over the past 5 years, we have seen the rise of cyber attacks. Cybersecurity became crucial for not only businesses but Governments, Education Institutions, and common citizens. The urgent need to find proper cybersecurity solutions has revolutionized the sector, transforming it into a thriving industry,  expected to reach the $1 trillion mark by 2021. Cybersecurity threats […]

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]]> The Year of the Intelligent Security
The Year of the Intelligent Security

Over the past 5 years, we have seen the rise of cyber attacks. Cybersecurity became crucial for not only businesses but Governments, Education Institutions, and common citizens. The urgent need to find proper cybersecurity solutions has revolutionized the sector, transforming it into a thriving industry,  expected to reach the $1 trillion mark by 2021.

Cybersecurity threats are very real, given the fact that most companies nowadays, old and new, have e presence online. They use databases to store all kinds of data: from user’s IDs to accountancy numbers, and any other sort of highly sensitive information, crucial for the functioning of the company. That is why it is a good idea to find a reliable cyber security company that can prevent unauthorized access to this precious data.

Luckily at this point, and after a horrific 2017, firms have started to take cybersecurity seriously, and have found in new technologies some answers. As a result, these growing concerns about cybersecurity have brought us more security solutions for both computers and smartphone (and you can click here to learn more about how you can keep specifically your smartphone secure). Software, firewalls and antivirus systems have been benefited by recent developments in Artificial Intelligence, adaptive authentication, blockchain technology and the Internet of things, to name few, in this never-ending cat-and-mouse cybersecurity race. Thus all eyes are now fixed on Intelligent Security, Blockchain and IoT tools.

What trends do we expect to see more in 2019 in terms of cybersecurity? And are they truly ready for the challenge?

Intelligent security software

The rise of “intelligent security” will certainly happen. This term has been around for the past few years, but now we’re finally seeing it come to fruition in specific tools. This term includes a whole array of different technologies, from AI to the Cloud, although working in parallel to become a whole security system itself. It can be defined as a protective shield capable of learning and adapting through data to external threats.

Intelligent security combines aspects of machine learning and artificial intelligence with traditional security applications. The tools are more capable of adapting to new threats and to secure new types of applications. Basically, this system is based on AI algorithms that are able to learn from security breaches to avoid them in the future. Consequently, the more attacks a system is hit with, the more reliable the security will be to defend itself in the future.

Among the solutions brought by Intelligent security, we can find threat intelligence software, or cloud security software as its most representatives. As it was recently mentioned by G2 Crowd security site, “Threat intelligence networks and applications provide companies with the latest information on new cyber threats such as zero-day attacks, new forms of malware and recently discovered exploits.” This software uses machine learning capabilities, so it is able to spot newly found malware within the system and deal with it.

Cloud security software, on the other hand, is developed to avoid massive data breach in large data sets stored in the cloud. Business have started to rely in the cloud as a more effective way of storing data. As such, SaaS solutions have become a real hit among businesses. However, the potential vulnerabilities have soared along. To avoid data breaches, firms have started to insert endpoint cloud application gateways and cloud-based network security tools to protect sensitive business information. These products can be used to protect end-users, the data those end-users may be transferring over unsecured networks and the public cloud itself.

Countries that are the most and least cyber safe.
Countries that are the most and least cyber safe.

Blockchain as a safe network

Blockchain is another emerging technology that will be used as a cybersecurity tool more in 2019, although it is not its first functionality. However, blockchain itself can be seen as a cybersecurity measure as this distributed ledger allows secure transactions and the identities of the parties involved are anonymous. Everything is validated through a public ledger, so all peers in the network have to accept any change made within the blockchain. Nonetheless, information remains private through a highly complex encryption process.

Security powered by blockchain can be applied to identity management software, transactional systems, healthcare data management and any other industry you can think of. By using the security of blockchain, companies could realistically save tons of time and money by streamlining transactions and securing them with blockchain. Everything is quite exciting when talking about blockchain, although we still need to think that we are in the early days of its development and changes and improvements are still needed before going mainstream.

Blockchain in Cybersecurity
Blockchain in Cybersecurity

IoT security tools

Internet of Things, or IoT, is a controversial technology, to say the less. Its capability of connecting literally everything (even a fridge) around a person allows it for levels of connection never seen before, but on the other hand, it also increases the possibility of more devices being subjected to get hacked. That means a lot of more endpoints to secure and a new threats to identify.

IoT security tools have emerged to help prevent these unsuspecting endpoints from divulging sensitive information or becoming part of a bigger attack. A good thing is that since IoT is still evolving and concerns about its security have arisen at an early stage, new solutions are also being tested taking in consideration those concerns.

As explained by Specialist Aaron Montemayor, “Many of these [IoT] solutions will come as a form of hardware to monitor IoT sensors, but many are cloud-based applications to monitor threats on multiple devices at once. The threats are enormous and not completely understood since its so new. Hackers could gain control over a car’s operating system or a hospital’s infrastructure and wreak havoc on everyday citizens.”

IoT Security Tools

Conclusion

We all still bear in mind the 2017 attack to the NHS, in the UK, that compromised millions of patient’s records; or the recent security breach in Germany, committed by a 20-year-old student who got access to thousands of high-profiles data, including the one from the Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

The digitalised society in which we all live, has taken shape through the evolution of digital platforms that were not so concerned initially, with securing the information of its users. As such, millions of data (mostly from users) is now roaming across the web, with little, or in the best of the cases, outdated security, to stop hackers. Most importantly, this data is filled up with real people’s important digital information: telephone numbers, e-mail conversations, pictures, names and addresses… which have become crucial for their everyday operations, and one of the most important assets to trade with for large firms.

The cybersecurity solutions mentioned above aren’t the traditional ones. New complex threats require bigger and thorough solutions. It is not about building an impenetrable shield against hackers, but just making their job harder, so we all fee safer.

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