Digitel Talk

In this episode of Digitel Talk, host Ian Ginn speaks with Hans Similon, General Manager of Citymesh Safety Drone, about the world’s first nationwide drone network designed to support emergency services. Hans shares how Citymesh deploys drones-in-a-box across Belgium, ready to take off within 90 seconds to assist fire brigades and police with real-time HD and thermal imaging.Key highlights:World-first innovation: 70 drones deployed nationwide, controlled via 4G/5G with dual-modem redundancy.Impact on emergency response: Scaling interventions up or down based on live aerial insights.Safety measures: BVLOS operations, automated return-to-home, and parachute deployment for risk mitigation.Connectivity automation: Role of Inmanta in managing private and public networks for reliability.Future vision: Dual-use cases for national safety and security, and potential NATO-wide coverage.Episode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.Guest Bio:Hans Similon is a purpose-driven innovation leader with over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology, customer experience, and business development. Currently General Manager of the Safety Drone division at Citymesh, he leads pioneering work in “drone-in-a-box” solutions that provide real-time support to emergency services across Belgium.The Citymesh Safety Drone Network is more than a drone fleet—it is a strategic infrastructure layer that enhances public safety today, and national security tomorrow. It provides Belgium with a sovereign, scalable, and smart serial solution ready for any scenario.Podcast credits:Host: Ian GinnEditor: Francis WrightDesigner: Rebecca GinnProject manager: Ivana DuricSend us your feedbackSupport the showFollow Digitel Talk Want to be a guest on the show or sponsor a podcast? For all enquires contact [email protected] you liked this episode, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a 5* review and rating, it really helps our channel.You can find us on LinkedIn @digitel-talk or on our website www.digiteltalk.com

Fibre speeds without the fibre build? In this episode, Ian sits down with Dr. Omar Bakr, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder of Tarana Wireless, whose mission is to accelerate global access to fast, reliable and affordable broadband.Omar shares the remarkable story of how Tarana emerged from PhD research into a breakthrough wireless platform now delivering gigabit-class fixed broadband — even without line of sight. He breaks down the technology in refreshingly simple terms, explains why “the last 10 metres” is the industry’s biggest challenge, and reveals how smarter wireless could help democratise connectivity around the world.A conversation full of insight, big thinking, and human warmth — including Omar’s reflections on purpose, resilience, and the legacy he hopes to leave.Links & Resources:Tarana WirelessGLOMO AwardsNetwork XEpisode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.Guests Bio:As founder and Chief Scientist of Tarana Wireless Inc., Omar Bakr was a key architect behind the technology powering the biggest breakthrough in wireless non-line-of-sight communications in the past 20 years. His leadership and contributions to the company’s core technology development as well as in business development and financing have been instrumental in driving the company on its current trajectory of rapid growth. His prior experience includes design and deployment of WiLDNet, a revolutionary low-cost, high‑performance wireless network, as part of UC Berkeley’s TIER Group. He has published technical papers on multi-antenna beamforming, wireless spectrum reuse, and delay-tolerant networking, and has been granted several patents in wireless communications and adaptive array technologies. Omar received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT in 2001 and 2003, and Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science from UC Berkeley in 2010.Podcast credits:Host: Ian GinnEditor: Francis WrightDesigner: Rebecca GinnProject manager: Ivana DuricSend us your feedbackSupport the showFollow Digitel Talk Want to be a guest on the show or sponsor a podcast? For all enquires contact [email protected] you liked this episode, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a 5* review and rating, it really helps our channel.You can find us on LinkedIn @digitel-talk or on our website www.digiteltalk.com

Recorded live at FYUZ, this Digitel Talk wrap-up brings together three industry powerhouses — Stéphane Téral, Geoff Hollingworth, and Vishal Mathur — for a fast-paced, insightful conversation on how cloudification, AI, and open architectures are reshaping the telecoms landscape.From the cultural challenges of transforming traditional telcos, to why openness is no longer optional, to the role of AI in driving network efficiency and innovation — this episode captures the energy, debates, and breakthroughs that defined FYUZ.Whether you’re a network strategist, technologist, policymaker, or simply curious about where the industry is heading, this wrap-up distils the must-know insights from one of the sector’s most important events.Links & Resources:FYUZ by Telecom Infra ProjectTelecom Infra ProjectTéral ResearchRakuten SymphonyEpisode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.Guests Bios:Stéphane Téral is a leading telecom analyst with over 36 years of industryexperience, including nearly three decades in Silicon Valley. He specializes in next-gen wireless infrastructure—5G, 6G, open RAN, cloud networking, and CSP digitaltransformation—and advises global telecom providers, vendors, start-ups, andinvestors on strategy, market opportunities, and M&A. A frequent keynote speakerand media contributor, Stéphane is the founder of TÉRAL RESEARCH and has heldsenior roles at LightCounting, IHS Markit, Infonetics Research, and RHK.Geoff Hollingworth has been in the mobile communications industry for more than 30 years, beginning his career with Ericsson in 1991 and with 2G.  Throughout his journey in telecom and cloud, he’s been a software engineer and led research and development, business development, network rollouts, consulting, marketing campaigns and strategic communications for his teams.  Vishal Mathur as Global Head of Engagement at Telecom Infra Project (TIP), is responsible for building a commercially sustainable operation with a broad and active member base, engaging globally with TIP members, industry stakeholders and policy makers to open opportunities for collaboration on R&D and commercial solution development within the area of advanced connectivity and AI.  Podcast credits:Host: Ian GinnEditor: Francis WrightDesigner: Rebecca GinnProject manager: Ivana DuricSend us your feedbackSupport the showFollow Digitel Talk Want to be a guest on the show or sponsor a podcast? For all enquires contact [email protected] you liked this episode, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a 5* review and rating, it really helps our channel.You can find us on LinkedIn @digitel-talk or on our website www.digiteltalk.com

In this special Network X wrap-up episode of Digitel Talk, host Ian Ginn brings together three industry leaders — Diana Gorelik (Omdia), Markus Kümmerle (Deutsche Telekom / CAMARA), and Jason Walls (QA Café) — to unpack the biggest themes shaping Network X 2025.This episode dives into:The state of fibre deployment across Europe — and why some markets are still falling behindHow Wi-Fi 7/8, standardisation, and smarter home networks are redefining customer experienceNetwork APIs and CAMARA: new telco revenue models, real use cases, and global adoptionThe rise of agentic AI, automation, and data standardisationDigital sovereignty, cloud strategy, and the evolving role of hyperscalersThis episode's sponsor is Tarana Wireless, the next-generation fixed wireless access platform helping to close the digital divide—visit taranawireless.comGuests Bios:Diana Gorelik leads European Service Provider Markets Research for Omdia’s Service Provider EMEA Markets Intelligence Service team. She analyzes service provider strategies across mobile, fixed, and convergence domains. Diana also examines innovative AI solutions that service providers use to enhance customer propositions and optimize services. She serves as a judge for the GSMA’s GLOMO Awards.Markus Kümmerle leads Engineering and Production for Magenta API Capabilities Exposure at Deutsche Telekom. Joining in 1995 (via debis Systemhaus), he previously served as an Executive Program Manager and focused on quality for automotive clients like BMW and VW at T-Systems. Since 2020, he has focused on DT's API program. He is a key driver behind the industry's CAMARA initiative and represents DT in GSMA Open Gateway.Jason Walls is Director of Technical Marketing at QA Cafe and host of the Epik Mellon podcast. A protocol geek at heart, he's been involved with testing technologies like TR-069 since its inception and has spearheaded the creation of the User Services Platform (USP/TR-369). Jason has more than 20 years of computer networking experience, helping to develop internet and communications technology and translate it into value opportunities for organizations and the industry as a whole. Catch him at any event and he’ll happily talk all things about networking and philosophy over a beer.Podcast credits:Host: Ian GinnEditor: Francis WrightDesigner: Rebecca GinnProject manager: Ivana DuricSend us your feedbackSupport the showFollow Digitel Talk Want to be a guest on the show or sponsor a podcast? For all enquires contact [email protected] you liked this episode, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a 5* review and rating, it really helps our channel.You can find us on LinkedIn @digitel-talk or on our website www.digiteltalk.com

Recorded live at Network X 2025, this episode of Digitel Talk features Dave Stehlin, President and CEO of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). With over four decades of experience in telecoms, Dave shares how TIA is shaping a more secure, sustainable and connected digital future through global standards — from supply chain security and data centre quality to broadband access and workforce development.Discover how innovation, collaboration and trust are redefining connectivity worldwide — and why building better networks means building a better world.Links & Resources:TIABroadband NationNetwork XGuests BioMr. Stehlin joined the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) as CEOin September 2019. He has more than 30 years of experience leading thedevelopment and implementation of key business and technology strategies inthe information and communications technology industry (ICT). TIA representsmore than 400 companies around the globe while developing criticalstandards and advocating for the industry with federal and state levelgovernments. During his time at TIA, Dave has initiated key new strategicprograms including a focus on cyber/supply chain security, data centers andbroadband workforce development.Mr. Stehlin has also been instrumental in the leadership of multiple public andprivate networking companies including CEO of MRV Communications(MRVC) and CEO of Ceterus Networks as well as President of OvertureNetworks. He has a keen understanding of how to navigate the business,technology and government factors that affect the ICT industry. Prior tostarting his career in the ICT industry, Dave was a Captain in the U.S. MarineCorps.Mr. Stehlin holds a B.S. degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MDand an M.B.A. from National University in San Diego, CAPodcast credits:Host: Ian GinnEditor: Francis WrightDesigner: Rebecca GinnProject manager: Ivana DuricSend us your feedbackSupport the showFollow Digitel Talk Want to be a guest on the show or sponsor a podcast? For all enquires contact [email protected] you liked this episode, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a 5* review and rating, it really helps our channel.You can find us on LinkedIn @digitel-talk or on our website www.digiteltalk.com