In this episode of The Boon of Wireless, host Jon Horovitz sits down with Rich Balot, founder of Victra and Verizon's largest authorized retail partner. Rich started as a teenage mobile DJ, opened his first US Cellular store in college to employ his father, and grew Victra into a nationwide wireless retail powerhouse operating roughly 1,800 Verizon locations across all 50 states, with 300+ total doors, approximately $3B in annual revenue, and up to 10,000 employees.

Rich walks through his full journey — switching carriers from US Cellular to Alltel, navigating Verizon's Alltel acquisition, selling to private equity, returning as CEO in 2019, and buying the company back in 2021 through a 650-store Go Wireless acquisition.

He also discusses people-first leadership, building a strong retail culture, entering the prepaid space through Total Wireless, the challenges of longer upgrade cycles and inventory constraints, and his roadmap to 2,000 stores.

As Q1 2026 wraps up, the wireless industry is moving fast — and host Jon Horovitz breaks it all down on this solo episode of The Boon of Wireless.

Jon opens with a piece of telecom history: the first public handheld cell phone call, made by Motorola's Martin Cooper on April 3, 1973 — a moment that set the entire wireless industry in motion. From there, he pivots to the present, unpacking the biggest trends shaping the market right now.

Cable operators are on a roll. Comcast, Spectrum, and Cox — with Cox expected to fold into Spectrum later in 2026 — are posting strong mobile net adds, with the cable MVNO segment surpassing 20 million total subscribers in Q4 2025. Meanwhile, true independent MVNOs represent just about 10% of the market and are facing mounting pressure as major carriers continue absorbing former MVNO brands. Jon makes the case for why differentiation — not just commodity access — is the key to MVNO survival.

Jon also previews the trade show calendar for 2026:

• MVNO Nation Americas 2026 — Miami, FL | April 27–29
• Gadget Repair Expo — Atlantic City, NJ | May 19–20
• All Wireless & Prepaid Expo — Las Vegas, NV | August 18–19

What does it take to build, scale, and successfully exit a wireless retail business — and then pivot into the MVNO space? In this episode of The Boon of Wireless, host Jon Horovitz sits down with telecom growth strategist Vivian Delgado Johnson, a 21-year AT&T corporate veteran who built an eight-store AT&T authorized retail portfolio in South Florida before selling it in 2023.

Vivian breaks down exactly what's driving the current wave of wireless retail M&A activity — from consolidation cycles and carrier incentives to the operational benchmarks that determine whether your business is sellable.  She also shares what pulled her into the MVNO world after attending MVNO Live in Spain — including her growing focus on Latin market opportunities and field research in Panama.

The Boon of Wireless Podcast: 2-Year Anniversary Special (Episode 60) | Top Moments & Industry Insights

Celebrate Episode 60 and the two-year anniversary of The Boon of Wireless Podcast with host Jon Horovitz in this special retrospective episode highlighting the conversations, insights, and industry voices that have shaped the show. Now part of Wire Low in Princeton, New Jersey, the podcast has featured 23 CEOs and dozens of C-suite leaders, all focused on educating listeners about the evolving wireless and mobility ecosystem.

This anniversary episode revisits standout moments covering topics such as the reality behind “unlimited” wireless plans, right-to-repair debates, MVNO growth across global markets, regulatory and FCC compliance challenges, retail expansion strategies, workplace culture, and the difference between service and true hospitality in customer experience. You’ll also hear discussions on prepaid innovation, video data optimization, entrepreneurship lessons, and how technology policy continues to influence the future of connectivity.

Thank you to all subscribers and supporters for two incredible years — and if you’d like to be a future guest, contact the show at 908-843-2666.

Verizon Value’s Jay Miglionico on Total Wireless’ Explosive Growth & Dealer Strategy | The Boon of Wireless Podcast

In this episode of The Boon of Wireless Podcast, host Jon Horovitz sits down with Jay Miglionico, Associate Vice President of the Indirect Channel for Verizon Value, to break down the rapid expansion of Total Wireless and what it means for dealers across the country.

Jay shares his 24-year wireless journey from Sprint retail to Boost Mobile leadership, running Boost’s indirect channel at Dish Network, and now leading indirect growth for Total Wireless, Simple Mobile, and Verizon Prepaid. He reveals how Total Wireless has surpassed 2,000 stores, is opening roughly three new stores per day, and is targeting 4,000–5,000 locations nationwide — powered by strong dealer partnerships, master agents, competitive compensation, MDF support, and Verizon’s award-winning 5G network.

The episode also covers Verizon’s segmentation strategy, why Total Wireless is not sold in corporate Verizon stores, dealer vetting expectations, and how retailers can apply at totalwireless.com. Jay also announces a Tax Season 2026 port-in promotion targeting Cricket customers, offering up to $15 off Unlimited plans with a five-year price guarantee.

If you’re a wireless dealer, MVNO operator, or telecom professional, this episode is packed with strategic insight on growth, retail profitability, and the evolving prepaid market.

How AI Is Transforming Wireless Retail | David Cherrie on The Boon of Wireless Podcast

In this episode of The Boon of Wireless Podcast, host Jon Horovitz sits down with David Cherrie, co-founder and CEO of Arcade, a venture-backed sales engagement platform revolutionizing wireless retail. They explore how AI, gamification, and data-driven training are reshaping frontline retail performance and driving measurable sales growth.

David shares insights into Arcade’s innovative model, the company’s recent acquisition of UP Duo, and how artificial intelligence is changing the way retailers train, motivate, and retain employees. From sales metrics to real-world success stories, this conversation dives into the evolving role of AI in physical retail environments and what it means for wireless dealers heading into 2026.

If you’re in wireless retail, telecom leadership, or sales strategy, this episode delivers practical insights on how to stay competitive in an AI-driven marketplace.

In this episode of The Boon of Wireless Podcast, host Jon Horovitz welcomes back Adam Wolf, President of the National Wireless Independent Dealer Association (NWIDA), for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of wireless. Fresh off the latest insights from CES, Jon and Adam break down the rapid rise of AI in telecom, the accelerating shift to eSIM, and the growing reality of global connectivity through satellite and “invisible connectivity” experiences.

Adam shares actionable strategies for wireless retailers and independent dealers to stay competitive in 2026 and beyond, including how to use AI for marketing, customer service, and operational efficiency. If you’re a wireless dealer, MVNO operator, or telecom professional, this episode is packed with forward-looking insights and practical advice to help you become the go-to local expert for connectivity.

Wireless Innovations & Entitlements with Emir Aboulhosn | The Boon of Wireless Podcast (2026)

Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of The Boon of Wireless Podcast in 2026! Host Jon Horovitz kicks off the year with Emir Aboulhosn, a pioneering serial telecom entrepreneur and founder of NetLync Mobile Communication Technologies Ltd. Emir introduces the concept of “Entitlements as a Service” and explains how NetLync is helping modernize the wireless industry through smarter, digital-first infrastructure.

The podcast explores wireless entitlements, the ongoing digital transformation of telecom, and what the future holds for connectivity, including 6G, WiFi, and satellite technologies. Emir also shares his perspective on what makes MVNOs successful, why customer experience is critical, and how operators can remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. This episode delivers forward-looking insights for telecom professionals, MVNOs, and anyone interested in where wireless technology is headed next.

The Future of eSIM with Yesim | Artem Gordin on The Boon of Wireless Podcast

In this episode of The Boon of Wireless Podcast, host Jon Horovitz welcomes Artem Gordin, Chief Marketing Officer of Yesim, a global eSIM connectivity and travel tech provider redefining how people stay connected around the world. Artem breaks down the evolution of eSIM technology, its benefits for international travelers, and how Yesim is delivering seamless, app-led connectivity without physical SIM cards.

The conversation explores Yesim’s expansion into the North American market, upcoming product innovations like flexible unlimited day passes, and the company’s focus on customer experience, acquisition strategies, and carrier partnerships. Jon and Artem also discuss how eSIM solutions create new opportunities for U.S. telecom carriers and MVNOs looking to serve global travelers more efficiently.

Exploring Celebrity MVNOs & the Future of Mobile Services | The Boon of Wireless Podcast

In this episode of The Boon of Wireless Podcast, host Jon Horovitz sits down with Alex Besen, Founder and CEO of The Besen Group, to explore the growing intersection of celebrities, influencers, and MVNOs. The conversation dives into how public figures can leverage their fan bases to launch mobile services, the opportunities and risks involved, and what it really takes to build a successful celebrity-driven MVNO.

Jon and Alex also discuss broader MVNO market trends, the role of aggregators and enablers, and why strategic partnerships and infrastructure decisions are critical in today’s wireless landscape. Whether you’re in telecom, brand strategy, or simply curious about the future of mobile services, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the industry’s most talked-about trends.