Qualcomm’s 6G Leadership Day, AI-Native Networks, ISAC Demos, FWA Performance, Starlink’s Terrestrial Ambitions, and Apple Foldable Rumors

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

Episode 251 of the 6G Podcast features Anshel Sag and Mike Dano discussing major U.S. connectivity and infrastructure developments. They unpack AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon forming an equal-share joint venture to pool spectrum and IP for direct-to-device satellite connectivity, positioning it as a standards and onboarding interface for satellite partners while potentially hedging against SpaceX’s ambitions and public antitrust critiques; they note Ookla data showing D2D usage under 0.5% of U.S. Speedtest users monthly. The hosts preview Network X, including satellite panels and BEAD program discussion, and cover industry “cold water” on 6G from Orange and Samsung, framing 6G as evolutionary with slower rollout and AI-driven upgrades. They cite RootMetrics vendor rankings emphasizing equipment age and device capabilities, discuss Comcast CEO calling wireless Comcast’s top priority with Xfinity Mobile at 10 million lines, and close with updates on Socorro, New Mexico considering a data-center moratorium amid local opposition and broader power-grid cost concerns. 00:00 Welcome and Catch Up 01:17 Carrier Satellite JV Explained 04:16 SpaceX Pushback and IPO Buzz 10:24 Network X Satellite Scene Setter 12:49 6G Hype Gets Tempered 16:42 RootMetrics RAN Vendor Rankings 19:40 Devices and Network Performance 21:50 Comcast Makes Wireless Priority 25:19 Socorro Data Center Moratorium 29:41 Power Grid and Who Pays 32:41 Wrap Up and Subscribe

Episode 250 of the 6G Podcast features Anshel Sag and Mike Dano discussing key 5G/6G developments. They cover an NVIDIA–Corning partnership to expand U.S. optical manufacturing capacity tenfold with three new facilities in Texas and North Carolina and 3,000 jobs, noting AI data centers are driving fiber demand and affecting ISP buildouts. Mike recaps the WIA ConnectX show, including debate over whether direct-to-device satellite services threaten or complement cell towers and uncertainty that AI traffic will spur new cell sites. The hosts review NTIA’s phased progress studying spectrum bands (including 1.6, 2.7, 4.4, and 7 GHz), plus industry discussion of CBRS and potential upper C-band clearing around 2028–2030. They also highlight Samsung and Qualcomm tests of 5G fixed wireless class-one uplink improvements and provide an update on a proposed 2 GW Socorro, New Mexico data center, now reported as potentially powered by small modular nuclear reactors amid local opposition and a May 19 town hall. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:22 Week Recap and Travel 01:38 Nvidia Corning Optics 05:26 ConnectX Show Highlights 08:07 AI Traffic and Upgrades 10:15 NTIA Spectrum Roadmap 14:05 CBRS and Upper C Band 17:28 Samsung Qualcomm FWA Boost 23:04 Socorro Data Center Update 26:24 Nuclear Power and Local Debate 30:09 Wrap Up and Subscribe

T-Mobile Super Broadband, Fiber Acquisitions, Tech Earnings, and Satellite D2D Trends | 6G Podcast Ep. 249In episode 249 of the 6G Podcast, analysts Anshel Sag and Mike Dano discuss convergence across 5G, fiber, and satellite. They cover T-Mobile’s “Super Broadband,” which bundles 5G with SpaceX Starlink for primary, backup, or load-balanced connectivity using equipment from Ericsson and Inseego, with a $249/month packaged offering. They also review T-Mobile’s moves to expand its fiber footprint through agreements involving regional providers (GoNetSpeed, GreenLight Networks, and i3 Broadband), related pricing changes, and how bundled wireline/wireless can boost market share, alongside speculation about larger M&A. The hosts recap major tech earnings (Google, Microsoft, Meta, Qualcomm, Apple), AI-driven CapEx and memory constraints, preview WIA Connect X with an Ookla analysis of Miami’s busiest cell tower near the airport, discuss Nokia selling its FWA CPE business to Inseego, and note low direct-to-device satellite usage plus US carriers rejecting a Starlink MVNO.00:00 Welcome and Catch Up02:08 T-Mobile Super Broadband07:51 Fiber Expansion and Convergence14:11 Big Tech Earnings Roundup20:41 Connect X Preview Miami Tower24:56 Nokia Sells FWA to Inseego28:02 Satellite D2D and Starlink MVNO33:57 Wrap Up and Next Week

OpenAI Smartphone Rumors, Charter’s Stock Plunge, Intel–Tesla Foundry Boost, Direct-to-Device Satellite Benchmarks, Verizon’s Q1 Net Adds, and a Socorro AI Data Center DebateThe 6G Podcast hosts discuss rumors that OpenAI may build a smartphone with Qualcomm and MediaTek, potentially launching around 2027 and enabling tighter OS-level AI integration than Android or iOS. They review Q1 telecom earnings, highlighting Charter’s nearly 25% stock drop after losing over 100,000 broadband customers and adding fewer mobile lines than expected, sparking M&A speculation including a possible Verizon or T-Mobile bid and a rumored Deutsche Telekom move to fully acquire T-Mobile. They cover Intel’s earnings surge and Tesla naming Intel’s 14A node for “Terra Fab,” framed as a CHIPS Act-aligned U.S. manufacturing milestone relevant to 6G supply chains. The episode also summarizes a new direct-to-device satellite report showing about 0.5%–1% monthly unique usage across tracked countries, and Verizon’s Q1 return to positive postpaid phone net adds, alongside discussion of an AI data center proposal in Socorro, New Mexico and local opposition over power and water concerns.00:00 Welcome to Six G00:21 OpenAI Phone Rumors03:21 AI OS and Ecosystem05:35 Smartphone Market Shakeups06:00 Telecom Earnings Shock07:05 Charter Selloff Fallout08:01 M&A Rumors Heat Up09:48 Cable vs Fiber Reality13:25 Intel and Tesla Surge19:00 Direct to Device Satellites21:27 Satellite Use vs Density23:28 UK Scan Rate Insights24:08 Hajj Network Challenges26:01 Verizon Q1 Turnaround30:19 Fixed Wireless Limits32:31 Socorro Data Center Debate36:47 Data Centers Case by Case40:16 Wrap Up and Subscribe