Perspectives in Mobile

It’s the industry’s biggest storyline: application-to person (A2P) SMS is no longer the default, and for the first time in decades, the foundations of business messaging are being rewritten in real time. With reach communications services (RCS) accelerating after Apple’s adoption, fraud models shifting, interoperability becoming over-the-top-(OTT)-driven, and artificial intelligence transforming enterprise engagement, the sector stands at a genuine inflection point. What’s hype, what’s real, and what’s next for brands, operators and aggregators? This episode of MEF podcast “Perspectives in Mobile” tackles exactly that.

Our guest is David Fernandez-Vinuales, a leading strategist in global business messaging and former Meta and Google executive. With deep experience across telecoms, CPaaS, carrier operations and conversational AI, he now advises enterprises on RCS and omnichannel transformation—bringing one of the sharpest perspectives on where the ecosystem is heading.

With David, we break down the true state of RCS adoption and what’s driving its surge. We tackle pricing, fraud, verification, interoperability, and operator pressures. We also explore Messaging as a Platform (MAP), embedded payments, network application programming interfaces (APIs), the challenges of scaling RCS globally, and David’s vision of brand–consumer interaction over the next few years—plus his single most urgent directive for MEF members.

In the current conversation in Perspectives in Mobile, Riccardo Amati speaks with Andrey Anikin, CEO of Alaris Labs, about the evolving landscape of telecom messaging influenced by regulation and artificial intelligence. They discuss the balance between human support and AI integration, the challenges of cybersecurity, and the ethical implications of AI in decision-making. Andrey shares insights on the recruitment process in the age of AI and the skills necessary for professionals to remain relevant in the industry. The conversation concludes with a look at the gradual changes in messaging technologies and the potential future of AI in routing.

In this episode of MEF Podcast Perspectives, host Riccardo Amati and guest Trend Micro's Udo Schneider discuss the alarming rise of task scams, a sophisticated form of online fraud targeting job seekers. They explore the emotional and financial impacts of these scams, the tactics used by cybercriminals, and the role of AI in both perpetrating and combating these threats. The conversation also touches on the future of cybersecurity, including the implications of quantum computing and the importance of staying informed to protect oneself from scams.

Civilian mobile networks are now emerging as potential flashpoints in modern warfare. According to retired U.S. Army Colonel and Stanford researcher Bradley Boyd, co-founder of OpenDefense, any network transmitting military data can be treated as a legitimate target once conflict begins. This shift poses urgent ethical dilemmas for mobile operators and tech firms whose dual-use innovations—AI chips, sensors, and 5G infrastructure—can serve both commercial and military purposes. At the same time, a booming defense funding landscape offers industry opportunities, from AI-enabled systems to cybersecurity solutions, but only if companies navigate moral and operational risks.

On the latest episode of MEF podcast "Perspectives", host Riccardo Amati spoke with Boyd about the intersection of mobile networks, AI in warfare, and global security. The discussion covers how Western militaries are integrating AI into command, control, and edge-computed systems, the limitations and unpredictability of autonomous weapons, and the ethical stakes of dual-use technologies.

In this episode, MEF CEO Dario Betti sat down with Patrick George, CEO of iBasis, to discuss one of the biggest developments in wholesale telecom: iBasis’s deal with Telstra to take over its international wholesale assets. Patrick explains how this milestone perfectly fits iBasis’s long-term strategy of consolidation and scale, enabling the company to expand its global footprint into Asia-Pacific, the world’s most dynamic telecoms market. The deal brings not only infrastructure but also local teams and expertise, strengthening iBasis’s ability to operate in diverse environments. Above all, Patrick emphasized that wholesale is a people business. Deals of this scale are only possible because of the dedication of iBasis’s teams worldwide, who ensure quality of service every day. As the wholesale market consolidates, iBasis is positioning itself as a global, resilient partner for operators — focused on scale, service quality, and sustainable growth.

Messaging, identity, and connectivity are no longer just technical challenges in the mobile ecosystem, they’re business imperatives. Enterprises demand seamless, secure interactions, consumers expect personalized experiences, and operators are racing to adapt to technologies like RCS while navigating complex global regulations.

On this episode of Perspectives on Mobile, Riccardo Amati sits down with Nathan Robbins, Vice President of Strategy at Syniverse, to explore how the mobile industry is transforming. From the rise of APIs and next-generation messaging channels to monetization strategies and the future of 5G and beyond, Nathan shares insights on how innovation is shaping customer engagement, enterprise strategies, and the telecom landscape itself.

Whether you’re an industry insider or just curious about where mobile is headed, this conversation offers a front-row seat to the trends, technologies, and opportunities defining the next era of connectivity.

Mobile network operators worldwide are developing unified API standards, fueled by the growing momentum of the Open Gateway Initiative. These efforts are driving new business models and strengthening fraud prevention across the industry.

In this episode, host Riccardo Amati interviews two key figures shaping the future of mobile network APIs: Nick Rossman, Director of Programmes at MEF, and Viktorija Radman, Telecom Business Director at Infobip and a recently appointed member of MEF’s board.

Viktorija shares insights from Infobip’s practical experience in deploying these APIs globally, while Nick discusses MEF’s role in educating the industry and fostering cooperation. Together, they cover key developments including the growth of operator participation worldwide, real-world case studies of network API deployment, the critical integration of fraud prevention solutions, and plans for MEF’s upcoming Interest Group meeting.

Listeners will gain a comprehensive overview of how network APIs are transforming mobile operator collaboration, addressing fraud, and creating new revenue streams, alongside the strategic goals guiding MEF’s initiatives in the coming months. 

“VPN downloads up 1400%.” That’s MEF’s Tim Green on the immediate fallout of the UK’s new Online Safety Law, which enforces age verification for adult content and triggered 5 million extra checks daily. But users are dodging the system, raising doubts about the law’s effectiveness and exposing deeper cracks in the digital identity ecosystem.

In this episode of Perspectives, Riccardo Amati speaks with MEF’s new Programme Director for ID and Data about the privacy concerns, compliance challenges, and what this all means for the future of AV, fraud prevention, and digital wallets.

From VPN loopholes to identity innovation, Green shares why the system risks a crisis — and what the mobile ecosystem must do next.

Satellite IoT revenue is doubling — and reshaping wholesale telecom. As integration between satellite and terrestrial networks accelerates, traditional models are giving way to more flexible, standards-driven partnerships. This shift is redefining how mobile operators, IoT providers, and platforms monetize connectivity — with major implications for pricing, security, and cross-industry collaboration.

The data tells a clear story: satellite IoT revenue is forecast to grow from $2.9 billion in 2024 to $5.8 billion by 2027 — according to Juniper Research.. Direct-to-cell models could reach $2.8 billion by 2028. Wholesale roaming revenue is also set to double, nearing $2 billion. Key drivers include low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation expansion, like Myriota’s new 16-satellite launch, and hybrid deals such as KPN and Skylo leveraging 3GPP Release 17. Standards like SGP.32 for eSIM provisioning are becoming critical — but regulatory hurdles and fragmented security models persist.

To unpack what this means for the industry, we’re joined by Sam Barker, VP of Telecoms Market Research at Juniper Research. In this episode, we explore growth trends, monetization strategies, emerging standards, security risks, and where mobile carriers, CPaaS vendors, and IoT providers should place their bets.

“Don’t hesitate — get started.” That’s the message from Sinch to business leaders still wavering on Rich Communication Services (RCS) and AI. Why? Because RCS is already delivering 2–7x higher click-through rates, up to 42% engagement, and AI is poised to reshape how brands interact with consumers — with 97% of businesses planning to adopt AI for customer communication in 2025.

Sinch, a global cloud communications platform powering over 150 billion interactions per year, was recently honored with a MEFFYS ESG Award, recognizing its commitment to environmental and ethical responsibility. 

In this podcast, Miriam Liszewski, Commercial Product Manager for RCS, and Isabella Rahm, Product Marketing Manager, emphasize that switching from SMS to RCS can be simple — even without major technical changes. Branded, verified senders, richer message formats, and stronger analytics make RCS a clear next step. “Start simple,” says Liszewski. “Small wins lead to transformational experiences.”

The episode explores how RCS and AI can work in tandem — offering secure, interactive, and personalized conversations — while ensuring human oversight and ethical data use. Whether in retail, finance, or healthcare, the future is now, and Sinch is building the infrastructure to power it.