Natarajan Kalpathy

When will the BEAD money start flowing? That is the billion-dollar question — pun intended. Most states have had their Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 processes approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), according to NTIA’s Progress Dashboard. Vol. 1 is focused on the mapping challenge process, and Vol. 2 consists of the remainder of the state’s BEAD implementation plan. Yet, the wait continues.

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Two years into the mainstream artificial intelligence (AI) craze, one key question still looms large for many enterprises dabbling with the technology: is it worth it? That question is especially relevant for telcos, which have been looking for ways to cut costs and boost revenue in a tough market environment. The answer, at least according to AT&T and Windstream, is yes.

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Congratulations to AT&T ... AT&T Fiber the fastest & most consistent fixed internet service provider This report reflects one of the key focus areas for AT&T ... "Everything we do is with the customer in mind" ...  "the results are driven by the consumers themselves. The wins are based on nationwide test results that come from millions of real people taking tests daily with Speedtest" https://lnkd.in/eENJA668

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6th circuit’s net neutrality decision appears to remove broadband regulation from the hands of the FCC. It’s going to be very interesting in the industry as the states try to figure out what to do.

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As part of AT&T's investor day, on Dec. 3rd, 2024, our CTO, Jeremy Legg talked about AT&T's plans for modernizing the technology and network strategy through a 3 pronged approach; 1) network simplification, 2) app consolidation and 3) adoption of GenAI. I love the title that Mobile World live used to summarize our GenAI plan "Analysis: AT&T reveals genAI tactics" where they talk about the 600+ AI/ML models in production and another 60-90+ GenAI use cases earmarked for 2025, in a protected way, all tuned and graded for optimum performance to "become the best practioner of AI in our industry". Check it out here.... https://lnkd.in/gWYeVD4J

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Exciting times ahead for Open RAN. With the ATIS Open RAN MVP project, we're paving the way for streamlined deployments and setting standard baseline capabilities for the future. Learn how we're moving beyond pilots to drive real progress in Open RAN. https://okt.to/uVe2Dy #OpenRAN #testing

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74% of all federally funded U.S. broadband providers rely on the Calix Platform to win and maintain their funding 💰 With billions of dollars from once-in-a-generation funding opportunities on the line, the Calix Platform has enabled broadband service providers to navigate the complexities of performance testing. In just three years, over 2 billion total tests have been performed, helping support customers on their funding journey and simplifying their business while growing value for communities across rural America. John Durocher, chief customer officer, emphasizes the value: “Innovations to the industry’s only end-to-end platform have made testing effortless for our customers, especially those who lack the resources to dedicate time to demanding quarterly mandates when they need to focus on growing their network.” Explore how Calix continues to support customers on their funding journey. 🚀 🔗https://ow.ly/NiVI30sBvy1 #PerformanceTesting #Innovation #Broadband

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While I’m not as focused on #OpenRAN trends & technical minutiae as some of my analyst peers, I’ve noticed one particular thing here at #FYUZ24 - the potential for programmable RANs to host applications for “spectrum agility”. This fits in with the evolution of RIC platforms for various RAN applications. But while a lot of focus is on energy management and also network-sharing / neutral host, there’s also work ongoing on more direct links to spectrum management. I found out about two different angles here - and there may be others to track down as well. 1) Turning the RAN into a #spectrum sensor at a fine-grained level. This is particularly useful for detecting incumbents (mobile or non-mobile) for sharing scenarios. In particular it might be better to sense radar signals locally, rather than rely on complex dedicated infrastructure like CBRS’s ESC for detecting ship-borne radar. There are lots of angles to this I’ll cover another time 2) Potentially enabling aspects of the #6G vision relating to physical sensing (ISAC and JSAC) which uses RF signals to detect motion, presence etc. Nobody is quite sure how that will relate to spectrum licensing & usage rules, so having flexible control / reporting functions in the RAN could be very useful I can also think of various other spectrum + RIC functions that could be created as an “app”. Either way, it seems that a benefit of Open RAN - irrespective of number of RU / CU / DU vendors - could ultimately also involve “spectrum agility”, as per the rather fuzzy screenshot below. That also fits with my idea of making #5G Advanced and 6G “sharing-native”, especially given unknowns about spectrum policy over the next 10 years. (Also I think that RAN APIs might actually be more important and strategic than 5G core NEF APIs, but that’s for another post).

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Some big announcements this week related to the use of #AI in Telco Mobile Networks. Timing couldn't be better as Spectrum Effect was just this week awarded the patent for the use of AI and Machine Learning Models for classifying interference types in Mobile Operator RAN networks. I have strong conviction on AI's ability to drive more efficient and effective operations of mobility networks and ultimately better outcomes for consumers of the services that mobile networks enable. We are in fantastic company to be joined on this journey with the NVIDIA, Ericsson, Nokia, and T-Mobile announcing their intentions to invest in this space. https://lnkd.in/ebB4BM9X

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https://lnkd.in/e3x2Mk3J Major mobile carriers like Verizon are shifting their strategy back towards converged broadband offerings combining 5G wireless and fiber. This seems to be a response to some of the challenges and disappointments they've faced with previous investment strategies. 1. 5G ROI challenges: The return on investment for 5G deployments has been lower than many carriers hoped, at least in the short term. While 5G offers significant technical improvements, monetizing those capabilities has proven difficult. 2. Failed content strategies: The attempts by carriers to vertically integrate by acquiring content companies (like AT&T with DirecTV and Time Warner, or Verizon with Yahoo and AOL) were largely unsuccessful. These deals resulted in significant write-downs and eventual divestitures in many cases. 3. Pivot to fiber + wireless convergence: The article suggests that carriers, particularly Verizon, are now focusing on a strategy that combines their 5G wireless networks with expanded fiber broadband offerings. This is evident in Verizon's recent $20 billion bid for Frontier Communications, a major fiber provider. 4. Rationale for convergence: There are several potential benefits to this approach: - Improved network efficiency by offloading wireless traffic to fiber backhaul - Ability to offer bundled services to consumers (home internet + mobile) - Competing more effectively with cable companies offering similar bundles - Leveraging fiber assets for both consumer and enterprise services 5. Potential further consolidation: The analyst quoted in the article suggests that Verizon might also consider acquiring Lumen (formerly CenturyLink) to further expand its fiber footprint. This strategy shift indicates that carriers are refocusing on their core competencies in network infrastructure and connectivity, rather than trying to become content companies. It also reflects the growing importance of high-speed, reliable broadband (both wireless and wired) in today's digital economy. However, it's worth noting that not all analysts are convinced this is the right move. The article mentions some skepticism about whether these fiber acquisitions will provide enough scale to truly transform Verizon's convergence strategy, and concerns about the allocation of capital. 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is also part of broadband portfolio investments.

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Empathy. You know, that thing we all nod about in meetings but secretly hope to dodge—like the broccoli of emotions. Today, I listened to Howard Holton talk about API security but the main takeaway wasn’t about engineering. Nope, it was empathy. To his point is to stop being the “No Guy.” You know, the person whose only job seems to be squashing every idea. Instead, find a way to say “yes” while still doing your job. This advice applies everywhere, not just in engineering or security. Whether you’re in marketing or HR, breaking down silos with a bit of empathy helps everyone get things done. It’s not just about saying “yes” but about creating space for collaboration. But here’s the catch: empathy doesn’t mean ignoring reality. Sure, say “yes” when possible, but be brutally honest about what’s feasible. Sugarcoating doesn’t help—it only leads to disaster. Empathy without honesty isn’t helping anyone. PS kudos to Wallarm: API Security Leader for hosting the event!

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J.D. Power’s survey found that 5G home internet was roughly on par with fiber for performance and reliability. That’s a pretty shocking finding on its own. Fiber’s primary selling point is its superior speed and consistency, but evidently customers aren’t seeing much difference between the two. Fixed wireless particularly stood out on cost of service. 5G Home internet led fiber in cost-of-service by more than 60 points -- roughly the same differential as the first- and last-placed providers in J.D. Power’s study of internet providers in the North Central region.

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Operator community is shaping the future of Telecoms once again. We have worked jointly for the NGMN publication which is setting the baseline for comparison on the performance for future Radio Netowrks. This is a critical milestone in order to have fair comparison towards radio evolution

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Does Your OSS/BSS Do This? In an increasingly complex telecom environment, staying ahead means having systems that are as dynamic as your business. At Advantage 360, our OSS/BSS solutions are designed to do more than just keep pace — they’re built to accelerate your operations and deliver unprecedented flexibility. Does your OSS/BSS system do the following? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eF9SiCSs #OSS #BSS #Advantage360

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A new economic study from the Center on Rural Innovation highlights the transformative impact that fiber broadband, provided by local BSPs, has on rural communities. 📝 Co-sponsored by Calix, NTCA, and Fiber Broadband Association, the study revealed that communities benefit economically when local BSPs provide services that go beyond fast internet and address broader subscriber needs. Our customers leverage the Calix Broadband Platform to address evolving subscriber needs with comprehensive experiences that boost income, entrepreneurship, and business investment in their communities. For example: 🎮 Paul Bunyan Communications built their popular GigaZone network with the Calix Platform. The innovative BSP has turned its region into a tech hub thanks to initiatives like its annual GigaZone Gaming Championship. 🛡️Bulloch Solutions is committed to delivering high value to their communities with managed Wi-Fi, parental controls, and security to enhance their subscriber’s experience. 🛜 Blackfoot Communications deploys the latest innovations from Calix to ensure residential subscribers and businesses receive safe, secure, and reliable connectivity. Discover more insightful industry findings from the CORI study here: 🔗https://ow.ly/Pf3G30sGVJN

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Did you connect with us in person at HITEC 2024? This important event brought to the forefront the degree to which technology will continue to transform hospitality experiences. Comcast Business was proud to be on site as a major contributor to the industry's thought-leadership conversations. #ICYMI, these are our top takeaways from HITEC 2024. Reach out to me here on LinkedIn to learn how we're helping leading hotel organizations power the next wave of hospitality innovations. #hospitalitysolutions #cybersecurity #IoT #AI #comcastbusiness #iworkforcomcast

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