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🌎 What’s Happening on Earth

🪐 What’s Happening in Space

🤖 Enabling AI

🍳 This and That!

💡 Lean About..

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What’s Happening On Earth?

CRTC improves Broadband Fund to help connect Canadians faster - Today, the CRTC is taking action to improve the Broadband Fund, helping make it faster and easier to connect Canadians to high-speed Internet and cellphone services.

My Take: Better process. Focus on indigenous projects and indigenous consent. Better data. Let’s see how it all rolls out!

Big Three telcos should not be allowed to access networks of smaller rivals - Late last month, Ottawa directed the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to assess whether the Big Three should be able to resell internet services over each other’s networks at regulated prices. The federal government’s concern is that such a practice lets big telecommunications companies abuse their dominance. But letting the Big Three use the networks of smaller providers is far more worrying.

My Take: A great op-ed by Lee Bragg (Eastlink) and Frédéric Perron (Cogeco).

Why Telus is fighting a federal cabinet order to allow it to share networks with Rogers and Bell - Telus accused the federal government of improperly trying to overturn an independent decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) that allows Telus to resell internet over the fibre networks of BCE Inc.’s Bell Canada.

My Take: Pretty simple. They want the land grab without owning the land. They aren’t even building all their own infrastructure in the West anymore, so why would they even think of doing so in the East?

Karrier One Begins Giveaway of 300 WiFi Offloading Devices - Karrier One, the innovative company building a decentralized mobile phone network, made its WiFi offloading device available, offering incentives for purchasers and a giveaway of the first 300 devices. As a dimension of Karrier One's global network, the WiFi devices let anyone become a node in its decentralized physical infrastructure, earning its KONE native token for making bandwidth available.

My Take: Their story continues to be interesting and likely not widely known. I want to understand more about how this will all come together!

Opinion: Removing investment barriers in telecom will enhance productivity - Canada’s telecommunications industry has the potential to drive more than just connectivity; it can help government kick-start an underperforming economy. Yet, a lack of understanding about telecom’s role in economic growth is holding back its transformative potential to empower communities and increase productivity. Connected communities and higher productivity lead to higher wages and a better quality of life —  top concerns for all Canadians.

My Take: Turns out it’s an ad for Telus, but the message is correct. Connectivity does drive digital prosperity,

TSN for sale? Bell Media denies bombshell report from sports insider - Sigel pointed Bell’s recent $3.6 billion purchase of Ziply Fiber, an American broadband provider, and its decision to sell its stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) as signs of a potential strategy shift. Rogers paid $4.7 billion in September to take full control of Bell’s 37.5% stake in MLSE.

My Take: BCE.TO, -36% this year…

Comcast warns of higher broadband losses on tough competition, hurricane hit - U.S. telecom giant Comcast on Monday forecast fourth-quarter broadband subscriber losses to exceed Wall Street estimates, hurt by tough competition from wireless providers and the impact of two hurricanes that rocked Florida.

My Take: Unfortunate disconnects will do that…

Taylor Swift Fans in Vancouver Break Record for Most Data Ever Used at Single Event on Rogers 5G Network - Taylor Swift fans on the Rogers 5G network used over 11 terabytes (TB) of mobile data in just a few hours at BC Place to share and stream her last concert of The Eras Tour – setting a new Canadian record.

This shatters the record set at the Taylor Swift concert at Rogers Centre in Toronto on November 21, when fans used 7.4 TB of data on the Rogers 5G network.

My Take: They only did it to say they did something bigger and better than Ontario ;)

Draft Performance Measures for BEAD Last-Mile Networks Policy Notice For Public Comment - The Performance Measures for BEAD Last-Mile Networks Policy Notice provides Eligible Entities and prospective subgrantees with additional guidance regarding BEAD NOFO performance measurement standards related to speed, latency, and reliability of last-mile deployment projects.

My Take: Seems a good list of criteria. Not sure how this aligns with the requirements for other US and International programs.

FCC Approves Sale of Consolidated Communications to PE Firms - Searchlight Capital and Canadian firm British Columbia Investment have the agency’s greenlight to take Consolidated private. The ISP has nearly 400,000 broadband subscribers in the US and with nearly 250,000 fiber customers, making it one of the country’s largest fiber providers.

My Take: My initial comment focuses on a Canadian PE firm investing in the US instead of Canada, but much like Bell Canada, may as well fish where there’s fish.

Zayo exec says middle mile fiber frenzy won’t slow in 2025 - We’re all waiting with bated breath to find out the fate of fiber and the BEAD program in 2025. But states will keep going full steam ahead with their middle-mile fiber ambitions, said Bill Long, chief product officer at Zayo.

My Take: Without the middle mile, you have nothing.

Ziply Fiber, BCE Holding Seek FCC Merger Approval - Ziply Fiber and Bell Canada’s BCE Holding Corporation have filed a joint Section 214 application with the Federal Communications Commission, seeking approval for BCE Holding’s $5 billion acquisition of Ziply Fiber. The deal includes $3.65 billion in cash and $1.46 billion in assumed net debt calculated in U.S. dollars.

My Take: Let’s see what else Bell shuts down or sells off to fund their ongoing shift to a “technology provider”. Or maybe that’s just in Canada. Elsewhere they’re an Internet provider.

AT&T outlines strategy to enhance fiber, 5G presence - AT&T, the largest capital investor in connectivity infrastructure since 2019, has a new strategy to accelerate fiber broadband growth.

My Take: 5G coverage for 300 million people. That’s big.

Rogers Xfinity Introduces Storm-Ready WiFi  - Rogers Xfinity Storm-Ready WiFi brings Rogers advanced network technology together with a device that automatically switches to a cellular backup connection when there’s a network or power outage. The device and battery backup seamlessly keep customers’ homes online so they can work and stream without interruption. 

My Take: Yea, bla, bla, bla on this one. If I can put a competitor’s SIM in the box, that would be good to make it really redundant. IMHO, so many ISPs in Canada missed a huge opportunity to sell a similar type of service over TPIA to their subscriber base following Rogers’ huge outage in 2022.

Internet providers and the less-fun version of monopoly - Choosey moms choose Jif and four out of five dentists recommend choosing Trident gum, but why do so few people get to choose their internet service provider?

My Take: Over 83 million Americans only have one choice for an Internet provider. Well, maybe a terrestrial one. It seems like an opportunity for someone to invest with some sort of differentiated offering. I’d suggest competition would help bring down costs in some of these areas.

Maine's Starlink Program Open for Applications - The state’s Working Internet ASAP program makes the satellite ISP’s equipment free for Maine’s 9,000 locations without any internet access. The Maine broadband office is covering the equipment and providing installation support, plus paying for extra capacity to ensure reliable connections. Customers will have to pay the monthly subscription, which Starlink advertises at $120 per month.

My Take: Ah, there’s that extra capacity thing again. Whether it gets used or not, they have to pay. Sounds a lot like a program operating somewhere else in North America, north of the border, and then some. I wonder if Starlink double dips on Capacity payments?

What’s Happening In Space?

What’s in Space This Week?

An Inflection Point for Canada’s Space Sector - This past June, the top science advisors of the governments of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States met to discuss the impact that investment in science and technology (S&T) has had on the world and how continued investment could affect the future.

My Take: The size of the Canadian space sector is $5.0 billion as of 2022, of which $593 million is for R&D. It is expected to grow to approximately $40 billion by 2040, according to a 2024 Deloitte report commissioned by Space Canada, an industry advocacy group

Starlink traffic tripled again in 2024 in another win for Elon Musk - Global internet traffic from SpaceX's satellite internet service more than tripled in 2024, according to data from IT service provider Cloudflare.

My Take: Expansion will have that effect on traffic, of course,

Starlink receives questions about $4.2B drug smuggling case in India - Police in India sent a legal demand to SpaceX’s Starlink, questioning the internet service’s alleged involvement with drug smugglers who were caught with $4.2 billion worth of meth. 

My Take: Satellites don’t smuggle drugs. People do. Brings up an interesting point about providing subscriber information as required.

ESA and Telesat showcase the potential of Non-Terrestrial Networks for timing and positioning - EESA, in collaboration with Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT), has achieved a significant milestone in developing future satellite Internet technology, successfully testing new 5G capabilities that could revolutionise how businesses and individuals connect in remote areas.

My Take: NR-NTN (New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks) being used to verify user location within 5-10 kilometres without relying on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or other sensors.

Terrestar, Mavenir get NB-IoT to work over satellites in Canada - Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider building the future of networks, and Terrestar Solutions Inc. (TSI), Canada's premier mobile satellite operator, have achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting the first NB-IoT live data sessions via the TSI Echostar T1 satellite, a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN). Unlike simulations, these sessions were conducted under real-world conditions, proving the robustness of this cutting-edge technology.

My Take: “The successful data sessions were achieved using commercial IoT modules, showcasing the readiness of the technology for commercial deployment using 3GPP-standardized products from various vendors.”. Standards matter. Also another example of RAN cores running in AWS. This is overall a significant milestone!

U.S. Space Force official warns of rising Chinese threats - The vice chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force, Gen. Michael Guetlein, issued a stark warning this weekend about China’s accelerating advances in space technology and its growing capacity to challenge the United States’ dominance in orbit. 

My Take: Yea. And destroy things in orbit.

SpaceX test-fires Super Heavy booster for 7th Starship launch (video, photos) - The company conducted a static-fire test with Flight 7's Super Heavy first-stage booster today (Dec. 9), briefly igniting its 33 Raptor engines at a pad at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas.

My Take: Cool videos, as usual. Super Heavy will be needed to deploy all of Starlink’s next, next-gen satellites. Bigger. Faster. Better.

Supply chain woes in the defense industry: ‘Let’s not fool ourselves’ - A critical challenge facing the U.S. defense industrial base came into sharp focus this weekend at the Reagain National Defense Forum: the ability to rapidly manufacture and deploy advanced military technologies, particularly in space.

My Take: It’s the private sector that has to scale to meet the demands of defense.

The Telecom Industry is Embracing Autonomous Networks, is Satellite Next? - One of the largest trends in the telecom industry involves the adoption of autonomous networks - networks that leverage advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) solutions to troubleshoot and automate the restoration of networks while maintaining service to customers. These revolutionary technologies would deliver network resiliency that make customer outages a thing of the past, rapidly and efficiently identifying and addressing network challenges and failures.

My Take: It all depends on whether network operators would actually let autonomous systems function over time and can get past having to be the gatekeeper on every recommended action. Every network is different. Every corner case is different. Perhaps it starts with specific guardrails and expands as intelligence is gathered and outcomes are measured across networks. It takes a village, as they say.

SpaceX Owns/Operates 2/3 of All Satellites in Orbit. Is That a Problem? Eutelsat, EchoStar, UNOOSA, Anatel Respond - “When a single company has two-thirds of of the total satellites in orbit, is that a concern?” he asked, referring to Starlink, owner by SpaceX, which is owned by Elon Musk, who also owns the X social platform and has been nominated to co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency in the incoming Trump administration.

My Take: It’s only a problem if people let it be a problem and do nothing to try and innovate to compete and, as the Great Gretzky one said, go where the puck is going, not where it is… or something like that.. Don’t just replicate, innovate.

Enabling AI

World’s Largest AI Data Centre Industrial Park ‘Wonder Valley’ coming to the Greenview Industrial Gateway - The Municipal District of Greenview is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with O’Leary Ventures to build an off-grid natural gas and geothermal power infrastructure to support the largest AI data centre industrial park in the world. The GIG has signed a Letter of Intent with O’Leary Ventures for the purchase and development of thousands of acres of land within the Greenview Industrial Gateway and to the south of the GIG. This transformative project is both a monumental achievement for Greenview and a pivotal moment for Alberta, Canada, and North America in terms of global business investment.

My Take: This is a significant development and an opportunity to showcase Canada as well as alternate power sources for power-hungry AI-focused data centres. Ignore the last article in this section ;)

IBM says it’s made a major AI data-centre breakthrough - The prototype system, a joint production between engineers in the U.S. and Canada, connects chips together using polymer fibres and a new kind of controller. IBM says the device significantly boosts the speed and quantity of data moving through data centres, which could be a boon for the AI industry. The new technology could allow developers to train large language models five times quicker than existing systems, said Mukesh Khare, IBM’s general manager of semiconductors.

My Take: What about the other one?

What Enterprises Really Think About AI Agents - The fuzz in AI agency is related to the fuzz in AI overall. The majority of AI that’s deployed is not the generative AI we always hear about, it’s in the form of smaller and simpler models. An AI agent is, at the heart, an AI element tasked with something specific. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s generative AI based on LLMs. In my own view, and in the view of a slight majority of enterprises I hear from, it’s not even necessarily fully autonomous. It’s task-oriented AI, and the task might as easily be to recommend as to actually act.

My Take: Guess what this week’s “Learn About” covers?

Air Pollution and the Public Health Costs of AI - there is a hidden cost of AI that needs to be considered: The toll on public health associated with the resulting increase in air pollution. So says a new study by Caltech and UC Riverside (UCR) scientists published online December 9 on the arXiv preprint server.

My Take: Can’t AI come up with a way for AI to deal with the by-product of AI?Carbon, water, power.. and now air pollution. How dare you!

Best ChatGPT prompt wins.

Learn About

The Rise of AI Agents: Transforming Technology and Society

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, AI agents have emerged as a groundbreaking technology that is reshaping how we interact with machines and solve complex problems. These intelligent software entities are designed to perceive their environment, make decisions, and take actions autonomously to achieve specific goals.

The concept of AI agents can be traced back to the early days of artificial intelligence research. In the 1950s, visionaries like Alan Turing introduced the idea of a 'learning machine,' laying the foundation for what would become AI agents. The field gained momentum in 1956 at the Dartmouth Conference, where the term "Artificial Intelligence" was coined, marking the unofficial beginning of AI research.

AI agents have become increasingly important due to their ability to handle complex tasks, adapt to changing environments, and provide personalized experiences. Unlike traditional software that follows strict instructions, AI agents are constantly learning and evolving based on data and user interactions. This adaptability makes them invaluable in various industries, from customer service to healthcare and finance.

In practice, AI agents are being used across a wide range of applications. In customer service, companies like Bank of America employ chatbots such as Erica to handle account inquiries and provide budgeting advice, improving response times and reducing workload for human employees. The healthcare sector utilizes AI agents to assist in surgeries, organize medical records, and even provide personalized health advice to patients.

Major tech companies are at the forefront of AI agent development and implementation. Google's Assistant and Apple's Siri are prime examples of AI agents that millions of people interact with daily for tasks ranging from setting reminders to controlling smart home devices. In the automotive industry, companies leverage AI agents to develop self-driving cars that can navigate roads, follow traffic rules, and ensure passenger safety.

The importance of AI agents extends beyond convenience and efficiency. They can revolutionize industries by automating complex processes, enhancing decision-making, and unlocking new possibilities for innovation. In the financial sector, for instance, AI agents are being used to detect fraudulent activities in real-time, analyzing millions of transactions to protect banks and their customers.

AI agents and traditional software programs represent two distinct paradigms in computing, each with unique characteristics and capabilities. The fundamental differences between these two approaches have significant implications for their functionality, adaptability, and overall performance.

Autonomy and Decision-Making

AI agents are designed to operate autonomously, making decisions without constant human intervention. They utilize machine learning techniques and adaptive algorithms to analyze data, identify patterns, and make informed decisions based on their environment and past experiences. For instance, an AI agent tasked with finding the best time for a surfing trip to Greece would combine weather data, user preferences, and expert insights to determine optimal travel dates.

In contrast, traditional software programs rely on predefined rules and explicit instructions for every action. They follow a linear decision-making process, which can be limiting in unpredictable or dynamic environments. A traditional program might follow a simple decision tree when prompted, lacking the ability to adapt to new situations without reprogramming.

Learning and Adaptability

One of the most significant advantages of AI agents is their ability to learn and improve over time. They can analyze data patterns and adjust their strategies based on new information, making them more resilient and effective in dynamic environments. This adaptability allows AI agents to handle complex tasks involving uncertainty and variability, such as natural language processing and real-time decision-making.

Traditional software systems, however, remain static unless manually updated. They do not learn from experience and may struggle to adapt to changing conditions or new information. Their performance can degrade if the environment changes significantly, requiring explicit reprogramming to accommodate new scenarios.

Complexity and Flexibility

AI agents excel in handling complex, data-rich environments where interaction is key. They can manage intricate tasks with limited or no supervision, making them ideal for applications in areas such as customer support, supply chain management, and intelligent tutoring systems. Their ability to work in cycles of goal-setting, planning, and adapting allows them to optimize workflows without predefined steps.

Traditional software programs, while reliable and efficient for specific tasks, may struggle to meet the demands of modern applications that require flexibility and intelligence. They are best suited for structured environments with clear rules and predictable outcomes.

Transparency and Explainability

Traditional systems generally offer clear and understandable decision-making processes, as they follow explicit rules. This transparency can foster trust among users and make it easier to identify and correct errors.

AI agents, on the other hand, often function as 'black boxes,' where the decision-making process is not easily interpretable. This lack of transparency can lead to challenges in trust and accountability, particularly when decisions have significant consequences.

Performance Metrics

When comparing AI agents and traditional software systems, several performance metrics should be considered:

1. Response Time: AI agents may have longer response times due to the complexity of their algorithms, while traditional systems often provide immediate results[1].

2. Scalability: AI agents can adapt to increasing data and user interactions, whereas traditional systems may require significant re-engineering to scale[1].

3. User Satisfaction: AI agents can enhance user experience through personalized interactions, while traditional systems may lack the ability to adapt to individual user needs[1].

Looking to the future, the evolution of AI agents is poised to be transformative. We can expect to see advancements in multi-agent systems, where different AI agents collaborate to solve complex problems. The development of more sophisticated natural language processing and understanding will lead to even more human-like interactions. Additionally, there's a growing focus on creating ethical AI agents that can make decisions aligned with human values and societal norms.

As AI agents continue to evolve, they are likely to become more integrated into our physical world. The transition from purely digital environments to physical embodiment will open up new possibilities in robotics and real-world interactions. This shift will require AI agents to integrate sensory data, physical actions, and context-aware decision-making, further enhancing their capabilities and applications.

The journey of AI agents from simple rule-based systems to sophisticated entities capable of learning and adapting is a testament to the rapid progress in artificial intelligence. As these agents become more advanced, they will continue to reshape industries, enhance our daily lives, and push the boundaries of what's possible in human-machine interaction. The future of AI agents holds immense potential, promising a world where intelligent assistance is seamlessly woven into the fabric of our personal and professional lives.

This and That!

A Federal Appeals Court Just Upheld the TikTok Ban. Here’s What Could Happen Next - A federal appeals court upheld a law that could result in TikTok being banned in the United States by the middle of next month, putting the future of one of the largest social media platforms in the country at risk. Citing national security concerns the Justice Department raised about the Chinese-owned app, a panel of judges on the US Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, decided in a 3–0 vote that the law could stand and TikTok could still be banned in the United States next year.

My Take: All the secrets will have been extracted by then. Trump will work to keep it. He likes dancing and making cooking videos to share with his followers.

'Interstellar' returns from deep space to IMAX theaters starting today for 10th anniversary - Starting Friday, Dec. 6 and running through Friday, Dec. 13, Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar" — one of the best sci-fi movies of all time — is launching back onto IMAX screens. There will be a limited series of exclusive 70mm IMAX and IMAX Digital screenings for one week only in select theaters across the United States and Canada.

My Take: It’s the kind of movie you have see five or six time anyway, so may as well see it in IMAX!

13 proteins tied to brain aging seem to spike at ages 57, 70 and 78 - A new study claims to have identified 13 proteins associated with either accelerated or decelerated brain aging. However, experts have questioned the practical implications of the findings.

My Take: The scientists were all either 57, 70 or 78, which is why they were questioning the practical implications of the findings. And then they had a nap.

Google 'Willow' quantum chip has solved a problem the best supercomputer would have taken a quadrillion times the age of the universe to crack - Google scientists have created a new quantum processor that, in five minutes, cracked a problem that would have taken the world's best supercomputer 10 septillion years to solve. The breakthrough will allow quantum computers to become less error-prone the bigger they get, achieving a milestone that overcomes a decades-long obstacle.

My Take: Maybe now we’ll find out how they get the caramel in a Caramilk bar.

For my non-Canadian readers, you likely won’t have a clue what I’m talking about, so here you go;

'It explains why our ability to focus has gone to hell': Screens are assaulting our Stone Age brains with more information than we can handle - We often joke that our attention spans have dropped significantly in recent years with the rise of digital technologies and screen-centric entertainment, but there is sound science to back up this observation. In fact, a shorter attention span is simply one side effect of a recent explosion of screen distractions, as neurologist and author Richard E. Cytowic argues in his new book, "Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age: Coping with Digital Distraction and Sensory Overload" (MIT Press, 2024).

My Take: Oh, well. We needs ways to adapt and cope because the screens aren’t going anywhere.

Phhhoto’s antitrust claim against Meta is heading back to the courts - The decision means that Phhhoto will get another shot at arguing that Meta behaved in an anti-competitive fashion, ultimately putting its company out of business after copying its features and restricting its growth.

My Take: It’s grrrreat that Phhhoto will have another chaaaance to defffend their patent.

Infographic Of The Week

My Take: Canada isn’t even on this list. Canada would be on the list if we were looking at cost.

Podcast Recommendation

Mortified - Most Morified Finale pt2

Witness adults sharing their most embarrassing childhood artifacts (journals, letters, poems, lyrics, plays, home movies, art) with others, in order to reveal stories about their lives.

Hear part 2 of our Most Mortified Tournament of Teen Angst finale.  Segment 1: the erotic fiction of Keith Garcia. Segment 2: A conversation with 3 members of the Mortified Denver community that covers such topics as: an epic coming-out tale, a major tampon mishap, sneaking explicit music past religious parents and lurid stories from youth group.

Listen Here!

Movie/Streaming Recommendation

LANDMAN - Paramount+

IMDb: 8.3/10

JMDb: 9/10 (It’s as if Bad Santa became an oil man)

"Landman" strikes it rich as Taylor Sheridan's latest television triumph, proving he's still got plenty of fuel in the creative tank. Billy Bob Thornton shines as Tommy Norris, a charismatic crisis manager for a billionaire oil tycoon, bringing depth and nuance to a character that's equal parts cowboy diplomacy and boardroom savvy.

The show brilliantly blends the gritty realism of "Yellowstone" with the high-stakes drama of the oil industry, resulting in a fresh and compelling narrative. Thornton's magnetic performance is the show's north star, but the stellar supporting cast, including Jon Hamm and Demi Moore, each bring their A-game, creating a rich ensemble that keeps viewers hooked.

"Landman" expertly drills into the complexities of the modern oil business, family dynamics, and political intrigue. It's a slick, multi-layered drama that's as addictive as it is thought-provoking. Sheridan's sharp writing and keen eye for authenticity ensure that "Landman" isn't just another drop in the TV ocean – it's a gusher of entertainment that'll keep audiences pumped for more.

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 welcomed. Message me on LinkedIn or contact me at [email protected]