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Broadband / Telco

Open Vault Broadband Insights (OVBI) - Q32025 - Median usage of subscribers provisioned for DOCSIS 3.1 service is more than triple that of subscribers on DOCSIS 3.0 plans, according to a first-of-its-kind review of legacy vs. advanced DOCSIS in the 3Q 2025 edition of the OpenVault Broadband Insights Report (OVBI). 

My Take:

• Median Usage vs Average Usage: Despite the average monthly usage falling in Q3 (664.2 GB in Q2 vs. 640.8 GB in Q3), the median increased (431.4 GB to 438.9 GB). This indicates a broadening subscriber base with moderately increased usage among the majority, but slower or declining growth among the heaviest users.​

• Upstream Traffic: Upstream usage continues to outpace historic growth, with both quarters posting increases above 17%. This is fueled by persistent demand from collaboration tools, video feeds, and user-generated content, signifying a structural shift away from purely downstream-heavy patterns.​

• Power User Dynamics: The percentage of 2TB+ and 5TB+ users declined QoQ in Q3, yet the overall number of heavy usage households is far larger than just a year or two ago.​

• Tier Migration and Speed Preferences: Q3 shows a marked migration to the 200–400 Mbps “sweet spot,” growing to 30.5% of all subscribers. The percent provisioned for gigabit speeds remains high but relatively stable, implying mid-tier plans are meeting most new demand.​

• Significance of DOCSIS 3.1 Rollout: Q3’s deep dive into DOCSIS 3.1 vs 3.0 households demonstrates a transformative impact: DOCSIS 3.1 users consume on average 85% more bandwidth per month than their 3.0 counterparts, with far higher rates of power user penetration and higher sustained upstream/downstream speeds. This confirms that investment in advanced infrastructure directly drives higher engagement and ARPU upside for cable operators.​

“Telcos are just dumb pipes—right?” It’s Time to Change the Narrative. - Telcos are sometimes referred to as “dumb pipes”—conduits for simply moving data from one point to another.  Far from dumb, the technology run by telcos is nothing short of magical.  It’s technology that has changed the very essence of how our civilization works and our economies function.  Yet, for too long, it’s been boxed in as a utility.

My Take: The message is simple. If telcos do not redefine their role, others will take the value above them.

Juniper Research Reveals Top 10 Telecom Trends for 2026: AI Agents, MVNO Expansion, and Next-Gen Connectivity - The telecom industry is entering a transformative phase in 2026, driven by innovations in artificial intelligence, satellite connectivity, and digital service integration. Juniper Research’s Top 10 Telecoms & Connectivity Trends for 2026 report highlights how operators, enterprises, and investors must adapt to remain competitive in a fast-evolving ecosystem defined by automation, interoperability, and user-centric experiences.

My Take: Momentum sits in enterprise, automation and satellite links. The winners are the operators who shift fast and build services that blend AI, cloud and new access paths.

🇨🇦 Hydro-fibre line to Canada’s North is key to Arctic sovereignty, proponents say - Arctic sovereignty is just a slogan unless Canada’s North gets its own electricity and broadband connections to the rest of the country, the proponent of a $3.2-billion hydro-fibre line from Manitoba to Nunavut says.

My Take: The real test will be whether the project overcomes Arctic logistics, cost and time to deliver both power and connectivity together.

The promise of 6G for Nvidia - After its $1 billion investment in Nokia, Nvidia is wasting no time moving deeper into the telecom space.

My Take: 6G is not only about new radio gear. It shifts control of the network toward software and cloud hardware.

🇨🇦 Bell seeks withdrawal of voice services due to competitor funding - “It is neither efficient nor in the interest of consumers to continue to impose an obligation to serve over an increasingly end-of-life copper network when consumers can obtain more reliable service using the more modern (and government-subsidized) networks while also contributing to the continued expansion and operation of those networks,” the ILEC writes.

My Take: Let someone else’s sour grapes take care of it? f approved, this could shift how voice subscriptions are regulated and potentially reduce universal access requirements for Bell

How networking grew to become Nvidia's $46 billion side hustle - While the world watched GPUs, interconnect technology quietly became essential to the AI boom

My Take: No one saw that coming? All that powerful processing needs to be connected at the speed of processing.

🇨🇦 Telus sees boost to internet customers as it builds fibre service in Ontario, Quebec - Chief financial officer Doug French said that was a mark of success for the company. He also highlighted Telus’ 169,000 connected device net additions, an increase of 10,000 from the same-three month period a year ago.

My Take: Go figure.

Report: Consumers Increasingly Value Video Security Devices - According to the latest data from Parks Associates, 19% of US internet households have professionally monitored security systems, while 7% pay for non-professional services like alerts an video storage.

My Take: ..and there are many self-managed options.

Connecting Rio with the World’s First Wireless Optical Mesh Network - Taara to connect schools, hospitals and government centres in Rio de Janeiro

My Take: Looks good on paper.

🇨🇦 Telus begins work on 125km long undersea internet cable - The cable is set to go between Sept-Îles on the south side to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts across the river. This is a massive infrastructure project that is projected to cost around $20 million. It’s being funded in part by the Government of Canada (up to $7.5 million) and Telus.

My Take: Several years in the making. Glug. Glug.

Pesky Wi-Fi problems? Ookla’s new Speedtest gadget could fix them - Called Speedtest Pulse, the new gadget can help verify network performance and identify where problems are, whether they’re in the Wi-Fi setup or something wrong with the line coming into the home.

My Take: Interesting. I can imagine the customer support calls now :)

🇨🇦 Bell-Powered no name Mobile Expands to All Maxi Stores Across Quebec - The service first launched in 2024 for No Frills customers, no name Mobile offers prepaid plans starting at $19 per month, with no contracts, credit checks, or hidden fees. The service uses Bell’s 4G-LTE network for nationwide coverage.

My Take: For $19 it cheaper to use “no name” mobility than to maintain a copper phone line.

The State of Home Connectivity | TechSee Survey Report - Wi-Fi connectivity has become the make-or-break factor in the relationship between ISPs and their customers. TechSee’s new survey of nearly 4,000 U.S. households reveals that while broadband speeds continue to rise, frustration with reliability, support interactions, and coverage gaps is at an all-time high.

My Take: Hasn’t this always been the case? It’s importabt, but only to complain about, not spend money to fix? Download the report.

🇨🇦 Turnkey, Clearcable, and Spruce River Form Strategic Teaming Agreement to Accelerate Broadband Access in First Nation Communities - This alliance brings together three complementary organizations with deep expertise in telecommunications engineering, construction, and community-based infrastructure development.

My Take: 👍

What happened to NTIA’s tribal broadband money? - Roughly $980 million in Round 2 funding remains unobligated despite applications closing in March 2024, Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) noted in a letter last week. Another $294 million in grants announced last December have not been distributed.

My Take: The core issue is execution. Funding landed fast, but the support systems, permitting process, and labour pool did not. Money alone doesn’t close the digital divide. Tribal builds need hands-on technical help, faster approvals and stable costs.

Verizon rumored to be laying-off up to 25% of 5G enterprise team as part of larger cuts - Verizon plans to cut 15,000 jobs soon, according to the WSJ. As part of those lay-offs, Fierce has learned that the operator will be cutting 20 to 25% of its 5G Acceleration (5GA) team, according to an anonymous source that reached out to Fierce Network via email last week.

My Take: Seems the focus is on delighting customers on the residential side. I don’t think the enterprise team will be delighted..

🇨🇦 Canada’s Telus breaks ground on residential development at former telephone exchange site in Vancouver - Located at 2608 Tolmie Street, the former Point Grey telephone exchange will be redeveloped by Telus and its development partner, LPI Management Ltd., into a six-story mixed-use building featuring 55 purpose-built rental units and four retail spaces.

My Take: Makes sense. No need for those massive COs anymore. May as well use the land for something else, and maybe put a little edge-compute in there as well.

Fiber Optic Sensing

Fiber‐Optic Sensing for Earthquake Hazards Research, Monitoring, and Early Warning - The use of fiber‐optic sensing systems in seismology has exploded in the past decade. Despite an ever‐growing library of ground‐breaking studies, questions remain about the potential of fiber‐optic sensing technologies as tools for advancing if not revolutionizing earthquake‐hazards‐related research, monitoring, and early warning systems.

My Take: Using telecom fiber-optic cables as seismic sensors is a smart step. The harder task is to make the data trusted, standardised and linked into real hazard systems. Once this happens, we get better quake tracking and stronger protection for roads, buildings and utilities.

Top Market Shifts Transforming the Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Market Landscape: Key Insights - What Is the Expected CAGR for the Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Market Through 2025? In the past few years, the market for distributed fiber optic sensors has seen substantial expansion. It's forecasted that its size will increase from $1.21 billion in 2024 to $1.32 billion in 2025, with an annual compounded growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%.

My Take: I never know what data to believe..

Intelligent perimeter protection white paper: How multi-sensing solutions and large-scale AI are transforming perimeter defence - Perimeter protection is the essential first line of defence in physical security, acting as a critical barrier against unauthorized access and safeguarding valuable assets. However, traditional perimeter security systems often struggle with false alarms, environmental interference, and costly manual verification — issues that can undermine both safety and efficiency.

My Take: Link to the whitepaper in the article.

Webinar: Building Smarter Cities and the Cost of Doing Nothing - the livestream event will feature the theme “Building Smarter Cities and the Cost of Doing Nothing” – an eye-opening conversation about what it really means to be a smart city, what it takes to build one, and why doing nothing has real costs.

Data Centres

🇨🇦 Canada Backs Rio Tinto to Boost Scandium for Data Centres - Scandium is a rare metal vital to the manufacture of high-strength aluminium alloys and solid oxide fuel cells. These fuel cells are increasingly explored for backup and off-grid power in energy-intensive environments like data centres hospitals and public infrastructure. As electricity use in hyperscale and edge data centres continues to grow, reliable and efficient power sources become critical.

My Take: Had to look this one up - “Scandium strengthens aluminum alloys used in servers, cooling equipment and power hardware in data centres. The goal is to secure a stable supply of a critical material as AI and cloud demand grow.”

🇨🇦 Radiant Ridge Energy Ltd. Partners with Nordcon Canada Inc. to Power 3MW Modular Hydrocooled Data Centers with On-Site Natural Gas - This collaboration represents a significant milestone in integrating energy production with high-performance computing infrastructure. The partnership combines Nordcon's natural gas production capabilities with RRE's expertise in data center operations and power infrastructure to deliver an innovative, vertically integrated solution for power-intensive applications.

My Take: Is the business model the same, with the same KHw costs and charges?

🇨🇦 ‘Industrial cities made entirely of servers’: Can Alberta’s grid handle the AI boom? - Alberta wants to be at the centre of the artificial intelligence arms race, but in order to achieve that dream, it will need to grapple with the physical limits of what it can power and sustain.

My Take: Scale and location. Not everyone can share. Perhaps more policy has to be in place around location and density.

North America Edge Data Center Market to Reach USD 29.21 Billion by 2035 - DC Market Insights - DC Market Insights announces the publication of its latest study on the North America Edge Data Center Market, detailing robust growth fueled by 5G rollouts, distributed AI/ML, and real‑time digital experiences across consumer and enterprise segments. An edge data center is a smaller, decentralized facility located closer to end users that brings compute and storage to the network edge, which helps cut latency and improve application responsiveness for data‑intensive, time‑sensitive workloads.

Data Center Renovation Industry Report 2025: Market to Reach $54.7 Billion by 2030 - Rising Demand for High-Density Compute Environments Drives Upgrades of Cooling, Power, and Floor Design - Market opportunities in Data Center Renovation include modernizing aging infrastructure for AI, edge computing, and hybrid clouds, enhancing energy efficiency with innovations like liquid cooling and AI-driven power management, and integrating renewable energy. Regulatory demands and smart tech adoption further fuel growth.

My Take: So many studies. So many different outcomes.

‘Roadmap’ shows the environmental impact of AI data center boom - As the everyday use of AI has exploded in recent years, so have the energy demands of the computing infrastructure that supports it. But the environmental toll of these large data centers, which suck up gigawatts of power and require vast amounts of water for cooling, has been too diffuse and difficult to quantify.

My Take: This shifts the focus from “AI uses lots of resources” to “place and planning decide the true footprint.”

🇨🇦 AI megaproject Wonder Valley has bold vision for Alberta - Led by Kevin O’Leary and backed by the MD of Greenview, the Wonder Valley AI project has big ambitions — and faces big challenges.

My Take: “gong to be..” one day, maybe?

Anthropic to spend $50B to build AI data centers - Anthropic unveiled plans on Wednesday to spend $50 billion to build artificial intelligence data centers in the U.S., with initial projects planned in Texas and New York. Developed in partnership with U.K.-based Fluidstack, the sites are expected to come online in 2026 and will create 800 permanent jobs and over 2,000 construction jobs, Anthropic said.

My Take: I just like seeing all the crazy money going into this space.. The business case must be something else.

What’s Happening In Space?

What’s in Space This Week?

Project Kuiper is now Amazon Leo - Our vision was simple: There are still billions of people on the planet who lack high-speed internet access, and millions of businesses, governments, and other organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity. With a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, we could help bridge that gap and extend fast, reliable internet to those beyond the reach of existing networks.

See the new website.

My Name: Easier to pronounce than “Kuiper.” Sometimes, simple is best.

🇨🇦 The many faces of LEO resiliency for mission-critical connectivity - As satellite networks become indispensable to service providers, enterprises, and national security operations, a fundamental shift is underway in how next-generation systems are evaluated. While early conversations around Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations centered on the impressive latency and capacity advantages over traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites, the focus is now rapidly expanding beyond sheer performance.

My Take: LEO satellites give networks a second path in the sky, which raises uptime for public safety, emergency teams, defence, remote sites and big enterprises. Resiliency here means more than backup. It needs steady latency, clear routing, strong security and fast failover, things often overlooked when speakingn of redundancy/

SpaceX Unveils Cheapest Starlink Plan Yet - SpaceX has quietly introduced its cheapest Starlink plan yet, a $40-per-month option called Residential 100Mbps.

My Take: $40 for 100mps.. $0 kit. Limited to 100Mbps. More than enough for some people, without question.

Wait, Did You See This? The Starlink Mini Just Dropped to $229 - You can save $270 on this satellite-powered Wi-Fi system that gives you internet connectivity anywhere -- but only if you act fast.

My Take: Crazy Elon’s satellite warehouse is at it again! Give away the razor, sell the blades, especially with competition looming.

Around the world in 80 telescopes: a space trivia quiz - This quiz explores the world's most powerful telescopes and observatories — on Earth and beyond.

My Take: If you like quizzes.. and think you have chance..

Globalstar stays mum on rumored sale of company - Globalstar CEO Paul Jacobs shot down any attempt to get him to address a possible sale of the company even before anyone could bring it up during the company’s Q3 quarterly earnings call Thursday, saying there would be no remarks after reports of a “potential strategic transaction” involving Globalstar.

My Take: Globalstar’s spectrum and satellite assets give it leverage in the “direct-to-device” mobile future. The company said it holds “critical jigsaw pieces” in the mobile satellite-terrestrial puzzle. How will it affect Apple?

OneWeb’s Clock is Ticking, and Nobody Packed a Spare - because every satellite dies, eventually, and OneWeb’s are coming up on that particular milestone faster than anyone wants to admit. Their design life is not some abstract metric, like “affordability” or “sovereign resilience.” It’s a number, written in ink: seven years. And the first batch of those birds hit that limit in 2026. No warning light. That’s the first knock on the door.

My Take: They’re designed to die, but you’d think their replacements would be well in place beforehand.

As projected over two months ago (link below), the space industry was on track to set new records this year; and the latest data now confirms it.- With satellites playing an increasingly central role in space sovereignty, broadband, and direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, alongside the growing importance of Earth observation (EO) and the rise of AI-driven data centers in space, the industry shows no signs of slowing down.

My Take: Seems like every day there’s a launch. We’re likely not too far from muliple daily launches.

AWS announces Fastnet, a dedicated high-capacity transatlantic cable connecting the US and Ireland - The subsea cable will create alternative data pathways between Maryland and County Cork, delivering fast and reliable cloud and AI services across the Atlantic.

My Take: “With a design capacity exceeding 320 terabits per second (Tbps), Fastnet will integrate directly into AWS’s comprehensive global network.” Read the short article. Some cool tech in there.

Vanu Signs with Amazon Project Kuiper to Expand High-Quality Rural Connectivity, Beginning in Southern Africa - Vanu, Inc., a provider of equipment, tools and services that allow mobile network operators to profitably serve rural communities, today announced a strategic agreement with Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite network, Project Kuiper, to bring low-cost, high-quality mobile connectivity to rural and underserved communities in Africa. The collaboration will initially focus on southern Africa.

My Take: Making headway, one deal at a time..

Key antenna in NASA’s Deep Space Network damaged - One of the largest antennas in NASA’s Deep Space Network was damaged in September and may be out of service for an extended period, further straining the system.

My Take: Who cares about that? Look what it linked to! 😉

MetTel: U.S. gov’t Starlink usage is on the rise - Starlink service is now more commonplace in federal gov’t networks, said MetTel VP Don Parente. He noted SD-WAN has ramped public sector LEO adoption. Starlink speed and latency stepped up in recent years

My Take: A shift from treating satellite broadband as contingency or remote-site only, to treating it as a main access method. This is good.

BT to launch Starlink service next year - BT will launch satellite-based home broadband services in the UK in partnership with Starlink in the back half of next year.

My Take: See, everyone can get along - “Under the terms of this arrangement, BT and EE will use Starlink's satellite connectivity to offer home broadband services to customers in remote and rural areas where traditional fixed line services are too expensive to deploy.”

Direct To Device

Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile select Germany for European sovereign Satellite Operations Centre - Move follows establishment of Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile Luxembourg-headquartered satellite joint venture, SatCo. Planned EU constellation to be equipped with a “command switch” to provide European oversight and security.

My Take: Simple. Europe gains stronger control, but not full sovereignty, until it owns the whole stack.

Apple Plans Major New Satellite-Powered Features for iPhones - Bringing most of these new features to market will require major upgrades to Globalstar’s satellite infrastructure — improvements that Apple has helped finance. If SpaceX ultimately acquires Globalstar, those enhancements could roll out more quickly than otherwise possible. But such a deal would also force Apple to rethink its business model and long-term strategy for satellite services.

My Take: new features under development include offline navigation via satellite in Apple Maps, photo sharing over satellite in Messages, a “natural usage” mode where the iPhone doesn’t need to point at the sky, an API for third-party apps to use satellite links, and support for 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN). 

Eutelsat OneWeb Achieves World’s First 5G-Advanced NTN Handover via Satellite - OneWeb announced last week the successful completion of the world’s first 5G-Advanced Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) handover via satellite (link below). This achievement marks a major milestone in the evolution of satellite communications and demonstrates that 5G technology can be effectively utilized not only for Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) and mobile-spectrum D2D constellations, but also within traditional Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) bands (ku band in the case of OneWeb); paving the way for truly seamless satellite–terrestrial integration.

My Take: This shows that satellites are evolving beyond niche backhaul roles and moving toward full interoperability with terrestrial mobile networks. The fact that the trial adhered to 3GPP Rel-19 standards signals that future devices could switch between ground towers and satellites seamlessly.

Enabling AI

OpenAI releases GPT-5.1 to all ChatGPT users - Polaris Alpha model from OpenRouter is GPT-5.1; GPT-5.1 excels at Creative Writing; GPT‑5.1 Thinking varies its thinking time more dynamically than GPT‑5 Thinking.

My Take: Hmm.. Should make for some interesting side by side comparisons.

What is an intelligent agent? Definition, use cases and benefits - An intelligent agent is a program that can perceive its environment, make decisions, take action and perform services based on its environment, user input and previous experiences.

My Take: AI agents are stepping up their game. They don’t just answer questions - they observe, decide, and act. That means businesses will need new models for oversight, integration and risk management. Who wins? The consultants.

Tesla to begin Cybercab production in April, Musk claims - Tesla will begin producing the Cybercab, an autonomous electric vehicle with no pedals or steering wheel, this April at its factory in Austin, Texas, CEO Elon Musk said during the company’s shareholder meeting Thursday.

My Take: No pedals or steering wheel? I guess no one will be able to steal one, then. Reminds me of a joke. What do you call a guy with no arms and legs floating in the ocean? Bob.

AI progress and recommendations - AI is unlocking new knowledge and capabilities. Our responsibility is to guide that power toward broad, lasting benefit.

My Take: OpenAI says AI is growing fast and needs stronger rules and shared standards. The ideas sound right, but the hard part is making them real when companies compete with each other. As AI gets cheaper and spreads, the risks grow too. We need clear oversight so progress does not outrun safety.

AI Agents and Memory: Privacy and Power in the Model Context Protocol (MCP) Era - ChatGPT can answer your questions, but imagine if, someday soon, it could renew your driver’s license. That might sound like a minor difference, but moving from a chatbot responding to prompts to an AI agent acting on our behalf would require a major leap in data access and memory standards.

My Take: AI agents are starting to remember more about us, across more apps, for longer periods of time. This gives them power to help, but also power to control. If users cannot see, edit, or move their memories, the balance shifts to the companies that run these systems. We need clear rules so memory works for people, not against them.

Early look at images generated by Nano Banana 2 - What we know so far: Nano Banana 2 is expected to launch on November 11 with 2k native output and huge improvements across many areas; It is expected to be based on Gemini 3.0 Pro.

My Take: More tools. More money. Better outcome.

The state of AI in 2025: Agents, innovation, and transformation - Almost all survey respondents say their organizations are using AI, and many have begun to use AI agents. But most are still in the early stages of scaling AI and capturing enterprise-level value.

My Take: Lots of data in there. “Looking at individual business functions, agent use is most commonly reported in IT and knowledge management, where agentic use cases such as service-desk management in IT and deep research in knowledge management have quickly developed. By industry, the use of AI agents is most widely reported in the technology, media and telecommunications, and healthcare sectors (Exhibit 3).”

How Americans Want AI To Support Them - Especially tools baked directly into smartphones and thus able to aggregate information from various apps have the potential to be very effective personal assistants that help with scheduling, reminders and communication.

My Take: So, everyone just wants Robots, then.

Former Google, Meta executives raise $100 million for high-capacity AI servers startup - Called Majestic Labs, the startup’s co-founders are Ofer Shacham, Sha Rabii and Masumi Reynders, all of whom spent years working together leading silicon products at Meta and Google. Majestic’s patent-pending silicon design architecture includes 1,000 times the memory of a typical enterprise-grade server, the co-founders told CNBC.

My Take: If they succeed, this could affect cloud providers, chip companies, and enterprises running large models. A server that reduces the need for dozens of racks could reduce energy, cooling, space, and cost.

Lovable says it’s nearing 8 million users as the year-old AI coding startup eyes more corporate employees - The metrics suggest rapid growth of the startup, which has raised $228 million in total funding to date, including a $200 million round this summer that valued the company at $1.8 billion. Rumors have swirled in recent weeks — potentially sparked by its own investors — that new backers want to invest at a $5 billion valuation, though Osika said the company isn’t capital constrained and declined to discuss fundraising plans.

My Take: Rapid user growth and strong ARR suggest low-code/AI-coding platforms might scale fast and tap large markets.

All of My Employees Are AI Agents, and So Are My Executives - Sam Altman says the one-person billion-dollar company is coming. Maybe I could be that person—if only I could get my colleagues to shut up and stop lying.

My Take: This story highlights the limitations of AI agents in emulating the behaviour of real workers. They move quickly and produce a lot of output, but they also lie, get confused, and spin out of control without human guidance. The big idea of a “one-person AI company” sounds bold, but the reality is messy. AI agents add new power, but they also add new problems. Human judgment still sits at the center of every serious operation.

The AI Boom Is Fueling a Need for Speed in Chip Networking - As the tech industry funnels billions into AI data centers, chip makers both big and small are ramping up innovation around the technology that connects chips to other chips, and server racks to other server racks.

My Take: How long until we see something with hollow core fiber? The bottlneck can’t be the network.

This and That!

France halts Shein suspension proceedings after sex dolls, weapons are withdrawn - The French government started the process to block Shein in France on Wednesday after it found childlike sex dolls and weapons for sale on its site, the same day the fast-fashion retailer opened its first physical shop in a Paris department store.

My Take: Uhhh… I don’t think you could even make this stuff up.

Facebook ads are advertising illegal drugs for sale, so we ordered some. Here's how easy it was to get cocaine and Oxy in the mail - Meta, the tech giant that owns Facebook and Instagram, says it has “zero tolerance” for the ads and works to find and remove the illegal drug posts.

My Take: Another example of unguarded automation. I wonder if they put them up for sale on Facebook Marketplace when they received the shipment?

Israeli military dumps Chinese cars - Modern vehicles can be tracked and they pose security risks through several mechanisms including the global positioning systems and telematics. Most modern cars and trucks have built-in GPS receivers and vehicle connectivity systems, telematics control units that transmit location, driving behavior and vehicle health data.

My Take: It was just a matter of time. Think of the threat vectors. Shut everything down before the robot invasion.

Deloitte: More Than 40% of Consumers Eye Social Media Video, Streaming as ‘Watching TV’ - about 50% Gen Z and Millennials combined said they spend more time watching social media videos and streaming services than watching legacy television. Almost two thirds (66%) of streaming households now use ad-supported platforms, with Gen X and Boomers leading the shift — forcing marketers to rethink how they spend their budgets when viewers are willing to trade ads for cheaper access, mirroring the flexible, social-style ad experience, according to the report.

My Take: So what I’m reading is that no one is watching TV anymore? Shocking. Next you’ll tell me that people are watching content on devices other than their traditional TVs!

Quantum timing trial 'proofs' telecom networks from satellite disruptions - A new quantum timing trial led by Aquark Technologies is pushing precision synchronization directly into operator infrastructure to keep networks and digital services online during satellite disruptions.

My Take: It’s all part of a larger conspiracy to keep the robots online.

🇨🇦 Rogers commemorates Blue Jays World Series Run with new statue of Ted Rogers - “The fans would get the most value from seeing Ted Rogers Jr. smiling down at them and reminding them, once again that The Best Is Yet To Come,” said Rogers.

My Take: “The company said that several other statue candidates were considered, including Joe Carter’s game winning “Touch ‘em all, Joe” from the 1993 World Series, the José Bautista “bat flip” from 2015 and of course, the recent walk-off home run from George Springer that brought the Jays to the World Series this year. However, those ultimately were rejected as the company concluded”.. But Rogers decides the fans would get the most value from Ted. Rest his soul.

Chimps 'think about thinking' in order to weigh evidence and plan their actions, new research suggests - Chimpanzees use a variation of the "scientific method" — discarding prior beliefs if convincing new evidence comes along to change their minds, research shows.

My Take: I often think about thinking, but then I think I’m better off not thinking too much about thinking.

Europe wants to make space food out of thin air and astronaut pee - "This project aims at developing a key resource which will allow us to improve human spaceflight's autonomy, resilience and also the well-being of our astronauts."

My Take: I don’t even know what to say about this. At least it won’t taste like shit? ;)

Infographic Of The Week

My Take: Canada is 15%. The US is 16%. When is the last time you used actual cash for something?

Podcast Recommendation

Humans have managed to pollute darkness itself. Jessica Wynn explains how artificial light erases stars and harms wildlife and health on Skeptical Sunday! Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions

Listen Here!

Movie/Streaming Recommendation

IMDb: 8.9/10

JMDb: 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿/10 (gripping pace, clever writing)

"Pluribus" is a striking new sci-fi drama from Vince Gilligan, centring on Carol Sturka (played by Rhea Seehorn), an author who finds herself one of only thirteen people on Earth immune to a bizarre alien virus.

The show opens with researchers detecting a mysterious RNA signal from space, a signal that ultimately transforms most of humanity into a blissful, collective hive mind called "the Others".

Carol’s immunity becomes both a curse and a destiny: as the world surrenders to enforced happiness, she is thrust into chaos, grief, and a desperate fight for reality and independence.

Gilligan’s trademark tension shines in the early episodes, blending dystopian anxiety with dark humour and emotional depth. Rhea Seehorn is superb, capturing Carol’s terror and resolve in a world that’s crumbling fast.

With its gripping pace, clever writing, and chilling atmosphere, "Pluribus" is a must-watch for fans of thought-provoking genre TV.

Rhea Seehorn will always be Kim Wexler to me.

Until Next Time

Comments here are my own and do not represent the opinions, views or thoughts of any person, company or organization that I may be associated with.

Feedback, comments and ideas are welcome. Message me on LinkedIn or contact me at j[email protected]

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