Wavelengths

In Part II of this exciting chat through the trends and digital transformation taking shape to build industry 4.0, host Daniel J. Litwin continues the conversation with CEO of TribalScale, Sheetal Jaitly.

As discussed in Part I, there are evolutions occurring to the foundations of technologies which help move the entire industry into digital landscape 4.0. 5G developments by Nokia out of Europe, Jaitly mentioned, have been successfully able to converge multiple radio channels. This test means that shortly this technology will have great effects on different industries, including some disruptions.

Self-driving cars, for example, will need advancements in 5G and edge to really take shape. However, the infrastructure for such new technology will have to be updated accordingly. This means more bandwidth is needed. Jaitly was frank, “Let’s all admit that there’s going to be a very large bandwidth issue as more and more things are being connected.” The more the private sector vocalizes this need, the better the chances are this problem will be addressed quickly.

With people more used to being digitally connected than ever before, preparing for the future also means preparing the infrastructure for many types of use-cases. Jaitly observed the market, “I honestly believe in the innovation of not only the enterprise but of start-ups that we haven’t even been able to see the use-cases of what that can do for the everyday person.”

Creating actionable steps to help empower future connections is the first part of many in building industry 4.0, but Jaitly is sure it will happen. Taking a look at individual business needs, Jaitly stated that everyone should be thinking about one question moving into the future, “What does a truly connected city mean for its citizens and for the world?”

As new iterations of the digital environment come into play, it’s especially important to know and understand the trends helping to shape them. Host Daniel J. Litwin invited guest Sheetal Jaitly, CEO of TribalScale, to the show to talk about the trends shaping industry 4.0 and the future of telecommunications.

Edge computing and 5G are two big-named technologies taking shape to prepare for the future digital environment. These technologies are evolving in big ways, shaped by human needs and wants. And with public calls for investment in edge computing becoming increasingly commonplace, these two technologies are set to make vast improvements to telecommunications.

Jaitly observed that business leaders are starting to realize the need to prepare for the future and leverage technology to build a personalized solution. He said, “The things that we thought were impossible are now being shown to us that they can be possible. So, the right leaders are demanding, ‘Hey, what can I do?’”

Enterprises across a large range of topics are engaging with technology in new ways. Several high-profile use-cases for technology like 5G and blockchain – namely cryptocurrency success, among others – have proved and validated ROI success. Jaitly noted that if these technologies were to be implemented – even in a minimal way – to current issues like the supply chain, it would likely help save billions. He excited, “...I think a lot of the start-ups and a lot of the enterprises out there, are really trying to figure out ‘How can we solve the problems of the future?’”

With a need for new technologies in place, only time will tell how and when they will be implemented.

The availability of broadband in rural areas remains a big area of concern. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has seemingly addressed the issue by providing funding through RDOF, or the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, but the initiative isn’t exactly foolproof.

In this new episode of Wavelengths, host Daniel Litwin chatted with Dr. Christopher Ali, an associate media studies professor at the University of Virginia, and author of “Farm Fresh Broadband: The Politics of Rural Connectivity.” He emphasized that while RDOF is a sign that rural broadband and connectivity has a bright future to stay on pace with urban connection, the companies that can truly solve the issue are not benefactors of the fund. Dr. Ali said that the same companies manage to make it to the top ten of fund recipients, which prevents the more suitable companies from getting adequate funding.

“One of the concerns that I have around this particular first round of RDOF is, ‘Have we just been funding what I call the largest and the loudest providers at expense of the local and regional providers — who have been the ones doing a lot more of the fiber to the home, fiber to the node, fiber to the curb, fiber to the tower — in recent years than the largest providers have?’” questioned Dr. Ali.

As continued RDOF funding consistently goes to these more familiar companies, it strands companies that can truly address the rural broadband gaps.

It is through mapping that the FCC is able to point out and target rural areas in need. But Dr. Ali said that this method is not that reliable, “I think one of the things that concerns me with all this money coming down the pipe, is that we are still using bad maps.”

This became a glaring issue when demands for video conferencing arose during the pandemic, exposing poor connectivity across some regions.

“I worry that where is this money going, literally, in the geography of the United States, and are we going to see uninhabited areas be funded for broadband,” said Dr. Ali.

Discussion about the current and future state of the global supply chain is a hot topic right now. Barry Holt, VP of Global Cable Operations for Amphenol Broadband sits down with host Daniel Litwin to discuss the short- and long-term effects plaguing the global supply chain and tips on how to overcome them.

International events often affect the global supply chain - despite the event occurring hundreds or even thousands of miles away. In the Chinese city of Shanghai, which has incurred continuous lockdowns due to Covid-19, shipping is at a standstill. China’s zero-policy on COVID has greatly impacted the wider global supply network - China houses 7 out of the 10 largest container ports in the world. This creates disruptions in sourcing raw material, goods, and other components, particularly for new broadband deployments.

“We’re still struggling through these supply chain issues, this effect of China shutting down, I don’t think we’ve seen the effects yet…You know, our factories in China are restricted…right now we’re trying to get over the hump,” said Holt, noting that it is unlikely to ease up anytime soon - the effects of it will continue to be felt throughout the world.

In the short-term, finding other solutions for this delay could be vital, “I think going to other countries helps the global economy…but cutting relations…there’s just no easy replacement for that supply chain,” said Holt. China’s labor pool is deep - so much so that cutting relations with the goliath would cause more long-term pain than it’s worth.

Companies like AT&T have weathered the storm by diversifying its supplier base to navigate increasing tariffs elsewhere. But it’s important to not burn past relationships in the process, “I suggest we can ride it out,” said Holt.

Connectivity is key. Delays are not. Daniel Litwin, the Voice of B2B, discussed major supply chain issues in the global economy and how they are creating broadband issues throughout the United States with Barry Holt, VP of Global Cable Operations at Amphenol Broadband Solutions.

“We’re a global presence…the 25% tariff on a lot of the product importing came fairly quickly. I think it affected everything global. For many years almost everything went back to China. That was a steady supply chain, and the world was really set up for that,” noted Holt on the supply chain prior to the pandemic’s disruption.

Disruption has shifted the industry and new policies are changing the domestic landscape, like sourcing steel from within the United States which has also affected the broadband industry.

Holt said, “It’s okay to shift that but those changes disrupt the supply chain that’s been there for many years. So, what you’re doing is really taxing local manufacturing to increase capacity and that hasn’t been seen in many years.”

These new changes exert pressure on an already pressured system that is struggling to cope with the quick changes, “It’s just going to take time to adapt to,” explained Holt, also noting that the push might have had a less negative short-term effect if it had been phased in over time.

Additionally, ports across the country are in crisis mode with ongoing negotiations between dock worker unions and organizations for better pay and limits on automation. This has also led to a slowdown along the supply chain - about six months tied up in those ports. Companies can make changes regarding port delivery location, but receiving the stock currently tied up in those ports is just a waiting game.