The G2 on 5G Podcast: AST SpaceMobile's Vodafone Venture, Qualcomm & MediaTek's 5G Modems, Open Telecom AI Platform, T-Mobile's XR Trials, Palo Alto's 5G Security, and MWC Device Innovations

Welcome and Episode Overview- Will Townsend hosts episode 220 of G2 on 5G- Anshel Sag joins as fellow analyst- Discussion of latest 5G and 6G developmentsVerizon's AI Assistant for Small Businesses- Launch of Verizon Business Assistant for customer interactions- Text-based chatbot to automate and improve engagement- Potential for retention and customer stickinessSateliot's Funding and Satellite Technology- €15 million grant from Spanish government- Compact "briefcase satellites" for IoT applications- Comparison with other satellite communication companiesNvidia's AI RAN and 6G Ambitions- Partnership with T-Mobile and Cisco for AI-native approach- Nvidia's influence on potential 6G standards- Aggressive positioning in telecom AI developmentT-Mobile's Spectrum Deal- Agreement with Grain Management LLC- Swap of 800 MHz for 600 MHz spectrum and cash- Strategic move to bolster T-Mobile's coverageSoftBank's AI and Telecom Initiatives- Development of Large Telecom Model (LTM)- Acquisition of Ampere Computing- Positioning for AI and telecom infrastructure growthClosing Thoughts and Contact Information- Invitation for listener feedback on 5G topics

In this 219th episode of The G2 on 5G, we cover:1. T-Mobile's plans for 5G Advanced in the United States2. Intel appoints Lip-Bu Tan as permanent CEO3. Broadcom's Velosky converged 5G fiber and satellite appliance4. Vodafone UK and Ericsson use AI to reduce 5G network energy consumption5. Qualcomm acquires Edge Impulse to boost IoT capabilities6. Viasat and Space42 partner on direct-to-device satellite connectivityThe hosts discuss T-Mobile's 5G Advanced strategy, Intel's leadership change, Broadcom's new network solution, AI-driven energy efficiency in 5G networks, Qualcomm's IoT expansion, and developments in satellite connectivity. They provide insights on industry trends, technological advancements, and the competitive landscape in the 5G ecosystem.

Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2025 Wrap-Up- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag discuss key highlights from MWC Barcelona 2025- Overview of AST Space Mobile's joint venture with Vodafone Group called Satco- Insights on Qualcomm and MediaTek's new 5G modem announcementsAST Space Mobile and Vodafone Partnership- Joint venture Satco aims to support fragmented mobile network operators in Europe- Provides turnkey solution with managed networking stack and operations- Focus on digital sovereignty within the European Union- Broadband capabilities beyond text messaging, including video callsAdvancements in 5G Modems- Qualcomm introduces X85 modem with 12.5 Gbps throughput- MediaTek announces M90 modem with 12 Gbps capability- Both modems feature improved power efficiency and AI enhancements- Inclusion of NTN satellite connectivity capabilities for IoT and NROpen Telecom AI Platform Launch- AMD, Cisco, Nokia, and Reliance Jio collaborate on new AI initiative- Aims to democratize access to modern AI through disaggregated networking infrastructure- Reliance Jio's role as a catalyst with 500 million subscribers5G XR Trials- Ericsson partners with T-Mobile and Qualcomm for 5G XR trials- Demonstration of AR streaming on T-Mobile's commercial network- Focus on thin, light AR glasses and distributed compute solutionsSecurity in Telecom- Palo Alto Networks introduces Prisma SASE 5G solution- Addresses security challenges in vast device ecosystems- Provides monetization opportunities for mobile network operatorsMWC Device Announcements- Xiaomi Buds Pro 5 with Wi-Fi for lossless audio- Concept phones with attachable camera lenses from Xiaomi and Realme- Lenovo's foldable and solar-powered laptop concepts- Various ultra-slim phone designs and foldable prototypes

Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend introduces episode 217 of G2 on 5G- Anshel Sag joins as fellow analystTelecom AI Developments- Will's Forbes article on global mobile network operators using AI- Focus on AT&T, NTT Docomo, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Vodafone- AI improving customer support and operational efficiency- Potential to reduce subscriber churnAT&T and AST SpaceMobile Milestone- Successful video call using Bluebird satellites- Call initiated from Midland, Texas to AT&T in Dallas- Demonstrates stability, throughput, and latency of satellite connection- Potential applications for first responders and rural areasNTT and Palo Alto Networks Partnership- Collaboration to enhance security of NTT's private 5G platform- Integration of Palo Alto's next-generation firewall solution- Addressing security needs in operational technology environmentsQualcomm's New Brand: Dragon Wing- Launch of Dragon Wing brand for enterprise and infrastructure products- Separation from consumer-focused Snapdragon brand- Covers cellular infrastructure, networking, and industrial IoT- Qualcomm modem and other chipsets retain Qualcomm brandingMobile World Congress Barcelona 2024 Expectations- Increased focus on low Earth orbit satellite discussions- AI RAN (Radio Access Network) developments- Nvidia's evolving role in AI for telecommunications- Potential for AI to drive 5G demandAI in Enterprise and Network Applications- Shift from consumer-focused AI to enterprise use cases- AI's potential in improving network operations and security- Examples of AI applications in various industriesClosing Thoughts- Invitation for listener feedback on future 5G topics- Contact information for Will Townsend and Anshel Sag

Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend welcomes Anshel Sag to episode 216 of G2 on 5G.- Overview of the podcast format: six topics covered in about 20 minutes.T-Mobile's T Priority 5G Slice for First Responders- Announcement of four new enhancements to T-Mobile's network for first responders.- New York City's exclusive use of T-Mobile's network for first responder applications.- Partnerships with Samsung, GTAC, and Skydio.- Benefits for individual first responders, including free network access.- $2 million donation to the Tunnel to Towers foundation.Apple's First 5G Modem Launch- Introduction of Apple's C1 5G modem in the iPhone 16e.- Discussion of the modem's development history and capabilities.- Analysis of the iPhone 16e's features and pricing strategy.Airspan's Resurgence and Strategic Moves- Airspan's acquisition of Corning Wireless's business.- Company's focus on Open RAN and private networks.- Recent $42 million grant for RAN development.Vodafone's 5G Coverage Plans for Spain- Vodafone's goal to cover 90% of Spain's population with 5G by year-end.- Deployment strategy focusing on 700 MHz spectrum.- Expansion to rural and small town areas.Red Hat, Druid, and NAP Attack Partnership- Collaboration for private 5G network edge deployments.- Druid's re-architected 5G core for distributed private deployments.- Nappatech's role in user plane function offload.Oppo and Huawei's Foldable Phone Launches- Oppo's Find N5 introduction as the world's thinnest foldable phone.- Huawei's Mate XT trifold expansion to markets outside China.- Discussion of specifications and pricing for both devices.Closing Remarks and Future Plans- Anshel's upcoming trip to New York for Amazon's device launch.- Will's plans for Mobile World Congress.- Invitation for listeners to provide insights on 5G topics for future podcasts.

In this 215th episode of The G2 on 5G, we cover:1. Nokia's appointment of former Intel executive Justin Hotard as new CEO2. T-Mobile and SpaceX's satellite connectivity partnership announcement3. O2 Telefonica's 5G REDCAP trial with Germany's energy sector4. CTIA and 5G Americas coalition to challenge cable industry dominance5. Ericsson's deployment of a private cellular network across 68 Texas counties6. Orange's partnership with Mistral AI for AI use cases in EuropeThe hosts discuss these developments, offering insights on leadership changes, innovative connectivity solutions, industry competition, and AI advancements in the telecom sector.

Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag host episode 214 of G2 and 5G podcast- Overview of six 5G topics covered in 20 minutesNokia and AT&T Partnership- Announcement of Nokia-AT&T collaboration for network automation and voice core functionality- Utilization of Nokia Cloud Platform (NCP) for streamlining network activities- Implications for AT&T's network programmability and monetizationState of 5G Report- Anshel Sag's comprehensive analysis of 5G developments in 2023- Predictions for 5G trends in 2024, including AI integration and enterprise applications- Discussion of TCL's Redcap-enabled device and its significanceRAN Market Trends- Shift in focus from vRAN to AI-powered RAN solutions- Impact on traditional vRAN providers and market dynamics- Debate on the relationship between AI RAN and vRAN technologies5G at the Super Bowl- Network upgrades by major carriers for the Super Bowl at Caesars Superdome- Verizon's enhanced antenna deployment and coverage improvements- AT&T's extensive infrastructure additions, including DAS zones and FirstNet supportBoldyn Networks' Expansion- Boldyn secures $1.2 billion credit facility for North American growth- Focus on private cellular networking for enterprises and venues- Predictions for accelerated adoption of private cellular networks in 2025Spectrum Battle for Upper C-Band- Ongoing dispute between mobile carriers and Elon Musk's Starlink over 200 MHz of C-band spectrum- Potential implications for satellite communications and 5G expansion- Discussion of regulatory challenges and potential conflicts of interestClosing Remarks- Invitation for listener engagement and topic suggestions- Contact information for hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag

AT&T Earnings and Fiber Growth- AT&T reported over a million fiber adds for 2024- Conversation with Jennifer Robertson, leader of AT&T's mass markets consumer group- Discussion of AT&T guarantee, AST Space Mobile partnership, and convergence strategy- Convergence driving simplification, with 40% of customers taking advantage by end of 2024Verizon's AI Connect Platform- Announcement of Verizon's AI Connect platform- Collaboration with Nvidia, Vultr, Google Cloud, and Meta- Focus on edge compute and AI deployments for business customers- Potential applications for XR technologiesEricsson's North American Growth- Ericsson reported 54% market growth in North America- Execution in the region, including creation of federal sales teams- Potential impact of open RAN initiatives- Sustainability of growth and global expansion challengesVodafone and AST Space Mobile Breakthrough- World's first space video call using standard mobile phone and commercial satellites- Test conducted on 4G and 5G smartphones- Plans for commercial direct-to-smartphone broadband satellite service in Europe by 2025-2026Telefónica's Gen AI Platform- Telefónica's tech unit launching its own Gen AI platform- Aimed at helping companies create customizable systems for complex problem-solving- Unconventional approach compared to other mobile network operatorsApple and T-Mobile Earnings- Apple reported better than expected earnings despite reduced iPhone shipments- T-Mobile added 900,000 monthly subscribers, mostly for premium 5G plans- T-Mobile's record growth year, with significant increases in revenue and net income- T-Mobile's expansion in business services and network reliabilityIndustry Trends and Future Outlook- Discussion of agentic AI and its growing importance in the tech industry- Expectations for improved AI features from Apple in the coming quarter- T-Mobile's plans for 6G development with Nvidia- Continued focus on network infrastructure and customer satisfaction across the industry

Trump Administration and Open RAN- Discussion of potential boost for Open RAN deployment under a second Trump administration- Review of previous $1.5 billion earmarked for Open RAN and infrastructure investment- Emphasis on eliminating Chinese infrastructure in telecommunicationsSamsung Unpacked Event Highlights- Introduction of Samsung Galaxy S25 series with custom Snapdragon 8 Elite processor- Focus on AI capabilities, including on-device agent and enhanced features- Camera upgrades, including 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens on S25 Ultra- Snapdragon satellite integration for messaging capabilitiesStargate Project and AI Infrastructure- Announcement of $100 billion initial investment in AI-enabled data centers- Long-term goal of $500 billion investment and creation of 100,000 new jobs- Potential role of 5G in AI infrastructure development- Discussion of AI RAN acceleration in 5G and 6G networksT-Mobile's T Priority for First Responders- Activation of T Priority network slice for LA firefighters- Comparison to AT&T's FirstNet and benefits of supplementary connectivity- Demonstration of 5G standalone network capabilities and network slicingNokia's Autonomous Networks and AI Infrastructure- Nokia's vision for higher levels of automation in network infrastructure- Potential for Nokia to participate in AI infrastructure spending- Discussion of Nokia's optical and networking strengthsNokia's 5G 360 Camera Launch- Introduction of Nokia's 5G360 camera for industrial and commercial applications- 8K resolution at 30fps with IP67 hardening- Integration with Nokia's real-time extended reality multimedia software- Potential applications in work site monitoring and AI-powered identificationPodcast Production and Future Topics- Invitation for listeners to suggest future podcast topics- Appreciation for audience engagement and listenership

Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend welcomes listeners to episode 211 of G2 on 5G.- Introduction of guest analyst Anshel Sag.Mobile Network Operator Response to Southern California Wildfires- Discussion of tragic wildfires and estimated damages.- Verizon's response:- Waiving charges for affected customers- Deploying mobile and satellite assets- Offering free charging and Wi-Fi- Donating to American Red Cross- AT&T's response:- Similar charge waivers- Providing Wi-Fi and charging stations- Deploying generators to support cell sites- Donations to various organizations- T-Mobile's response:- Offering unlimited services to customers- Deploying satellite equipment- Engaging Starlink serviceCES Highlights and AI's Impact on 5G- Anshel Sag's observations from CES- AI as a driver for 5G adoption- Concept of hybrid AI and its reliance on 5G connectivity- AI's potential to accelerate 5G development and usageAT&T's New "Guarantee" Program- Introduction of AT&T's consumer-focused service guarantees- Details on outage credits and customer service improvements- Comparison to service level agreements (SLAs) for consumers- Potential impact on customer retention and acquisitionT-Mobile's Acquisition to Boost Ad Business- T-Mobile's acquisition of Vystar Media for $600 million- Expansion into digital out-of-home advertising- Strategy to increase revenue beyond traditional subscriptionsAST SpaceMobile and Legato Networks Partnership- Agreement for AST SpaceMobile to use Legato's spectrum- Discussion of Legato's bankruptcy filing and restructuring- Potential implications for AST SpaceMobile's satellite serviceLaunch of Aduna for 5G API Development- Introduction of Aduna, a joint venture for 5G APIs- Appointment of Anthony Bartolo as CEO- Goal to simplify and unify 5G API development across carriers- Use of Camara APIs as a foundationClosing Remarks- Reflection on the first live podcast of the year- Invitation for listener engagement and feedback