5G Factor Podcast

Alianza Expands, Ericsson Antennas Wax, Nokia 5G Advanced Moves - 5G Factor EP 79

Alianza, Ericsson, and Nokia all made moves to strengthen their competitive prospects across the 5G ecosystem in 2025, assessing the overall ecosystem implications. Alianza signed a definitive agreement to acquire Metaswitch from Microsoft, aimed at advancing the path for communications service providers to enter the cloud native and AI services economy. The acquisition will give Alianza a combined customer base of more than 1,000 communications service providers, including 19 of the top 20 global operators with clear 5G factors in play. We evaluate how Ericsson Antenna System is driving the antenna evolution that is having a significant impact on networks through advances in design engineering, and why antennas are key for maximizing network impact including across North America deployments. We look at Nokia's goals in supporting 3GPP Release 20 and how it will deliver several important 5G-Advanced enhancements including preparation for 6G with official approval of detailed work items expected in 2025. Release 20 will focus on system-wide themes, including network energy efficiency, which is a critical consideration from a sustainability standpoint.

5G Factor: Qualcomm, Ericsson, AT&T Moves Shine Spotlight on IoT - 5G Factor EP78

Qualcomm, Ericsson and AT&T all made moves that put the spotlight on driving and scaling IoT across the 5G ecosystem. We examine the ecosystem and competitive landscape implications. At Qualcomm Investor Day, Qualcomm promoted its new IoT strategy, which involves creating scalable blueprints, leveraging the Qualcomm IQ Series and 5G Redcap support, using similarities across industries for different solutions and creating tailored, bespoke solutions according to need. Ericsson is promoting private 5G specifically, due in good part to Wi-Fi limitations, for meeting the demands of the Oil and Gas segment, including IoT connectivity. AT&T indicated it will decommission its narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network in 2025, while Verizon and T-Mobile are moving ahead with their NB-IoT offerings. Why is AT&T making the move and how does it impact prospects for alternatives to NB-IoT such as 5G Redcap, LTE-M, and LoRa.

T-Mobile, AT&T, Ericsson & Wilson Connectivity New Moves - 5G Factor EP77

he White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released the National Spectrum Research and Development (R&D) Plan to serve as a tool to guide government decisions on spectrum-related research, shape private sector efforts, and help inform the National Spectrum Strategy. At the 5G Americas Analyst Forum, T-Mobile and AT&T advocated for adressing the spectrum shortages that mobile operators are expected to face in the coming years. They argued that a national spectrum policy should include studies on the lower 3 GHz and 7 GHz bands, with potential repurposing for full-power licensed use. Ericsson unveiled seven new 5G Advanced software products for high-performing programmable networks that can increase revenue, augment user experience, and improve operational efficiency. Wilson Connectivity introduced Private 5G, which includes an integration of Hybrid and Active Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) with new capabilities, security, and control. We assess the impact of these developments on the competitive landscape of the 5G mobile ecosystem. 

5G Factor: AI Rules at 5G Americas; T-Mobile, Verizon, Nokia Make Key Moves - 5G Factor EP76

AI was the dominant theme at 5G Americas, as shown by T-Mobile's use of AI technology and billions of data points to determine exactly how to upgrade and expand its network. Key Verizon executives unveiled plans to capitalize on computing infrastructure sales for AI operations, although specifics are pending. GenAI-enabled platforms, such as Nokia Network Service Platform, are closer to acting as the natural language assistant to the network designers, planners and operations staff by correlating data streams in new ways that help the platform understand what it sees, discover new relations across networks, and identify root causes of events. 

T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon Vital to Hurricane First Responders - 5G Factor EP75

U.S. CSPs demonstrated their indispensable role in public safety, including providing first response support during hurricane emergencies. Verizon and its public safety arm, Verizon Frontline, have made tremendous strides in repairing cell sites damaged by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and Tennessee. T-Mobile and Starlink requested and received a second Special Temporary Authority (STA) from the FCC to operate their T-Mobile Starlink Direct-to-Cellular service in the path of Hurricane Milton in Florida. The FirstNet, Built with AT&T, team supported first responders across the U.S. Southeast by responding to various emergency support requests from public safety officials on FirstNet. The FirstNet Response Operations Group deployed dedicated assets and other solutions to further support critical communications. Additionally, at Embedded World North America, Qualcomm and Honeywell announced a collaboration to transform the energy sector with new 5G, low-power wireless, and AI-enabled solutions. 

Qualcomm, Nokia, and Vodafone: AI’s Impact on 5G Security - Six Five Podcast: The 5G Factor - 5G Factor - EP74

Nokia's new Threat Intelligence Report shows cyberattacks on telecom infrastructure are accelerating as cybercriminals increasingly use GenAI and automation to increase the speed, volume, and sophistication of their attacks. Next, Qualcomm's AI Orchestrator aims to harmonize all AI functionalities to provide a meaningful interaction experience and improve security. Lastly, Vodafone highlights the use of data-driven APIs, such as its Scam Signal, to provide the mobile intelligence needed to push back on fraud across the telecom sector.

GenAI Taking 5G by Storm: Amdocs, NVIDIA, Ericsson & AT&T Moves - 5G Factor - EP73

On this episode of the 5G Factor, host Ron Westfall explores why the Amdocs and NVIDIA alliance is proving that CSPs can improve business incomes though GenAI. Then, he highlights Ericsson's introduction of the Ericsson Cradlepoint R980 5G Router and S400 IoT appliance, designed to support AI-driven apps, alongside the debut of the Ericsson Wireless Solutions unit. Lastly, AT&T showcases its GenAI prowess, with its AskData GenAI tool currently ranked number one in the world on the GenAI BIRD leaderboard.

T-Mobile Capital Market Day, AI-RAN and Open RAN Rising - 5G Factor - EP72

On this episode of the 5G Factor, host Ron Westfall assesses why T-Mobile's Capital Market Day energized 5G ecosystem interest in AI RAN, how T-Mobile's alliance with NVIDIA, Ericsson, and Nokia can produce an AI RAN "Fantastic Four," a snapshot of the AI RAN market segment including NVIDIA’s competitive position, and why he agrees with Orange that Open RAN can prove its green credentials.

5G Factor: Verizon Frontier Deal and 3D/Backhaul Innovations - 5G Factor - EP71

On this episode of the 5G Factor, we explore Verizon's $20 billion acquisition of Frontier and its impact on the fiber/5G landscape. Then, we delve into a holographic breakthrough from Telefonica, Ericsson, and MATSUKO, as well as how Nokia is jumping on the FCC's E-Band Ruling.

5G Factor: Making AI Open, Responsible, and Transparent, Episode 62

An Assessment of AI’s Openness Including Intel’s Guadi 3-led Enterprise AI Strategy, Qualcomm’s Responsible AI Vision, and Nokia’s Transparent AI Moves The Futurum Group’s Ron Westfall and Olivier Blanchard examine the major mobile ecosystem moves to make AI open, responsible, and transparent including Intel’s Enterprise AI proposition emphasizing open industry software for developer productivity, Qualcomm’s Responsible AI vision focus on privacy and security, and Nokia using Transparent AI moves.