Connect with us

Technology

COMCAST LAUNCHES FIRST FLAGSHIP LIFT ZONE TO ADVANCE DIGITAL EQUITY AT INSPIREDU IN ATLANTA

Published

on

Partnership Provides Free WiFi Access, Plus a $500,000 Grant for a Technology Makeover
 That Will Enable Virtual Digital Skills Training Across the State of Georgia

ATLANTA, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Comcast announced today it has installed its first Flagship Lift Zone in partnership with Inspiredu in Atlanta, Georgia. Building on the legacy of its award-winning Lift Zone program, which now offers free WiFi in more than 1,250 community centers nationwide, this inaugural Flagship Lift Zone continues five years of proud collaboration between Comcast and Inspiredu. Not only will Inspiredu still provide free, fast, and reliable WiFi for visitors, powered by Comcast Business, but also expand its reach and capacity with a grant of more than $500,000. The investment will fund a technology makeover as well as the ability to deliver even more digital skills training classes.

“Lift Zones are about more than just providing free access to the Internet. They are about teaching people how to use the power of broadband to transform their lives and careers,” said Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast. “The biggest barrier to getting online is not having the skills or the resources to do so. With this Flagship Lift Zone, Inspiredu will now be able to make an even greater impact.”

Comcast’s Lift Zones program, a key component of Project UP, is part of the company’s comprehensive, $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and build a future of unlimited possibilities. Since its launch in 2020, Lift Zones have provided essential internet access for those in need outside the home. It also complements Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which offers in-home broadband connectivity to lower-income families.

“These resources will help us expand our reach not just in our local community, or even in the greater Atlanta metro area. Now, we’ll be able to provide digital skills training classes remotely to anyone, anywhere in the great state of Georgia,” said Richard Hicks, CEO & President of Inspiredu. “Given Comcast’s focus on the Internet and ensuring that everyone has the skills to navigate it, I can think of no greater partner for us at Inspiredu.”

“This Flagship Lift Zone represents the next step in our long-standing partnership with Inspiredu to bridge the digital divide here in Atlanta,” said Mike McArdle, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Big South Region. “By providing free, high-speed Internet access and technology resources, we’re empowering even more Atlantans to learn, grow and connect to opportunities that can transform their lives. We’re proud to further our work with Inspiredu and invest in creating a brighter digital future for our communities.”

Technology Makeover
Comcast and Inspiredu collaborated to develop a customized plan to ensure the organization could expand its reach through the use of state-of-the-art technology. As Inspiredu was already making a significant capital investment to upgrade its facilities, Comcast was able to partner early in that planning process to ensure WiFi access points with increased reliability and speed were installed throughout the facility. In addition, other tech upgrades funded by Comcast include:

Digital cameras and whiteboards in two fully connected classrooms equipped with four 85-inch Yealink screens to offer both in-person and hybrid instruction.A Muraflex wall that can transform the classroom area into a spacious room for up to 50 students, two smaller rooms for up to 25 students, or a fully open space to accommodate large, community events.Two 85-inch television screens to display real-time updates, special announcements, upcoming events, and daily class schedules.Enhanced audio-visual and design in the huddle rooms, designed for up to four people to enable Inspiredu staff to deliver digital navigator counseling sessions in a private setting.

Digital Skills Training
Part of Comcast’s investment will also enable Inspiredu to hire more instructors, doubling the number of teachers from four to eight. This allows Inspiredu to teach both large format classes, as well as offer a greater variety of smaller, more specialized courses around topics like cyber security, financial literacy, and coding.

Over the last three years, Comcast has made more than $47.9 million in cash and in-kind contributions to more than 70 Georgia-based nonprofit organizations. These contributions support local community programs that help establish and promote the company’s Digital Equity Network in Georgia. Comcast’s network of digital equity partners helps people acquire computers, provide digital skills trainings, and offer opportunities for community members to explore and train for careers in tech-related fields. They can also develop the kinds of digital skills that can help them launch and grow their own business.

About Inspiredu
Inspiredu is a Georgia-based non-profit working to bridge the gaps in device ownership, digital literacy, and digital access by providing Georgia’s most marginalized and vulnerable citizens with the devices and training they need to join the global internet community. In Inspiredu’s digital skilling workshops, participants learn fundamental technical skills such operating the computer and accessing the internet, practicing internet safety, using basic software such as Microsoft Office, understanding how to use technology to increase financial wellness or acquire certifications to bolster work readiness, and understanding how to use online resources to support student learning. The communities that Inspiredu serves, both rural and urban, are families of meager or lower incomes who lack the devices and training necessary to take advantage of recent broadband initiatives in Georgia. To learn more, please visit https://www.iuatl.org.

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Media Contacts:
Portia Akins, Comcast, portia_akins@comcast.com or 470.322.0332; https://south.comcast.com/
Francesca Rodriguez-Williams, Inspiredu, fwilliams@iuatl.org or 404.593.0490

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comcast-launches-first-flagship-lift-zone-to-advance-digital-equity-at-inspiredu-in-atlanta-302279833.html

SOURCE Comcast

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

TCL CSOT Highlights IJP OLED Innovations at the Omdia Korea Display Conference

Published

on

By

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — At the recent Omdia Korea Display Conference, Mr. Ming-Jong Jou, Chief of the Technology Planning Center at TCL CSOT, shared the advantages of IJP OLED technology and outlined TCL CSOT’s strategic focus in this field. TCL CSOT continues to redefine display technology, focusing on delivering exceptional performance and sustainability.

During the keynote titled “IJP OLED Status and Future Prospects,” Mr. Jou discussed TCL CSOT’s advancements in next-generation printed OLED displays. Looking ahead, OLED has significant growth potential. In particular, TCL CSOT has achieved comprehensive breakthroughs in image quality, power consumption, and lifespan, elevating its performance to the level of mainstream display technologies. TCL CSOT has also leveraged the inherent advantages of IJP OLED technology in terms of cost, flexible production, and future potential.

Mr. Jou highlighted recent advancements in IJP OLED, including better image quality achieved through more accurate printing and a side-by-side RGB structure, which ensures clear and vibrant visuals. The technology also boasts lower power consumption, with materials efficiency doubled, a 50% reduction in light loss due to internal reflection, and a 1.5 times improvement in light output efficiency. Lifespan has also been significantly enhanced, with an aperture ratio three times larger and material lifespan improved tenfold. Additionally, IJP OLED delivers cost competitiveness, with a 20% reduction in total cost, flexible production that shortens the product development life cycle by 30%, and a low-carbon footprint, cutting EL process carbon emissions by over 20%.

Currently, TCL CSOT’s efforts in IJP OLED technology are concentrated on medium-sized display applications, such as commercial monitors, laptop displays, and specialized products in medical. IJP OLED can be used across various production areas (TV/MNT/NB/TB) due to its simple product structure and easy fabrication process. TCL CSOT is utilizing IJP OLED to develop new display products, while continuously optimizing specifications and expanding notebook and tablet applications. Among these is the TCL CSOT 14″ 2.8K Hybrid OLED display. With a 2.8K resolution, over 99% DCI-P3 color gamut, and adaptive refresh rates ranging from 30 to 120Hz, this display provides seamless transitions ideal for gaming, design, and video editing. The lightweight design with Hybrid OLED technology and the new Oxide compensation circuit further enhances its flexibility, making it perfect for business and mobile productivity. With over 11 years of experience in printed OLED technology and the largest number of invention patents globally in this field, TCL CSOT continues to lead the industry in this innovative technology.

About TCL CSOT:

TCL CSOT (TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology), established in 2009, is committed to developing innovative technologies in the display industry. TCL CSOT’s business encompasses producing display panels from 1 to 115 inches. From LCD to OLED to MLED, TCL CSOT offers solutions across a wide array of applications, including TVs, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, monitors, automotive displays, XR (Extended Reality) devices, wearables, commercial displays, and other fields. The company leads the market in several of these areas and is dedicated to ongoing technological innovation, providing high-end products for customers and building a vibrant display industry ecosystem.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tcl-csot-highlights-ijp-oled-innovations-at-the-omdia-korea-display-conference-302279951.html

SOURCE TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology

Continue Reading

Technology

BRI Partners with Nium to Expand Real-Time Cross-Border Payment Solutions

Published

on

By

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Nium, the leading global infrastructure for real-time cross-border payments, is thrilled to announce a partnership with Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) to provide Indonesian customers with real-time international money transfer capabilities. This collaboration aims to enhance the cross-border offerings for BRI’s individual and corporate customers, delivering more accessible and cost-effective financial services across Indonesia.

This partnership empowers more than 150 million BRI account holders, including those in remote regions of Indonesia, to access modern, real-time cross-border payment services. The offering includes a variety of real-time payment mechanisms, supporting bank account destinations, a global electronic card network, and digital wallets. These innovations are closely aligned with BRI’s ongoing mission to provide affordable and customer-focused financial products, particularly for traditionally underserved communities.

BRI’s Corporate Secretary, Agustya Hendy Bernadi, emphasized BRI’s dedication to constantly improving customer convenience through innovations in its global network and cross-border transaction services. “This collaboration reflects BRI’s continuous efforts to enhance productivity and efficiency by expanding its digital payment channel network to meet the growing demand for global transactions,” he said. Agustya added that the partnership with Nium aligns perfectly with BRI’s vision to be Southeast Asia’s most valuable banking group and a champion of financial inclusion by 2025. “With Nium’s global transaction network, BRI strengthens the digitalization of its business processes and enhances retail banking capabilities in line with our 2025 strategic vision.”

Anupam Pahuja, General Manager and Executive Vice President for Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa at Nium, shared his excitement about the partnership, highlighting BRI’s extensive presence across Indonesia’s 17,000 islands. “By integrating Nium’s advanced technology into BRI’s platform, we are dedicated to providing BRI’s customers, no matter where they are, with access to exceptional financial services. This partnership will remove the risks associated with cash handling and provide faster, more cost-effective transactions—whether individuals are sending money to family members abroad or businesses are making international payments.”

Cross-border payments are projected to grow significantly in Indonesia, with a forecasted year-on-year increase of 15% through 2025, driven largely by the digital transformation in financial services (Statista, 2024).

This partnership between BRI and Nium is expected to transform the way Indonesians engage with global financial services, meeting the rising demand for modern payment infrastructure and enhancing the overall experience for BRI’s customers in their international transactions.

About Nium 

Nium, the leading global infrastructure for real-time cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 220+ markets, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 40 markets. Nium’s growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licenses and authorizations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance – independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore.  

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1678669/4973639/Nium_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bri-partners-with-nium-to-expand-real-time-cross-border-payment-solutions-302279138.html

Continue Reading

Technology

Hot topics set for discussion in Beijing

Published

on

By

BEIJING, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Daily:

A prestigious financial event is to commence on Friday in Beijing, where senior government officials, along with experts, scholars and representatives from global financial institutions, will deliver keynote speeches.

The Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2024, running until Sunday, is co-hosted by the Beijing government, the People’s Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Xinhua News Agency and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

This year’s event is to attract more than 500 distinguished guests from more than 30 countries and regions around the world.

Over the course of three days, participants will engage in discussions on current economic and financial hot topics, aiming to enhance mutual trust, deepen win-win cooperation and share development opportunities.

The theme of this year’s forum is “Trust and Confidence — Work Together to Promote Financial Openness and Cooperate for Shared Economic Stability and Growth”.

“Trust is the cornerstone of international cooperation and confidence is the support for economic development,” said Liu Dongwei, executive secretary-general of the forum’s organizing committee and head of Beijing’s Xicheng district.

“This theme fully reflects the deep consensus among the forum’s organizers, financial institutions and industry insiders, highlighting the development concepts of co-consultation, co-construction, co-governance and co-sharing.

“It also showcases the inclusiveness, the role of demonstration and leadership of the Financial Street Forum,” he added.

This year’s forum is structured around a main forum plus parallel forums and a fintech conference. It features 25 thematic activities and three investment and financing matchmaking events.

The main forum includes opening and closing ceremonies, as well as six thematic activities focusing on such topics as improving the modern central banking system, deepening capital market reforms, empowering industries through finance to lead high-quality development, and enhancing mutually beneficial international trade and investment cooperation.

The activities will also provide authoritative interpretations of international and domestic economic development trends and financial regulatory policies.

Additionally, the international level of this year’s forum has been enhanced. It has set up three sub-venues in Hong Kong, Luxembourg and Tokyo, inviting local governments and enterprises to participate. And, for the first time, it has invited the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council to host thematic activities in Beijing.

The closing ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Hong Kong sub-venue, inviting representatives from the governments and institutions of Beijing and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to participate in an in-depth discussion on the theme of “green finance”, promoting financial exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese capital and the SAR.

Also, it will continue to host high-level dialogues with former central bank governors from major global economic and financial countries, like China, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

The parallel forums will focus on “strengthening economic and financial cooperation for coordinated development” and “finance supporting sustainable economic development”, setting up a series of professional, cutting-edge and in-depth activities.

The fintech conference, serving as a specific segment of the forum, will run until Tuesday. It will feature 17 events, focusing on artificial intelligence plus financial innovation; data elements plus financial applications; fintech development and achievements; and bridging the digital divide through fintech.

Liu highlighted five major features of this forum, one of which is the richer thematic setting. For instance, the forum has, for the first time, invited the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and centrally-administered and State-owned enterprises to host themed activities. These aim to emphasize the forum’s role as a platform for positive interaction between finance and the real economy.

The forum has also innovated the path of sci-tech transformation by creating a fund-themed forum and holding corporate roadshows and industry-finance matchmaking meetings.

This year, the forum offers a variety of supporting activities, making it not only a professional exchange platform for financial industry practitioners but a grand event for the public.

For example, during the forum, a large-scale cultural performance will be held at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, covering various art forms such as dance, song, music and opera.

In addition, the forum will conduct a large-scale series of shopping activities. Starting from Oct 1 and lasting nearly a month, these activities are taking place mainly at Beijing’s Seasons Place luxury shopping mall and its surrounding areas.

They include a coffee market, auto shows, electronic product roadshows and outdoor dining experiences. There will also be a global product launch and sale event, offering substantial discounts and consumption vouchers to the public.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hot-topics-set-for-discussion-in-beijing-302279301.html

SOURCE China Daily

Continue Reading

Trending