United News of Bangladesh

Epic Games submitted a complaint Tuesday about Apple's alleged “monopolistic practices" to the U.K. competition watchdog, which is investigating the iPhone maker over concerns it has a dominant position in app distribution. The move by the maker of the popular video game Fortnite is the latest salvo in its bitter battle over Apple's App Store. Epic Games has also filed legal challenges in the United States and Australia, and an antitrust complaint in the European Union against Apple. The game-maker's complaint accuses Apple of anti-competitive behavior and setting strict rules on app distribution and payments in alleged violation of U.K. rules. Apple said it wasn't surprised by Epic’s U.K. complaint “as we have seen them use the same playbook around the world.” The Competition and Markets Authority confirmed it received the complaint and said it would be considered as part of its investigation opened last month into whether Apple's practices result in higher prices or less choice for consumers. The dispute stems from Apple taking a 30% cut from some purchases made through apps, which music streaming service Spotify and other apps have also taken issue with. Epic tried to bypass the App Store with a direct payment system, but Apple responded by dropping the Fortnite app from the platform. “By kneecapping the competition and exerting its monopoly power over app distribution and payments, Apple strips U.K. consumers of the right to choose how and where they get their apps, while locking developers into a single marketplace that lets Apple charge any commission rate they choose,” Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said in a statement. “These harmful practices lead to artificially inflated costs for consumers, and stifle innovation among developers, many of whom are unable to compete in a digital ecosystem that is rigged against them,” Sweeney alleged. Epic said it's not seeking monetary damages but wants regulators to come up with fixes to prevent market distortion and manipulation. Apple said Epic Games became hugely successful thanks to the App Store and now "wants to operate under a different set of rules than the ones that apply to all other developers. The result would be weakened privacy and data security protections for our customers, and we think that’s wrong.”

  Robi has become the first operator to deploy 4.5G technology in all its network sites around the country.  The move clearly shows Robi’s intent on leading the fast-growing digital space with the best 4.5G service in the market, said a press release. All of Robi’s 13,400 network sites are now 4.5G compatible. Through innovative use of Spectrum, Robi is now providing the widest 4.5G coverage in the country.  Also read: Robi brings digital retailer liquidity management service As of February, 2021, 70% of Robi’s active base was using data service. With 50.6% 4.5G handset penetration in Robi’s network, its 4.5G service users are now consuming around 6GB 4.5G data per month.  Compared to 2019, Robi’s 4.5G subscribers, and 4.5G data consumption grew by 73% and 143% respectively, in 2020. While the data consumption keeps shooting up, Robi’s data price came down by 25% in 2020, compared to 2019. Hailing this as a key milestone achievement, Robi’s Managing Director and CEO, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said: “This is a testament to our commitment to deliver new experiences in the lives of our customers through advanced 4.5G technology.  Also read: Robi set to make capital market debut Dec 24 It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Robi will throughout the course of the current year be adding another 2,500+ sites to the network. We are now fully prepared to deliver Innovative digital lifestyle solutions to people from all walks of life.” Robi exercised full benefit of Technology Neutrality by deploying 4.5G services in all available Spectrum bands namely 900Mhz, 1800Mhz and 2100Mhz to achieve the widest 4.5G coverage.  Also read: Robi gets strong growth momentum with Tk 155 cr profit Robi also operates largest Dynamic Spectrum Sharing network in the industry which helps the customer to enjoy faster internet and good voice quality in case of spectrum congestion.  To improve the data user experience in indoor, Robi increased indoor data population coverage by 20% through the largest deployment of state-of-the-art L900 technology in the 900Mhz band to complement its 4.5G services in 1800Mhz and 2100Mhz bands.

 

The Justice Department has charged a Swiss hacker with computer intrusion and identity theft, just over a week after the hacker took credit for helping to break into the online systems of a U.S. security-camera startup.

 

People in Oregon will be better prepared for earthquakes — particularly important in the Pacific Northwest because experts say “the big one" is coming — as an early warning system launched Thursday, the 10th anniversary of a devastating quake and tsunami in Japan.

Global smartphone brand vivo now has 380 million users worldwide despite passing a tough time last year.

U.K. authorities have launched an investigation into Apple’s App Store over concerns it has a dominant role that stifles competition and hurts consumers.

Zoom’s astronomical growth is tapering off along with the pandemic, raising questions about whether the videoconferencing service’s immense popularity will fade as more people return to classrooms, offices and other places that have been off limits for the past year.

Facebook announced on Friday preliminary agreements with three Australian publishers, a day after the Parliament passed a law that would make the digital giants pay for news.