

The G2 on 5G Podcast by Moor Insights & Strategy
Anshel Sag and Will Townsend
A 5G podcast about the latest inside info on what's going on in the 5G industry by two of the 5G industry's leading analysts, Anshel Sag and Will Townsend.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 28, 2025 • 24min
The G2 on 5G Podcast: AT&T/T-Mobile Earnings, Satellite Race Updates, Microsoft's 5G Laptop, Florida Keys Connectivity, T-Mobile's L4S Tech, and Charter/Comcast MVNO Deal
Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend hosts episode 232 of G2 on 5G, covering six topics in about 20 minutes- Analyst Anshel Sag joins as co-hostEarnings Season Updates- AT&T and T-Mobile post strong quarterly results- AT&T reaches 1 million fixed wireless access subscribers- T-Mobile reports impressive postpaid net adds and revenue growthLow Earth Orbit Satellite Race- T-Mobile's T-Satellite service now generally available- AT&T and AST Space Mobile achieve first voiceover LTE call using satellite- Competition driving innovation in satellite connectivityMicrosoft's New Surface 5G Laptop- Surface Laptop 5G designed for portable business use- Features dynamic antenna system with six strategically placed antennas- Supports both eSIM and Nano SIM, weighs under 3 poundsConnectivity Challenges in the Florida Keys- Will Townsend shares personal experience with patchy coverage- Highlights potential impact on tourism, commercial fishing, and emergency alerts- Calls for mobile network operators to invest in infrastructure improvementsT-Mobile's L4S Technology- First carrier to deploy L4S (Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable Throughput)- Part of 5G Advanced Release 18 standard- Aims to improve streaming experience and lower latencyClosing Remarks- Hosts invite listener feedback on specific 5G topics- Encourage audience to rate, subscribe, and tune in next week

Jul 16, 2025 • 19min
The G2 on 5G Podcast Standalone Edition: Zscaler's Cellular Innovation, IoT Protection, Worldwide Connectivity, Business Use Cases, Consumer Possibilities, and Imminent Release
Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend hosts a special standalone edition of G2 on 5G- Guests Nathan Howe and Ken Urquhart from Zscaler join the podcastZscaler Cellular Overview- Nathan explains Zscaler Cellular as the next evolution in connecting customers to Zero Trust Exchange- Enables cellular devices to connect directly to Zscaler customer policy- Provides zero trust controls and protection for cellular-connected devices globallyImplementation and Innovation- Ken highlights the straightforward yet innovative implementation using SIM technology- Eliminates need for client software or network modifications- Enables zero trust cybersecurity from the transmitter back to the InternetEnd Device Applications- Nathan discusses diverse applications, from vending machines to prisoner ankle trackers- Three main areas: headless devices, direct to Internet, and secure remote access- Unique position in brokering connections through Zscaler policy engineScalability and Device Support- Ken confirms Zscaler's ability to handle massive numbers of devices- Processes over 600 billion transactions daily with room for growth- Supports high-bandwidth applications like 4K video and remote equipment operationConsumer and Enterprise Applications- Discussion of potential consumer uses, focusing on enterprise user benefits- Multi-carrier roaming capabilities for global connectivity- Customizable data plans and pricing options for various customer needsAvailability and Contact Information- General availability announced for August 1st- Customers can reach out via sim_srm@zscaler.com for inquiries and partnershipsSecurity and Privacy Considerations- Potential for anonymizing connections through Zscaler exchange- Emphasis on proper use and adherence to local lawsClosing Remarks- Zscaler Cellular provides additional layer of protection beyond 5G encryption- Hosts encourage audience engagement and feedback for future topics

Jul 7, 2025 • 21min
The G2 on 5G Podcast: AT&T's Autonomous Networks, Spectrum Bill, Orange's vRAN, Trump's Conference Call Criticism, LG's Private 5G Factory, and T-Mobile's Florida Expansion
Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag host episode 230 of G2 on 5G- Podcast covers six topics in about 20 minutesAT&T's Autonomous Networks- Will discusses fireside chat with AT&T's network CTO Igal Abez- Focus on AT&T's contributions to TM Forum's autonomous networks initiative- Exploration of generative and agentic AI for network automationThe "Big Beautiful Bill" and 5G/6G Implications- FCC regains spectrum auction authority- 800 MHz of spectrum to be allocated over next four years- Rescinding of $850 million for semiconductor supply chains in 5G/6G technologiesOrange and Samsung's vRAN Deployment in France- Completion of first 4G and 5G calls on pilot Orange network- Use of Samsung's CRAN technology and triple band radios- Discussion on the efficiency of virtualized RAN deploymentsAT&T's Response to Presidential Criticism- POTUS criticism of AT&T for a problematic conference call- AT&T's response denying network issues- Challenges of large-scale conference calls discussedLG's Private 5G Network in Tennessee- LG implementing private 5G for home appliance manufacturing- Facility capable of producing a washing machine every 13 seconds- Transition from Wi-Fi to 5G for deterministic connectivity in manufacturingT-Mobile's Florida Expansion- $2 billion investment to improve coverage for 22 million Floridians- Upgrades to support emergency response and smart city initiatives- Significant increase in average 5G download speeds since 2021Closing Remarks- Upcoming travel plans for hosts- 4th of July wishes to listeners- Invitation for audience engagement and podcast ratings

Jun 28, 2025 • 21min
The G2 on 5G: HPE's Private 5G Push, 3GPP Release 20, T-Mobile's Satellite Launch, AST's Defense Demo, EchoStar's Debt Dance, and 6G's AI Future
Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend hosts episode 229 of GTO and 5G podcast- Anshel Sag joins as fellow analystHPE Aruba Networking's Private 5G Partner Program- HPE's acquisition of Athonet and turnkey private 5G solution- New competency program to train channel partners on cellular technology- Focus on operational technology environments3GPP Release 20 and the Path to 6G- Release 20 as a primer for 6G's first release (Release 21)- Key improvements: wireless AI, coverage, mobility, MIMO evolutions- Setting the stage for 6G technical study itemsT-Mobile's T Satellite Launch- Commercial availability set for July 23rd- Initial support for SMS, MMS, and short audio clips- Data service launch planned for October 1st- Free emergency 911 for all compatible devicesAST Space Mobile's Defense Communications Proof of Concept- Collaboration with Fairwinds Technologies- Field test including tactical assault kit connectivity and secure video calls- Demonstration of military applications for satellite-to-phone technologyEchoStar's Financial Maneuvers- $500 million debt interest payment made- 30-day grace period elected for July 1 payment- Ongoing "high-stakes game of chicken" with regulatorsCloudflare and Spectrum Discussions- Concerns about EchoStar's spectrum usage- Potential influence of political factors on regulatory decisions

Jun 20, 2025 • 28min
The G2 on 5G: Trump Mobile's Gold Service, Satellite Connectivity Tests, AST-Vodafone in India, T-Mobile's WPGA Tech, Nokia's Network Fabric, and 6G Developments
Trump Mobile's Gold 5G Service Launch- Discussion of Trump Mobile's new 5G service offering- Pricing strategy and planned device offerings- Analysis of the service as an MVNO using major carrier networks- Skepticism about the value proposition and potential legal issuesSatellite Connectivity Testing- Anshel Sag's experience testing satellite services during a camping trip- Comparison of T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T satellite offerings- Observations on indoor/outdoor functionality and ease of use- Potential applications for emergency situations and rural connectivityAST SpaceMobile and Vodafone Partnership in India- Collaboration to provide direct-to-device connectivity in rural India- Focus on bridging the digital divide in underserved areas- Integration of satellite and terrestrial infrastructureT-Mobile's WPGA Championship Technology Showcase- T-Mobile's partnership with WPGA for golf technology innovations- Autonomous driving range ball picker and real-time swing analysis- Mixed reality putting simulator and AI-powered video highlights- Enhanced broadcast capabilities with real-time stats integrationNokia's Autonomous Network Fabric Launch- Introduction of Nokia's new network automation platform- Integration of security into the networking layer- Use of agentic AI for network management and automation- Projected adoption curve and industry impact by 20266G Development and Future Implications- Recent 3GPP discussions on 6G specifications and timelines- MIT's photonics processor advancements for 6G signal processing- NIST's focus areas for 6G development- Potential military applications and security concerns for 6G technologyPodcast Evolution and Audience Engagement- Consideration of transitioning the podcast focus from 5G to 6G- Invitation for listener feedback on potential rebranding

Jun 13, 2025 • 22min
The G2 on 5G Podcast: Nokia's Drone Consortium, T-Mobile's Sail GP Innovation, AT&T's Fiber Milestone, Nvidia's European AI Push, New Zealand's Private 5G, and Spectrum Bill Debate
Welcome and 5th Anniversary Celebration- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag mark the 5th anniversary of their podcast- Discussion on the podcast's evolution alongside 5G and 6G technologiesNokia's Leadership in Drone and Robotics Consortium- Nokia spearheads a new European Union initiative named Proactive- Project aims to redefine emergency management and critical infrastructure- Projected revenue of 90 million euros by 2035- Involvement of 40+ European tech companies from 13 countriesT-Mobile's Partnership with Sail GP- T-Mobile's 5G network enhancing sailing competition broadcasts- Implementation of AI-enabled autonomous buoys and IoT sensors- Significant improvement in broadcast capabilities, from 10-30 Mbps to 16 simultaneous HD streamsAT&T's Fiber Network Milestone- AT&T reaches 30 million locations with fiber connectivity- Company on track to meet 60 million location goal by 2030- Discussion on the impact on bridging the digital divide and mobile network backhaulNvidia's European AI and 6G Initiatives- Partnerships with European operators for AI cloud development- Focus on sovereign AI and privacy-centric solutions- Collaboration with over 200 companies and universities for 6G research- Emphasis on AI-native wireless networks for 6GNew Zealand's First Private 5G Network- Collaboration between Spark and Air New Zealand at Auckland airport- Focus on logistics management using drones and robots- Implementation of digital twin and computer vision applicationsSpectrum Allocation in U.S. Politics- Discussion of the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" and its spectrum allocation provisions- Shift from 600 MHz sub-3 GHz to 800 MHz above 3 GHz- Debate on the merits of bundling spectrum allocation with other political issuesClosing Thoughts- Invitation for listener engagement and topic suggestions- Reminder of hosts' social media handles for further interaction

Jun 6, 2025 • 25min
G2 on 5G Podcast Episode 226 - Standalone Edition - NTT DATA's Shahid Ahmed - Private 5G And More
Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend welcomes Shahid Ahmed, who leads NTT DATA's private 5G initiatives- Discussion of Shahid's role in New Ventures and Innovation at NTT DATAPrivate 5G Momentum in 2025- Identification of 2025 as a pivotal year for private cellular and 5G adoption- Three major forces driving demand: device availability, spectrum allocation, and improved economicsDevice Ecosystem Development- Progress in natively supported 5G devices for enterprises- Impact on deployment timelines and customer readinessSpectrum Availability Challenges- Regulatory hurdles in spectrum allocation across different geographies- Recent improvements in spectrum accessibility for enterprisesEconomics of Private 5G- Shift towards "Wi-Fi economics" for private 5G deployments- Cost comparisons between Wi-Fi and 5G implementations in large-scale environmentsEdge AI and Agentic AI in 5G Networks- Distinction between Edge AI and large language models- Applications of Edge AI in manufacturing and autonomous systems- Role of Agentic AI in business process workflowsFactory of the Future Concept- NTT DATA's focus on enabling advanced manufacturing environments- Integration of robotics, automation, and connectivity in dark factoriesConvergence of Wireless Technologies- Emerging integration of 5G and Wi-Fi on single radio platforms- Implications for seamless connectivity in various settingsSecurity Challenges in Network Transformation- Increased security concerns with automation and IP network integration- Ongoing nature of security challenges in modernized infrastructuresNTT DATA's Comprehensive Service Offerings- NTT DATA's position as a major data center service provider- Private 5G as an entry point for broader network architecture transformationPartnership Highlights- Collaboration with Cisco, including ESIM integration in Meraki and Catalyst products- Simplification of device provisioning and configuration processes

May 25, 2025 • 20min
The G2 on 5G Podcast: AT&T's Fiber Expansion, Trump's Spectrum Push, Apple's 6G Plans, AWS Exits Private 5G, Upper 12 GHz for Satellites, and Xiaomi's New SoC
Welcome and Milestone- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag discuss the upcoming 5-year anniversary of their podcast.- Reflection on the longevity of their roles as analysts.AT&T's Fiber Expansion- AT&T acquires Lumen's fiber portion for nearly $6 billion.- Expansion adds over 4 million consumer locations, primarily on the West Coast.- AT&T's goal to reach 60 million locations by 2030.Spectrum Auctions and Political Involvement- Discussion of President Trump's tweet about auctioning 600 MHz spectrum.- Analysis of the potential for spectrum auctions in the 1.5 to 10 GHz band.- Consideration of revenue generation through government spectrum monetization.Upper 12 GHz Spectrum for Satellite Connectivity- FCC chairperson's comments on freeing up spectrum for low Earth orbit satellite providers.- Potential impact on companies like AST Space Mobile and Starlink.- Importance of fair allocation in potential auctions.Apple's 6G Preparations- Indications of Apple's focus on 6G development and hiring.- Analysis of Apple's potential strategies for 6G involvement and IP portfolio building.- Discussion on the importance of Apple's participation in 6G standard-setting.AWS Ends Private 5G Solution- AWS announces the end of its private 5G solution launched in 2021.- Analysis of challenges faced, including competition and complexity.- Reflection on the difficulties of entering the telco space for hyperscalers.Xiaomi's New SoC Launch- Introduction of Xiaomi's Xring 01 SoC using ARM technology.- Analysis of the SoC's positioning and potential market impact.- Discussion of Xiaomi's simultaneous agreement with Qualcomm for flagship chips.Closing Thoughts- Invitation for listener engagement and topic suggestions.- Memorial Day wishes for veterans.

May 17, 2025 • 25min
The G2 on 5G: AST's Consumer Satellite, EchoStar's FCC Probe, MWC Vegas Pivot, T-Mobile's Network Dominance, Carrier Security Partnerships, and Xiaomi's SoC Debut
Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag return for Episode 224 of "The G2 on 5G"- Overview of six topics covered in about 20 minutesAST Space Mobile's New Consumer Satellite Service- Announcement of beta service by end of year, commercial service in 2026- Potential offerings: text, internet data, video conferencing- Shift from middleware approach to direct consumer serviceEchoStar FCC Investigation- FCC investigating EchoStar's 5G network and spectrum usage- SpaceX's complaints about EchoStar's power levels and spectrum utilization- Concerns about impartiality and potential political influencesMWC Las Vegas Evolution- Rebranding as enterprise-focused event- Challenges in attracting attendees and finding its footing- Discussion on the event's future viabilityT-Mobile Network Performance- OOKLA data showing impressive network speeds- Demonstration of 550Mbps uplink on sub-6 connection- Comparison of network performance across Samsung Galaxy Ultra modelsMobile Operator Security Partnerships- AT&T and T-Mobile partnerships with Palo Alto Networks- Focus on enhancing cybersecurity posture for owned and unowned networks- T-Mobile's 5G SASE solution and security slice offeringsXiaomi's Smartphone SoC Announcement- Xring 01: Xiaomi's first in-house smartphone SoC- Expected to be built on TSMC's 4nm process- Implications for Chinese smartphone manufacturers and government effortsClosing Remarks- Invitation for listener engagement and topic suggestions- Contact information for Will Townsend and Anshel Sag

Apr 26, 2025 • 29min
The G2 on 5G: MNO Earnings, T-Mobile's 5G Advanced, AT&T's FWA Boost, Motorola's Razr Revival, Ericsson's Mining 5G, and Verizon's First Responder Slice
Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag host episode 223 of G2 on 5G- Anshel joins from New York after attending Motorola launch eventQ1 Earnings for Major U.S. Mobile Network Operators- AT&T reports strong performance in fiber and mobility investments- T-Mobile experiences subscriber growth miss despite solid revenue- Verizon records strong earnings but faces subscriber lossT-Mobile's 5G Advanced Network- First commercial nationwide 5G advanced network in the U.S.- Potential for new use cases in XR, gaming, and safety applications- T-Mobile maintains lead in 5G network capabilitiesAT&T's 5G Fixed Wireless Access Performance- CEO John Stankey credits Ericsson for boosting FWA performance- AT&T adds 181,000 Internet Air subscribers in Q1- Positioning FWA as complementary to fiber expansionMotorola's New Razr Lineup- Introduction of high-end flagship tier for Moto Razr brand- New features include titanium hinge, improved cameras, and AI capabilities- Variety of models with different processors and specificationsEricsson's Private 5G Deployment in Mining- Partnership with Newmont for private 5G across 14 mines on four continents- Single Ericsson radio controlling bulldozer fleet in South Wales, Australia- Demonstration of 5G capabilities in enhancing mining operations and safetyVerizon's 5G Network Slice for First Responders- Launch of dedicated 5G ultra wideband virtual network slice- Deployment in 29 cities, offering enhanced reliability and performance- Competitive move to match AT&T's FirstNet and T-Mobile's T PriorityImportance of Use Cases and Competition in 5G- Discussion on the need for compelling use cases to drive 5G adoption- Emphasis on competition breeding innovation in the telecom industry