Day: March 5, 2024

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CallTower Breaks New Ground: Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams Telephony Solution Now Unleashed Across EMEA

CallTower Sets the Stage for Revolutionary Growth in European Markets as an Elite Operator Connect Provider

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, ROCHESTER, NY, BOSTON, MA, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CallTower, a global pioneer in providing advanced cloud-based solutions for unified communications, contact centers, and collaboration, proudly announces the expansion of its Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams service to the EMEA region. Since becoming one of the select providers for Operator Connect in September 2021, CallTower has continued to extend its reach. Today marks a significant milestone as they broaden their services to include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This expansion builds on their established presence in the US, Canada, and the UK, further solidifying CallTower’s commitment to enhancing global communications.

CallTower is at the forefront of revolutionizing communication solutions for businesses across the EMEA region in local currencies (including the euro, the UK pound sterling and others) through the enablement of Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams. This innovative service transforms the way organizations connect by delivering PSTN voice access directly within Teams, significantly enhancing the customer experience. Operator Connect not only simplifies the integration between networks but also streamlines the provisioning and management of users. This leads to improved support models that elevate the overall quality of service. Since 2018, CallTower has been providing Microsoft Teams Voice to users in EMEA and over 70 countries globally.

CallTower’s Operator Connect for MS Teams allows for the extension of PSTN voice services to regions that are not covered by Microsoft Calling Plans. This capability is crucial for businesses aiming to maintain a global presence, providing them with a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced market. By leveraging CallTower’s expertise and support, companies can ensure a robust and reliable communication framework, essential for thriving in the digital era. This functionality enables them to effortlessly connect calling services, acquire phone numbers, and assign these components to users, ensuring a smooth operational flow. CallTower stands out by offering technical support and managing the voice network and infrastructure, relieving businesses from the complexities of these tasks.

CallTower enhances Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, effectively addressing essential communication needs through a comprehensive suite of business integrations. This includes advanced SMS/MMS texting features, stringent compliance recording, crucial emergency services where available, and reliable one-click failover capabilities. Moreover, CallTower provides a range of innovative contact center solutions among other services, enabling businesses to significantly improve their communication frameworks.

“CallTower is thrilled to deliver on our promise of catering to customers in EMEA,” announced CallTower’s Chief Revenue Officer, William Rubio. “The launch of Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams marks the pinnacle of this commitment. It revolutionizes how our customers connect, offering a seamless transition and effortless implementation, all while broadening our coverage. By voice-enabling Teams through CallTower’s Global Network, we’re not just supporting our European clients; we’re empowering them. We provide a variety of options tailored to meet the diverse needs of their workforce, ensuring every user has exactly what they need to excel.” 

CallTower has strategically positioned itself as a leader in communication solutions by developing CallTower Connect, an innovative provisioning tool designed to streamline and simplify the management of its services. This proprietary portal is a testament to CallTower’s commitment to empowering businesses with the ability to effortlessly customize and control their communication platforms.

Through CallTower Connect, users gain access to a user-friendly interface that enables quick and efficient provisioning of a wide array of CallTower services. This includes seamless provisioning of CallTower’s Microsoft solutions, including Operator Connect, Direct Routing, GCC High Direct Routing, and Microsoft 365, among other vital communication tools. The simplicity and efficiency of CallTower Connect means that businesses can rapidly adapt their communication strategies to meet evolving needs without the need for extensive technical knowledge or support.

About CallTower

Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has evolved into a global cloud-based, enterprise-class cloud communications (unified communications, contact center and collaboration) solutions provider for growing organizations worldwide. CallTower provides, integrates and supports industry-leading solutions, including Operator Connect for Microsoft® Teams, MS Teams Direct Routing, GCC High Teams Direct Routing, Microsoft® 365, Cisco® Webex Calling / UCM, Cisco® CCP, Zoom Phone, Zoom (BYOB) and four contact center options, including Five9 for business customers.

For more information contact marketing@calltower.com

Kade Herbert
CallTower, Inc.
8003475444
marketing@calltower.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9056536

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Omusati NamPol in pursuit of rape-accused pastor


The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Omusati Region are in pursuit of a pastor who allegedly raped two women and a minor on different occasions at Okandi village in the Etayi Constituency.

NamPol’s Omusati Regional Commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson, confirmed this on Monday, saying the incidents allegedly occurred between 09 and 24 February.

According to Basson, the victims are aged 17, 19 and 24, while the age of the suspect, who remains on the run, is unknown.

‘The suspect, who is the pastor and owner of the church where the victims attend, allegedly had sexual intercourse with them without their consent,’ he said.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Man robbed and killed in Dorado Park


WINDHOEK: A 36-year-old man was robbed and killed in his home in Windhoek’s Dorado Park residential area over the weekend.

The Namibian Police Force in a crime report on Monday said the deceased has been identified as Stanley Cloete.

According to the report, he was dropped off at home by his niece and a friend around 04h00 on Saturday after a night out.

‘Before they left the deceased’s house, he called another friend who came whilst they were still at his place and they left. On Saturday the niece tried to get hold of the deceased on his phone but his phone was off and they visited his house, but could not enter because the gate was locked,’ it said.

On Sunday around 12h00 the niece and her friend decided to visit him again and they found the door closed, but not locked.

‘Upon entering, they found the deceased lying naked, with his arms and legs tied and a cloth in his mouth,’ the report said.

Cloete’s vehicle, TV and laptop were stolen.

Charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances have
been registered at the Windhoek Police Station.

Cloete’s next of kin have been informed and police investigations continue.

No arrests have been made in connection with the matter yet.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Fuel supply in Etosha National Park restored


WINDHOEK: Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has announced that the shortage of fuel at its fuel pumps in the Etosha National Park would be resolved by Tuesday.

The pumps at Okaukuejo and Halali had been without fuel since Friday, 01 March 2024.

NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala told Nampa that Enercon, NWR’s third party supplier, had travelled to Okaukuejo on Tuesday to provide an emergency supply of fuel.

‘The fuel pumps are also being attended to and should be running by today (05 March) at our service stations in Halali and Terrace Bay. Further meetings with our third party supplier will ensure that this unfortunate situation comes to an end,’ he said.

NWR regrets the situation and apologises for the inconvenience, Ashipala said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Cyber Security Challenges Require Holistic Approach: DG TigistOmusati police apprehend pastor accused of rape

Addis Ababa: Addressing the challenges of cyber security requires a holistic approach involving collaboration among governments, private sector, and international organizations, Information Network Security Administration (INSA) Director-General Tigist Hamid said.

A two-day cyber security and digital transformation conference organized by INSA and Ethiopian Cyber Security Association kicked off today.

In her opening remark, Director-General of INSA, Tigist Hamid said that technology underpins every aspect of the society, from financial transactions to vital infrastructure and this reliance puts everyone at risk for never-before-seen dangers.

‘The rise of AI and the increase of cyber-attacks are known risks within the international community; yet, it does come as a surprise that both of these topics fall within the top five risks for 2024,’ she emphasized.

Citing the World Economic Forum, 2024 Report, Tigist pointed out that cyber security came in number four in the short-term and eighth in the long-term r
elating to global risks ranked by severity, and she added ‘while we should be happy about technological advancements, we also need to be cautious about the risks associated with improper technological understanding.’

‘In 2024, the cyber security landscape continues to present significant, evolving challenges. We should reassess our security strategies while becoming more nimble, adaptive, and proactive to stay ahead of the curve. The adversaries we face are not confined by borders; they navigate the virtual realm with stealth and sophistication. We must fortify our defenses, collaborate across sectors and borders, and remain vigilant in the face of this persistent danger,’ she stressed.

Furthermore, the Director-General pointed out the need for holistic approach that involves the collaboration among governments, private sector, and international organizations to address the challenges of cyber insecurity.

By the end of 2024, the cost of cyber-attacks on the global economy would top 10.5 trillion USD, she s
tated, and added that cyber security has evidently become a very critical concern that needs the attention of researchers, academicians, and organizations to confidentially ensure the protection and security.

‘The quantity, the complexity, the severity of cyber-attacks have also escalated at national level. In Ethiopia, 4,623 cyber-attack attempts were recorded during the first-half of the 2016 fiscal year. In the same period, the percentage of high risk cyber-attacks has more than doubled to 115 percent as compared to the first-six months of 2015 fiscal year report,’ Tigist elaborated.

According to the Director-General, majority of the institutions targeted by cyber attackers included banks and financial institutions, security and intelligence agencies, media outlets, critical government agencies, federal and regional offices as well as institutions of higher learning.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The police in the Omusati Region have apprehended the 34-year-old pastor and church owner who allegedly raped two young women and a minor at Okandi village in the Etayi Constituency last month.

The Namibian Police Force’s Regional Commander for Omusati, Commissioner Ismael Basson, told Nampa the suspect was arrested at the church on Tuesday and is expected to appear in the Outapi Magistrate’s Court Thursday.

He allegedly raped two young women aged 19 and 24 and a girl aged 17.

Basson said the incidents allegedly occurred between 09 and 24 February 2024.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

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Cyber Security Challenges Require Holistic Approach: DG Tigist


Addis Ababa: Addressing the challenges of cyber security requires a holistic approach involving collaboration among governments, private sector, and international organizations, Information Network Security Administration (INSA) Director-General Tigist Hamid said.

A two-day cyber security and digital transformation conference organized by INSA and Ethiopian Cyber Security Association kicked off today.

In her opening remark, Director-General of INSA, Tigist Hamid said that technology underpins every aspect of the society, from financial transactions to vital infrastructure and this reliance puts everyone at risk for never-before-seen dangers.

‘The rise of AI and the increase of cyber-attacks are known risks within the international community; yet, it does come as a surprise that both of these topics fall within the top five risks for 2024,’ she emphasized.

Citing the World Economic Forum, 2024 Report, Tigist pointed out that cyber security came in number four in the short-term and eighth in the long-term r
elating to global risks ranked by severity, and she added ‘while we should be happy about technological advancements, we also need to be cautious about the risks associated with improper technological understanding.’

‘In 2024, the cyber security landscape continues to present significant, evolving challenges. We should reassess our security strategies while becoming more nimble, adaptive, and proactive to stay ahead of the curve. The adversaries we face are not confined by borders; they navigate the virtual realm with stealth and sophistication. We must fortify our defenses, collaborate across sectors and borders, and remain vigilant in the face of this persistent danger,’ she stressed.

Furthermore, the Director-General pointed out the need for holistic approach that involves the collaboration among governments, private sector, and international organizations to address the challenges of cyber insecurity.

By the end of 2024, the cost of cyber-attacks on the global economy would top 10.5 trillion USD, she s
tated, and added that cyber security has evidently become a very critical concern that needs the attention of researchers, academicians, and organizations to confidentially ensure the protection and security.

‘The quantity, the complexity, the severity of cyber-attacks have also escalated at national level. In Ethiopia, 4,623 cyber-attack attempts were recorded during the first-half of the 2016 fiscal year. In the same period, the percentage of high risk cyber-attacks has more than doubled to 115 percent as compared to the first-six months of 2015 fiscal year report,’ Tigist elaborated.

According to the Director-General, majority of the institutions targeted by cyber attackers included banks and financial institutions, security and intelligence agencies, media outlets, critical government agencies, federal and regional offices as well as institutions of higher learning.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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Int’l Conference deliberating on Cyber Security and Digital Transformation


Addis Ababa: An international conference is deliberating on cyber security and digital transformation at Skylight Hotel, in Addis Ababa.

A two-day conference was opened this morning, by Tigist Hamid, Director General of Information Network Security Administration (INSA) and Berhanu Beyene, President of Ethiopian Cyber Security Association (ECySA).

The conference aimed at discussing the importance of digital transformation for strengthening the national cyber ecosystem in Ethiopia, it was indicated.

It is anticipated to give inputs to Ethiopia’s endeavor for creating a strong cyber security climate that would help to protect its national sovereignty.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency