Latest news with #Smartcom
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Girlfriend Of Escaped Inmate Arrested For Alleged Role In Louisiana Jailbreak
The U.S. Marshals Service arrested 28-year-old Darriana Burton on Monday, accusing her of helping her boyfriend, convicted murderer Derrick Groves, escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center. Burton, a former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office (OPSO), faces felony charges of conspiracy to commit simple escape. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced Burton's arrest, stating, 'We will continue to pursue anyone and everyone who has aided and abetted these criminals. We will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you to the full extent of the law.' 'I'd like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service for executing our warrant for this woman,' she added, per Fox 4 KDFW. 'We will arrest all aiders and abettors, and we will eventually get Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves back to prison where they belong.' An arrest warrant was issued for Burton on May 27 after authorities confirmed she communicated with Groves, with whom she had an 'on-again, off-again relationship' for three years and is believed to be currently dating. An arrest affidavit states Burton coordinated contact between Groves and individuals outside the jail, sharing information related to the escape. Melaine Talia of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation said, 'As I understand, just two days prior to the escape, Groves and his girlfriend had communication via the tablet that was issued through the Orleans Justice Center.' Talia added, 'I don't think [it's] surprising that someone would help an individual that has that violent history, and is known for using violence to get what he wants,' WDSU News reported. The tablets, introduced in February through the Smartcom program, allow inmates free 15-minute daily phone calls and 20-minute weekly video calls to reduce jail violence and improve quality of life, according to OPSO documents. Burton worked at OPSO from August 2022 to March 2023 but was fired for allegedly bringing contraband into the facility. In 2023, she faced charges of malfeasance and bringing contraband into jail, but the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office refused the charges after Burton completed a pretrial diversion program. The district attorney's office issued a statement explaining, 'The charges against Ms. Burton were thoroughly reviewed by a senior screening attorney, who considered all available evidence at that time, the specific conduct alleged, and Ms. Burton's lack of criminal history. Ms. Burton was ultimately offered, and successfully completed, a pretrial diversion program.' 'The contraband in question was not actually introduced into the secure area of the facility. According to the incident report, Ms. Burton left the contraband inside a bag at the facility entrance and did not follow through with delivery.' The statement added, 'As with all cases, our office's priority is to evaluate whether we can meet our legal burden of proof at trial, along with other relevant factors. The present matters remain under active review by the appropriate agencies. Any and all persons found to be complicit in the escape or in aiding escapees will be fully prosecuted and held accountable for their actions.' Groves and another inmate, Antoine Massey, remain at large. Brian Fair of the U.S. Marshals Office said, 'Our investigation continues, and they could be anywhere. They could be in New Orleans, or they could be out of the New Orleans area.' Talia emphasized, 'They are not going to give up; law enforcement is on it,' WDSU reported.
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Smartcom Expands into Indonesia to Strengthen Regional PTT Communications
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 25 April 2025 - Smartcom, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in Singapore, is expanding its reach beyond the city-state into Indonesia. This initiative aims to bring Smartcom's mission-critical Push-to-Talk (PTT) solutions to a significantly larger market, addressing the communication needs of various key industries. Advancing from Local to Regional Mission-Critical Communications Since 2015, Smartcom has partnered with TASSTA and Singtel to deliver reliable PTT communication coverage in Singapore. However, expanding into a larger and more diverse market like Indonesia presents new challenges. Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, offers a growing market for mission-critical communication solutions. With a developing digital economy, government initiatives like '100 Smart Cities', and a workforce of approximately 160 million, the country presents opportunities for expanded PTT services. Additionally, the adoption of TASSTA's solutions by the Indonesian police force (Korlantas) and national railway operator (Kereta Api Indonesia) highlights the need for large-scale, reliable communication systems in key industries. Meeting Industry-Specific Needs with Scalable Solutions Indonesia's industrial landscape, particularly in mining and oil and gas (O&G), differs from Singapore's, creating a demand for specialised push-to-talk solutions. Large-scale events, such as national celebrations and religious gatherings, also require mission-critical PTT communication that remains functional despite high network congestion. As part of its expansion, Smartcom is collaborating with Indonesia's largest telecommunications provider, Telkomsel, to offer priority bandwidth during high-traffic events. Additionally, solutions designed for hazardous environments, such as ATEX-certified mobile phones and tablets, provide reliable tools for O&G companies that require safe, reliable communication in high-risk settings. Driving Business Growth and Customer Value Smartcom's regional expansion is part of its long-term strategy to grow its customer base and extend services to new markets. By entering the Indonesian market, Smartcom aims to scale its offerings and strengthen its regional footprint. With a broader customer base, the company aims to optimise economies of scale to enhance product range, customisation capabilities, and local technical support. Clients with operations in both Singapore and Indonesia may benefit from streamlined, cross-border PTT solutions that drive coordination. This also demonstrates the adaptability of Smartcom's business model in different markets. Unlike traditional PTT trunking operators, which often face regulatory and financial challenges when expanding internationally, Smartcom's cellular-based technology offers a more flexible approach to regional operations. Strengthening Partnerships and Technological Advancements As part of its growth strategy, Smartcom is exploring partnerships with software providers in areas such as facilities management and service optimisation. These collaborations aim to enhance its PTT platform by integrating software solutions that support operational efficiency in various industries. They are also working with Samsung Knox Mobile Device Management (MDM) to incorporate security measures into its cellular-based PTT communication solutions. As these systems rely on mobile networks, cybersecurity remains a key consideration in ensuring secure and uninterrupted communication for businesses. Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead Expanding into a new market comes with its challenges. To mitigate these, Smartcom has been working closely with Enterprise Singapore to better understand Indonesia's business landscape. With support from the Market Readiness Grant, they have been able to address initial obstacles related to legal and market-entry requirements. Looking ahead, Smartcom will continue to adapt its approach based on industry demands and regulatory developments in Indonesia. The company aims to refine its service offerings, assess potential expansion into other sectors, and explore further partnerships. The official launch event for Smartcom's Indonesia expansion will take place on 29th April, at BAKU Jakarta (Electronic City SCBD), starting at 12pm. Hashtag: #Smartcom #PTTSolutions #PushToTalk #BusinessExpansion #IndustrySolutions The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Smartcom Smartcom is a licensed Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) based in Singapore, specialising in islandwide Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication solutions. Since its establishment in 2015, the company has been dedicated to delivering reliable PTT services tailored to industries such as oil and gas, healthcare, retail, and hospitality. Smartcom
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Smartcom Expands into Indonesia to Strengthen Regional PTT Communications
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 25 April 2025 - Smartcom, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in Singapore, is expanding its reach beyond the city-state into Indonesia. This initiative aims to bring Smartcom's mission-critical Push-to-Talk (PTT) solutions to a significantly larger market, addressing the communication needs of various key industries. Advancing from Local to Regional Mission-Critical Communications Since 2015, Smartcom has partnered with TASSTA and Singtel to deliver reliable PTT communication coverage in Singapore. However, expanding into a larger and more diverse market like Indonesia presents new challenges. Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, offers a growing market for mission-critical communication solutions. With a developing digital economy, government initiatives like '100 Smart Cities', and a workforce of approximately 160 million, the country presents opportunities for expanded PTT services. Additionally, the adoption of TASSTA's solutions by the Indonesian police force (Korlantas) and national railway operator (Kereta Api Indonesia) highlights the need for large-scale, reliable communication systems in key industries. Meeting Industry-Specific Needs with Scalable Solutions Indonesia's industrial landscape, particularly in mining and oil and gas (O&G), differs from Singapore's, creating a demand for specialised push-to-talk solutions. Large-scale events, such as national celebrations and religious gatherings, also require mission-critical PTT communication that remains functional despite high network congestion. As part of its expansion, Smartcom is collaborating with Indonesia's largest telecommunications provider, Telkomsel, to offer priority bandwidth during high-traffic events. Additionally, solutions designed for hazardous environments, such as ATEX-certified mobile phones and tablets, provide reliable tools for O&G companies that require safe, reliable communication in high-risk settings. Driving Business Growth and Customer Value Smartcom's regional expansion is part of its long-term strategy to grow its customer base and extend services to new markets. By entering the Indonesian market, Smartcom aims to scale its offerings and strengthen its regional footprint. With a broader customer base, the company aims to optimise economies of scale to enhance product range, customisation capabilities, and local technical support. Clients with operations in both Singapore and Indonesia may benefit from streamlined, cross-border PTT solutions that drive coordination. This also demonstrates the adaptability of Smartcom's business model in different markets. Unlike traditional PTT trunking operators, which often face regulatory and financial challenges when expanding internationally, Smartcom's cellular-based technology offers a more flexible approach to regional operations. Strengthening Partnerships and Technological Advancements As part of its growth strategy, Smartcom is exploring partnerships with software providers in areas such as facilities management and service optimisation. These collaborations aim to enhance its PTT platform by integrating software solutions that support operational efficiency in various industries. They are also working with Samsung Knox Mobile Device Management (MDM) to incorporate security measures into its cellular-based PTT communication solutions. As these systems rely on mobile networks, cybersecurity remains a key consideration in ensuring secure and uninterrupted communication for businesses. Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead Expanding into a new market comes with its challenges. To mitigate these, Smartcom has been working closely with Enterprise Singapore to better understand Indonesia's business landscape. With support from the Market Readiness Grant, they have been able to address initial obstacles related to legal and market-entry requirements. Looking ahead, Smartcom will continue to adapt its approach based on industry demands and regulatory developments in Indonesia. The company aims to refine its service offerings, assess potential expansion into other sectors, and explore further partnerships. The official launch event for Smartcom's Indonesia expansion will take place on 29th April, at BAKU Jakarta (Electronic City SCBD), starting at 12pm.
