The Five Nine

This week, we’re going to take an in-depth look at an interesting question: “What is broadband without affordability?” The United States government is poised to spend more than $42 billion on broadband expansions across the country in a quest to bring internet connectivity to every citizen. But the recent collapse of the government’s Affordability Connectivity Program – which provided monthly subsidies to help eligible citizens pay for their broadband service – has raised a critical question. What use is broadband availability if the people who need it can’t afford the service? In this episode, we’ll chat with GiGi Sohn, a former FCC nominee who is currently the Executive Director of the American Association for Public Broadband and Secretary for the Affordable Broadband Campaign. We’ll also speak with Jake Varn, from the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Broadband Access Initiative team. Together, we’ll try to wrap our arms around what broadband affordability really means, why it matters and what will happen to programs like BEAD in the U.S. if people can’t afford the services that are built to connect them. Register for our upcoming Broadband Nation Expo here and use code DIANA200 for a special discount on your conference pass: https://www.broadbandnationexpo.com/usbroadbandsummitcom/register To learn more about the topics in this episode: Affordable Connectivity Program is over – now what? https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/affordable-connectivity-program-over-now-what Court upholds low-cost internet law in blow to ISPs https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/court-upholds-low-cost-internet-law-blow-isps Top 3 takeaways from Fierce’s panel on broadband affordability https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/top-3-takeaways-fierces-panel-broadband-affordability See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re bringing you the story of a startup chasing an absolutely fascinating concept, one CEO Rodolfo Rossini told us he believes could revolutionize computing and make his company the next Nvidia. It sounds crazy, but trust me, you want to hear more. The startup is called Vaire Computing and its play is focused on something called reversible computing. Like any new tech it’s complicated, but what you need to know is that reversible computing chips have the potential to be vastly more energy efficient and generate significantly less heat – almost zero, in fact – than traditional silicon. That’s a big deal for the cloud and data center industries, which are struggling to cope with rising power and cooling demands in the face of a wave of AI traffic. Together, we walk through what reversible computing is, what problems it is aiming to solve and what it will mean for current compute titans like Nvidia, Intel and AMD if Vaire’s bet pays off. To learn more about the topics in this episode: Watch out Nvidia: AI startup bets big on reversible computing https://www.fierce-network.com/cloud/watch-out-nvidia-ai-startup-bets-big-reversible-computing Could GPU power levels break the data center ecosystem? https://www.fierce-network.com/cloud/could-gpu-power-levels-break-data-center-ecosystem Data center operators want to run chips at higher temps. Here’s why. https://www.fierce-network.com/cloud/data-center-operators-want-chips-run-hotter-heres-why Want to keep listening? You can find all our episodes of The Five Nine right here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diana Goovaerts talks with MTA's Jessica Gilbert, director of marketing and communications for the Alaska operator. How is rural broadband infrastructure different from infrastructure builds in other areas? Gilbert talks about the challenges of serving Alaska's very rural communities as well as meeting the demands of an influx of new residents who expect fast, reliable broadband internet service.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Low CAPEX in wireless infrastructure is predicted for 2024. But networks never sit still, as Jason Hill, managing director and global head of digital infrastructure at Houlihan Lokey, says in this week's podcast. And the need to evolve and upgrade will drive investments into 2025. Host: Alejandro Pinero Producers: Matt Rickman, Samantha BookmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Without high-speed internet, you cannot be an American citizen.” Joe Costello, CEO of Kwikbit Internet, is clear: to live and survive in the modern United States, you need access to reliable, fast, and affordable internet. However, this is still a challenge in many remote, rural and deprived areas across the United States. This week, we speak to Costello, whose company focuses on deploying high-speed internet exclusively to recreational vehicles and mobile homes in trailer parks, an area, according to Costello, which has largely been forgotten by incumbents and smaller ISPs alike. Read more at Fierce Wireless: https://www.fiercewireless.com/modernization/kwikbit-ceo-joe-costello-stresses-importance-affordable-fast-internet-all Host: Alejandro Pinero Producers: Matt Rickman, Samantha BookmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Rose, General Manager of Global Industries at IBM, and Alex Sinclair, CTO of the GSMA, join our podcast to discuss their new partnership aiming to grant telcos of all sizes access to the power of generative AI and accelerate its adoption across the telecommunications sector. Host: Alejandro Pinero Producers: Matt Rickman and Sam BookmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year will be pivotal for states trying to connect their communities to high-speed broadband and build future-proof networks. Catch up with two experts deeply entrenched in helping develop, roll out and build broadband networks across the United States. Jay Rolls, CTO of Broadband Success Partners, and David Strauss, a veteran of the cable and telecommunications industry, discuss what it will take to fully close the broadband gap in the United States. Host: Alejandro Pinero Producers: Matt Rickman, Samantha Bookman Read the deeper article on our website: https://www.fiercewireless.com/modernization/podcast-broadband-success-partners-next-steps-closing-digital-divideSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Industry newcomer EdgeQ has made significant strides in addressing technology needs to deliver advanced networks. Adil Kidwai, VP & Head of Product, joins The Five Nine podcast to discuss some of the key trends and challenges ahead for the industry and how a chipset vendor such as EdgeQ plays a pivotal role in driving growth. Host: Alejandro Pinero Producers: Matt Rickman, Samantha BookmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TeleWorld Solutions’ Basil Haider gives us the lowdown on advanced mobile networks, the ever-increasing catalogue of consumer and industrial use cases, and the importance of keeping the customer front and center of the innovation pipeline. Host: Alejandro Pinero Producer: Matt RickmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cybersecurity remains an incredibly dynamic landscape, requiring constant attention in an effort to combat evolving threats. In this episode sponsored by DXC Technology, Telenor’s Bjorne Watne shares his wisdom, outlining some of the fundamentals for success in security with a particular focus on the threat landscape, new technologies and changing regulations. “It’s an interesting question, are we winning the battle?” Watne muses. “I would have to say that the battle, unfortunately, is never over. As far as I see it, it’s just a change.” Watne draws comparisons between today’s criminals and those from centuries ago, highlights how attackers will always be present, and always continue to adapt. This includes a recent shift from threat actors moving away from increasingly hard to hack systems and towards new tactics such as social manipulation in the modern day. He also touches on key topics including AI, disaster recovery, physical security, and geopolitical tensions. Tune in to find out more. Host: Alejandro Pinero Producers: Matt Rickman & Samantha BookmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Loozen, global telecommunications leader at EY, returns to The Five Nine podcast to discuss key issues that households face and how the telecommunications industry is in a prime position to address them. Host: Alejandro Pinero Producers: Matt Rickman, Samantha BookmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode, we speak to Duncan Licence, Chief Product Officer at Parkopedia, a UK-based company that has its roots in helping drivers find parking. But Parkopedia has moved beyond that. One goal is to create a unified platform for in-vehicle services that combines payment, e-charging, parking, entertainment, e-shopping and much more. Having already established relationships with the largest automotive OEMs, they seem to be in a strong position to make this vision a reality, with projects already deployed or in development. Duncan outlines Parkopedia’s vision for the connected vehicle and some of the upcoming technologies he sees as key to the further development of the smart car. Read more at Fierce Wireless Host: Alejandro PineroProducers: Matt Rickman and Samantha BookmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyndryl has been a strong proponent of private wireless networks, looking to partner with leading enterprises around the globe to power up their connectivity solutions and private networks. Paul Savill, Global Practice Leader for Networking and Edge Compute joins our podcast to talk about the opportunities and benefits for enterprise. Host: Alejandro Pinero Producer: Matt Rickman Content Manager: Samantha BookmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode of The Five Nine, we catch up with Leighton Carroll, CEO of Galtronics. During this extensive interview, Leighton speaks of the merits of multibeam antenna technology to drive customer experience and allow for greater connectivity for users in crowded spaces or events. The technology, according to Leighton, has come a long way, and it is cost effective and limited in size, two key considerations for venue owners. Host: Alejandro Pinero Producers: Matt Rickman and Samantha Bookman Article: https://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/five-nine-podcast-leighton-carroll-ceo-galtronics-talks-multibeam-antenna-tech-and-more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anurag Gaur, Knowledge Expert, TMT at Boston Consulting Group details some of the strategies that operators are pursuing across Asia, and how carriers in other regions can implement these to drive traffic and customers to their retail space. The trend, he argues, is moving from just regular retail spaces that sell phones or calling plans, to those that focus on experiences. Whether it’s troubleshooting, showcasing future technologies, or creating personalized experiences, telco retail stores are evolving--and not going anywhere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fueled by demand for phones that work in far-flung locations, Bullitt Group has established strong brand partnerships with the likes of CAT and Motorola to develop and deliver handsets and dongles that enable full connectivity across the globe. Peter Cunningham, VP of Product Management, joins us to talk about the flagship technology that earned them MWC23's Best in Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we catch up with Charles Miller, CEO at Lynk, a company that owns the only patented satellite-direct-to-telephone technology. As satellite connectivity becomes an important part of the toolkit available to CSPs, we discuss how Lynk will drive continued innovation in the telecommunications space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having recently announced its complete rebrand to Boldyn Networks in June of this year, it is safe to say BAI Communications is undergoing an important shift. However, the focus remains the same. Alejandro Pinero sits down with Group CEO Igor Leprince to discuss the rebrand and their belief in connecting everyone by leveraging the power of standalone networks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Satellite is becoming a competitive connectivity option across the globe thanks to the development of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) technology. In this interview, OneWeb's Christopher Casarrubias, head of regulatory and government affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean, describes the opportunity rising in the region. With remote communities and rugged terrain, the LAC is ripe for innovation to bridge the digital divide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're in a unique funding environment for large-scale broadband projects, and carriers and public entities alike face challenges in building a reliable, accessible network across the United States. At UScellular, Adriana Rios Welton heads up the Legal and Government Affairs team, helping the company carry out its mission to bridge the digital divide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As GM of Software Defined Networking at IBM, Andrew Coward oversees IBM’s hybrid cloud software and network offerings. And that is no small task. With increasingly complex networks, multiple clouds coexisting, and layers of orchestration and automation being built end-to-end, software tools such as AI are key to making sense of it all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laurent "LT" Therivel has had some interesting challenges since taking up the role of president and CEO of the fourth-largest carrier in the U.S. Listen in to this exclusive interview as LT discusses UScellular's competition and investment outlook, regulation, and the carrier's key goal of reaching underserved areas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dark NOC concept is getting lots of attention from wireless carriers striving for standalone 5G networks. Rick Fulwiler, Chief Solutions Architect at NETSCOUT, describes the challenges in transitioning to a highly automated network environment and why it’s an opportunity worth pursuing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What were the top topics in the communications industry this year? Join Alejandro Pinero and Fierce's telecom and technology editors -- Linda Hardesty, Monica Alleven and Diana Goovaerts -- for a rundown of the challenges and innovations that had the biggest impact in 2022.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mirko Voltolini lives in the future for a living. In his role, he and his team carry out research, trial and explore new ways to utilize and exploit the benefits of 5G and telecommunications infrastructure in general. From edge compute to private networks and the future of fibre, Mirko digs into what we can expect in the future of connectivity and its benefits not only for the individual, but also for the enterprise and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada's 5G rollout finally got started in 2020, and Robert Ghiz, president & CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, is excited about the opportunities the new network technology will bring to the country's diverse communities. But it also represents a huge challenge, not least of all the cost, estimated to be at least $26 billion. How will providers meet those challenges?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arvin Singh heads up the Innovation and Research team for 5G and Edge at Verizon Business and has an ambitious view of the applications of 5G in the enterprise. In an increasingly connected world, the telecommunications industry is positioning itself as the ideal partner for companies, industries and sectors looking to latch on to the digital revolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As users demand more simplicity, appliances must become more complex. Whirlpool’s Joao Borges joins The Five Nine podcast to talk about the present and future of our appliances, and what keeps him and his engineering team busy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ability to fill connectivity gaps from terrestrial networks, as well as a dramatic drop in cost and price, have made satellites a true player in the cellular connectivity mix. Scott Wisniewski, Chief Strategy Officer of AST SpaceMobile speaks to these merits, current and future satellite launch plans, and the company's vision to narrow the digital divide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An unprecedented amount of funding is being made available to communities by the federal government to build out broadband infrastructure. But accessing those funds is a complex process. Jeff Luong, president of Broadband Access & Adoption Initiatives at AT&T, explains how the carrier is partnering with communities to bridge the digital divide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OpenRAN is on everyone's minds these days. But the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) is looking beyond the hype, at end-to-end architectures that include OpenWiFi, Open Packet & Transport, RIC, OpenBNG and more. Kristian Toivo outlines TIP's view on the evolution of Open ecosystems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building momentum for mmWave in the U.S. has been a challenge, one that Mediatek is meeting with the introduction of its Dimensity 1050 mmWave 5G chipset. Russ Mestechkin, Mediatek’s senior director of sales and business development for U.S. and Latin America, discusses this milestone system-on-chip product in this compelling podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are cars the case study go-to for IoT innovation and application? Shamik Basu of Verizon Business discusses that and more in this week's podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether streamlining cloud migration or boosting cybersecurity, enterprises and their telco partners must focus on strategy. Chet Patel, BT’s Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director for the Americas, joins the Fierce Telecom Podcast to discuss key trends in enterprise cloudification, security, and shaping cloud initiatives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The impact of climate change means we all have a role to play in mitigating carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. Steven Moore, Head of Climate Action, GSMA joins the Fierce Telecom Podcast to walk through some of the key initiatives that the telecommunications industry is undertaking to pursue net zero and sustainable targets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Loozen, Global Telecommunications Leader at EY joins the podcast to discuss how consumer behavior toward digital services in the home is changing, following a boom during the pandemic. The cost of living, coupled with an increasingly crowded digital marketplace makes for an interesting time for these services in the home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do trisector antennas and Caribbean pirates have in common? CommScope’s Marty Zimmerman, CTO of North America for Outdoor Wireless Networks, discusses why trisector antennas are a great solution for 5G deployments in crowded locations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wire 3 CEO Jai Ramachandran and CTO Jason Schreiber join FierceTechnology's Diana Goovaaerts to discuss their rapid journey from funding to deployment, and their ambitions to deliver 10-gig service to customers in Florida.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are operators’ views of today’s prevailing technologies, including 10G EPON, DPoE, GPON, and XGS-PON? What roles will 25G, 50G, and 100G PON play in operator networks? Does PON have the legs to deliver residential, enterprise, and transport services?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rakuten Mobile launched the first-ever fully virtual network in Japan in 2020. Geoff Hollingworth discusses Rakuten Symphony's journey and answers a crucial question: How open is Open RAN, really?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5G is a new challenge at the tower, something CommScope’s Mosaic solution may help resolve. Tune in to this podcast, sponsored by CommScope, as Alejandro Piñero chats with CommScope’s Samantha Merta about the new integrative active/passive antenna solution that aims to solve many of the tower issues around 5G deployment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Mills, recently named Chief Revenue Officer at Neos Networks, joins Fierce Telecom Podcast host Alejandro Pinero to discuss the why behind this rapid expansion in infrastructure, and the opportunities they are looking to help enterprises unlock.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc Overton, managing director of Division X at BT, outlines the promise of private wireless solutions for the enterprise, the future of network services, and sheds light on the purpose and objectives of the enigmatically named Division X.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cox Communications is primarily known as a cable provider, but having a large fiber network has its benefits. Sujata Gosalia, EVP & Chief Strategy Officer largely focuses on the strategic vision and new growth areas for Cox leveraging their existing infrastructure.Recently named Fiercest Woman in Telecom by Fierce Wireless, Sujata holds a pivotal role within Cox to find these new ventures, having launched Cox Edge and their smart hospital solution, Cox Prosight, in 2021.In this exclusive interview, Fierce Telecom Podcast host, Alejandro Piñero, chats to Sujata about the motivation to diversify Cox’s product portfolio, the challenges in working on such innovative technologies within a cable firm, and the opportunities in new sectors such as healthcare. Finally, they embark on an important discussion about diversity in the tech sector, and how leaders have a responsibility to provide opportunities and a space for all voices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a once-per-generation event, there is a sizeable pot of federal funding available to ramp up network deployments in underserved communities across the United States. Melissa Newman, VP of Government Affairs at TIA, joins the Fierce Telecom Podcast to discuss the regulatory, economic, and technical frameworks available and in play, and how she sees the role of our sector evolving in order to bridge the digital divide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Visible, Verizon’s digital-native carrier brand, is building a simple, affordable and reliable connectivity product designed to meet the needs of customers sometimes overlooked by the incumbents. By carving out a niche in the telecommunications market with clever marketing, a clear proposition and target persona, Visible complements their parent brand to perfection. Angie Klein, CEO at Visible, joins host Alejandro Piñero to discuss her vision for Visible and the legacy she wishes to establish, her views on building winning teams, retail strategy, how leaders (and everyone in tech!) have a role to play in building greater diversity across tech companies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For wireless operators, energy consumption has become a huge topic, especially with 6G around the corner. How can MNOs implement real energy solutions at the cell site? Is the goal of being carbon-neutral achievable for operators? In this Fierce Telecom Podcast, Patrik Jansson, Director of Mobile Network Site Solutions at Ericsson North America, talks with Alejandro Piñero about the solutions being developed for today’s network – and tomorrow’s needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's podcast is sponsored by Ericsson.As services and applications continue to require faster speeds and lower latencies, it’s critical that the Wi-Fi ecosystem is able to support them. During the Fierce Wireless Wi-Fi Summit in February of 2022, speakers explored topics such as Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, security, broadband services and the smart home. In these featured interviews, Linda Hardesty, editor-in-chief at Fierce, talked to FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks about the regulator’s view of Wi-Fi innovation and evolution. And, Diana Goovaerts from the Fierce editorial team spoke to Josh Goodell, VP Broadband Technology Management at AT&T about the importance of reliable and robust broadband networks to deliver on the promise of next-generation Wi-Fi services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.