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ABS-CBN clarified PCC has not completed its review of broadband business sale to PLDT
ABS-CBN clarified that the Philippine Competition Commission has not completed its review of the proposed P6.8 billion sale of Sky Cable’s broadband business to PLDT......»»
Converge, Dito agree to share cable assets
Connectivity firms Converge ICT Solutions Inc. and Dito Telecommunity Corp. have decided to work together and have signed an agreement to share their cable assets to expand their coverage and improve services......»»
Converge and DITO team up to share select fiber optic cable infrastructure
Converge and Dito Telecommunity put out a joint press release yesterday to announce the signing of what they call a Master Facilities Provisioning Agreement (MFPA) for the sharing of select land-based and undersea fiber optic cable assets......»»
E.A.T., PBA games to air on CNN PH
TV5 has announced a new partnership with Nine Media Corporation (NMC) to expand its reach and enhance weekend TV programming for viewers across the Philippines. This collaboration will integrate two of TV5's flagship programs, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 48 Commissioner's Cup and the noontime show E.A.T., into NMC's weekend lineup beginning January 6. Guido R. Zaballero, President and CEO of TV5, emphasized that this move aligns with the vision of TV5's Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan to make high-quality content more accessible to Filipino households. NMC's availability on free-to-air television and various cable channels will ensure that the partnership reaches a wide audience. This strategic alliance aims to deliver the best content to as many Filipino homes as possible, catering to the preferences of viewers nationwide......»»
Paco’s best is yet to come
Francisco “Paco” Delgado Magsaysay, at 55, is focusing his energy back into the family’s cable TV business after an unexpectedly successful diversion into a niche ice cream business venture that has now been acquired by the Metro Pacific Group......»»
San Francisco rolls out Filipino-themed Christmas cable car
The San Francisco Municipal Railway rolled out its first-ever Filipino Christmas-themed cable car, with the Philippine consulate general in San Francisco joining the inaugural trip on Nov. 29......»»
FACT CHECK: Davao’s confidential funds were never used for its underground cabling projects
A look into the city government’s website will show that the underground cable project in Davao City was an initiative by the late councilor Leonardo Avila, Jr. through Ordinance No. 177, series of 2014......»»
Man held for cable wire theft
A 57-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing cable wires in Quezon City on Thursday, police reported yesterday......»»
EU, Phl eyes creating digital gateway pack
The European Union or EU and the Philippines are crafting a digital development program, set for launch next year to help the boost Internet speed and reach, strengthen cybersecurity, and integrate more women into the digital economy. On Thursday, the Department of Finance said the two partners, along with other countries, are creating the Digital Connectivity Global Gateway Package. “The package has key elements on capacity building, regulatory or policy support, cybersecurity, and enhanced cable connectivity,” a DoF statement said. “The package, which is being considered for launch next year, will also help address the digital gender gap in the country by empowering women in the digital economy,” the DoF added. Connectivity partnership This global partnership on digital connectivity was recently sealed during the first Global Gateway Forum hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from 25 to 25 October in Brussels, Belgium. There were 40 government leaders who attended the forum, with Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno representing the Philippines. Global Gateway is the EU’s largest global investment program, with funding of up to 300 billion euros to be used by partner countries from 2021 to 2027 to improve their digital, energy, and transportation infrastructure, along with health and education systems. During the forum, the EU and the Philippines signed a 60 million euros financing agreement to help the latter realize projects for climate change mitigation and digital transformation. Under its digital program, the European Commission already committed in 2021 to provide all highly populated areas of the EU’s 27 member-states with faster Internet through 5G by 2030. Less than one-third of these areas benefited from that Internet technology two years ago. Expanding use of AI The commission also aims to expand the population of the EU’s small businesses using artificial intelligence and cloud from less than half to 75 percent, and those with basic technology skills from 75 percent to 100 percent over a decade. The Department of Information and Communications Technology, or DICT, on the other hand, is developing 500 to 1,000 digitalization programs. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Mon Gutierrez said the government is doubling its efforts to realize over 10 percent of its total number of digitalization programs through public-private partnerships. Also conducted by the DICT are digital literacy campaigns for government agencies, private firms and the public to spur technological innovations and better digital policies. The post EU, Phl eyes creating digital gateway pack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Electric cute
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian raised a valid point when he said last week that the use of purely electric vehicles, or EVs, in this country will never become widespread unless and until an extensive infrastructure for charging their batteries is put in place. Indeed, unlike hybrids — whose owners can always count on the vehicle’s ICE or internal combustion engine to get them back home should the battery go flat — battery-only cars will leave you stuck should your lithium-ion cell’s charge go kaput. This concern has given rise to a new addition to the lexicon: Range anxiety, the worry an EV owner feels when his car’s battery is about to be depleted during a trip. This is ironic, considering how the Philippines is presently being flooded with affordable EVs, and how, almost a decade ago, cities like Manila under then-Mayor Erap Estrada took the lead in adopting EVs for public transport by subsidizing the purchase of e-tricycles and e-jeepneys. Indeed, although the “green-ness” of EVs is still open to question (with critics saying that you still need power generated by fossil fuels to charge them), EV enthusiasts are quick to point out its many advantages over ICE vehicles: Zero emissions, lower maintenance costs, better road performance, among other things. Charging under present circumstances, however, is a bitch. An EV comes equipped upon purchase with a cable that allows you to plug the car into an ordinary wall socket, but this takes eight to nine hours for a full charge. A fast charger is available (although not always) that will charge the unit in an hour or so, but the cost is prohibitive and will negate whatever tax incentives the government is giving on EVs. The solution in other countries is to provide fast charging outlets all over their cities, and to require owners of private parking lots to provide dedicated EV parking with fast chargers. As things are, however, only SM malls have so far provided charging ports for EVs. As for public charging stations, well, not to denigrate our people, but how long will it take for some a-holes to tap into them for free electricity or to vandalize them? With an average range of 350 kilometers (and under ideal conditions at that), EVs can only be used around town. It will take a generation or two before we can build fast charging stations out of town in convenient places, let alone in urban centers, enough to encourage EV owners to use their cars daily and on provincial jaunts. And then, the durability and reliability of EVs over ICE vehicles are yet untested. While EVs have fewer parts to wear out and have lower maintenance costs, the car is run by sophisticated electronics and is practically a rolling computer that requires highly trained technicians to fix. We still don’t know how the microchips will hold up in the Philippines’ tropical weather and bumpy roads. Parts are also expensive; the cost of the battery alone is a third of the price of the car. Heaven help you if that should conk out. Whereas with older ICE vehicles and newer lower end ones, parts are cheap and aplenty, and your friendly neighborhood “taller” around the corner has someone who can repair your regular car in a day or two. Unless these problems and concerns are addressed, EVs will remain relegated to novelty: for rich kids flexing their supposed environmental consciousness; or for the smaller, cheaper EVs, a toy for zipping around the immediate environs of your home. In the final act, EVs will remain as second or third cars, to be used during coding days (since they are exempt), and for showing off to friends. In other words, pampa-cute. The post Electric cute appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russia ‘interfering’ in global election
Russia is using its spy network, state-run media and social media to undermine public trust in elections around the world, according to a United States intelligence report released Friday that was shared with around 100 countries. “Russia is focused on carrying out operations to degrade public confidence in election integrity,” the report said, citing findings from the US intelligence community. “This is a global phenomenon. Our information indicates that senior Russian government officials, including in the Kremlin, see value in this type of influence operation and perceive it to be effective.” The assessment, which was sent in a cable to the embassies of around 100 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow over Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia engaged in a “concerted effort” between 2020 and 2022 to undermine public confidence in at least 11 elections across nine democracies, including the US, the report said. An additional 17 democracies were targeted through “less pronounced” methods involving Russian messaging and social media activity that sought to amplify domestic narratives related to election integrity, it added. Without naming the targeted countries, the report said the US government had shared with them information about the Russian operations. It alleged Russia utilizes both “covert and overt mechanisms” to influence elections. That includes influence networks managed by its security agency, the Federal Security Service or FSB, which covertly attempted to intimidate campaign workers in an unspecified European country’s 2020 election, it said. Russian state media amplified “false claims of voting fraud” in multiple elections in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America in 2020 and 2021, it added. Russia also exploited social media platforms and “proxy websites” to cast doubt about the integrity of elections in one South American country last year, the report said. “For Russia, the benefits of these operations are twofold: To sow instability within democratic societies, and to portray democratic elections as dysfunctional and the resulting governments as illegitimate,” the report said. The US recognizes its “own vulnerability to this threat,” the report said, reiterating that Russian actors sought to undermine public confidence in the 2020 election which President Joe Biden won against Donald Trump. In a media briefing, a US State Department official said Russia was encouraged to press ahead with election influence operations after its perceived success in spreading disinformation about the 2020 US election and the Covid-19 pandemic. “Russia is capitalizing on what it perceives as a relatively inexpensive success in 2020 in the United States to take this more broadly, globally,” the official said on condition of anonymity. WITH AFP The post Russia ‘interfering’ in global election appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Unlikely partners make media inroads
Media Serbisyo Production Corp. or MSPC — a joint venture between ABS-CBN Corp. of the Lopez family and Prime Media Holdings Inc. owned by House Speaker Martin Romualdez — is eyeing to launch round-the-clock operations to widen its nationwide reach. MSPC president Marah Capuyan, through a stock report by Prime Media on Thursday, disclosed that the company is gearing up to expand its operations to better serve the viewing public. “(We anticipate) a forthcoming milestone, including a shift to 24/7 operations and extending their reach to platforms such as YouTube and other social media networks,” Capuyan said. Public service broadcasting “TeleRadyo Serbisyo and DWPM Radyo 630 will continue to redefine public service broadcasting with an unwavering commitment to the entire Philippines and Filipinos worldwide,” she added. Since launching in June, MSPC conveyed that TeleRadyo Serbisyo and DWPM Radyo 630 News Exchange’s partnership successfully tapped 30 regional radio stations nationwide. Partners to revolutionize news connectivity As such, the company is optimistic about looking for more partners to “revolutionize news connectivity from Luzon to Mindanao.” According to MSPC, Teleradyo Serbisyo, available on cable TV, is “already starting to make a mark in the whole Philippines and Metro Manila in particular, based on Kantar TV Audience Measurement with ratings steadily going up within the third quarter of 2023.” MSPC is also airing “Gising Pilipinas,” hosted by Alvin Elchico and Doris Bigornia, which guides Filipinos through their mornings with news and insights, as well as “Tatak: Serbisyo,” hosted by Bernadette Sembrano and Winnie Cordero, among others. Prime Media serves as a majority shareholder of the MSPC with 51 percent investment, while ABS-CBN takes up the remaining 49 percent. The post Unlikely partners make media inroads appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CdO biz group seeks capital via tax perks
The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and the City Government have enticed various stakeholders to ramp up investments in the city. During the Cagayan de Oro Investment Forum on Thursday, George Sio Goking, city councilor and representative of CdO Mayor Rolando Uy, said the province now is very business-friendly, adhering to the mandates of the Ease of Doing Business Act. “We are the first in Mindanao to be commended by the Anti-Red Tape Authority. Also, the business climate in Cagayan de Oro is conducive to investments as we provide enough incentives to our investors. The government is open to the needs of our investors,” he said in an interview. Good business prospects exist in Cagayan de Oro City, according to Goking. Growth industries Among the growth sectors are the business process outsourcing and IT-BPM sector. “We have enough land there to transform into industrial firms. CDO has 60 hectares of land ready for development through private-public partnerships. To date, the City Government of Cagayan de Oro is offering investment opportunities such as the P4.5 billion Waste-to-Energy Project, a priority urban infrastructure project under the Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Development for Metro Cagayan de Oro; the Commercial Land and Lease at The New City, which already begun with the P25 billion 20,000-unit mid-rise housing project of the Department of the Human Settlements and Urban Development; and P4 billion worth Development, Construction and Operation of the Cagayan de Oro City Sewerage project. Meanwhile, private company Gedah Holdings, Inc. has also poured in a P27 billion project for the Development of Paraiso Hill, a 39-hectare master planned and mixed-use estate that is part of the East-Uptown Urban Development Area. Another private firm, Philippine Aerial Ropeway and Cable Transit Corporation has also placed P8.8 billion worth of investments in the development, construction and operation of the Cagayan de Oro Aerial Mass Transit System. The post CdO biz group seeks capital via tax perks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Globe taps LGUs, cops vs cable thieves
Wireless giant Globe Telecom Inc. is tightening the clamps on cable theft by working with local government units and law enforcement agencies in areas with the highest incidence......»»
Converge’s 2-M reach mirrors strong demand for cheap internet plans
Converge ICT Solutions Inc.'s low-cost plans have reached more than two million homes, which signifies the strong mass market demand for efficient and affordable internet services. Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy said on Monday that the company will beef up its product portfolio to better serve customers from different income groups. “We are proud to mark this milestone in our mission to leave no one behind as we empower Filipinos with world-class fiber connectivity. This is a result of our effort to expand growth opportunities through providing more affordable connectivity solutions,” Uy said. Converge finished the first half of the year with a total of 1.97 million residential subscribers, including 1.92 million postpaid and 54,000 prepaid customers. It gained over 92,000 net additional subscribers from January to June. Citing internal data, Converge said August has been its best-performing month in terms of sales. As such, analysts expect an upsurge in sales in the second half of the year. “We are encouraged by the continued growth of our residential subscriber base in the first half of 2023. This is further proof of the superiority of our broadband product, coupled with our people’s laser focus on meeting customers’ needs,” said Converge COO Jesus C. Romero. Converge has launched a prepaid product called Surf2Sawa or S2S, which is gaining traction among budget-conscious customers. The market's positive reception of the product was reflected in the 77 percent growth, with over 25,000 net additions in the second quarter compared to the previous quarter. Its postpaid subscribers sustained its steady growth as the newly-introduced low-cost postpaid plan BIDA Fiber complemented the company’s core product, FiberX, which starts at P1,500 a month with a speed of 200 Mbps. Meanwhile, BIDA Fiber costs P888 per month with a speed of 35 Mbps to connect a maximum of six devices. All three products (FiberX, BIDA, and S2S) offer unlimited data consumption. Converge presently operates the biggest fiber-to-the-home network in the country with more than 7.8 million ports nationwide, as of the first half of the year, as well as one of the country's most extensive cable systems with 670,000-kilometer fiber backbone. As of the end of June 2023, its network infrastructure has passed over 16.6 million Filipino homes, equivalent to 62.3 percent of household coverage nationwide. The post Converge’s 2-M reach mirrors strong demand for cheap internet plans appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Talk shows coming back after Hollywood writers’ strike ends
Late-night talk shows, a mainstay of the US TV schedule, will be back on the air within a week, hosts said Wednesday, after leaders of the Writers Guild of America called off a paralyzing strike. The densely written shows -- fronted by Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Myers and John Oliver -- have been a glaring absence since writers downed pens in May over demands for better pay and guarantees against the threat from artificial intelligence. "Flash! Their mission complete, the founding members of Strike Force 5 will return to their network television shows this Monday 10/2, and one of them to premium cable on 10/1," the @StrikeForceFive handle wrote on social media. The name refers to a podcast the five hosts have put on while they have been off the air. The bulk of film and television production across the United States has been at a standstill since scribes walked out in early May, being joined by actors in July, all seeking a better deal and assurances their jobs won't be lost to artificial intelligence. But a breakthrough was announced Sunday between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the umbrella body representing studios and streamers. WGA leaders voted Tuesday to accept the deal and put it to 11,500 members for ratification next week, while calling off the strike from 12.01 am Wednesday. Details of the deal released by the WGA showed a sizable pay bump for writers, as well as a bonus structure for those working on hit shows. It also limits the role of AI-generated material -- a key sticking point for both sides, who were wary of hemming themselves in, in a rapidly-evolving landscape that is upending the world of work. Writers, who got their first glimpse of the deal on Tuesday said they were pleased with the outcome. "I'm so happy about the gains that we made," Leila Cohan, who wrote on hit series "Bridgerton," told AFP. "I'm so proud that we really went for it. Things got very challenging for many members, and we won." Actors' strike still unresolved Even with the WGA strike almost in the rear-view mirror, Hollywood will remain a long way from normal service, with actors -- represented by the SAG-AFTRA union -- still refusing to work. A resolution to that stoppage is expected to take several more weeks at minimum. Some of SAG-AFTRA's demands go further than those of the WGA. And with hundreds of film and television shoots backed up, it could still then take months for Hollywood to clear the logistical logjam and get fully back to work. The post Talk shows coming back after Hollywood writers’ strike ends appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
IPOPHL launches site-blocking mechanism vs piracy
The Intellectual Property of the Philippines has announced the release of rules on site blocking, the measure that disrupts access to pirated sites, seen to delist the Philippines from being third in East and Southeast Asia in having the highest piracy rate. The release of Memorandum Circular 23-025 or the Rules on Voluntary Administrative Site Blocking, signed by IPOPHL director general Atty. Rommel Barba, signals the celebration of the Philippine Creative Industries Month this September. Barba said Memorandum Circular 23-025 was signed last 20 September 2023, effective two months from publication Result of years-long work “The rules are a result of years-long work with the National Telecommunications Commission and several internet service providers who refuse to sit down and watch while our creative industry suffers. With the site blocking mechanism soon up and running, IPOPHL, as an ex-officio member of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, is ecstatic to say the Philippines now has an essential tool to protect the creativity that drives our economy and defines our cultural landscape,” Barba said. With site blocking to be soon in place, Barba hopes to replicate the success of Indonesia where more than 50 percent of consumers have stopped or now rarely access pirate services because of its government’s blocking measures which started in 2019. “We encourage rights holders to optimize this tool and protect the value of your creative assets,” Barba said. Under the rules, the process is initiated once a rights holder or a duly authorized representative files a written request with the IP Rights Enforcement Office or IEO followed by the payment of filing fees. The application will immediately be evaluated by an officer from the IEO who is given ten working days to submit an Evaluation Report. The report carries a recommendation on the issuance or non-issuance of a site-blocking order and is elevated to the Supervising Director or Deputy Director General for approval within five working days. Collaboration vs piracy To effectively implement the rules, IPOPHL signed on Wednesday partnership agreements with the NTC and ISPs, namely Globe Telecom Inc., Smart Communications Inc., PLDT Inc., Sky Cable Corp. and DITO Telecommunity Corp. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, ISPs commit to willingly block sites directly upon IPOPHL’s request issued after a determination of violation, thereby streamlining the current process which requires the involvement of the NTC, the agency being the primary regulator of ISPs. Meanwhile, the memorandum of agreement with the NTC widens IPOPHL’s oversight to over 300 ISPs who are not part of IPOPHL’s site blocking MOU with ISPs, obligating them to disable access to piracy sites. Also at the event were the Motion Picture Association, Asia Video Industry Association and the GMA Network Inc. as observers and partners. IPOPHL launched the new rules at a time when site blocking is gaining traction around the world as an effective anti-piracy tool. That same year, AVIA’s Coalition Against Piracy released a YouGov survey showing that 49 percent of Filipinos admit to using streaming piracy websites or torrent sites, placing the Philippines third among East and Southeast Asian countries in terms of visiting piracy streaming sites. The post IPOPHL launches site-blocking mechanism vs piracy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The Murdoch business: an empire on three continents
Over the last six decades, Rupert Murdoch built a media empire well beyond his native Australia, amassing key media properties across three continents in a run that was also characterized by multiple scandals. Through his companies, News Corp and Fox Corporation, Murdoch built one of the world's most substantial portfolios of newspaper and broadcast holdings under one roof. Murdoch's wealth was estimated at $17.3 billion by Forbes on Thursday when he announced he was handing the reins to his son Lachlan while shifting to an "emeritus" status at the two companies. Here is a closer look at the two businesses. News Corp The business includes Murdoch's holdings in his birth country of Australia -- led by The Australian, the lone national daily started by Murdoch in 1964. The company also owns Australia The Daily Telegraph and news website News.com.au, as well as television station Sky News Australia and pay television company Foxtel. Murdoch's initial investment in Britain came in 1969 with the purchase of the tabloid News of the World, which was shut down in 2011 following a phone hacking scandal. In 1981, he purchased the prestigious daily The Times, along with The Sunday Times, adding to a print news business that also included The Sun. Holdings in radio and television included talkSPORT, TalkTV, and Virgin Radio UK. News Corp is also present in Ireland with local radio stations. Murdoch's push in North America dates to 1985 with his purchase of the New York Post. In 2007, News Corp landed a major acquisition of the media group Dow Jones, whose holdings include the long-respected Wall Street Journal. The company in 1987 added the publishing house HarperCollins, which originally dates to 1817. HarperCollins bought romance publisher Harlequin in 2014. News Corp also controls Rea Group, which specializes in commercial and residential real estate through websites such as realtor.com and flatmates.com.au. In fiscal 2023, News Corp reported profits of $149 million on revenues of $9.9 billion. Fox Corporation In 1984, Murdoch acquired 20th Century Fox, an entity he reorganized and remade. In 2017, he sold the movie studio, renamed 21st Century Fox, to Disney. Fox Corporation is now comprised of the national television channel Fox and several cable channels, as well as Fox News, which is known for a right-wing spin on news popular with conservative Americans. Other holdings include the entertainment news network TMZ, as well as Studio Ramsay Global, which features British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the MasterChef franchise. In fiscal 2023, Fox reported profits of $1.3 billion on $14.9 billion in revenues. The post The Murdoch business: an empire on three continents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Powerhouse in your pocket
For the first time since electronics giant Samsung and iconic fashion house Thom Browne partnered for a project five years ago, their latest collaborative effort has been brought to the Philippines. The Galaxy Z Fold5 Thom Browne Edition went on sale last 7 September (for select buyers) and, five days later, on the 12th (for the general public) with overwhelmingly positive response. “We feel that the market, with all the emerging fashion brands in the Philippines, now is the time to bring the collaboration for the Filipinos,” Samsung’s country head of marketing and communications for flagship phones Dominic Nacorda said at the recent press launch. [caption id="attachment_185035" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] DESIGNER Thom Browne using the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Thom Browne Edition.[/caption] He described the new phone to the select media representatives at Thom Browne’s Univers shop at Greenbelt 3 in Makati City as a “powerhouse that fits right in your pocket, not to mention that it’s fashionable.” The limited-edition phone set comes in a stylish Thom Browne briefcase packaging. It contains the Galaxy Z Fold5 phone in classic gold that features Samsung’s latest foldable technology — and a whole lot more. There are leather Galaxy Z Fold5 cases, S Pen Fold edition, data cable, Galaxy Watch6 40 mm in classic gold, Galaxy Watch6 straps, 25W travel adapter, Galaxy Watch wireless charger and ejection pin. All these items sport Thom Browne’s signature colors of red, white and blue. “You have customization not only from the outside, but inside as well,” Nacorda pointed out. “Very personalized widgets and wallpaper designed with Thom Browne emblem. This also comes with exciting accessories for your personalization needs.” In a statement, Browne himself expressed excitement over the latest phone edition. “This continued collaboration with Samsung represents an evolution of what we’ve been creating together for years,” he said. The American fashion designer, who’s known for reinterpretation of classic styles with edgy details, explained, “Once again, we want to show that a perfect blend of top quality, innovative design and a classic aesthetic can become a powerful form of self-expression. I believe this Galaxy Z Fold5 Thom Browne Edition is the ultimate example turning advanced technology into a bold statement.” The post Powerhouse in your pocket appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Apple expected to bow to EU and unveil iPhone with USB-C charger
Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone lineup on Tuesday, with its Lightning charger ports likely to be replaced on the newest models by a universal charger after a tussle with the European Union. The bloc is insisting that all phones and other small devices must be compatible with the USB-C charging cables from the end of next year, a move it says will reduce waste and save money for consumers. The firm had long argued that its cable was more secure than USB-C chargers, which are already deployed by Apple on other devices and widely used by rivals including the world's biggest smartphone maker Samsung. Apple, still the world's biggest company by market capitalization, has not revealed what it plans to announce at Tuesday's "Wonderlust" event but usually unveils new iPhones at this time of year. It comes as Apple faces declining sales of iPhones, with higher prices pushing customers to delay switching to newer models. The firm is also caught up in diplomatic turbulence between the United States and China, with reports saying the Communist government is banning civil servants from using its phones. - 'Tepid' sales - Like any other company, Apple would prefer to boast about shiny new features rather than new charging ports. But analysts agree that the switch to USB-C is going to be the main headline. Insider Intelligence principal analyst Yory Wurmser said the iPhone needed "a big cycle" after "tepid" recent sales. He said Tuesday's event would probably see new Apple Watch and AirPod models, "but it's the iPhone 15 that will really determine how the next year will look for Apple". EU policymakers said the rule would simplify the lives of Europeans and do away with a mountain of obsolete chargers. "With the common charger, we are slashing consumer costs, and it's good for the environment too," said EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton in a statement, adding that the move would save consumers 250 million euros ($270 million) each year. Apple had long resisted the change, arguing that it would stifle innovation and make the phones less secure. "The cable change may give consumers pause, but within a generation they will get over it: they won't have a choice," said Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart. - Price bump? - Along with rolling improvements to iPhone cameras and chips, Apple is expected to raise prices on its Pro models, according to Wurmser. Sales of iPhones in the recently ended quarter lagged analyst estimates. Apple suffered a 2.4 percent drop in iPhone sales, which account for nearly half of total revenues. Apple shares were battered last week following reports of significant Chinese restrictions on iPhones at government offices and state-backed entities. "China is a very important market for Apple, so any negative sentiment by the Chinese government toward Apple is concerning," analyst Greengart told AFP. Apple reported $15.8 billion in revenues from China in the most recent quarter, nearly 20 percent of total revenues. Executives pointed to the uptick in China sales in a period when overall sales fell. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives estimated that a Chinese government ban would affect less than 500,000 iPhones of roughly 45 million projected to be sold in the country in the next year. "We believe despite the loud noise Apple has seen massive share gains in China smartphone market," Ives said. gc/arp/jxb/lth © Agence France-Presse The post Apple expected to bow to EU and unveil iPhone with USB-C charger appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»