Post-MWC 2026: Qualcomm’s AI Wearables, Satellite Momentum, Nvidia’s RAN Push, and 6G Signals for LA 2028

In a post–MWC 2026 episode of the 6G Podcast, Anshel Sag and Mike Dano recap show takeaways, including heavy Qualcomm news: Snapdragon Wear Elite for AI wearables (including a future Galaxy Watch), FastConnect 8800 Wi‑Fi 8 with quad radios and 4x4 client throughput, an AI 200 rack-scale data center solution, and the Snapdragon X105 5G-Advanced modem with 6G testing potential. They discuss a turning point for AI wearables and privacy concerns, especially smart glasses. Dano’s main takeaway is accelerating satellite momentum, citing Starlink’s second-gen direct-to-device plans and activity from SES, Viasat/Space42, Eutelsat/OneWeb, AST SpaceMobile/Telus, Amazon Kuiper/Vodafone, Samsung, and Qualcomm satellite demos. Sag outlines Nvidia’s telecom strategy with Nokia and others to improve RAN efficiency, add AI features like ISAC, and later enable edge compute, then flags LA Olympics 2028 as a likely 6G milestone, and closes with MWC device highlights and questions about edge security and sovereign AI.

00:00 MWC Recap Kickoff

00:23 Travel Chaos and Jet Lag

01:55 Qualcomm MWC Blitz

03:59 AI Wearables and Smart Glasses

06:40 Satellite Internet Surge

10:46 Nvidia Enters the RAN

16:07 6G Countdown LA 2028

18:39 MWC Device Roundup

23:52 Edge Compute Security Questions

29:16 Sovereign AI and Operator Clouds

31:06 ISAC and Public Safety Shift

31:39 Wrap Up and Subscribe

Anshel Sag hosts episode 242 of the rebranded 6G Podcast and introduces new co-host Mike Dano (Ookla), noting the industry’s “5G lull” and a shift toward 6G discussions. They discuss 5G Americas shutting down operations after years as a spectrum- and standards-focused trade association, framing the closure as a sign of cooling 5G interest and flat-to-negative RAN sales. Anshel covers Samsung and KT achieving a 3 Gbps downlink in 7 GHz using Keysight 6G test equipment and X-MIMO, noting the unclear bandwidth used and emphasizing that 6G progress is still largely experimental with mixed commercialization timelines (2028–2030). They debate 7 GHz as a key 6G band, propagation challenges (referencing Wi‑Fi 6E/7), the fading focus on terahertz bands, China’s earlier stance on 6 GHz, and potential limited initial 6G deployments. Mike highlights an Ookla report on 5G standalone showing improved battery life versus NSA (EE +22%, O2 +11%) and argues operators under-market SA benefits. Anshel explains T-Mobile’s John Saw concept of “kinetic tokens” for low-latency AI in motion (physical AI) across device/edge/cloud, tying it to use cases like real-time translation (5G Advanced, 50 languages) and ISAC for tracking and supporting drones, plus discussion of NVIDIA-based AI-RAN strategies and skepticism about cost and monetization of GPUs in base stations. Mike raises broader concerns about the AI data center boom, citing a projected $710B hyperscaler investment in 2026, power constraints (natural gas, gas turbines/jet engines), private high-bandwidth inter-data-center traffic, and questions about whether telecoms can capture AI value versus hyperscalers, while noting sovereign AI opportunities in countries with fewer data centers. They close with Microsoft and Ericsson integrating Ericsson Advanced Enterprise Mobility into Windows 11 (piloted on Surface 5G) to simplify secure enterprise 5G laptop management with Intune and eSIM provisioning, and discuss why cellular laptops haven’t broadly taken off (cost, plans, coverage) and how Apple’s modems and multi-carrier services might change adoption.

00:00 Welcome & New Co-Host Mike Dano Joins the 6G Podcast

01:10 Why the Rebrand Now: 5G Lull, MWC & Samsung Unpacked Tease

02:03 5G Americas Shuts Down: What It Says About the Market Cycle

05:41 Samsung + KT Hit 3 Gbps in 7 GHz: Early 6G Trial Reality Check

07:32 Where 6G Spectrum Lands: 7 GHz, Propagation, and Terahertz Hype Fades

12:58 Ookla Report Spotlight: 5G Standalone Boosts Battery Life (and Why It Matters)

17:54 Kinetic Tokens & Physical AI: T-Mobile’s Vision for Low-Latency 6G

22:51 Is T-Mobile’s “GPU in Every Base Station” Plan Actually Viable?

24:16 The Edge Compute Case: Double-Dipping GPUs for AI + XR Graphics

26:29 AI Wearables, AR Glasses, and Why 6G Timing Could Favor T-Mobile

28:27 The $710B Data Center Boom: What Hyperscaler Spend Means for Telecom

30:36 Powering AI: Natural Gas, Turbines, and the Nuclear Buildout Debate

31:25 Neo-Clouds & AI Transport: Private Backbone Links, Akamai GPU Rentals, and Wall Street Doubts

37:40 Microsoft + Ericsson Bring Enterprise 5G Management Natively to Windows 11

40:00 Why 5G Laptops Still Haven’t Taken Off (Cost, Plans, Battery, Coverage)

41:41 What Changes in 6G: Apple Modems, Multi-Carrier Service, and the Road Ahead (Wrap-Up)

Final Episode: Analyzing 5G, Verizon's Moves, and the Future of Telecom In episode 241 of the G2 on 5G podcast by More Insights and Strategy, hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag cover six pressing topics in the telecom industry. Will shares his news of leaving More Insights to start a new venture, marking the end of the podcast. The episode starts with a discussion on Verizon's aggressive price cuts on their plans, raising questions about potential price wars. They move on to discuss a report by Okla comparing cellular and WiFi performance at major US airports, with cellular often outperforming WiFi due to outdated infrastructure. The hosts then delve into NTT Docomo's advancements in 6G radio sensing technology and its applications, followed by Anshel's experiences with T-Mobile's expanded partnership with Formula One and their new 'un-carrier' moves to streamline carrier switching. Lastly, they review Nokia's puzzling decision to focus less on private cellular networking despite previous successes and Verizon's enhanced enterprise-class FWA solutions. The episode reflects on the journey of the podcast and hints at future individual projects in the telecom field.

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes Anshel Sag to episode 240 of G2 on 5G.

- Coverage of six topics spanning 5G and 6G developments.

T-Mobile's Edge Control Solution

- Launch of Edge Control at fourth annual Innovate Awards.

- Combines 5G advanced network with local breakout for private-like cellular experience.

- Zero on-premise infrastructure requirement distinguishes this solution.

- Strategic positioning against Verizon and AT&T in enterprise cellular offerings.

Nvidia and Nokia Partnership

- Extension of aerial RAN computer announcements for 6G.

- Nvidia's billion-dollar investment in Nokia signals strategic alignment.

- Partnership includes T-Mobile and Dell Technologies for server infrastructure.

- Nokia stock surged 25% following the announcement.

All-American AI RAN Stack

- Announcement of domesticated supply chain for 6G development.

- Nvidia's aerial platform moving to open source to accelerate adoption.

- Full-stack solution involving Cisco, Mitre, and Booz Allen.

- Focus on spectrum sensing and computer vision applications.

Nvidia DGX Spark Developer Experience

- Anshel Sag shares hands-on experience with DGX Spark device.

- 200 gigabit connectivity and scalable memory capacity.

- Simplified software stack enables AI deployment without extensive coding knowledge.

Samsung Networks and SoftBank MOU

- Joint research agreement for 6G and AI-based RAN technologies.

- Four focus areas: 6G, AI for RAN, AI in RAN, and large telecom models.

- Cultural significance of Korean-Japanese partnership in telecommunications.

5G Techratory Event Insights

- Will Townsend's experience hosting panels in the Baltic region.

- "Defense of 5G" panel discussion with European experts and skeptics.

- Challenges in European 5G deployment due to fragmented regulation.

- Delayed standalone 5G rollout creating similar frustrations as experienced in U.S.

Fixed Wireless Access as Killer Use Case

- FWA success in U.S. market with T-Mobile leading adoption.

- AT&T's Internet Air product serving consumers and enterprises.

Verizon's Fiber Expansion Strategy

- New CEO driving aggressive fiber buildout through wholesale partnerships.

- Deal with Eaton Fiber for network expansion without direct capital investment.

- Following AT&T's successful fiber strategy after years of market leadership.

Competitive Fiber Market Dynamics

- AT&T's overinvestment in fiber driving strong ARPU and earnings performance.

- T-Mobile's strategic shift toward fiber for backhaul and FWA support.

- Verizon's Pac-Man approach with Frontier acquisition correcting previous divestiture.

- Competition driving price improvements and better consumer options.

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag discuss the latest insights on 5G and 6G technologies.

- Episode 239 of G2 on 5G, covering six topics in about 20 minutes.

AT&T's 5G Standalone Deployment

- AT&T declares nationwide 5G standalone deployment on October 8th.

- Milestone achievement matching RAN and 5G core infrastructure.

- Predictions of innovative services, especially in network slicing.

Intel's Node Advancements

- Discussion on Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest CPU developments.

- Panther Lake running on Intel's new 18A Foundry Fab 52 in Arizona.

- Clearwater Forest's 288-core CPU targeting telecom applications.

Vodafone's Low Earth Orbit Satellite Research Hub

- Launch of the first low earth orbit satellite mobile broadband research hub.

- Partnership with AST Space Mobile for non-terrestrial network solutions.

- Streamlining testing and validation of hardware and software.

Verizon's Acquisition of Starry

- Verizon acquires fixed wireless provider Starry.

- Potential to grow fixed wireless base to 8-9 million customers.

- Leveraging Starry's architecture for cheaper and quicker deployment in urban settings.

Verizon CEO Transition

- Hans Vestberg's sudden exit as Verizon CEO.

- Discussion on the timing and potential reasons for the leadership change.

- Comparison with previous CEO transitions and industry performance.

AI Deals and Impact on 5G/6G

- Analysis of major AI deals, including OpenAI and AMD partnership.

- Potential effects on 5G and 6G network architectures and edge computing.

- T-Mobile's strategic partnership with OpenAI and implications for the industry.

Closing Remarks

- Invitation for listeners to provide topics for future podcasts.

- Contact information for hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag on social media.

- Request for listeners to rate and subscribe to the podcast.

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend hosts episode 238 of G2 on 5G with analyst Anshel Sag

- Podcast covers six 5G and 6G topics in about 20 minutes

AST SpaceMobile's Breakthrough

- Conducted first space-based 4G VoLTE call with Bell Canada

- Includes voice, broadband data, and video streaming capabilities

- Paves way for production and monetization

Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit Highlights

- Launch of two new SoCs for smartphones and PCs

- Third-generation Orion custom processor outperforms competitors

- Introduction of Guardian feature for remote PC management

T-Mobile's T-Satellite Service Expansion

- Announcement of app support for T-Satellite service with Starlink

- Integration with T-Life app and other solutions like AllTrails and AccuWeather

- Enhances usability for SOS and emergency situations

MediaTek's Dimensity 9500 SoC

- New flagship part using latest ARM IP

- Improvements in performance, power efficiency, and ray tracing

- Competitive positioning against Qualcomm in the Android market

China's Infrastructure Security Measures

- Implementation of rigorous certifications for foreign infrastructure providers

- Slowing progress for companies like Ericsson and Nokia in the Chinese market

- Reduction in market share for Western companies in China

Ongoing Legal Dispute: Qualcomm vs. ARM

- Recent settlement of one lawsuit, but continuation of legal battles

- ARM's appeal of the verdict and Qualcomm's separate lawsuit

- Discussion on the broader implications and potential outcomes

Closing Remarks

- Invitation for listeners to provide insights on specific 5G topics

- Social media handles shared for Will Townsend and Anshel Sag

- Request for listeners to rate and subscribe to the podcast

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend and Anshel Sag host episode 237 of G2 on 5G

- Brief baseball discussion about the Astros and Padres

Mavenir's AI Strategy

- Mavenir CEO's focus on agentic AI to revitalize the company

- Discussion on potential replacement of OSS with AI

- Skepticism about the extent of AI's role in network operations

Intel and Nvidia Partnership

- Announcement of Intel and Nvidia's $5 billion partnership

- Implications for 5G and 6G radio and AI at the edge

- Potential impact on competitive dynamics in the semiconductor industry

Voice over New Radio (VoNR) Launch in Spain

- Mass Orange's commercial launch of 5G VoNR service

- Benefits of VoNR including HD audio, lower latency, and improved capacity

- Significance for the Spanish telecom market

Meta's New AI Smart Glasses

- Introduction of second-generation Meta Ray-Bans and Meta Oakley Vanguards

- Features including improved battery life, image quality, and AI capabilities

- Potential applications in sports and everyday use

NATO's 5G Initiative for Military Communications

- NATO's Multinational 5G (MN5G) initiative for defense purposes

- Dual-use paradigm adapting civilian technologies for military applications

- Potential civilian applications in critical infrastructure protection

EchoStar's Spectrum Sell-off

- EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen's comments on becoming an "asset-light growth company"

- Discussion on the forced pivot and its impact on the company's future

- Implications for the telecom industry and spectrum availability

Closing Remarks

- Invitation for listener engagement and topic suggestions

- Contact information for the hosts on social media

Welcome and Introduction

- Will Townsend welcomes Anshel Sag to episode 236 of G2 on 5G

- Overview of the podcast format: six topics covered in about 20 minutes

Reliance's Upcoming IPO

- Reliance preparing for a massive IPO in early 2026

- Aiming to raise $6 billion, potentially valuing the company at $112 billion

- Discussion on Reliance's network infrastructure and subscriber base

- Analysis of the IPO's purpose and potential impact on investors

Apple's Latest Product Announcements

- Overview of new iPhone 17 series, including the iPhone Air

- Introduction of 5G capabilities in all new Apple Watch versions

- AirPods Pro 3 features, including improved noise cancellation and heart rate sensor

- Discussion on Apple's new chips: A19 SoC, C1X modem, and N1 wireless chip

Ericsson's AI Framework for Enterprise Networks

- Ericsson's Enterprise Wireless Group claims first 5G agentic AI framework

- Framework designed to streamline enterprise network operations

- Comparison with competitors like HPE and Cisco in the private wireless space

SpaceX's Spectrum Acquisition from EchoStar

- SpaceX's $17 billion transaction for EchoStar's spectrum licenses

- Implications for Dish Network and the US mobile carrier landscape

- Discussion on potential Starlink direct-to-cell service for Boost Mobile subscribers

T-Mobile's Shift Away from CBRS Spectrum

- T-Mobile moving past CBRS spectrum for neutral host applications

- Analysis of the impact on the CBRS ecosystem and companies like Solana

- Discussion on T-Mobile's Advanced Network Solutions (ANS) and private network deployment

T-Mobile's Role in LA 2028 Olympics

- T-Mobile for Business to provide 5G connectivity for LA 2028 Olympics

- Coverage agreement for over 110 locations across Southern California

- Deployment of advanced network solutions, including network slicing and secure connectivity

Closing Thoughts

- Reflection on the power of 5G for large-scale events like the Olympics

- Invitation for listeners to provide insights on specific 5G topics

- Request for podcast ratings and subscriptions