Latest news with #MNO
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Government general hospital in Vijayawada faces shortage of nursing orderlies and support staff
Vijayawada: Shortage of female nursing orderlies (FNOs) and male nursing orderlies (MNOs) at the Vijayawada govt general hospital (GGH) often forces patient attenders to handle patient mobility themselves. This includes shifting patients from hospital wards to scan centres and diagnostic labs using wheelchairs and stretchers. Moreover, complaints about these healthcare assistants demanding money from patients and their attenders in exchange for assistance with patient mobility continue to emerge from time to time, as the govt hospital struggles with a shortage of support staff. "The GGH has 106 FNOs/MNOs rendering services as healthcare assistants for patient care. Of the total 106 strength, four assistants went on long leave and did not attend their duties over the last few months. With the limited availability of the healthcare assistants, the hospital management is assisting patients using most of their services during the daytime to maximise the benefit in patient care," said GGH health inspector Somaraju. At the GGH, the authorities allocated duties to FNOs/MNOs in three shifts (i.e., by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo shift A, B, C) wherein shift A starts at 8 am and ends at 2 pm, while shift B starts at 2 pm and ends at 8 pm. In the third shift, which is shift C, the assistants have to be on a 12-hour night duty from 8 pm to 8 am. Each FNO/MNO is paid Rs 13,000 net salary excluding Rs 2,000 PF, ESI, and other deductions. According to the health inspector, the GGH needs around 300 to 350 FNOs/MNOs daily to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services to the patients. However, the shortage of healthcare assistants continues to plague the patients from accessing healthcare services. "The issue has been there for many months and health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, during a recent inspection of the GGH, took stock of the healthcare assistants shortage and promised to fill all the assistant vacancies across all govt hospitals in the state. We are waiting for the health department to take up a state-wide drive to fill the vacant healthcare assistant posts in hospitals," health inspector Somaraju said. GGH superintendent Dr AV Rao said: "We have proposed to form an agency and recruit FNO/MNO workers on an outsourcing basis as the govt recruitment drive is getting delayed. Proposals have been sent in that regard and we are waiting for the govt's response as it is again the state govt's duty to form an agency and recruit assistants on an outsourcing basis. We are hoping that the issue will be resolved soon as the health minister and department are working to address the assistants shortage issue at the GGHs. "
Korea Herald
24-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
SK Telecom resumes sign-ups after hacking fallout, braces for subsidy showdown
Carrier lost over 500,000 users during USIM crisis; rivals, new foldables to intensify competition SK Telecom resumed new subscriber sign-ups on Tuesday, 50 days after halting operations due to a massive USIM card hacking scandal, a move expected to reignite competition between Korea's top three mobile carriers. 'Until now, we focused on USIM replacements. We will provide seamless services to new customers through close cooperation with our nationwide sales network starting today,' Lim Bong-ho, head of the MNO business division at SK Telecom, said in a press briefing in Seoul on Tuesday. He also announced that more than 2,600 offline retail stores nationwide have reopened new subscription services. The Ministry of Science and ICT on Monday announced it would lift SK Telecom's suspension on new customer recruitment, saying the company has secured sufficient USIM inventory to meet demand beyond replacement needs. The ministry also cited the stabilization of the telecom company's revised USIM replacement reservation system, introduced on Friday. According to SK Telecom, an average of 30,000 customers per day replaced their USIM cards through Monday, with the cumulative total reaching 9.34 million as of midnight Tuesday. Industry sources said SK Telecom is widely expected to roll out aggressive subsidies to offset recent business setbacks. The company has reportedly lost some 607,000 subscribers between April 22 -- when the USIM hacking incident came to light -- and Sunday. Even accounting for new subscribers gained through third-party vendors, SK Telecom saw a net loss of about 518,000 subscribers. Market watchers believe the exodus may have pushed the mobile carrier's market share below 40 percent. 'For now, our priority is to focus on normalizing operations,' Lim said. Two other mobile carriers -- KT Corp. and LG Uplus -- are likely to respond in kind. The impending repeal of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act, set for July 22, will remove caps on subsidies. The act came into force in 2014 to keep fierce competition to woo customers with hefty subsidies in check. Additionally, Samsung Electronics is gearing up for the unveiling of its Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 models next month, further fueling competition. However, some sources believe SK Telecom may not be able to commit 'astronomical' sums to marketing, given the financial burden of free USIM replacements and compensation for dealer losses. Commenting on third-quarter marketing spend, Lim said, 'There are multiple events lined up in the third quarter -- including the repeal of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act next month, the Galaxy foldable phones launch and the iPhone release in September. It's difficult to predict marketing costs at this stage as they will depend on market dynamics.' An industry source who requested anonymity said, 'Without the final report from the joint government-private task force investigating the cyberattack, SK Telecom is unlikely to disclose detailed (marketing) plans at this time.' Meanwhile, the ICT ministry said it aims to deliver the final findings of its investigation by the end of this month. SK Telecom is expected to announce compensation measures and plans to prevent similar incidents once the report is released.
The Citizen
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
WATCH: Mobile network operators grilled by MP's over data costs
MP's grilled mobile network operators relating to the cost and expiration of data. Mobile network operators (MNO) Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom and Rain have come under fire over poor connectivity and their pricing and expiration for services such as data. The mobile network operators appeared before the Communications Committee on Friday to provide an update on the challenges and progress made in achieving universal connectivity. Members of Parliament (MPs) grilled the MNOs relating to the cost of data and called for them to consider measures to further reduce the cost of communication and prioritise rural connectivity. While the CEOs of the MNOs told the committee that they've made major strides in expanding coverage, especially in the 5G network space, MPs questioned their data pricing and the issue of expiring data. Data costs EFF MP and national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo riaised concerns about data and airtime expiry. Thambo challenged the logic behind data and airtime expiry, questioning whether it was a purely capitalist scheme designed to exploit consumers. He argued that since data and airtime are not perishable goods, their expiry policies are unjust and violate consumer rights by allowing mobile operators to profit unfairly. 'I don't doubt there is a logical financial explanation for the expiring mandates of data and airtime…Which may be logical to you, but continues to undermine access to information for ordinary South Africans and their ability to live in this country.' WATCH Colleen Makhubele in Parliament This week at a glance: 'You have become loan sharks to the poor. Instead of cutting data costs, you are advancing it – loaning them.' – Chief Whip Hon. Colleen Makhubele raising concerns about network service providers and their exhorbitant pricing for products such as data and… — MK Party in Parliament (@MKParliament) June 14, 2025 ALSO READ: Malatsi takes action to lower smart devices and phone costs in SA 'Loan sharks' MK party MP Colleen Makhubele accused the operators of preying on the poor. 'You have become loan sharks to the poor. Instead of cutting data costs, you are advancing it – loaning them.' Political parties also noted the high salaries paid to some of the CEOs of the network operators, calling on them to help contribute to uplifting poor and rural communities. Engagements Chairperson of the committee, Khusela Sangoni Diko, stated that all the information received will be useful when the committee meets to deliberate on the budget of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies in the coming weeks. Diko said the committee also called for increased engagement on the issue of prepaid data expiration. 'I think we may have to engage more on this topic, especially because people buy this data, and it cannot simply disappear on the basis of MNO-determined timelines.' ♦️Must Watch♦️ EFF MP @Sinawo_Thambo delivers a scathing critique in the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, calling out the 'revolving door' culture between regulators and mobile network operators. Commissar Thambo questions the ethics of former… — Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 13, 2025 Competition In the interest of national security and technology sovereignty, the Committee called on the MNOs to consider mobilising their own resources to build the country's own satellite for communication. MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi told the committee that outside South Africa, the operator has partnerships with non-terrestrial and satellite players such as Starlink. Molapisi said he welcomed Starlink to South Africa, as MTN would welcome all competition. 'I always say we are not fixated on one key player, Molapisi said. 'We see satellite players as one bundle. I'm sure the committee is aware that in some of our markets outside South Africa, we've already done partnerships with the likes of Starlink.' ALSO READ: Fibre, cheaper data and weaver birds: Ramaphosa promises innovation Regulatory requirements Vodacom CEO Sitholizwe Mdlalose told the committee that the MNO was guided by President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent remarks, which stated that Starlink had not been discussed in meetings with the US government, and by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola's remarks that the government's commitment to attracting foreign direct investment did not refer to Starlink. 'Vodacom recognises satellite networks as complementary to mobile and fixed networks/ We believe they play a role in accelerating digital inclusion and bridging the connectivity divide, especially in hard-to-reach areas. 'Our position has consistently been that there must be a level playing field for all market participants. This is not specific to Starlink, but a matter of principle. Any new entrant to the South African telecommunications sector should be subject to the same regulatory requirements that govern licensed operators,' Mdlalose said. Starlink In May, South Africa took a step closer to obtaining Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service after Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi published a policy direction to provide alternatives, paving the way for the service in the country. The proposed policy direction was published in the Government Gazette. 'It provides applicants with a workaround to rules on who can acquire a licence to provide electronic communications services or to operate an electronic communications network in the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) that require a minimum of 30% shares to be in the hands of historically disadvantaged individuals. 'These regulations currently prevent companies, regardless of whether they are large international firms that typically do not sell shares to local partners, from qualifying for individual licences under the ECA, even if they can contribute to South Africa's transformation goals through means other than traditional ownership. Musk not black Talks on launching Starlink in South Africa stalled earlier this year after South African-born Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump ramped up public rhetoric against policies such as the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, which mandate that foreign-owned telecoms companies allocate at least 30% of local equity to historically disadvantaged groups, primarily black South Africans. Musk claimed Starlink was barred from operating in South Africa because he is not black, an allegation South African officials refuted. ALSO READ: WATCH: Starlink not debated with Trump, Ramaphosa says
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- New Straits Times
MCMC says anonymised mobile phone data not classified as 'personal data'
CYBERJAYA: Anonymised mobile phone data (MPD) collected by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is not classified as personal data. MCMC deputy managing director Datuk Zurkarnain Mohd Yasin said this is because the data they received from mobile network operators (MNO) cannot be used to identify or trace individuals. He said the eight data sets collected by MNO only include an anonymised identifier set by the operators, date and time of the transaction by transmitters, location of the transmission tower connected to the devices, type of network and country identifier. Zurkarnain gave his assurance that they were in full compliance of Malaysian laws and international standards. On Friday, MCMC clarified that its collection of mobile phone data from mobile network operators does not involve the access , processing or disclosure of any personally identifiable information. MCMC said the mobile phone data will be used strictly to generate official statistics to support evidence-based policymaking in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and the tourism sector. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, on Sunday, said MCMC is not seeking any personal data of users from telecommunications companies. He said MCMC's recent request to telcos was for anonymised data to support evidence-based policymaking, including for network infrastructure improvements.
Cision Canada
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Manitoba Métis Federation and Chiefs of Ontario renew calls for government and institutional action in addressing Indigenous identity fraud
WINNIPEG, MB, May 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Last week marked one year since the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis, co-hosted the Summit on Indigenous Identity Fraud, a landmark gathering that brought together First Nation, Red River Métis, and Inuit Leadership from several regions across the country to begin the discussion on how to collectively address the growing crisis of false claims to Indigenous identity. The Summit, held on May 14-15, 2024, in Winnipeg, MB, was a call to action rooted in the defense of Indigenous sovereignty, the protection of community integrity, and the responsibility to uphold truth and accountability in all institutions. Over the past year, the urgency of this issue has only intensified, as more cases have come to light where groups and individuals falsely claim Indigenous ancestry for personal, professional, or institutional gain. The first Summit proved to be a pivotal moment for Indigenous Nations taking a collaborative approach to address Indigenous Identity fraud. Ontario First Nations and MMF opposed the inclusion of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) in federal Métis self-government legislation, Bill C-53, because the communities represented by MNO did not exist historically and therefore cannot be considered an "Indigenous group". "The Summit and its resolution condemning Bill C-53 as the ultimate reward of Indigenous identity theft at the collective level undoubtedly played a part in the federal government abandoning this legislation last year", said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. Going forward, MMF and COO plan to focus on effective measures to counter the threat of identity fraud confronting legitimate Indigenous Nations. Next steps will include discussions on how to address the threat that Indigenous Identity theft poses to major projects such as energy corridors and critical minerals that are being proposed to meet the threat of tariffs hanging over Canada. "We will continue to make it clear to industry and governments that if they hope to advance projects in our territories, entertaining fraudulent groups who are making false claims only poses a risk to the progress of the initiative because of the inevitable strong opposition. We continue to urge governments to ensure they are negotiating and signing agreements with legitimate Indigenous Nations", said Regional Chief Benedict. Next steps will also include discussions about the Métis National Council Expert Panel Final Report that was released in April 2025. The Expert Panel was tasked with examining the legitimacy of the so-called "historic Métis communities" in Ontario. MMF and COO both effectively dismissed the findings of the final report and are of the position that the Expert Panel was incorrect in its conclusion that the MNO communities are "an integral part of the Métis Nation" and that there were significant problems with the process that cause skepticism from the very start. "The outcome of this report was never in question," said MMF President David Chartrand, "When the 'expert panel' was proposed in 2021, we already knew what the findings would be, as did those commissioning it… Their objective has always been clear - to wave a magic wand and create a new people. We know who we are, as do the First Nations of Ontario, and there is simply no room for MNO to create a new people." Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis. The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is the democratically elected National Government of the Red River Métis, also known as the Manitoba Métis. The Red River Métis are a distinct Indigenous Nation and People and Canada's Negotiating Partners in Confederation and the Founders of the Province of Manitoba.
