Telecoms.com Podcast

The lads are back in the studio and delighted to welcome back Ronan Kelly of All Points Fibre Network. APFN is a UK wholesale fibre provider, so they start by finding out more about the company and how it fits into the broader market. Discussion turns to the broader economics of fibre and the UK’s very competitive environment before they eventually turn to the perennial topic of ‘fair share’ contributions to network costs by US Big Tech and conclude with a Scott rant about the Online Safety Act.

With Pierre returning to his roots, it’s a rare remote pod this week. After acknowledging a couple of great recent sessions, conversation turns to reflections on a week of quarterly earnings announcements. They start with Nokia, which felt compelled to warn the world about the negative effects of Trump’s tariffs, a topic that yields some fruitful tangents. Eventually the focus turns to Intel and its continued attempts to improve things for itself, before they conclude with a quick look at how AT&T is benefitting from recent political developments.

Ericsson, AI and CityFibre by Telecoms.com

The hosts dive into the evolving landscape of Open RAN, highlighting how major players are adapting rather than resisting change. Their travel stories include engaging culinary experiences in Spain and reflections on a memorable Wembley concert. They discuss the challenges of live event connectivity and the irony of recording experiences instead of soaking them in. The competitive dynamics of 6G technology and the geopolitical implications are explored, alongside the fast-paced race in AI and data centers, emphasizing the intricate market and government influences at play.

John Strand, an insightful analyst and special guest at the Digital Transformation World 2025, dives deep into the telecom landscape. He reviews the latest trends, especially the impact of AI and 6G on customer service. The unique challenges faced by Mavenir highlight the complexities within the industry. Additionally, the conversation moves to Trump's new MVNO, discussing how it might reshape consumer awareness and the competitive market. Strand also touches on the ethical implications when politics intertwine with telecom branding.

The lads were delighted to welcome special guest, Analyst Paolo Pescatore, to the latest pod. Iain and Scott had already downed a couple before recording, so discipline was especially challenging. Luckily all the podders had been at the grand launch of VodafoneThree so they’re able to bang on about that for a bit. They eventually turn to the latest news from Apple, with Paolo having attended the supporting event in California earlier in the week, before concluding by pondering the role of emerging technologies in consumer devices.

The guys were delighted to welcome special guest Juliette Scott from Openreach, following their half-term break. Openreach is the UK’s biggest wholesaler of telecoms infrastructure, including all the legacy stuff, and Juliette is one of the people responsible for migration from old to new. So they start by talking about that, as well as the broader UK fixed line telecoms environment. They eventually move on to acknowledge the completion of the merger between UK MNOs Vodafone and Three, before concluding with a spot of light AI doom-mongering.

Brandon Larson, who leads product development for AI solutions at Mavenir, dives deep into the transformative role of AI in telecommunications. He discusses how AI can enhance operational speed and reduce manual processes while acknowledging the ethical concerns of over-reliance on technology. The conversation touches on BT's recent announcements and highlights the need for cultural change in adopting new telecom innovations. Amidst intriguing insights, they also explore the implications of AI on the workforce and the complexities of prompt engineering in the industry.

6G, GSMA and geopolitics by Telecoms.com

Dave Wright, a spectrum policy consultant, dives into the complexities of spectrum demand in telecommunications. He discusses why operators are constantly lobbying for more spectrum, delving into the tug-of-war between cellular and Wi-Fi technologies. The conversation also touches on evolving U.S. trade policies toward China, highlighting the geopolitical implications of tariffs and technology sales. With insights on the challenges faced by the telecom industry, Wright offers a compelling look at the intersection of policy, technology, and global relations.