Light Reading Podcasts

Shopify has been using its e-commerce platform to provide an easy path for partners to sell products online for more than 15 years. Reach Mobile believes its platform offers something similar for the worlds of mobile, home broadband, the Internet of Things (IoT) and, more recently, connectivity for enterprises."Reach is doing to the telecom networking industry what Shopify did to e-commerce," Reach Mobile founder and CEO Harjot Saluja asserted on the Light Reading Podcast. "We built a digital stack that allows companies, any client, to leverage the network and monetize it in many different ways, but in a very, very simple manner." An example he points to is WideOpenWest (WOW), a competitive cable/fiber service provider that recently launched a mobile service in partnership with Reach Mobile. "They [WOW] can just focus on marketing and distribution, and our platform does everything else," Saluja explained, noting that his company is pursuing similar types of mobile service partnerships with other US cable and broadband operators. Reach Mobile, Saluja said, can apply its model to other service categories, including fixed wireless access, wired broadband and even IoT. Reach Mobile tends to get lumped into a segment of the market known as the mobile virtual network enabler, or MVNE. Saluja agrees with that general characterization, but believes the point-of-sale baseline associated with the MVNE concept oversimplifies what Reach's platform provides. "There's another 95% that you're not solving," he said, pointing to elements such as customizable and personalized transaction messages and in-app notifications and SIM tracking. "Traditionally, the MVNEs don't think of it that way. They are basically giving you some APIs [application programming interfaces] so that you don't have to work with the carrier underneath … I think we are an MVNE, because we do the enabling, but that's like 5% of our solution." You can download a lightly edited transcript of the podcast here. If you want to skip around and listen, here are a few topics discussed during this podcast: A brief overview of Reach Mobile and why the company believes it is doing for the telecom networking industry what Shopify did for e-commerce (1:00)  A drill-down into Reach's approach to support not just mobile, but also fixed wireless, wired broadband services and even IoT (2:46) An exploration of Reach's home broadband use case, including how the company can help service providers create "flanker brands" or develop other types of service options, including premium or prepaid options (6:00) An update on Reach Mobile's deal with WideOpenWest and its ongoing engagement with the cable industry and wireless ISPs about developing similar types of mobile products (14:00)Reach Mobile views itself as a mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE), but believes that characterization over-simplifies the capabilities of its platform (20:00) An overview and update on Reach's new connectivity-as-a-service for the enterprise services sector (25:00) — Jeff Baumgartner, Senior Editor, Light Reading Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode features Cyndi Barrera, the sales vice president of SLED West at digital services and solutions provider Presidio. She and her team work with and advise public sector clients on technology solutions to meet their specific needs. We discuss a project called CFW Neighborhood that Presidio worked on with Cisco and the city of Fort Worth, Texas, to help build out the city's digital infrastructure and bring Wi-Fi to all residents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciena and Altibox discuss their recent 800G deployment over 1,100 KM between Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subsea cable operators face the unique challenge of balancing future capacity demands while deploying and maintaining cable systems meant to last 25 to 30 years. Jim Fagan, chief strategy and revenue officer for Global Cloud Xchange, joins the podcast to discuss new technologies for future-proofing subsea cables, and examines which regions are exhibiting the most growth in bandwidth demands.You can download a lightly edited transcript of the podcast here.Here are a few topics we covered:Background on Jim Fagan and Global Cloud Xchange. (00:25)GCX's managed services business. (04:01)Impact of the pandemic on GCX's business. (06:12)Regions where GCX is experiencing growth and partnership with Equinix. (09:03)Subsea cable management across international waters. (11:50)New and emerging subsea cable technologies. (15:01)Logistical and equipment management challenges to operating and managing subsea cables. (17:55)Related stories and links:Ciena's Brian Lavallée on Tonga's tussle with a broken submarine cableThe Buildout: More 'GREAT' news for Spectrum, Yellowstone Fiber goes liveTrans-Pacific subsea cable set for $2.5B construction boom400G roundup: GTT upgrades; Telstra's new subsea cableSubsea players plot quake-detecting sensors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roz Roseboro, principal analyst for Omdia, joins the podcast to discuss her research on service provider use of the public cloud and whether SPs should try to be more like the hyperscalers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Light Reading editors Kelsey Ziser, Mike Dano, Jeff Baumgartner, Nicole Ferraro and Phil Harvey discuss DOCSIS 4.0 network upgrade costs, edge computing sites, and RDOF and SD-WAN updates in this recap of the work week ended October 14.The stories covered include:Analysts peg DOCSIS 4.0 network upgrade costs at $180 per home passedAirlines start asking for permanent changes to C-band 5GAfter two-year delay, Verizon begins move to standalone 5GDish Network in talks to sell Boost to Ergen's SPACStarry to default on all RDOF bids – FCCSpaceX to FCC: Starlink 'not required to show' it meets RDOF speed needs yetSD-WAN roundup: Cisco and Azure team up; Orange adds 'vroom' to SD-WANIf you want to skip around and listen, here are a few more things covered in this interview:Network upgrade costs for DOCSIS 4.0. (01:09)FCC's rip-and-replace program, Verizon standalone 5G and Dish Network's plans to sell Boost Mobile brand to Charlie Ergen. Microsoft and AT&T launch public edge computing sites. (05:39)Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) updates – Starry defaults on all its bids. Starlink over promises on broadband speeds. (08:53)SD-WAN roundup with updates from Microsoft, Cisco, Orange Business Services and Aryaka. (18:01)Update on Leading Lights Awards. (22:00)Have a great weekend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connectivity is core to FiberLight's business, but the company, under CEO Chris Rabii, is pursuing a path to be much more. FiberLight is in the midst of a plan to evolve from "a "largely construction-focused company, to one that's trying to be more compelling in the services arena," says Rabii, a former exec with Cablevision Lightpath and Altice Business who joined FiberLight roughly two years ago. While there are other examples of companies that have successfully made that transition, "there's work we need to do to be good at those things," Rabii said on the Light Reading Podcast. But infrastructure and connectivity are certainly at FiberLight's core. FiberLight operates about 17,000 route miles of fiber around 78,000 pre-qualified or near-net buildings across 30 US metro areas, with a principal presence in Texas and Northern Virginia. Tied into that infrastructure play, FiberLight's business spans both wholesale and channel relationships, including activity with enterprise customers and so-called hyperscalers.FiberLight's strategy is being pursued amid other big changes underway, namely a deal to be acquired by Morrison & Co., a New Zealand-based infrastructure fund. Rabii said more detail will be shared when the transaction closes. "But I think their long-term view on investment in the infrastructure space is a perfect fit for us," he said.FiberLight isn't directly involved in the residential services business, but its infrastructure and connectivity capabilities will still put it in the game for federal funds that are being funneled into projects to bring broadband into underserved and underserved areas. "We will have a seat at the table … whether it's the seat right at the table, or the seat behind the guy who's sitting at the table," Rabii said. "There are some specific middle-mile grants and I think we'll be participating directly in those in the States or the markets and territories where we feel we have strength and can put a compelling case together."You can download a lightly edited transcript of the podcast here. If you want to skip around and listen, here are a few topics discussed during this podcast:A review of FiberLight's network reach and business focus (1:15) Why a recent M&A agreement with Morrison and Company, a New Zealand-based infrastructure fund, makes strategic sense for FiberLight and what's on the horizon as the deal moves through the approval process (3:50) Beyond getting that pending transaction completed, what are FiberLight's priorities for 2023, including growth prospects and how the company intends to differentiate in the market? (6:30) How Texas has become a hotbed of opportunity as some companies open up new locations or transition their presence to The Lone Star State (10:00) How the pandemic impacted the direction and focus of the company (13:15) How FiberLight sees opportunities on the horizon as more funds are funneled into rural broadband projects and initiatives (16:30) —Jeff Baumgartner, Senior Editor, Light Reading Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connecting Africa's Paula Gilbert provides an update on Safaricom's new network in Ethiopia, which will be the country's first private telecoms operator and end the country's decades-long telecoms monopoly.We also discuss why South Africa's government wants to turn off 2G and 3G by 2024 and 2025, respectively, but operators say it's too soon as about 60% of mobile traffic in South Africa still runs on 3G.You can download a lightly edited transcript of the podcast here.Here are a few topics we covered:Safaricom launches new network in Ethiopia. (01:18)Role of Ethiopia's government in Safaricom's launch in the region. (04:30)Government in South Africa wants service providers to sunset 2G and 3G. (05:38)Potential impact of turning off 2G and 3G on mobile phone users. (09:17) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, we hear from Ryan Johnston, senior policy counsel for federal programs at Next Century Cities. Ryan recently authored a report entitled Resounding Silence: The Need For Local Insights In Federal Policymaking. The report takes a look at two FCC dockets – the 2018 small cell proceeding and the 2022 docket on ISPs in multi-tenant environments (MTEs) – to explore the FCC's general rulemaking process and its impact on local communities. We discuss the difficulty municipalities had participating in both of those proceedings and what happened as a result. We also discuss how to improve the process, and why local governments should get a jumpstart on data collection as states prepare to distribute more federal funds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The destruction of Category 4 Hurricane Ian in Florida is far reaching, with over 491,000 homes and businesses still left without power. Verizon Frontline's team headed down to Florida with networking equipment and services in tow to ensure first responders have connectivity.Cory Davis, AVP for Verizon Frontline, returns to the podcast with an update on how the service provider is coordinating with emergency services and local municipalities to provide network access and other emergency resources in the wake of the hurricane.You can download a lightly edited transcript of the podcast here.Here are a few topics we covered:Update on the impact of Hurricane Ian on Florida (00:24)Impact of the hurricane on Verizon's network (02:11)Verizon Frontline equipment that's been deployed in Florida such as THOR (Tactical Humanitarian Operations Response) vehicle, drones and MEO (medium-Earth orbit) satellite technology (04:46)What a successful emergency response system looks like for Verizon (07:26)Planning ahead for future natural disasters (08:39) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.