The G2 on 5G Podcast by Moor Insights & Strategy

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to episode 204 of the G2 on 5G podcast.

- Co-host Anshel Sag joins the discussion, and they wish everyone a happy Labor Day weekend.

Labor Day Plans and Personal Updates

- Anshel Sag shares his plans to attend IFA in Berlin before the upcoming Apple event.

- Will Townsend talks about watching the Longhorns' home opener in Austin and his connection to Fort Collins.

AT&T's Generative AI Strategy

- Will Townsend discusses an article about AT&T's head of AI and their broad strategy for generative AI.

- The conversation covers AT&T's use of AI for network lifecycle management, retiring copper infrastructure, and the potential for an autonomous network.

- Anshel Sag highlights the cost optimization benefits of AI for large companies like AT&T.

Apple's Upcoming Event

- Anshel Sag previews Apple's September 9 event, focusing on the expected launch of the iPhone 16 and AI advancements.

- Discussion on potential updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods, with less emphasis on new MacBooks.

Deutsche Telekom's 5G Standalone Strategy

- Will Townsend talks about Deutsche Telekom's plans to roll out 5G standalone with a focus on bespoke service offerings like cloud gaming and network slicing.

- Anshel Sag questions the infrastructure readiness and the monetization strategy for these new services.

Inseego's New FWA Router

- Anshel Sag introduces Inseego's new FWA router, which supports all three major U.S. carriers and offers dual SIM functionality.

- The router is designed for small and medium businesses, providing flexibility and advanced security features.

U.S. Rural 5G Fund

- Will Townsend revisits the U.S. Rural 5G Fund, a $9 billion initiative to improve rural broadband access that has been on pause since 2020.

- Anshel Sag expresses skepticism about the fund's potential impact and the lack of satellite technology in the discussion.

Huawei's Revenue Rebound

- Anshel Sag discusses Huawei's 34% year-on-year revenue growth and 17% increase in net profit.

- The conversation covers Huawei's diversification into automotive and cloud services, and their continued competitiveness despite challenges.

Closing Remarks

- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag wrap up the episode, wishing listeners a great Labor Day weekend.

- They invite audience engagement and feedback on future 5G topics via social media.

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to episode 203 of the G2 on 5G podcast.

- Introduction of fellow analyst Anshel Sag.

Nokia's 4G Connectivity on the Moon

- Discussion on Nokia outfitting Artemis 3 lunar mission spacesuits with 4G connectivity.

- Benefits of LTE network capability for astronauts, including helmet-mounted video cameras.

Air Five's Converged Gateway Product

- Introduction of Air Five, a new company combining 5G and cable infrastructure.

- Discussion on the potential applications and deployment of this hybrid technology.

Ericsson's Private Networking Opportunities

- Analysis of Ericsson's position in the private networking market.

- Insights into the integration of Cradlepoint with Ericsson and the potential for joint development.

Google Pixel 9 Review

- Anshel Sag shares his experience with the new Google Pixel 9.

- Highlights include build quality, AI features, and camera capabilities.

SK Telecom's AI Cloud Services

- Announcement of SK Telecom's partnership with Lambda to offer GPU as a service.

- Discussion on the potential impact and innovation in AI cloud services.

China Mobile's Milestone

- China Mobile surpasses 1 billion subscribers, with over 527 million on 5G.

- Insights into the growth and future of 5G adoption in China.

Closing Remarks

- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag invite listeners to provide insights on future 5G topics.

- Encouragement to rate, subscribe, and tune in next week.

Episode 202: The G2 on 5G Podcast

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to episode 202 of the G2 on 5G podcast.

- Introduction of fellow analyst Anshel Sag.

- Overview of the episode's structure: six topics covered in about 20 minutes.

FTC Rulings on Fake Reviews and Testimonials

- Discussion on recent FTC rulings prohibiting fake reviews and testimonials.

- Anshel Sag provides insights on the implications of these rulings.

- Exploration of how mobile networks might contribute to the problem of fake reviews.

Impact of Mobile Networks on Fake Reviews

- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag discuss the role of mobile networks in the proliferation of fake reviews.

- Examination of how mobile technology can be used to amplify fake reviews.

- Consideration of the enforcement challenges the FTC might face.

Google Pixel 9 Launch

- Anshel Sag introduces the new Google Pixel 9 and its features.

- Overview of the AI capabilities integrated into the Pixel 9 and other devices.

- Discussion on the broader ecosystem of Google products, including the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2.

SK Telecom's AI Strategy

- Will Townsend discusses SK Telecom's focus on AI and their pyramid strategy.

- Analysis of SK Telecom's investments in AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic.

- Exploration of the potential for SK Telecom to lead in AI applications within the telecom industry.

Department of Defense and 5G

- Anshel Sag talks about the Department of Defense's plans for integrating 5G.

- Discussion on the potential use of integrated sensing and communications in military applications.

- Examination of the financial and logistical challenges faced by the DoD in deploying 5G networks.

Mobile Network Programmability

- Will Townsend previews an upcoming analyst insight on mobile network programmability.

- Discussion on the slow adoption of network programmability and recent advancements.

- Mention of key players like Ericsson, Nokia, and the GSMA in driving this technology forward.

Oracle and AT&T Partnership

- Anshel Sag discusses the renewed partnership between Oracle and AT&T.

- Overview of how Oracle's cloud applications will integrate with AT&T's network for IoT connectivity.

- Analysis of the benefits for enterprise customers and the potential for future innovations.

Closing Remarks

- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag wrap up the episode.

- Invitation for listeners to provide feedback and suggest future topics.

- Reminder to rate and subscribe to the podcast.

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to episode 201 of the G2 on 5G podcast.

- Introduction of fellow analyst Anshel Sag.

T-Mobile's Initiative with Channel Partners

- Discussion on T-Mobile's collaboration with Ingram Micro and Tech Data Synnex.

- Introduction of the Partner Plus program to subsidize 5G connected PCs and fixed wireless access solutions.

- Subsidies include up to $400 off PCs and up to $700 off Cradlepoint's fixed wireless access CPE products.

- Potential savings for businesses up to $1,600 per router adapter and over $400 per connected PC.

- Challenges around provisioning devices and the need for a marketing campaign to raise awareness.

5G Baseband Vulnerability at Black Hat

- Anshel Sag discusses a 5G baseband vulnerability revealed at the Black Hat security conference.

- Vulnerability allows devices to be tricked into connecting to fake cell towers, enabling phishing attacks.

- Researchers created a tool called 5G Base Checker to identify vulnerabilities in various phones.

- Companies like Samsung and Google have patched these flaws, while MediaTek and Qualcomm have yet to respond.

Nokia and Swisscom's Drone Partnership

- Will Townsend talks about Nokia's partnership with Swisscom for drone emergency response and industrial use cases.

- Nokia has prepared 300 "drone in a box" units for public safety and infrastructure inspections.

- Discussion on the broader applications of drones in industries like window washing.

Vodafone UK's 5G Standalone Service

- Anshel Sag highlights Vodafone UK's launch of 5G standalone service for enterprises.

- Research indicates 39% of UK companies are ready to invest in 5G standalone.

- Vodafone's 5G Ultra service promises lower latency, more reliability, and better battery life.

- Examples of network slicing applications include ITN, UK Power Networks, and gaming.

China's Entry into the LEO Satellite Space Race

- Will Townsend discusses China's recent entry into the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite space race.

- China aims to launch 108 satellites this year and 15,000 by 2030 for global network coverage.

- Discussion on the potential impact and competitiveness of China's LEO satellite initiative.

Pentagon's 5G Applications for Defense

- Anshel Sag talks about the Pentagon's use of 5G for enhancing warfighting capabilities.

- Deployment of Anduril-made towers using tactical radios for high-resolution video security in Africa.

- Future G's role in advancing 5G and transitioning to 6G for the US Department of Defense.

Conclusion

- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag wrap up the episode.

- Invitation for listeners to provide insights on future 5G topics.

- Contact information: Will Townsend (@willtowntech) and Anshel Sag (@anshelsag).

- Encouragement to tune in next week.

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to the 200th episode of the G2 on 5G podcast.

- Introduction of fellow analyst Anshel Sag.

- Overview of the episode's format: six topics in about 20 minutes.

AWS vs. Nokia Lawsuit

- Will Townsend discusses AWS's lawsuit against Nokia over telco cloud intellectual property.

- Background on Nokia's exit from the cloud platform business and partnership with AWS in Germany.

- Speculation on the lawsuit's outcome and potential settlement.

Earnings Reports Overview

- Anshel Sag covers recent earnings reports from major tech companies.

- Highlights include:

- Arm's earnings and stock performance.

- Qualcomm's record quarter and growth in automotive and smartphone sectors.

- AMD's data center growth and challenges in the gaming sector.

- Intel's disappointing earnings and layoffs.

- T-Mobile's strong performance and growth in postpaid subscribers.

T-Mobile's Rural Connectivity Initiative

- Will Townsend discusses T-Mobile's focus on rural connectivity.

- Introduction of the "Friday Night 5G Lights" contest, offering $2 million for a high school football field makeover.

- Emphasis on T-Mobile's innovative marketing and community engagement.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4S Gen 2

- Anshel Sag introduces Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 4S Gen 2 platform.

- Discussion on its potential impact on the value smartphone market.

- Comparison with MediaTek's offerings and the importance of affordable 5G devices in developing regions.

Nokia's Network as a Code Platform

- Will Townsend explains Nokia's recent announcement related to its network as a code platform.

- Overview of Nokia's partnership with Fontinius Acolyte for healthcare and utility sector use cases.

- Discussion on the value of programmability and open APIs in network development.

Ookla's Global Standalone 5G Report

- Anshel Sag reviews Ookla's report on global standalone 5G networks.

- Key findings include:

- T-Mobile and SK Telecom's leadership in 5G SA.

- The lag in European 5G SA deployments.

- The importance of spectrum and carrier aggregation for network performance.

Conclusion

- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag reflect on the episode's topics.

- Invitation for listeners to provide insights on future 5G topics.

- Encouragement to rate, subscribe, and tune in next week.

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to episode 199 of the G2 on 5G podcast.

- Discussion about the upcoming milestone of episode 200 and a call for listener feedback on how to celebrate it.

T-Mobile's Fiber Investment

- Will Townsend discusses T-Mobile's $5 billion investment in a joint venture with KKR to purchase Metronet.

- The strategic move aims to enhance T-Mobile's 5G fixed wireless access services and provide fiber backhaul for radio towers.

- Anshel Sag adds insights on Metronet's regional focus, particularly in the Midwest and Texas, and the potential benefits for T-Mobile's rural coverage.

AST SpaceMobile's Satellite Deployment

- Anshel Sag covers AST SpaceMobile's announcement of the completion and upcoming launch of its first five commercial satellites, Bluebirds.

- The satellites will enhance 5G communication capabilities and have garnered investments from major companies like AT&T, Verizon, Google, and Vodafone.

- Will Townsend shares his experience visiting AST SpaceMobile's facilities and highlights the company's efficient satellite design and ambitious plans.

CrowdStrike's Major Outage

- Will Townsend discusses the significant outage experienced by CrowdStrike due to a flawed update, impacting various businesses including Delta and Starbucks.

- The incident highlights the importance of rigorous DevOps practices and offers learning opportunities for mobile network operators.

- Anshel Sag provides additional context on the technical aspects of the outage and the broader implications for the cybersecurity industry.

Apple's Potential Move Away from Qualcomm Modems

- Anshel Sag addresses rumors that Apple may start using its own 5G modems in lower-volume products like the iPhone SE, potentially phasing out Qualcomm modems.

- The transition, if it happens, would mark a significant shift in Apple's strategy and could impact the broader 5G modem market.

- Will Townsend reflects on the long timeline since Apple acquired Intel's modem business and the challenges involved in developing in-house modems.

T-Mobile for Business Unconventional Awards

- Will Townsend shares his experience as a judge for the T-Mobile for Business Unconventional Awards, which recognize innovative uses of 5G technology.

- This year's categories include innovation in customer experience, employee enablement, industry, and community.

- The event will feature Malcolm Gladwell as the master of ceremonies and introduce a new "Tipping Point" designation for transformative change.

AT&T Earnings Report

- Anshel Sag reviews AT&T's recent earnings report, highlighting strong postpaid net additions and low phone churn rates.

- Despite slightly missing revenue targets, AT&T's focus on its core business and fiber expansion has been well-received by investors.

- Will Townsend adds that AT&T's improved free cash flow and consistent fiber net adds demonstrate the company's effective execution and growth potential.

Closing Remarks

- Anshel Sag wraps up the episode, inviting listeners to provide feedback and suggesting topics for future podcasts.

- Encourages listeners to rate, subscribe, and tune in next week.

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to episode 198 of the G2 on 5G podcast.

- Apologies for the delay due to Will's vacation and roof construction.

- Brief discussion about their Fourth of July activities.

Hurricane Barrel and Disaster Communication Efforts

- Will Townsend discusses Hurricane Barrel's impact on South Texas.

- Highlights the efforts of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon in restoring connectivity.

- AT&T used drone technology for temporary connectivity.

- T-Mobile utilized satellite cells on trucks.

- Verizon focused on ensuring backup systems were operational.

Insights on Disaster Response

- Anshel Sag shares his thoughts on the preparedness of carriers for natural disasters.

- Mentions his near experience with the hurricane while in New York City.

- Emphasizes the increasing frequency and severity of natural storms.

Galaxy Unpacked Event

- Anshel Sag reports on the Galaxy Unpacked event held in New York.

- Overview of new product announcements: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Ring, and new earbuds.

- Discussion on the features and improvements of the new devices.

- Anshel's personal excitement about the Galaxy Ring and its features.

Germany's Rip and Replace of Chinese Infrastructure

- Will Townsend discusses Germany's efforts to replace Huawei infrastructure.

- Germany's initial commitment to replace hardware by 2026, now focusing on management layer software by 2029.

- Concerns about the potential backdoors in Chinese software.

- Anshel Sag's perspective on Germany's slow progress and the challenges involved.

Boost Mobile's Rebranding and New Plans

- Anshel Sag talks about Boost Mobile's rebranding under Dish.

- Introduction of new plans and pricing, starting at $25 per month.

- Comparison with Mint Mobile and other competitors.

- Anshel's anticipation to test Boost Mobile's service.

Ericsson's Vonage Acquisition and API Strategy

- Will Townsend discusses Ericsson's recent earnings call and the challenges with the Vonage acquisition.

- Ericsson's CEO remains optimistic about the long-term potential of API strategy.

- Discussion on the initial write-off and the need for significant monetization.

- Anshel Sag's critical view on the acquisition and its potential for future revenue.

Nokia's Earnings Report

- Anshel Sag covers Nokia's recent earnings report and the significant decline in profit.

- Impact of India's reduced 5G deployment on Nokia's earnings.

- Discussion on Nokia's challenges and potential bright spots in private networking and security.

- Will Townsend's optimistic view on Nokia's future prospects.

Conclusion

- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag wrap up the podcast.

- Apologies for the previous week's absence due to personal and professional commitments.

- Invitation for listeners to provide feedback and suggestions for future topics.

- Encouragement to rate and subscribe to the podcast.

Episode 197: The G2 on 5G - Key Highlights

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to episode 197 of the G2 on 5G podcast.

- Introduction of fellow analyst Anshel Sag.

Nokia's Acquisition of Infinera

- Will discusses Nokia's recent announcement to acquire Infinera for over $2 billion.

- The acquisition aims to strengthen Nokia's optical networking and component business.

- Potential benefits include increased access to the North American market and entry into data centers.

- Anshel questions whether the sale of Nokia's submarine cable business to the French government was required for the acquisition.

Generative AI and Data Centers

- Will highlights the relevance of the acquisition to generative AI and data centers.

- Anshel notes the stability and long-term benefits of Nokia's wireline businesses.

3GPP Release 18 and 5G Advanced

- Anshel discusses the finalization of 3GPP Release 18 standards, marking the 5G Advanced era.

- Release 18 includes enhancements for IoT, XR, AI, and ML applications.

- The importance of standalone deployment for utilizing Release 18 features.

AT&T's 5G RedCap Launch

- Will talks about AT&T's soft launch of 5G RedCap in the Dallas metropolitan area.

- The significance of RedCap for IoT applications and AT&T's vertical market focus.

- Anshel discusses the potential consumer and enterprise applications of RedCap.

India's 5G Spectrum Auction

- Will covers the recent 5G spectrum auction in India, which netted only $1.3 billion compared to $18 billion in 2022.

- Speculation on the reasons behind the lackluster auction, including slow monetization and deployment of previously acquired spectrum.

- Discussion on the potential benefits of democratizing access to licensed spectrum for private networking.

FCC's Proposed Rule on Unlocking Phones

- Anshel explains the FCC's proposed rule to require mobile providers to unlock phones within 60 days of activation.

- Concerns about the financial risk to carriers and the practicality of unlocking postpaid devices.

- Suggestion to mandate unlocking for prepaid phones and maintaining current rules for postpaid devices.

Verizon's Concerns Over 4.9 GHz Spectrum for FirstNet

- Anshel discusses Verizon's opposition to the FCC potentially giving 4.9 GHz spectrum to AT&T for FirstNet.

- Analysis of the spectrum's value and its suitability for small cell deployments.

- The potential impact on Verizon's competitiveness and the overall 5G landscape.

Closing Remarks

- Will and Anshel share their upcoming travel plans and wish listeners a happy 4th of July.

- Encouragement for listeners to rate, subscribe, and provide feedback on future 5G topics.

Contact Information

- Will Townsend: @WillTownTech

- Anshel Sag: @AnshelSag

Next Episode

- The podcast will take a break for the 4th of July and return the following week.

Show Notes for Episode 196 of The G2 on 5G

Welcome and Introduction

- Hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag kick off the episode.

- Anshel shares his recent experience at a Padres game and the Augmented World Expo conference.

Microsoft's Shift in Telecom Strategy

- Will discusses Microsoft's decision to exit the 5G application space on Azure for operators.

- The focus shifts to infrastructure, similar to AWS's approach.

- Analysis of the impact on AT&T and the broader telecom ecosystem.

Orange's 5G Network for the Olympics

- Anshel highlights Orange's deployment of a private 5G network for the upcoming Olympics in France.

- Samsung's involvement with 200 Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones for unique athlete perspectives.

- The network will cover 120 venues, including athlete training grounds.

Global Telco AI Alliance Formation

- Will introduces the new alliance between Singtel, Deutsche Telekom, SK Telecom, and SoftBank.

- The alliance aims to develop generative AI applications tailored for mobile operators.

- Focus on multilingual large language models and potential security challenges.

T-Mobile's Enterprise Expansion

- Anshel discusses T-Mobile's recent wins, including the Spiral Four contract for the Department of Defense.

- T-Mobile's involvement in Sail GP in New York and the Women's PGA Championship.

- The company's growing presence in enterprise and sports venue support.

Telia's 5G-Enabled Remote Forestry Control

- Will shares an innovative use case from Telia in Sweden.

- Drones and portable mobile base stations enable remote control of forestry machinery.

- Highlights the importance of 5G's ultra-low latency for safe and efficient operations.

Samsung and MediaTek's RedCap Testing

- Anshel covers the collaboration between Samsung and MediaTek on RedCap testing over Vran.

- Focus on power-saving features and the path to commercial viability by the second half of 2024.

- Potential applications in IoT and beyond.

Augmented World Expo Insights

- Anshel provides a brief overview of his experience at the Augmented World Expo.

- Highlights include Haptex's robotic gloves and Siteful's 5G-connected AR PC.

Closing Remarks

- Will and Anshel wrap up the episode, encouraging listeners to provide feedback and subscribe.

- Both hosts express excitement for future 5G developments and applications.

Contact Information

- Will Townsend: @WilltonTech

- Anshel Sag: @anshelsag

Call to Action

- Don't forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast for more insights on the latest in 5G technology.

In episode 195 of The G2 on 5G, hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag delve into six key topics shaping the 5G landscape:

1. AST SpaceMobile and Verizon Collaboration: Highlighting the extensive coverage and potential future partnerships, validating AST SpaceMobile's efforts.

2. Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference: Discussing updates on RCS, satellite messaging, iPhone mirroring, and Apple's new AI branding, Apple Intelligence.

3. T-Mobile's Acquisition of US Cellular's Assets: Debating the potential regulatory scrutiny and the implications for rural connectivity.

4. Nvidia's Involvement in 5G: Examining Nvidia's testing of Open RAN in private 5G networks, showcasing their ambition to influence the telecom sector.

5. China's 5G Deployment Claims: Questioning the reported $800 billion economic impact and the feasibility of their adoption rates.

6. Link5G's Tower Infrastructure in New York City: Addressing the controversy surrounding the aesthetic concerns and the necessity of such infrastructure for improved connectivity.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on these pivotal 5G topics, offering expert perspectives and in-depth analysis.