#Convergent charging and billing

[msn-04iinightingale]

Payment

May 21, 3049 Ferris (OC)

Owen McEvedy watched the last pirate mech go down under the combined laser fire of three mechs.

"Good work you three, form up on me."

"Yes sir." Bell responds. Her Black Knight begins its way over immediately.

"Aye aye." Naoko responds. Her Phoenix Hawk dawdles a bit, turning over the dead mech to see what could be salvaged. She does make her way over after a moment.

"Affirmative." Responds Alex, their Wolfhound taking its time to head over.

The four mech converge in a courtyard, the place filling with people. Civilians by the looks of it.

Owen flicked a switch, opening the comms with their client.

"Good news governor, we've dealt with the pirates, and got your citizens back."

"Excellent, excellent." came the weak weedy voice of their client. "I uh...have transferred payment so we can take it from here."

"Sure thing, governor." Owen says, flicking a switch to switch comms lines.

"Bell, we get the cash?"

"...hm...only half, sir."

"I see..." Owen says, frowning. He switches comms again.

"Hey, couldn't help but notice...we only got paid half." he says, pausing "...you want us to pick which half of these people you get or?"

"w-what?"

"I mean, clearly, you don't want all of them back, or you'd have paid us the full price." He says, angling a gun pod of his Marauder down to aim at the civilians, who are now kinda freaking out. "sooooo....let me just...get rid of this half and-"

"y-you wouldn't!"

"..." Owen remains silent.

There is a thrum from the gun pod of his mech as the ER PPC charges audible over the comms.

"...I...a-alright alright! damn mercenary scum...take your damn C-Bills and give me back my people."

Owen smiles, lowering the gun pod and letting the ER PPC charge die down. "Pleasure doing business with you, governor."

He flicked the comms off before the swearing had finished.

"Hehe, nice one, cap." Naoko remarks.

"Thank you, Lt. Ok Everyone, let's get back and spend our well earned money." The three other mechwarriors cheer, before headed back to their dropship. The four mechwarriors had, by the end of the engagement, taken on 12 pirates, and burned every one down.

We may just be ready for what's coming.

Time for some payback then. For mom...and all the others.

"...you weren't really going to do it, were you sir?" Bell asks, breaking his reverie.

"What? No, of course not...but he didn't know that, did he?"

"Oh sir..."

[nightbringer24]

The Swordwind Rises chapter 2 WIP

Very much a rough draft, so it will need some refining.

Chapter 2

 The roar of the bombards still echoed in Sir Gregor’s ears as he looked out over the battlefield that had once been the wonderfully field of yellow that was Goldfields. It was now a place of death and ruin: arrows and quarrels stuck out from the ground at angles like big ugly flowers, many sticking out of the writhing, pained bodies of the unfortunate men they struck. As the lines of Royalists and rebels closed on the other, the already serried ranks closed together. Spears, bills and halberds bristled outwards from both lines as they converged in the horrible crash of melee. Lordly knights and their retinues, encased in armour and adorned in their blazonry, became swallowed in the press of bodies, lost to sight.

“Thank the gods I’m not in there.”

The voice to Gregor’s right makes him turn, looking at the round formerly face of Gregory de Whitland, the man’s gold-lined visor raised from his bascinet. The man’s visage, usually one of joviality and mirth, was severe as he looked at the battle before him, specifically the company fighting under his own banner: a yellow field bearing the Sun In Her Glory in black, a thick blue stripe above bearing two white towers. The blue of his heraldry almost matched the blue of his armour.

“I pray the War Maiden keeps my son safe today.”

Gregor cast his eye out over the battle array, searching amidst the panoply of flags, trying to find among the myriad of colours for Gregor’s son. He found it quickly, the young man fighting under his father’s banner, the device repeated on his own armour and shield but with the addition of a red three-pointed bar over the blue field and white charges at top. Around him were other men-at-arms, their colours a near dizzying whirlpool of colour as they fought to protect their young lord with lance and poleaxe.

“He will be save,” Gregor said simply, nodding at his own words. “The War Maiden keeps her love for the young and the foolish.”

The other knight nodded his head, even as he leant down slightly from his saddle to take his lance from his squire, a lad in a half-suit of armour and brigandine. Hefting the weapon, Gregory seemed to check its weight and balance before lowering it so the base of the lance was on his foot.

“So we do this,” Gregory de Whitland said flatly. “We do this duty, for the king.”

“For the king.”

The voice came from Gregor’s other side, Sir Stephen de Hartburh, the man dour as he held his visor up. His helmet was still giving him problems after Grendale, letting the man’s thick, bearded face look out at the world. His focus was on the enemy this time. Seeming to sense his master’s temperament, his barded horse stamped on the ground impatiently, kicking up dust against its cloth covering. Brown dirt splashed against the blue and white colours split vertically, just missing the three red stag’s heads.

Gregor didn’t say anything else in reply as he turned his attention away from the battle to see the other knights around him. Including him, there were six riders in total. Each one was a man-at-arms, a knighted warrior of the king. Though they were not members of the royal guard, each man was loyal to the king. Loyal enough to be chosen for this mission. Loyal enough to be marked by a black bar fastened to their armour and a black diamond placed on their back. A symbol of allegiance, a symbol of the action they were about to commit.

A clarion sounded from the battle, shrill, loud and clear over the din.

“Florin’s mercenaries are moving forward!” Gregory called out, drawing the group’s attention. True to the knight’s words, a body of men had pushed forward against the rebel lines. Under a large red flag split by a white chevron and another flag of three vertical black and yellow stripes with a red lion lying down, a group of Argossian mercenaries had charged forward. Sent by the son of the Marquess de Tor Crassel, Lord Nicolas de Crassel, the force of over a hundred foreign fighters in brightly coloured armour viciously bulled into rebel lines with polearms and pikes, shouting crude oaths as they killed and died, urged on by their captain mounted on his armoured destrier as he waved his baton at them. The royal line bulged forward while the rebel line bowed inwards, before it quickly broke, the mercenaries spilling into the enemy.

Another clarion call, two blasts this time.

“That’s the signal!” Sir Stephen barked out, letting his visor fall into place before he retrieved his own lance from his squire. “Get ready, brothers!”

Turning in his saddle, Gregor reached behind him and took his own lance, one streaked with green, blue and white stripes down its length, from Stepan. The lad’s eyes were wide open with unease, his face sticking out from his visorless bascinet.

“No matter what happens, Stepan, do not follow me,” The knight commanded, his eyes not leaving those of his squire. “This is my command for you.”

Stepan didn’t say anything, though his face was tight with emotion as he nodded his head. Taking that as his answer, Gregor turned back to the front as he slapped his visor down. The clarion sounded again, the same two blasts.

As one, the six knights spurred their horses forward, the beasts moving forward at a walk. For a moment, the group moved straight for the break in the line, which was now beginning to wide as the Argossian mercenaries broadened the hole, being joined by dismounted men-at-arms from Adretia and other soldiers. However, they gently turned their horses to the side, beginning to ride parallel to the line. Far enough to be safe from anyone who wished them harm, but close enough to see the line of battle.

The plan set by the king had worked. To shore up the break in the line, the rebels had pulled companies from their right flank, leaving that position understrength. A fact that was abundantly clear as a mass of cavalry thundered past Sir Gregor and his fellows, made up of lesser men-at-arms and sergeants on swift, unarmoured horses to smash into the rebel lines. Men and horses screamed as the two forces met. Bodies were smashed aside by their horses and under them, riders were pulled from saddles by polearms and halberds, and man and beast died together.

But they broke the line, and spurring their horses into a swift trot, the group of knights took advantage of the new gap. Spurs bit into the flanks of horses and they dashed forward, a fast-moving rainbow of colour rushing past dying men and wounded horses. Not a single knight looked back as they breached the rebel line and turned to their right, towards their target.

A mixed group of knights and retainers stood just behind the enemy line, three large banners held aloft on high lances, three banners known readily to the group and specifically pointed out to them as their target. A number had turned to face the break in their lines, and they now saw the six knights heading towards them with lances. Panic rippled through them as they tried to respond to the situation now unfolding.

“For the king!” Gregory bellowed out from behind his visor, the voice echoing oddly as he lowered his lance and kicked his spurs into his horse again, turning the canter into a full gallop. The knights around him copied the action as they took up the cry.

“For the king!”

Horses sped forward, straight as an arrow’s flight as they dashed at the rebel commanders. The weakest willed dropped their weapons and fled, both on foot and mounted, while the stoutest stood their ground with weapons held at the ready. But the knights could not be denied.

With a brutal crash of metal and flesh, the knights struck home. Time and colour bled away around Sir Gregor as his lance sped forward, preparing to skewer his target. A familiar face. A familial face. Family.

“Cousin!” Gregor called out, tears streaming down his face beneath his visor as his lance took Ronald just beneath his chin, piercing through the maille…

 “My lord…”

[subramanianbalaji]

MG Astor Automatic Price in Chennai: A Perfect Blend of Technology and Style

Within its competitive environmental segment the MG Astor has quickly earned attention through features that combine premium elements with beautiful styling and agile performance. This guide will introduce Chennai residents who consider purchasing the MG Astor Automatic to comprehensive pricing information and detailed feature explanations.

What Makes the MG Astor Special?

Modern customer requirements drive the MG Astor design direction through advanced technology combined with comfortable features and safety functions. Here’s why it stands out:

AI-Driven Features: Presenting India's first vehicle that comes with personal AI assistance and autonomous level-2 technology which makes it the definitive dream for technology fans.

Stylish Design: Comparison-Style Grille and LED lighting combined with sculpted lines give the Astor its ability to attract attention on any road.

Comfortable Interiors: Inside the Astor one will find leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof to deliver unparalleled comfort and great style.

Efficient Performance: Equipped with automatic transmission combined with refined powertrain technology the Astor delivers an elegant driving experience.

MG Astor Automatic Variants and Pricing in Chennai

Multiple styles of the MG Astor Automatic exist which provide various configurations to fit diverse preferences and wallets. Below is an overview of the approximate on-road prices in Chennai:

MG Astor Style CVT: Starting at ₹14.5 lakh

This base automatic model strikingly combines value and important features at an affordable price point.

MG Astor Super CVT: Starting at ₹16.5 lakh

This vehicle model delivers the best combination of high-tech features together with premium comfort for buyers who love tech innovations.

MG Astor Sharp CVT: Starting at ₹18.5 lakh

The high-end variant features enhanced safety capabilities together with a big infotainment platform and elegant cabin designs.

MG Astor Savvy CVT: Starting at ₹20 lakh

Level-2 autonomous driving capabilities find their place in the top-end variant which appeals to people who want the latest technology features.

Factors Influencing the On-Road Price in Chennai

When considering the MG Astor Automatic Price in Chennai, it’s essential to account for factors like:

Road Tax and Registration: The specific levied charges in every state enhance the car's final cost.

Insurance Costs: When seeking additional assurance customers should consider obtaining complete insurance coverage.

Additional Accessories: Custom add-ons including seat covers and extended warranties and alloy wheels can add expenses to the final price.

 Subsidies or Offers: The automotive industry at MG delivers special discounts on their products to help consumers get lower overall product costs.

Understanding why the MG Astor represents an ideal choice for Chennai driving conditions

Periodical travel needs in Chennai call for selecting a vehicle which adapts well and maintains reliability across diversified road terrain. The MG Astor fits the bill with its:

Seamless Automatic Transmission: You get a seamless driving experience through the city because of this feature's design.

Compact Dimensions: The vehicle's compact dimensions enable simpler passage through busy roads along with easier compact parking.

Fuel Efficiency: Urban driving requires vehicles that minimize operating expenses which the Astor accomplishes effectively.

Advanced Safety Features: Modern safety technology safeguards both vehicle occupants along with pedestrians which remains vital for urban traffic operations.

Conclusion

The MG Astor Automatic Price offered in Chennai reveals its premium worth alongside modern design elements. All components that matter to different types of buyers converge in the MG Astor offering key benefits to tech fans and families alongside style and comfort features. Stop by your local Chennai MG dealership to experience the Astor firsthand plus see an extended pricing report. The MG Astor Automatic stands as an excellent garage choice because of its smart pricing together with its distinctive features.

[iplook-networks]

IPLOOK's Converged Charging Solution: Simplifying 4G/5G Billing

With the rapid evolution of mobile networks, billing systems are becoming more sophisticated to meet diverse operational needs. IPLOOK's converged charging solution is designed to support both online and offline charging for 4G, 5G, and IMS networks, enabling operators to streamline their charging processes efficiently.

The solution converts charging data into Call Detail Records (CDRs), which can be stored locally or forwarded in real-time, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems. For online charging, the system monitors account balances in real-time, suspending services when balances are depleted and resuming them upon top-up. On the other hand, offline charging updates balances at scheduled intervals, ensuring uninterrupted services, with disconnections only occurring if subscriptions aren't renewed by the settlement date.

As operators transition to Service-Based Architecture (SA) and Non-Service-Based Architecture (NSA), centralized converged charging systems are becoming the norm. This unified approach integrates both online and offline charging through a single interface, offering detailed billing for voice, SMS, and value-added services.

By adopting IPLOOK's solution, operators can simplify billing operations, reduce complexities, and enhance the user experience in the ever-evolving 5G era.

[euginemicah]

Kisii youths give views on Youth Bill 2024 – Kenya News Agency

Hundreds of Youths in South Nyanza region and parts of Rift valley converged at Kisii National Polytechnic in the outskirts of Kisii town, to give their views on the Youth Bill 2024 draft which will become law after all opinions from stakeholders in the 47 counties have been incorporated. Dr. Josphine Etenyi, the Director of Youth development in charge of policy, research and Mainstreaming in the…

[truebylsolutions]

Achieving a 360° Financial View of Telecom Tower Operations Through Convergent Billing

In today's rapidly evolving telecommunications industry, efficiently managing telecom tower operations has become a critical task for Towercos (Tower Companies). The increasing complexity of billing multiple sites, tenants, and diverse energy consumption models necessitates the implementation of a comprehensive financial management system. The solution lies in adopting a convergent billing system that provides a 360° financial view of all telecom tower operations. This approach not only simplifies the billing process but also offers enhanced visibility into revenue and operations, ultimately leading to operational excellence.

Challenges of Traditional Billing in Telecom Tower Operations

Powering telecom towers involves significant recurring expenses, such as energy consumption and site rentals, making monthly billing a complex process. For Towercos overseeing thousands of sites, each with unique billing parameters like the number of tenants or energy consumption models, manually verifying, validating, and approving invoices can be a tedious and time-consuming task. This complexity often results in:

- Human error: Manual billing processes are prone to inaccuracies, particularly when handling large volumes of data. - Delayed payments: Slow processing times can cause invoices to exceed their due dates, disrupting cash flow and creating financial strain. - Increased operational costs: The need for additional teams to oversee the billing process can lead to higher expenses, further reducing operational efficiency.

The manual management of telecom tower billing becomes increasingly inefficient as operations scale up. As Towercos expand into new regions and markets, the lack of billing standardization, coupled with varied contract terms, further complicates the task.

The Importance of Convergent Billing in Telecom Tower Operations

Convergent billing is the ultimate solution for addressing the challenges faced by telecom tower operations. By implementing an automated convergent billing system, Towercos can streamline their billing processes and overcome complexities with ease.

Here are some key ways in which convergent billing revolutionizes telecom tower operations:

1. Enhanced Accuracy and Efficiency: A convergent billing system eliminates the possibility of human error in the billing process, ensuring precise invoice generation. With the ability to process thousands of records in minutes, the billing engine operates seamlessly without the need for manual intervention.

2. Achieving Operational Excellence through Standardization: Standardizing the billing process across regions and countries allows Towercos to achieve operational excellence, regardless of the complexity of contracts or billing parameters. This uniformity reduces administrative burdens and enables teams to focus on more strategic tasks.

3. Improved Revenue Visibility: Convergent billing systems provide a comprehensive financial view, enabling real-time monitoring of site, tenancy, and asset data. Towercos can gain valuable insights into their revenue streams, empowering them to make informed decisions and identify new revenue opportunities within their portfolio.

4. Scalability and Flexibility: As Towercos expand, their billing requirements become more intricate. A flexible billing system allows for customization of billing parameters, such as energy consumption models, tenancy rental proration, and shared component charges. Additionally, the system supports bulk discounting, retrospective billing, and convergent invoicing, providing Towercos with the agility needed to adapt to changing market demands.

Key Features of Convergent Billing for Towercos

A modern convergent billing system specifically designed for telecom tower operations offers a comprehensive array of features to streamline the billing process. Some of the standout features include:

1. Rental Billing - Monthly Tenancy Billing with Proration: Ensures accurate billing based on tenants' actual usage period. - Tower Consolidation and Escalation: Allows Towercos to consolidate tenancy billing for multiple towers and apply annual rental escalations where necessary. - Charging of Shared Components: Fair billing for tenants sharing infrastructure based on usage. - Package-Based Charging: Flexibility to bill tenants for different service packages tailored to their needs.

2. Energy Billing - Pass-through Billing: Billing for energy consumption based on BTS type and actual usage, with the ability to factor in day-ratio and specific energy pay-outs. - Fixed-Cost and Consumption-Based Charging: Multiple billing models available, whether charging a flat rate or based on energy consumed. - Support for Multiple Energy Sources: System supports various energy sources such as grid electricity, diesel generators, solar, and batteries.

3. Invoicing and Financial Reporting - Convergent Invoicing: Combines rental charges and energy billing for a consolidated view of expenses for tenants and operators, reducing complexity. - Customized Invoice Templates: Tailor-made invoices to meet the specific requirements of different customers. - Multi-Currency Support: Essential for Towercos operating in multiple countries, enabling invoicing and payments in various currencies.

In conclusion, a modern convergent billing system for Towercos offers a range of features to streamline billing processes and enhance operational efficiency.

4. Revenue Assurance and Discount Management

Pre-Bill and Post-Bill Revenue Assurance processes are in place to ensure that no revenue is lost during the billing cycle, ultimately safeguarding financial performance. Additionally, the system supports bulk and volume-based discounts for leasing tower space in large quantities or entering into long-term tenancy agreements. Furthermore, the system allows for retrospective billing, credit, and debit notes to easily correct past billing errors or adjust for changes in tenancy contracts.

5. Seamless Integration and Scalability

Our cloud-agnostic, multi-tenant solution can be deployed on any cloud platform, providing scalability as Towercos expand their operations. The system also offers seamless integration with other financial systems, ERP tools, and energy management platforms, ensuring smooth data flow and operational efficiency.

Conclusion: A 360° Financial View for Future-Ready Towercos

By implementing a convergent billing system, telecom tower companies can streamline their financial operations while enhancing transparency, accuracy, and efficiency. This system provides a comprehensive financial view of all aspects of tower operations, including rental income, energy consumption, and tenancy agreements. With this information, Towercos can achieve operational excellence, optimize resource allocation, and confidently scale their operations.

As the telecommunications industry continues to grow and evolve, it is essential for Towercos to adopt an automated and flexible billing system to remain competitive and ensure long-term success.

[harshnews]

Telecom Cloud Billing Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth and Competitive Analysis

"Telecom Cloud Billing Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031

Global Telecom Cloud Billing Market, By Type of Billing (Convergent, Prepaid, Postpaid, Interconnect, Roaming, Embedded, and Others), Application (Revenue Management, Account Management, Customer Management, Traffic Management, Billing and Provisioning, and Others), Cloud Platform (Business Continuity as a Service (BCaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and Others), Deployment (Public, Private, and Hybrid), Rate of Charging Mode (Subscription-Based and Usage-Based), Service (Professional and Managed), User Type (Individuals and Enterprises), End User (Transportation, Government, Media and Entertainment, Healthcare, BFSI, Retail, and Other) – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031.

Access Full 350 Pages PDF Report @

**Segments**

- **By Component:** The telecom cloud billing market is segmented into solutions and services. The solutions segment includes mediation, billing, revenue assurance, and fraud management. On the other hand, the services segment covers professional services and managed services. - **By Billing Type:** This segment categorizes the market into postpaid and prepaid billing types. Postpaid billing involves billing customers at the end of the billing cycle for the services used, while prepaid billing requires customers to pay for services upfront before using them. - **By Deployment Model:** The market is divided based on deployment models into public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud. Public cloud refers to services offered over the public internet, private cloud involves services dedicated to a single organization, and hybrid cloud combines elements of both public and private clouds for flexibility.

**Market Players**

- **Amdocs** is a prominent player in the telecom cloud billing market, offering a wide range of solutions for telecom operators to streamline their billing processes and enhance customer experience. - **Oracle Corporation** provides cloud billing solutions that enable telecom companies to efficiently manage their billing, invoicing, and revenue management operations. - **Ericsson** offers advanced telecom cloud billing solutions that help operators adapt to changing market dynamics, improve billing accuracy, and drive revenue growth. - **Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.** is known for its innovative cloud billing platforms that cater to the diverse billing needs of telecom operators and help them stay competitive in the market. - **Netcracker Technology** specializes in providing comprehensive billing and revenue management solutions to telecom companies, aiding them in monetizing their services effectively.

The global telecom cloud billing market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of cloud-based billing solutions by telecom operators to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. Factors such as the rising demand for digital services, the need for real-time billing and revenue assurance capabilities, and the shift towards subscription-based billing models are driving the market expansion. With key players continuously innovThe global telecom cloud billing market is experiencing considerable growth as telecom operators increasingly turn to cloud-based billing solutions to streamline their operations, drive efficiency, and meet the evolving needs of their customers. These solutions offer a range of benefits, including improved agility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional on-premise billing systems. As the demand for digital services continues to rise, telecom operators are seeking robust and flexible billing solutions that can support diverse business models and enable them to launch new services quickly to stay competitive in the market.

One of the key drivers of the telecom cloud billing market is the need for real-time billing and revenue assurance capabilities. Telecom operators are under pressure to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of their billing processes to prevent revenue leakage and enhance customer satisfaction. Cloud-based billing solutions offer real-time visibility into billing data, enabling operators to track usage, generate accurate bills, and manage revenues efficiently. This real-time capability is crucial in a dynamic market environment where new services, pricing plans, and promotions are frequently introduced.

Another factor fueling the growth of the telecom cloud billing market is the shift towards subscription-based billing models. With the increasing popularity of subscription services across various industries, including telecom, operators are exploring new ways to monetize their offerings through recurring billing. Cloud billing solutions provide the flexibility and scalability needed to support subscription billing models, allowing operators to easily manage subscription lifecycles, automate billing processes, and offer personalized services to their customers. This shift towards subscription-based billing not only drives revenue growth but also improves customer loyalty and retention.

In addition to these drivers, the telecom cloud billing market is also benefiting from the continuous innovation and investment by key market players such as Amdocs, Oracle Corporation, Ericsson, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., and Netcracker Technology. These companies are developing advanced billing solutions that incorporate technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to deliver more value to telecom operators. By offering comprehensive billing and revenue management platforms, these market players are helping operators to**Global Telecom Cloud Billing Market, By Type of Billing (Convergent, Prepaid, Postpaid, Interconnect, Roaming, Embedded, and Others), Application (Revenue Management, Account Management, Customer Management, Traffic Management, Billing and Provisioning, and Others), Cloud Platform (Business Continuity as a Service (BCaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and Others), Deployment (Public, Private, and Hybrid), Rate of Charging Mode (Subscription-Based and Usage-Based), Service (Professional and Managed), User Type (Individuals and Enterprises), End User (Transportation, Government, Media and Entertainment, Healthcare, BFSI, Retail, and Other) – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031.**

- The telecom cloud billing market is witnessing extensive growth across various segments such as convergent, prepaid, postpaid, interconnect, roaming, embedded, and others offering a wide array of billing options to cater to diverse customer needs. - Applications like revenue management, account management, customer management, traffic management, billing, and provisioning play a crucial role in meeting the operational requirements of telecom operators, driving the demand for advanced cloud billing solutions. - Cloud platforms such as Business Continuity as a Service (BCaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and others are pivotal in enabling telecom companies to leverage

Global Telecom Cloud Billing Market survey report analyses the general market conditions such as product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand, and market growth rate which supports businesses on deciding upon several strategies. Furthermore, big sample sizes have been utilized for the data collection in this business report which suits the necessities of small, medium as well as large size of businesses. The report explains the moves of top market players and brands that range from developments, products launches, acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, trending innovation and business policies.

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios of the top players in the Telecom Cloud Billing Market.

Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on the upcoming technologies, R&D activities, and product launches in the market.

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of the market strategies, geographic and business segments of the leading players in the market.

Market Development: Comprehensive information about emerging markets. This report analyzes the market for various segments across geographies.

Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the Telecom Cloud Billing Market.

The following are the regions covered in this report.

North America [U.S., Canada, Mexico]

Europe [Germany, UK, France, Italy, Rest of Europe]

Asia-Pacific [China, India, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific]

South America [Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America]

The Middle East & Africa [GCC, North Africa, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa]

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[digitalsolutionsfortelecos]

Major Signs You Need a Convergent Billing System

Billing challenges often signal deeper issues within an organization’s operational framework. For telecom providers and service-oriented businesses, managing multiple, disjointed billing systems can create a myriad of problems, from operational inefficiencies to customer dissatisfaction. As businesses scale and diversify their service offerings, the complexities of handling various billing processes can become overwhelming. Disparate systems can lead to inconsistencies, errors, and a lack of cohesive data analysis, all of which can hinder growth and impact revenue streams.

A convergent billing system presents a solution to these challenges by integrating all billing operations into a unified platform. This approach not only simplifies management but also enhances accuracy and efficiency, ultimately improving the customer experience and streamlining internal processes. By addressing the issues caused by fragmented billing systems, businesses can leverage the power of a convergent system to optimize operations and drive better financial outcomes.

Recognizing the Need for a Unified Billing Solution

Managing multiple, disparate billing systems can introduce significant inefficiencies. Each system operates in isolation, leading to duplicated efforts, inconsistencies, and errors. For businesses dealing with a diverse range of services and customers, this fragmentation can be a major obstacle to operational success. A convergent billing system offers a solution by consolidating all billing operations into a single, integrated platform. This approach not only enhances accuracy but also streamlines processes, reduces costs, and improves overall performance.

Key Indicators That Signal the Need for a Convergent Billing System

Fragmented Billing Processes

Handling billing through multiple systems often results in inconsistent practices and increased error rates. These fragmented processes can lead to duplicated efforts, revenue leakage, and operational inefficiencies. A convergent billing system integrates various billing functions into one platform, ensuring consistency and reducing the risk of errors. This integration simplifies financial management and enhances operational efficiency.

Inconsistent Customer Experience

Customers today expect a seamless and transparent experience across all touchpoints. When billing information is scattered across different systems, it can create confusion and diminish the overall customer experience. A convergent mediation system delivers a consistent billing format and experience, which improves customer satisfaction. By providing a unified view of all charges and transactions, it simplifies the billing process and strengthens customer relationships.

High Operational Costs

Maintaining multiple billing systems incurs significant costs, including software licenses, maintenance contracts, and IT support. These expenses can add up, especially for large organizations. A convergent billing system consolidated billing operations, reducing the need for multiple systems and associated costs. This consolidation leads to substantial cost savings and allows businesses to allocate resources more effectively.

Slow Time-to-Market for New Services

Introducing new services can be slow and cumbersome when dealing with outdated or fragmented billing systems. Each system may require separate configurations and integrations, delaying time-to-market. A telecom digital BSS platform streamlines the process, enabling quicker deployment of new services. This flexibility allows businesses to respond rapidly to market changes and seize new opportunities.

Difficulty in Analyzing Billing Data

Fragmented billing systems can scatter data across various platforms, making comprehensive analysis challenging. This scattered approach limits the ability to gain actionable insights and optimize billing strategies. A convergent billing system centralizes data, providing a unified view that facilitates advanced analytics and reporting. This centralized data approach enhances visibility and supports strategic decision-making.

Compliance Challenges

Regulatory compliance is increasingly complex, especially when managing multiple billing systems. Each system may have different compliance protocols, increasing the risk of oversight. A convergent mediation system simplifies compliance by standardizing processes and integrating regulatory updates across all billing functions. This unified approach reduces the risk of non-compliance and ensures adherence to current regulations.

Integration Issues with Other Systems

Integrating multiple billing systems with other enterprise systems, such as CRM or ERP platforms, can be fraught with difficulties. Compatibility issues and data inconsistencies can arise, complicating integration efforts. A convergent billing system offers streamlined integration with other business systems, ensuring seamless connectivity and enhanced operational efficiency.

Limited Flexibility in Adapting to Market Changes

The telecom industry is characterized by rapid technological advancements and shifting customer preferences. Traditional billing systems often lack the agility required to keep pace with these changes. A convergent billing system provides the flexibility needed to adapt quickly to evolving market conditions and customer demands. Its scalable architecture supports new billing models and services, helping businesses stay competitive.

The Impact of Convergent Billing Systems

Implementing a convergent billingsystem can lead to an average reduction of 15-20% in operational costs and a 25% increase in billing accuracy, according to a report by Deloitte. (Source). These systems not only streamline billing operations but also contribute to significant cost savings and operational improvements. By consolidating billing functions into a single platform, businesses can enhance accuracy, reduce costs, and deliver a superior customer experience.

Embrace the Future with a Convergent Billing System

If your organization is experiencing inefficiencies, high costs, and customer dissatisfaction due to fragmented billing processes, it’s time to explore the benefits of a convergent billing system. This integrated solution offers a unified approach to billing, driving accuracy, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Embracing a convergent billing system positions your business for future growth and success in a competitive telecom market.

Is your billing system holding your business back? 

The convergent billing system of Canvas, digital BSS platform can revolutionize your operations. It streamlines billing processes and improves the bottom line. For a tailored solution that meets your needs, get in touch with 6D Technologies today and take the first step towards operational excellence.

To learn more about the convergent billing system of 6d Technologies, please visit https://www.6dtechnologies.com/digital-bss/billing-and-invoicing/

[ivankahasbeentreatedsounfairly]

By Steven Lee MyersKen Bensinger and Jim Rutenberg

In early 2022, a young couple from Canada, Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan, registered a new company in Tennessee that went on to create a social media outlet called Tenet Media.

By November 2023, they had assembled a lineup of major conservative social media stars, including Benny Johnson, Tim Pool and Dave Rubin, to post original content on Tenet’s platform. The site then began posting hundreds of videos — trafficking in pointed political commentary as well as conspiracy theories about election fraud, Covid-19, immigrants and Russia’s war with Ukraine — that were then promoted across the spectrum of social media, from YouTube to TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram and Rumble.

It was all, federal prosecutors now say, a covert Russian influence operation. On Wednesday, the Justice Department accused two Russians of helping orchestrate $10 million in payments to Tenet in a scheme to use those stars to spread Kremlin-friendly messages.

The disclosures reflect the growing sophistication of the Kremlin’s longstanding efforts to shape American public opinion and advance Russia’s geopolitical goals, which include, according to American intelligence assessments, the election of former President Donald J. Trump in November.

In 2016 and 2020, Russia employed armies of internet trolls, fake accounts and bot farms to try to reach American audiences, with debatable success. The operation that prosecutors described this week shows a pivot to exploiting already established social media influencers, who, in this case, generated as many as 16 million views on Tenet’s YouTube channel alone.

Most viewers were presumably unaware, as the influencers themselves said they were, that Russia was paying for it all.

“Influencers already have a level of trust with their audience,” said Jo Lukito, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin’s journalism school who studies Russian disinformation. “So, if a piece of information can come through the mouth of an existing influencer, it comes across as more authentic.”

The indictment — which landed like a bombshell in the country’s conservative media ecosystem — also underscored the growing ideological convergence between President Vladimir V. Putin’s Russia and a significant portion of the Republican Party since Mr. Trump’s rise to political power.

The Kremlin has long sought to exploit divisions on both sides of the American political spectrum, but contentious conservative voices provide ample fodder for its own propaganda, especially when it involves criticism of the Biden administration or, more broadly, of the country’s foreign policy, including support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The federal investigation that led to the indictment unsealed on Wednesday is part of a broader government effort, first reported in The New York Times, to combat Russian disinformation, election interference and cyberattacks. Administration officials have said the effort could lead to more charges.

The indictment detailed the lengths Russia went to try to make Tenet a player in the country’s political discourse, while obfuscating the fact that it was footing the bill.

That included transferring at least $9.7 million from Russia through shell companies in countries like Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Mauritius. Those payments accounted for 90 percent of the company’s revenue from last October to August, the indictment said.

Prosecutors have not, so far, charged Ms. Chen and Mr. Donovan. It is unclear where they are, and they did not respond to requests for comment. The indictment did note that neither they nor Tenet had registered as a representative of a foreign government, a requirement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, known as FARA.

Tenet’s influencers all described themselves as victims of the Russian ruse, and at times disparaged the federal investigation. They emphasized that they took no direction from Russians, though the indictment details various efforts by the company’s sponsors to sow specific narratives, some of which appeared in the content they posted.

In one instance, Mr. Johnson, a former journalist with 2.4 million subscribers on YouTube, suggested on his own show that Ukraine might have been responsible for a deadly attack at a concert hall in Moscow in March, reflecting a since-debunked Russian claim. (A branch of the Islamic State claimed responsibility.)

Another influencer on Tenet’s roster, Lauren Southern, a far-right Canadian commentator with more than 1.2 million followers between YouTube and X, produced a video mocking the Summer Olympics in Paris in July, echoing Russia’s efforts to denigrate the Games and their French hosts.

The Russians even pushed Tenet to highlight a video from Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News star who now produces his own online show. He made it during a visit to Moscow this year, marveling about the abundance on display in a supermarket in the city.

A producer working for Tenet, in a message cited in the indictment, thought Mr. Carlson’s video “just feels like overt shilling” but, after being pressured by Tenet’s owners, agreed to post the clip in any case.

Nina Jankowicz, a co-founder of the American Sunlight Project, an advocacy group in Washington that fights disinformation online, said that “this is a classic case of information laundering.”

“The Russians and other foreign actors have used it for decades to obscure the source of influence operations,” she went on. “In this case, they chose influencers who were already engaging in rage bait, exploiting the pre-existing fissures in our society for clicks.”

Flush with Russian cash, Tenet certainly compensated some its influencers well. It paid at least $8.7 million to the top three influencers, who were not named but who appear to be Mr. Rubin, Mr. Pool and Mr. Johnson based on details in the indictment, such as the number of followers on social media.

According to the indictment, Mr. Rubin received $400,000 a month, plus a $100,0000 signing bonus, to produce four videos a week on Tenet’s YouTube channel. Mr. Pool was paid $100,000 per video, which he produced weekly.

The contracts put those three on the same pay scale as some of those on Forbes’s “Top Creators 2023” list, though Mr. Pool portrayed his payment as standard in an interview on “The Ben Shapiro Show” on Friday.

Under terms of their arrangements, the influencers could keep producing other content separate from the work they did for Tenet.

A representative of Mr. Johnson declined to comment but provided details of the timeline and nature of his contract with Tenet. On X, however, Mr. Johnson said he had acted “as an independent contractor” under what he termed “a standard, arms-length deal which was later terminated.”

Mr. Rubin, who is the creator and host of “The Rubin Report,” a political talk show on YouTube and Blaze Media, a conservative media company, said in a post online that he had no knowledge of connections between Tenet and Russia.

So did Mr. Pool, who has promoted Mr. Trump’s election fraud conspiracies and portrayed Ukraine as an “enemy” on his popular online show. In his response on X, he directed a crude insult to Mr. Putin. On Thursday, he said that the F.B.I. had invited him to a “voluntary interview” and that he would cooperate with the investigation.

Prosecutors said the two Russians charged on Wednesday, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, had violated FARA and laws against money laundering. The pair are employees of RT, the Russian global television network.

In a response to a request for comment about the indictment, the network replied sarcastically. “We eat U.S. D.O.J. indictments for breakfast,” its statement said. “With lots of sour cream, usually.”

Mr. Donovan, 30, Tenet’s co-founder, appears on corporate records in Tennessee as a founder of Roaming USA Corporation, the company that later created Tenet. His account on X, which has not posted any messages since July, describes him as Tenet’s president. Among those who shared his posts, along with the company’s, was the owner of X, Elon Musk.

Tenet appears to have ceased operations since Wednesday. YouTube, in a statement on Thursday evening, said it had taken down its account on the platform, along with four others associated with Ms. Chen.

Ms. Chen, who is married to Mr. Donovan and is also 30, worked for RT from March 2021 until February 2022. RT’s website still describes her as a YouTuber who was “most passionate” about topics that “include dating culture, family values, individual liberty, gender equality and issues surrounding race.”

She also produced podcasts on Blaze Media and served as a contributor to Turning Point USA, the conservative organization run by Charlie Kirk. Her profiles on Mr. Kirk’s site and on Blaze Media’s disappeared this week. Her account on X, which remains active, has nearly 600,000 followers.

In a statement, Blaze Media’s chief executive, Tyler Cardon, said, “Lauren Chen was an independent contractor, whose contract has been terminated.”

For at least two of the influencers, the offer to join Tenet appeared to raise concerns about the origins of such generous contracts.

The indictment detailed how they questioned the company’s backers. In response, Mr. Kalashnikov and Ms. Afanasyeva, along with Ms. Chen and Mr. Donovan, provided a profile page of a fictitious European banker, Eduard Grigoriann.

They also arranged a phone call with someone purporting to be the banker. That was enough, apparently, to assuage any concerns.

“It’s lamentable that these influencers conducted so little due diligence,” Ms. Jankowicz said. “When something seems too good to be true — in this case, getting paid $100,000 per video for content you were already making — it probably is.”

Another of those who worked for Tenet was Tayler Hansen, who is perhaps best known for filming the shooting of Ashli Babbitt in the U.S. Capitol during the violence on Jan. 6, 2021.

For years, he scraped by financially by licensing his footage, selling branded merchandise and soliciting donations from supporters as he gradually built a following of more than 170,000 on X.

When Tenet approached him last year and offered the opportunity to work for a biweekly salary, he jumped at the chance, he said in an interview. Tenet also hired Mr. Hansen’s producer and covered his travel expenses.

“I had full autonomy, and there’s really no point in not working with a company that grants you full autonomy,” Mr. Hansen said. “I’ve never had as much freedom.”

Asked how he thought Tenet made money, he said simply, “Donors.” 

Martin J. Riedl, a journalism professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who studies the spread of misinformation on social media, said the case of Tenet spotlighted gaping regulatory holes when it came to the American political system.

While the Federal Election Commission has strict disclosure rules for television and radio advertisements, it has no such restrictions for paid social media influencers. 

The result is an enormous loophole — one that the Russians appeared to exploit.

“Influencers have been around for a while,” Mr. Riedl said, “but there are few rules around their communication, and political speech is not regulated at all.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/07/business/media/russia-tenet-media-tim-pool.html

[ramakrishnasurathu]

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[covalensedigitalsblog]

Covalensedigital Executes Billing & Charging Solution Swiftly for Taiwan MVNO

Covalensedigital implemented a complete convergent system which supports most of the features that are essential in the telecom industry.

To reach the client organization’s goal of improving the end-customer experience, the payment mode was also improved. We simplified the pricing module and integrated a pricing tool interface for quick price catalog configuration.

Covalensedigital successfully completed the digitalization of the client organization. The MVNO is Asia’s fully digital telco and consumer company.

[samyupatnana]

African MNO Witnesses 8% Drop in Customer Churn

The client, a major player in the African 4G LTE market, offers a range of services including broadband, VoIP, FTTH & FTTE. They aim to improve customer experience and control churn by migrating to a digital platform that supports converged charging and real-time billing.

The Csmart platform enables multi-service offerings from a single platform. This has simplified service management and improved service delivery. It has also allowed us to offer a wider range of services, catering to the diverse needs of our customers.

8-Percentage-Drop-in-customer-churn-Rate- for-African-MNO-V3 copy (csmart.digital)

[regeny-blog]

Charged and Ready: The Infrastructure Behind EV Charging Networks

Introduction: Paving the Way for Electric Mobility

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a distant dream of the future; they are swiftly becoming a mainstream reality. As more drivers embrace the environmental and economic benefits of EVs, the demand for reliable charging infrastructure is skyrocketing. Behind the scenes of this green revolution lies a complex web of technology and infrastructure that powers the charging networks driving us towards a sustainable future.

The Backbone of EV Charging: Hardware and Software Integration

At the heart of any EV charging network lies a sophisticated blend of hardware and software designed to facilitate seamless charging experiences. Hardware components, including charging stations, connectors, and power distribution systems, form the physical infrastructure that drivers interact with. These stations come in various forms, from slow-charging Level 1 outlets found in homes to high-speed Level 3 DC fast chargers strategically positioned along highways and in urban centers.

However, it's the software layer that truly unlocks the potential of these charging networks. Advanced algorithms govern everything from station availability and pricing to billing and payment processing. Smart charging technologies optimize energy usage and distribution, ensuring efficient operation and minimizing strain on the grid. Moreover, cloud-based platforms enable remote monitoring and management, allowing operators to oversee entire networks and swiftly address any issues that arise.

Interoperability: The Key to Seamless Mobility

In a world where convenience is king, interoperability is paramount for EV charging networks. Imagine driving cross-country only to find that your charging provider is incompatible with the stations along your route. To prevent such scenarios, industry stakeholders are working towards standardized protocols and communication interfaces that enable interoperability between different charging networks.

Common standards such as CHAdeMO, CCS (Combined Charging System), and Tesla's proprietary Supercharger network are gradually converging, allowing EV drivers to access a diverse array of charging options with a single account or payment method. Initiatives like the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) further enhance interoperability by enabling different charging stations and network operators to communicate seamlessly.

Powering the Grid: Challenges and Solutions

As EV adoption continues to surge, concerns about the strain on the electrical grid have come to the forefront. The sudden influx of EVs charging simultaneously could overwhelm local distribution networks, leading to power outages and grid instability. To mitigate these challenges, innovative solutions are being deployed.

Demand response programs incentivize EV owners to charge during off-peak hours, alleviating stress on the grid and reducing electricity costs. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology takes this concept a step further, allowing EV batteries to serve as energy storage units that can feed electricity back into the grid during peak demand periods. By harnessing the collective power of millions of EVs, V2G has the potential to revolutionize energy distribution and promote grid resilience.

Conclusion: Energizing the Future of Mobility

The proliferation of EV charging networks represents a pivotal step towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious transportation ecosystem. By combining cutting-edge hardware, intelligent software, and collaborative standards, these networks are paving the way for widespread EV adoption. As technology continues to evolve and infrastructure expands, the dream of emission-free mobility is becoming increasingly attainable. With the right investments and innovations, we can ensure that the world remains charged and ready for the electric revolution.

[gwydionmisha]

Internet data centers are fueling drive to old power source: Coal

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — A helicopter hovers over the Gee family farm, the noisy rattle echoing inside their home in this rural part of West Virginia. It’s holding surveyors who are eyeing space for yet another power line next to the property — a line that will take electricity generated from coal plants in the state to address a drain on power driven by the world’s internet hub in Northern Virginia 35 miles away.

There, massive data centers with computers processing nearly 70 percent of global digital traffic are gobbling up electricity at a rate officials overseeing the power grid say is unsustainable unless two things happen: Several hundred miles of new transmission lines must be built, slicing through neighborhoods and farms in Virginia and three neighboring states. And antiquated coal-powered electricity plants that had been scheduled to go offline will need to keep running to fuel the increasing need for more power, undermining clean energy goals.

The $5.2 billion effort has fueled a backlash against data centers through the region, prompting officials in Virginia to begin studying the deeper impacts of an industry they’ve long cultivated for the hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue it brings to their communities.

Critics say it will force residents near the coal plants to continue living with toxic pollution, ironically to help a state — Virginia — that has fully embraced clean energy. And utility ratepayers in the affected areas will be forced to pay for the plan in the form of higher bills, those critics say.

But PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator, says the plan is necessary to maintain grid reliability amid a wave of fossil fuel plant closures in recent years, prompted by the nation’s transition to cleaner power.

Power lines will be built across four states in a $5.2 billion effort that, relying on coal plants that were meant to be shuttered, is designed to keep the electric grid from failing amid spiking energy demands.

Cutting through farms and neighborhoods, the plan converges on Northern Virginia, where a growing data center industry will need enough extra energy to power 6 million homes by 2030.

With not enough of those green energy facilities connected to the grid yet, enough coal and natural gas energy to power 32 million homes is expected to be lost by 2030 at a time when the demand from the growing data center industry, electric vehicles and other new technology is on the rise, PJM says.

“The system is in a major transition right now, and it’s going to continue to evolve,” Ken Seiler, PJM’s senior vice president in charge of planning, said in a December stakeholders’ meeting about the effort to buy time for green energy to catch up. “And we’ll look for opportunities to do everything we can to keep the lights on as it goes through this transition.”

A need for power

Data centers that house thousands of computer servers and the cooling equipment needed for them to runhave been multiplying in Northern Virginia since the late 1990s, spreading from the industry’s historic base in Loudoun County to neighboring Prince William County and, recently, across the Potomac River into Maryland. There are nearly 300 data centers now in Virginia.

With Amazon Web Services pursuing a $35 billion data center expansion in Virginia, rural portions of the state are the industry’s newest target for development.

But data centers also consume massive amounts of energy.

One data center can require 50 times the electricity of a typical office building, according to the U.S.Department of Energy. Multiple-building data center complexes, which have become the norm, require as much as 14 to 20 times that amount.

The demand has strained utility companies, to the point where Dominion Energy in Virginia briefly warned in 2022 that it may not be able to keepup with the pace of the industry’s growth.

The utility — which has since accelerated plans for new power lines and substations to boost its electrical output — predicts that by 2035 the industry in Virginia will require 11,000 megawatts, nearly quadruple what it needed in 2022, or enough to power 8.8 million homes.

Thesmaller Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative recently told PJM that the more than 50 data centers it serves account for 59 percent of its energy demand. It expects to need to serve about 110 more data centers by July 2028.

Meanwhile, the amount of energy available is not growing quickly enough to meet that future demand. Coal plants have scaled down production or shut down altogether as the market transitions to green energy, hastened by laws in Maryland and Virginia mandating net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and, for several other states in the region, by 2050.

Dominion is developing a 2,600-megawatt wind farm off Virginia Beach — the largest such project in U.S. waters — and the company recently gained state approval to build four solar projects.

But those projects won’t be ready in timeto absorb the projected gap in available energy.Opponents of PJM’s plan say it wouldn’t be necessary if more green energy had been connected to the grid faster, pointing to projects that were caught up in bureaucratic delays for five years or longer before they were connected.

A PJM spokesperson said the organization has recently sped up its approval process and is encouraging utility companies and federal and state officials to better incorporate renewable energy.

About 40,000 megawatts of green energy projects have been cleared for construction but are not being built because of issues related to financing or siting, the PJM spokesperson said.

Once more renewable energy is available, some of the power lines being built to address the energy gap may no longer be needed as the coal plants ultimately shut down, clean energy advocates say — though utility companies contend the extra capacity brought by the lines will always be useful.

“Their planning is just about maintaining the status quo,” Tom Rutigliano, a senior advocate for clean energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said about PJM. “They do nothing proactive about really trying to get a handle on the future and get ready for it.”

‘Holding on tight’ to coal

The smoke from two coal plants near West Virginia’s border with Pennsylvania billows over the city of Morgantown, adding a brownish tint to the air.

The owner of one of the Morgantown-area plants, Longview LLC, recently emerged from bankruptcy. After a restructuring, the facility is fully functioning, utilizing a solar farm to supplement its coal energy output.

The other two plants belong to the Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corp. utility, which had plans to significantly scale down operations there to meet a company goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by nearly a third over the next six years.

The FirstEnergy plants are among the state’s worst polluters, said Jim Kotcon, a West Virginia University plant pathology professor who oversees conservation efforts at the Sierra Club’s West Virginia chapter.

The Harrison plant pumped out a combined 12 million tons of coal pollutants like sulfur and nitrous oxides in 2023, more than any other fossil fuel plant in the state, according to Environmental Protection Agency data. The Fort Martin plant, which has been operating since the late 1960s, emitted the state’s highest levels of nitrous oxides in 2023, at 5,240 tons.

After PJM tapped the company to build a 36-mile-long portion of the planned power lines for $392 million, FirstEnergy announced in February that the company is abandoning a 2030 goal to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions because the two plants are crucial to maintaining grid reliability.

The news has sent FirstEnergy’s stock price up by 4 percent, to about $37 a share this week, and was greeted with jubilation by West Virginia’s coal industry.(Hadley Green/The Washington Post)

“We welcome this, without question, because it will increase the life of these plants and hundreds of thousands of mining jobs,” said Chris Hamilton, president of the West Virginia Coal Association. “We’re holding on tight to our coal plants.”

Since 2008, annual coal production in West Virginia has dipped by nearly half, to about 82 million tons, though the industry — which contributes about $5.5 billion to the state’s economy — has rebounded some due to an export market to Europe and Asia, Hamilton said.

Hamilton said his association will lobby hard for FirstEnergy’s portion of the PJM plan to gain state approval. The company said it will submit its application for its power line routes in mid-2025.

PJM asked the plants’ owner, Texas-based Talen Energy Corp., to keep them running through 2028 — with the yet-to-be determined cost of doing so passed on to ratepayers.

That would mean amending a 2018 federal court consent decree, in which Talen agreed to stop burning coal to settle a lawsuit brought by the Sierra Club over Clean Water Act violations. The Sierra Club has rejected PJM’s calls to do so.

“We need a proactive plan that is consistent with the state’s clean energy goals,” said Josh Tulkin, director of the Sierra Club’s Maryland chapter, which has proposed an alternative plan to build a battery storage facility at the Brandon Shores site that would cut the time needed for the plants to operate.

A PJM spokesperson said the organization believes that such a facility wouldn’t provide enough reliable power and is not ruling out seeking a federal emergency order to keep the coal plants running.

With the matter still unresolved, nearby residents say they are anxious to see them closed.

“It’s been really challenging,” said John Garofolo, who lives in the Stoney Beach neighborhood community of townhouses and condominiums, where coal dust drifts into the neighborhood pool when the facilities are running. “We’re concerned about the air we’re breathing here.”

Sounding alarms

Keryn Newman, a Charles Town activist, has been sounding alarms in the small neighborhoods and farm communities along the path of the proposed power lines in West Virginia.

Because FirstEnergy prohibits any structure from interfering with a power line, building a new line along the right of way — which would be expanded to make room for the third line — would mean altering the character of residents’ properties, Newman said.

“It gobbles up space for play equipment for your kid, a pool or a barn,” she said. “And a well or septic system can’t be in the right of way.”

A FirstEnergy spokesperson said the company would compensate property owners for any land needed, with eminent domain proceedings a last resort if those property owners are unwilling to sell.

Pam and Gary Gearhart fought alongside Newman against the defeated 765-kilovolt line, which would have forced them to move a septic system near FirstEnergy’s easement. But when Newman showed up recently to their Harpers Ferry-area neighborhood to discuss the new PJM plan, the couple appeared unwilling to fight again.

Next door, another family had already decided to leave, the couple said, and was in the midst of loading furniture into a truck when Newman showed up.

“They’re just going to keep okaying data centers; there’s money in those things,” Pam Gearhart said about local governments in Virginia benefiting from the tax revenue. “Until they run out of land down there.”

In Loudoun County, where the data center industry’s encroachment into neighborhoods has fostered resentment, community groups are fighting a portion of the PJM plan that would build power lines through the mostly rural communities of western Loudoun.

The lines would damage the views offered by surrounding wineries and farms that contribute to Loudoun’s $4 billion tourism industry, those groups say.

Bill Hatch owns a winery that sits near the path of where PJM suggested one high-voltage line could go, though that route is still under review.

“This is going to be a scar for a long time,” Hatch said.

Reconsidering the benefits

Amid the backlash, local and state officials are reconsidering the data center industry’s benefits.

The Virginia General Assembly has launched a study that, among other things, will look at how the industry’s growth may affect energy resources and utility rates for state residents.

But that study has held up efforts to regulate the industry sooner, frustrating activists.

“We should not be subsidizing this industry for another minute, let alone another year,” Julie Bolthouse, director of land use at the Piedmont Environmental Council, chided a Senate committee that voted in February to table a bill that would force data center companies to pay more for new transmission lines.

Loudoun is moving to restrict where in the county data centers can be built. Up until recently, data centers have been allowed to be built without special approvals wherever office buildings are allowed.

But such action will do little to stem the worries of people like Mary and Richard Gee.

As it is, the two lines near their property produce an electromagnetic field strong enough to charge a garden fence with a light current of electricity, the couple said. When helicopters show up to survey the land for a third line, the family’s dog, Peaches, who is prone to seizures, goes into a barking frenzy.

An artist who focuses on natural landscapes, Mary Gee planned to convert the barn that sits in the shadow of a power line tower to a studio. That now seems unlikely, she said.

Lately, her paintings have reflected her frustration. One picture shows birds with beaks wrapped shut by transmission line. Another has a colorful scene of the rural Charles Town area severed by a smoky black and gray landscape of steel towers and a coal plant.

CORRECTION

A previous version of this article incorrectly reported that Prince William County receives $400 million annually in taxes on the computer equipment inside data centers. It receives $100 million annually. In addition, the article incorrectly stated that two FirstEnergy plants in West Virginia have been equipped with carbon-capturing technology. They do not have such technology in place, The article has been corrected.