iPhone Duo Preorder Rush, Starlink’s $8B 800 MHz Bet, Private 5G Pullback, and 4 GHz 6G Spectrum

In episode 261 of the 6G Podcast, Anshel Sag and Mike Dano discuss Apple opening iPhone Duo pre-orders amid tight availability and compare carrier promotions, with Verizon framed as the lowest total-cost path under certain switch terms while AT&T and T-Mobile offer different discounts and bundles. They then unpack reports that Starlink bought Grain Management’s 800 MHz spectrum (reported at $8B), debating whether it signals a serious U.S. terrestrial mobile build-out or leverage for MVNO negotiations, and highlighting challenges like limited bandwidth, network density, backhaul costs, and timelines. The hosts also cover Nokia selling and Ericsson dissolving their private 5G efforts as the market fails to reach expected scale, review Ookla data showing notable 4.4–5 GHz 5G usage in Hong Kong as the U.S. considers 4 GHz for 5G/6G, and recap the Qualcomm vs. Arm licensing dispute verdict. They close with reactions to Tesla’s new Roadster “flying car” announcement as a PR spectacle.00:00 Welcome and Catch Up00:52 iPhone Duo Preorders01:33 Carrier Deals Breakdown03:51 Launch Hype and Market Context05:28 Starlink Buys 800 MHz08:21 Can Starlink Build a Network13:19 What Would Customers Switch For14:45 Private 5G Pullback18:36 4 GHz Band for 6G21:34 Qualcomm vs Arm Verdict27:03 Tesla Flying Car Talk31:06 Wrap Up and Sign Off

In episode 260 of the 6G Podcast, Anshel Sag recaps Qualcomm’s Hawaii summit, where the key theme was agentic computing and announcements included Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 (plus a non-extreme flagship), Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, Microsoft Surface devices with Snapdragon X2 Plus, and an X105 modem described as Release 19 compatible, alongside partnerships supporting on-device AI amid memory constraints. Mike Danil summarizes an Ookla report on U.S. fiber ISPs during a consolidation “land grab,” citing major deals (Verizon–Frontier, AT&T–Lumen fiber, Zayo acquisition) and highlighting smaller providers to watch: Allo Fiber, Gateway Fiber, Live Oak Fiber, Wire3, Ripple Fiber, Intrepid Fiber, and Easy Fiber. They discuss Google’s Project Sun Catcher to test TPUs in space and the growing plausibility of space data centers, then cover 3GPP’s Madrid meeting where decisions on 5G-to-6G migration (MRSS spectrum sharing and other deployment options) were deferred to December in Boston. The episode also touches on a new Apple–Qualcomm licensing agreement and Meta’s Muse consumer AI agent, including early friction when agents interact with service-provider chat systems. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:35 Qualcomm Summit Highlights 03:17 On Device Versus Cloud AI 06:14 US Fiber Land Grab 09:14 Fiber Competition Trends 11:08 Google TPUs in Space 14:28 3GPP 6G Migration Debate 19:37 Qualcomm Apple Licensing Deal 22:18 Meta Muse AI Agents 28:07 Wrap Up and Farewell

In episode 259 of the 6G Podcast, analysts Anshel Sag and Mike Dano discuss Sag’s travel and key takeaways from Apple’s event, including the foldable iPhone Duo, A20 Pro silicon, and Apple’s new C2 modem as its first millimeter-wave modem (US-only), plus Release 18/5G-Advanced features like uplink MIMO and updated modem architecture; Sag also notes new watches using a 5G RedCap modem. Dano covers accelerating US spectrum activity tied to 6G, highlighting CTIA and NextG Alliance focus on the 4 GHz band ahead of WRC27, FCC/NTIA auction developments, Verizon’s request to test 4.8–4.9 GHz in Los Angeles, and debate over spectrum sharing. Sag recaps Snap’s standalone AR Specs, including a Qualcomm cellular modem built into the glasses case, enterprise positioning, open-source Linux platform, and carrier partners. They also address new FCC and HHS (RFK Jr.) RF exposure inquiries, Verizon’s expanded 6G Innovation Forum membership and pre-standard ISAC work, and India joining a US-led 6G alignment initiative. 00:00 Welcome Back and Updates 01:18 Apple Event Foldable iPhone 01:46 C2 Modem and 5G Advanced 05:44 Four Gigahertz Spectrum Push 11:45 Snap Specs AR Glasses 18:46 FCC RF Exposure Study Returns 26:45 Verizon 6G Innovation Forum 29:27 India Joins 6G Alignment 32:16 Wrap Up and Subscribe

In this episode of The 6G Podcast, Anshel Sag and Mike Dano break down the latest shifts across 5G Standalone deployments, spectrum efficiency milestones, non-terrestrial networks, and the intersection of 6G with autonomous vehicles.Topics Covered:Vodafone Three’s "SuperMobile" Slicing Launch:Anshel and Mike discuss Vodafone Three UK’s new network slicing tier offering guaranteed minimum throughput (15 Mbps) and enhanced security. They weigh whether consumer and enterprise demand will finally justify standalone premium tiers, contrast it with BT's current stance, and evaluate whether the rollout arrives years too late.Nokia & AI-RAN Spectral Efficiency:A breakdown of Nokia’s recent push into AI-driven Radio Access Networks (leveraging Nvidia hardware) and their target of doubling spectral efficiency by 2028. Mike highlights real-world Ookla/RootMetrics benchmarks measuring current bits-per-hertz performance across carriers, while Anshel compares the targets to Qualcomm’s 6G projections.Upper 6 GHz Field Testing in Europe & Asia:MasOrange and Ericsson conduct upper 6 GHz trials in Spain, while KDDI and Samsung demonstrate multi-gigabit speeds using 3.6 GHz and extreme MIMO in Japan. The hosts explore how spectrum scarcity will shape regional 6G allocations, including the divergence between US Wi-Fi allocations and China's cellular focus.Space RAN & Direct-to-Device Competition:Canadian player MDA Space announces its "CHORUS" / Aurora LEO satellite constellation aimed at mobile network operators under the Space RAN banner. Mike and Anshel discuss consolidation in the D2D satellite market, Starlink’s momentum, and how satellite integration will define future 3GPP standards.Elliott Management vs. Deutsche Telekom / T-Mobile US:Activist investor Elliott Management challenges Deutsche Telekom's path to total control over T-Mobile US, pushing instead for share buybacks. The co-hosts look at the broader implications of T-Mobile’s executive turnover—including the departure of its CFO—and the geopolitical hurdles facing cross-border telecom ownership.Autonomous Driving Reaches the Streets:Mike and Anshel reflect on the rapid rollout of commercial robo-taxis across US cities, including Waymo expansions and Tesla Cybercab sightings. Anshel shares insights into the automotive development cycle, predicting the emergence of true 6G-connected autonomous vehicles around 2032 and the role ISAC (Integrated Sensing and Communication) will play.

Anshel Sag and Mike Dano return for episode 257 of the 6G Podcast and recap Sag’s visit to Qualcomm’s 6G event, highlighting Qualcomm’s view that 6G standards will remain global, real ISAC drone/car sensing demos, Giga-MIMO results (up to 16 Gbps downlink), a push for 400 MHz bandwidth, and an “AI-native” 6G approach including a compute card for the RAN while arguing GPUs aren’t required. Dano summarizes Ookla’s fixed wireless access report showing U.S. FWA holding up well with T-Mobile’s median downloads over 200 Mbps and seasonal foliage effects, plus AT&T speed gains tied to EchoStar mid-band spectrum. They discuss MobileX being mostly acquired by Charlie Ergen’s Connex, Starlink’s stated plan to build a U.S. terrestrial network, Lockheed Martin’s Verizon 5G-powered drone detection service Netsense launching next year, and expectations around a possible foldable iPhone at Apple’s September 9 event.00:00 Welcome Back and Catch Up01:01 Qualcomm 6G Vision02:58 ISAC and Giga MIMO Demos04:41 AI Native 6G and GPU Debate11:06 Fixed Wireless Performance Report15:16 MobileX Acquisition and MVNOs18:44 Starlink Terrestrial Network Plans25:50 Lockheed Netsense Drone Detection29:37 Apple Event Foldable iPhone Buzz31:30 Foldables Demand and Tradeoffs39:58 Wrap Up and Where to Follow

In episode 256 of the 6G Podcast, Anshel Sag and Mike Dano discuss Samsung Unpacked in London, including the Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra on Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the Watch9’s first use of a non-Samsung chip, improved Gemini performance, silicon-carbon battery gains, and Samsung’s expanded three-tier foldable lineup. Dano summarizes an Ookla report on Starlink in Brazil, where Starlink is the 13th-largest fixed broadband provider (~1.4% share), has more urban than rural customers, shows improving daily load effects since Q4 2025, and sees over 12% of customers changing locations in H1. They cover Nokia’s NVIDIA-based, O-RAN-compliant AI RAN platform claiming 50% spectral-efficiency gains by 2027 and 100% by 2028 with a 5G-to-6G upgrade path. They review an NTIA-led 6G “call to action” emphasizing open, interoperable, secure standards among allied countries, discuss EU Huawei rip-and-replace cost debates, and recap carrier/cable earnings trends: softer but solid growth, cable MVNO gains, broadband subscriber losses, reduced device subsidies, and limited concern about satellite/D2D. 00:00 Welcome and Travel Banter 01:03 Samsung Unpacked Hands On 04:40 Foldables Versus Cameras 05:59 Starlink Brazil Deep Dive 12:25 Nokia NVIDIA AI RAN 15:38 White House 6G Call 19:11 EU Huawei Rip Replace 23:28 Earnings Season Rundown 28:27 Wrap Up and Next Show

Episode 255 of the 6G Podcast features Anshel Sag and Mike Dano discussing major 5G/6G and satellite developments. They cover Verizon’s standalone 5G winning BMW telematics business via KDDI, highlighting shifting connected-car partnerships and growing connectivity demands for autonomy and V2X. The biggest news is T-Mobile’s leadership reshuffle under incoming CEO Srini Gopalan, expanding John Saw’s responsibilities, hiring former AT&T FirstNet architect Chris Sambar as chief enterprise officer, and signaling Mike Katz’s exit. They examine Telstra’s nationwide outage in Australia tied to network timekeeping software, which disrupted emergency calls and broader services. Research notes include Analysys Mason finding mobile data traffic growth rebounding to 22% by end of 2025, driven by fixed wireless access and adaptive bitrate streaming. The episode also reviews SpaceX’s FCC request for up to 100,000 Gen3 Starlink satellites, plus Ookla analysis suggesting US networks allocate relatively little uplink capacity, a potential issue as AI increases uplink demand.00:00 Welcome and Catch Up01:17 Verizon BMW Connected Cars04:17 T-Mobile Leadership Shakeup10:24 Telstra Outage Fallout16:10 Mobile Traffic Growth Returns19:32 Starlink Gen3 100K Satellites25:02 AI Networks Need Uplink30:47 Wrap Up and Subscribe

In episode 254 of the 6G podcast, Anshel Sag and Mike Danow discuss major telecom and space-industry developments. Sag covers T-Mobile forcing customers off older plans with roughly $4-per-line increases and potential competitive fallout, plus a Verizon–BT 50/50 joint venture combining international enterprise operations serving 3,000 customers in 180 countries with about $4B in revenue, and renewed reporting about a rumored SpaceX/xAI handheld AI device that Elon Musk denies. Danow focuses on spectrum and satellite trends: the FCC’s planned upper C-band auction next summer for 160 MHz nationwide with commercial use delayed until 2030–2031, Rocket Lab’s announced $8B acquisition of Iridium emphasizing L-band spectrum for direct-to-device services, and the FCC approving Grain Management’s plan to lease divested 800 MHz spectrum for D2D, with interest hinted from AST SpaceMobile and results due by November 5.00:00 Welcome and Catch Up01:27 T-Mobile Plan Price Hike04:43 FCC Upper C Band Auction07:42 Verizon BT Enterprise JV11:17 Rocket Lab Buys Iridium17:09 SpaceX AI Device Rumor19:36 Grain 800 MHz D2D Leasing26:21 Wrap Up and Holiday

Anshel Sag and Mike Dano open episode 253 of the 6G Podcast and discuss World Cup stadium technology, including Lenovo’s FIFA partnership, referee camera headsets using 5G mmWave, Eagle Eye camera systems for offsides/goal-line decisions, 3D player avatars, digital ticketing, and Ookla findings that Mercedes-Benz Stadium leads in connectivity with no major issues so far. They review updates from the 3GPP meeting in Singapore, confirming a 6G timeline with stage 3 freeze in December 2028 and open API freeze in March 2029, while noting many decisions (Open RAN and satellite integration) were deferred. They cover the new Space Connect LEO satellite alliance (Amazon, Iridium, Telesat, Globalstar) and the close of FCC Auction 113 (AWS-3) raising $3.5B with 17 bidders including SpaceX. They highlight Nokia/T-Mobile pre-commercial MIMO gains of up to 20% throughput and conclude with Carolina West Wireless exiting and transitioning to Verizon by September. 00:00 Welcome Back Episode 253 01:05 World Cup Tech Showcase 03:57 Stadium Connectivity Reality 07:50 3GPP 6G Timeline Update 10:29 Satellites in 6G Debate 15:02 New LEO Lobby Alliance 19:41 AWS-3 Auction Results 27:09 Nokia T-Mobile MIMO Boost 32:12 Small Carriers Consolidate 37:23 Wrap Up And Subscribe

6G Podcast Ep. 252: Huawei 14A Claims, Network X 6G Spectrum Sharing, StarCloud-SpaceX, SpaceX IPO Numbers, AT&T Build a Plan, Amazon LEO LaunchIn episode 252 of the 6G podcast, analysts Anshel Sag and Mike Daniel discuss Huawei’s claim it can achieve 14A-class chip density by 2031 via “logic folding,” expressing skepticism and noting China’s stronger recent progress in memory. Mike recaps the Network X trade show, highlighting growing practical focus on 6G deployment and discussion of MRSS, a DSS-like 5G/6G spectrum-sharing approach said to reduce capacity loss versus 5G DSS. Anshel covers StarCloud’s partnership with SpaceX to connect orbital data centers using 25 Gbps optical links and its fundraising plans. Mike reviews SpaceX IPO filing figures, including Starlink producing 61% of 2025 revenue and 7.4 million monthly unique Starlink Mobile devices across 30 countries, while Anshel questions valuation and governance. They also cover AT&T’s modular “Build a Plan” pricing and Amazon LEO’s expected Q3 launch and partner-oriented telecom positioning.00:00 Welcome and Schedule Notes00:44 Huawei 14A Chip Claims05:34 China Chip Progress Memory06:30 Network X 6G Recap07:38 MRSS Spectrum Sharing Debate13:03 StarCloud Space Data Centers17:06 SpaceX IPO Filing Highlights20:03 SpaceX Valuation Skepticism25:03 AT&T Build a Plan29:43 Amazon LEO Launch Insights32:59 Wrap Up and Social Links