Telco Drift

In this episode, I am joined by Kristin Paulin, Principal Analyst at Omdia, to dive deep into the evolving landscape of the US telecom market—unpacking the assets that define today’s telcos, the structural challenges they face, and the strategic crossroads shaping their future. From infrastructure and spectrum to bundling and digital services, we explore what truly drives value in a shifting ecosystem.We also examine the tension between strategy and technology: What is more important? A bold strategic vision or technology prowess? And where do emerging trends like 5G, fiber expansion, and FWA services fit into the bigger picture? And what about 6G?And for those needing a break or an inspiration to turn the laptop off, here is the link to Kristin's own podcast "Kristin's Next Chapter", a journey into books, the world of reading, and emerging authors!

Why do telcos keep chasing the wrong opportunities—or is there really such a thing as a wrong opportunity?In this episode, we unpack some of telecom’s most persistent “brain fades”: from telcos’ costly attempts to become media companies, to network vendors stretching into industrial markets, to the long-misunderstood promise of IoT.But this isn’t just a post-mortem.We flip the lens to what’s emerging now: how AI is reshaping the value stack, where real opportunities are forming, and why this time the winners may look very different from the past. If the last decade was defined by missed signals, the next one may be defined by who finally reads them right.A sharp, honest look at strategy, hype cycles, and the gap between ambition and execution.

Think of this as your unofficial survival kit for Mobile World Congress. We’re talking smart ways to navigate the madness, rookie mistakes to avoid, the best places to sneak off for some tapas, cocktails, and the side conversations that are way more interesting than what’s on the main stage. From quantum whispers to robots we will discuss some tech that will not steal this show at this event. This is your guide to the tech, the hangouts, and the unspoken rules that make MWC actually worth it.

In this episode I am attempting to record from a pub to quickly  highlight some of the biggest tech developments from 1Q 2026. From  telcos' innovation and the role of eSIM, to sovereign AI, and data  center in space - was this attempt a swing or a miss?

What does it really take to move from 5G to 6G?In this episode, I am joined by Sebastian Barros, Managing Director at Circles to unpack how the realities of 5G deployment—its wins, its gaps, and its growing pains—are directly shaping the development of 6G. Will 6G be a clean generational leap? or should it be emerging as a response to the lessons learned from 5G from densification challenges to energy efficiency, edge computing, and the economics of network investment?We explore the cultural transformation telcos must embrace to make 6G viable—not just faster networks, but a platform addressing the big market gap of "monetization". AI takes center stage in our conversation—not only as a driver of new traffic patterns and services, but as a foundational element of 6G architecture itself.Finally, we look beyond 6G: Is this the end of cellular technology long developing cycles?

Has 5G delivered in the consumer market? If so, what should the enterprise side know about this story? In this episode I am joined by Nicole McCormick, Chief Analyst 5G Consumer at Omdia to unpack what worked, what didn’t, and what strategies are being used. From pricing to bundles, speed and robots (Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?), we explore how the consumer rollout of 5G may offer clues for enterprises looking to embrace 5G.

In today's episode, I am joined by Manish Tiwari, Head of Enterprise 5G  at Ericsson, to discuss how the enterprise 5G market has evolved, what  stories customers tell about this technology, and what practical  examples and suggestions can help drive the market forward. We also look  ahead to 2026 — the trends poised to define the market, the innovations set to energize enterprises (from robotics to AI), and what comes next  for a sector at a pivotal moment in its journey.

In this episode, we’re joined by Matteo Grandi, VP of Innovation at Neutroon, for a first-hand look at the motivations, vision, and expectations of a startup targeting the private 5G market. With Matteo, we discuss the state of the industry, the rationale behind Neutroon’s move into private networking, and how the company views the challenges and opportunities of managing private 5G across multiple enterprise sites while addressing the growing need for network convergence.Our guest walks us through real deployments, key partnerships, roadblocks, and emerging opportunities that are shaping the future of scalable private networks in Europe and beyond.

In this episode, we dive into the opportunities and challenges of bringing transformative technologies to emerging markets. Our guest Carlos Perea, an Investor and Advisor in Tech, joins us to explore what it really takes to deliver impact where infrastructure, regulation, and access can be both barriers and catalysts for innovation. From leapfrogging legacy systems to navigating local ecosystems, we unpack real-world lessons, unexpected pitfalls, and what success looks like on the ground.

5G isn’t just powering smartphones — it’s transforming the most  unexpected places on Earth. Unusual and Inspiring Private 5G Stories takes you behind the scenes of bold and unusual deployments that defy convention. Discover how innovators are connecting vineyards, theme  parks, stadiums, factories, and cities in ways no one imagined. Huge deployments. Real conversations. Real robots. Real impact. Real 5G stories that will change how  you see connectivity.

In this quick episode recorded in-between travels, I take a look at why Starlink is such a hot commodity right now—and what it could mean for telcos and the U.S. market.

In this episode, I am joined by Ildefonso De La Cruz, a fellow Analyst, Podcaster, and Leading Expert on Critical Comms at Omdia. Join us as we dive into the evolving world of the public safety communications market. From the long-standing role of narrowband networks to the transformative potential of broadband, we unpack how technology is reshaping mission-critical connectivity. We also explore the importance of network slicing—why it matters and what it means for the future of first responders and emergency services. Whether you’re in public safety, telecom, or simply curious about the infrastructure that keeps communities connected in times of need, this conversation offers valuable insights into where the industry is headed.Want to know more about Critical Comms? Follow the link to Ildefonso's Crit Comms Circle podcast!

In this episode, I am joined by Mika Skarp from Cumucore to explore how private 5G networks are becoming an integral component in the journey toward fully autonomous, intelligent manufacturing. We start with the big picture—why industrial verticals matter and why autonomous operations are critical—then unpack the key technologies driving this next industrial leap, from 5G to Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN). We also dive into what these advances mean for factory floors and the broader ecosystem of technology providers and telecom operators

In this episode, I'm joined by Roberto Kompany—Telco Drift's  very first guest—to explore the transformative role of the 5G Standalone  (SA) core. We dive into how this technology enables telcos to evolve  beyond legacy models and tap into new use cases and market  opportunities. The conversation unpacks why the journey to 5G-SA has  been so long and winding, what lies ahead for the industry, why the core  network is so critical, and how telcos can maximize its potential.

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of 5G in the railway industry. From enabling real-time data for autonomous trains to revolutionizing passenger connectivity and operational efficiency, 5G is set to redefine how rail systems operate.We explore: Why now is the right time for 5G The timeline for adoption The emerging opportunity for telecom operators Lessons learned from this market