Month: June 2023

BELLEVUE, Wash. June 28, 2023 /3BL/ – What’s the news: The City of Bellevue and T-Mobile have teamed up to help make roads safer by providing early warnings and notifications for potentially dangerous road interactions.

Why it matters: In 2022, there were nearly 43,000 traffic related casualties in the United States. Network-based Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) and 5G are promising technologies in helping to reduce the number of traffic related deaths.

Who it’s for: Any municipality, connected vehicle manufacturer, or intelligent transportation system provider looking to improve safety and well-being on public roadways.

Today, the City of Bellevue, recognized as one of the top cities in the nation for digital innovation, and T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) announced the launch of a joint project that uses network-based Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology and T-Mobile 5G to provide near real-time communications between cars, traffic infrastructure and vulnerable road users ― including pedestrians and cyclists.

This is all in support of Bellevue’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate road-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. To help achieve this goal, T-Mobile will provide cellular connectivity, C-V2X equipment, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, technical integration and end-to-end testing. The City of Bellevue will utilize these assets to implement and evaluate various C-V2X use cases designed to detect and protect individuals on the road.

The project will leverage T-Mobile’s award-winning 5G network to establish reliable and low-latency connections, enabling vehicles and traffic infrastructure to exchange information and notifications about pedestrians and cyclists in near real-time ― even in situations that are beyond visual line of sight. The City of Bellevue and T-Mobile will also make a mobile app available for Bellevue road users to download. This app will provide drivers with early visual and audible warnings about potentially harmful road interactions, contributing to increased safety and awareness on the road. At launch, C-V2X will be used in scenarios involving reduced speed zones, school zone flashing beacons, mid-block pedestrian crossings and signalized intersections.

“We are continually looking for ways technology can improve the daily lives of our Bellevue residents, workers and visitors,” said Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson. “Moving people safely from place to place using intelligent transportation systems is critical as we work toward achieving our ultimate goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on city streets. T-Mobile has been a valuable partner for the Bellevue community, helping us push the possibilities. We’re thrilled to roll out this C-V2X technology pilot and to continue making strides in safety for all users.”

“We are in a fortunate position that empowers us to help make cities safer, starting right within our own community,” said John Saw, EVP and Chief Technology Officer, T-Mobile. “With our advanced network technology, valuable intellectual property and strong partner ecosystem, we have the extraordinary capacity to enhance the safety and well-being of our fellow citizens. And our vision extends beyond Bellevue as we aspire to positively impact our country and contribute to a safer world.”

Moreover, as a testament to this proactive endeavor, T-Mobile embraces and supports the U.S. Department of Transportation National Roadway Safety Strategy Allies in Action campaign in partnership with the City of Bellevue. This collaborative effort showcases a shared commitment to bridging public and private sectors to help reduce fatalities and severe injuries on America’s roadways.

These C-V2X solutions and early prototyping were developed at T-Mobile’s innovation center, the 5G Hub, located in Bellevue’s Spring District. It’s here that T-Mobile works with partners and developers to create new solutions leveraging the latest in wireless technologies.

T-Mobile is the leader in 5G, delivering the country’s largest, fastest and most awarded 5G network. The Un-carrier’s 5G network covers 326 million people across 2 million square miles – more than AT&T and Verizon combined. 275 million people nationwide are covered by T-Mobile’s super-fast Ultra Capacity 5G, and the Un-carrier plans to reach 300 million people with Ultra Capacity – nearly everyone in the country – this year.

For details about the City of Bellevue’s Vision Zero plan, visit: BellevueWA.gov/visionzero

To learn more about T-Mobile’s network, visit: https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/4g-lte-5g-networks

For more information on T-Mobile IoT, visit: https://www.t-mobile.com/business/solutions/iot

Follow the City of Bellevue’s Transportation Department on Twitter @BvueTrans

Follow T-Mobile’s Official Twitter Newsroom @TMobileNews to stay up to date with the latest company news.

About City of Bellevue

Known as a “City in a Park” with nearly 100 parks and a vast network of trails and greenbelts, Bellevue is the fifth largest city in Washington state. The Eastside city spans 33.5 square miles, from Lake Washington to Lake Sammamish. As part of the Innovation Triangle, Bellevue is the high-tech and retail center with a downtown skyline of gleaming high-rises, a diverse population of approximately 145,000 and schools that are consistently rated among the best in the country. To learn more about why Bellevue is the city where you want to be, visit BellevueWA.gov.

About T-Mobile US, Inc.

T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile. For more information, visit: www.t-mobile.com.

SAN CARLOS, Calif., June 28, 2023 /3BL/ – Oportun (Nasdaq: OPRT), a mission-driven fintech, today published its 2022 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Report. 

“Oportun is committed to sustainably driving positive social impact and long-term value for our stakeholders, and we are proud to share this update on our approach to sustainability,” said Raul Vazquez, Oportun’s CEO. “As we report on our progress in 2022, we also recognize how much more work we still have to do as we continue to address the biggest challenges facing U.S. consumers.” 

Highlights of the report include: 

Helping more than 1.1 million people begin building a credit scoreMore than $1,800 average annual savings set aside by members and $8.9+ billion cumulatively savedCompleting our first-ever SOC 2 Type II audit providing additional independent assurance of our infrastructure standards and data privacy and information programThe majority of Oportun leadership, including the Oportun Board of Directors, self-report as women or members of a historically underrepresented group Saving 14.85 million pages of loan documents and 3,034 trees through electronic processingReducing 6,737pounds of CO2 emissions from e-waste and recycling initiatives

Click here to view the full report.

For more information about Oportun, visit Oportun.com.

About Oportun
Oportun (Nasdaq: OPRT) is a mission-driven fintech that puts its 1.9 million members’ financial goals within reach.  With intelligent borrowing, savings, budgeting, and spending capabilities, Oportun empowers members with the confidence to build a better financial future. Since inception, Oportun has provided more than $16.0 billion in responsible and affordable credit, saved its members more than $2.4 billion in interest and fees, and helped our members save an average of more than $1,800 annually. For more information, visit Oportun.com.

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Investor Contact 
Dorian Hare
(650) 590-4323
ir@oportun.com

Media Contact
Usher Lieberman
(650) 769-9414
usher.lieberman@oportun.com

The KeyBank Foundation is investing $250,000 in GreenForce Training to support workforce development efforts in East Buffalo. This donation from the KeyBank Foundation represents the first private investment in GreenForce Training, a job opportunity agency that will help recruit and train workers for Viridi, a start-up manufacturer that designs and builds fail-safe battery systems that will redefine energy storage, and power the transition to renewable energy. GreenForce Training is contributing to the economic health and resilience of the communities where it operates by helping people attain, navigate and sustain successful careers.

Funds from the KeyBank Foundation will help collaborative efforts by GreenForce Training and Viridi to train and hire 100 people for entry level positions, helping individuals establish a path to economic independence and spur additional neighborhood investment. Viridi expects to employ approximately 500 people on their 42-acre campus by 2024.

“The KeyBank Foundation understands the importance of investing in people and communities, and we are so thankful that they see and support the significant impact GreenForce Training and Viridi can make in East Buffalo,” said GreenForce Training Executive Director Jeffrey M. Conrad. “Education and employment are transformational for an individual, their family and the community, and GreenForce Training is committed to impacting each through our work. We are developing the workforce of the future right here in East Buffalo and it’s very exciting.”

“Greenforce Training and Viridi are bringing hope and opportunity to East Buffalo by providing the community with jobs and the potential to grow in the emerging, developing field of green energy,” said Michael McMahon, KeyBank Buffalo Market President. “We are proud to invest in and support the work they are doing that is helping revitalize the area and encouraging others to come to this neighborhood and grow.”

GreenForce Training and Viridi’s headquarters are located on East Delavan Avenue in the 14215 zip-code. According to the US Census Bureau in 2020, 29.5% of residents in 14215 lived under the poverty line, which is more than double the New York State and Buffalo-Cheektowaga rate. The median household income in this area is $37,436 and the per capita income is just $21,571. Viridi is working to bring jobs and opportunities back to this community. GreenForce Training is focused on providing a pathway for residents to access those jobs. To date, GreenForce Training has received over 550 job applications and over 82% of those applicants reside from the four zip codes surrounding Viridi’s plant. Viridi’s 180-day retention rate among those recruited and trained through GreenForce Training is 95% and the production workforce is 88% people of color, which is 8 times higher than national averages.

Since 2017, KeyBank has made more than $1.2 billion in community investments in Buffalo and Western New York, supporting affordable housing and community development projects; small business and home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities, and transformative philanthropy.

Learn more about KeyBank’s commitment to helping clients and communities thrive 
 See KeyBank’s latest Environmental, Social and Governance Report