Welcome to our latest round-up of news from the technology and hosting world. Here’s what we’ve discovered this month.
eukhost launches Site Builder
Looking for an easy way to build and host professional websites, including eCommerce stores? eukhost’s new Site Builder packages could be the solution you are looking for. With pre-designed building blocks, drag and drop editor, customisable layouts and ready-made features, it makes the task of building a website easier than ever.
Ideal for creating everything from blogs to state-of-the-art online stores, customers get access to over 150 unique and customisable, mobile-friendly templates, social media integration, use of over 200,000 stock images and embedded videos, plus autosave and backup features so you never lose your work.
Easy to use for all skill levels and with no coding required, plans include web hosting, email and 24/7 customer support. There’s even a free trial.
Starlink expansion
More and more major businesses are making use of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink satellite network to improve and expand connectivity. It has recently been announced that Royal Caribbean Cruises has partnered with Starlink to bring its broadband internet service to its Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and Celebrity Cruises fleet. By connecting to its satellite services, Royal Caribbean customers and crew can access the internet at speeds of up to 350 Mbits per second and make low-latency calls from anywhere, even when the ships are travelling in the middle of the ocean.
Meanwhile, T-Mobile has also teamed up with Starlink to provide a mobile phone network across previously difficult-to-connect parts of the US. Using the satellites means there will be less need to build a chain of 5G phone masts. At first, the network will be used to deliver text messages, adding calls and data connections at a later date.
Quantum online
Until recently, we’ve only seen quantum computers being developed in research facilities. In terms of practical solutions, little, yet, has been achieved. That, however, is about to change thanks to the Chinese internet giant, Baidu. The company has just unveiled the Qian Shi quantum supercomputer that, for the first time, fully integrates hardware, software and applications.
The important move is that Baidu is making the computer accessible to companies via a quantum hardware-software integration platform. Users will have 10 qubits of power at their disposal plus access to several already-developed quantum applications. Remarkably, they can do this via mobile apps, computers and the cloud. What’s more, as the platform is compatible with many quantum chips, users also have ‘plug-and-play’ access. Baidu’s intention is to give users the ability to develop their own quantum-powered algorithms and do so without the expense of acquiring quantum hardware and control systems of their own.
New IT hiring approach
With 98 per cent of organisations finding it difficult to fill their IT skill gaps, especially in areas like cloud and infrastructure management and IT and solutions architecture, leaders are having to find a different approach to hiring talent. Increasingly, companies are widening their recruitment criteria, employing people with non-traditional qualifications and experience and then skilling them up.
At a time when many organisations are pushing to digitally transform and evolve customer experience, candidates that can deliver experiences to both customers and employees while developing outstanding products and services at the same time, are the ones most sought after. The focus on using technology to deliver CX means leaders are more open to recruiting those with CX experience to IT roles.
Telecoms law
Changes to the Telecommunications Security Act have been introduced that will require telecom providers to improve the security of mobile and broadband networks across the UK. At the same time, a new code of practice developed by the National Cyber Security Centre, together with Ofcom, will detail the measures suppliers have to take to comply with the changes. The aim of the new regulations is to increase UK cyber resilience by requiring telecom service providers to include robust security practices in both their day-to-day operations and their long-term investment decisions.
Responsibility for enforcing the new regulations will fall on the regulator, Ofcom, which will have the authority to inspect a supplier’s systems and premises to determine if it has complied with its duties. Where this isn’t the case, Ofcom also has the power to issue fines. These can be up to 10 per cent of the provider’s annual turnover or, in the case of continuing contravention, up to £100,000 per day.
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