Digitel Talk

How do you connect the 3.5 billion people currently facing a "usage gap" in global connectivity? In this episode of Digitel Talk, host Ian Ginn catches up with first-ever return guest Carlos Oba, the Founder, CEO, and CIO of Dots for Inc. 
Fresh off their win at the MWC GloMo Awards for Digital Inclusion, Carlos reveals the incredible growth of his "DC Box" network. We explore how his team is creating a sustainable digital ecosystem that allows people to stay in their beloved villages rather than migrating to expensive, overcrowded cities for work.
Links & Resources:
GLOMO Awards
MWC 2026
Dots for Inc.
Episode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.
Guest Bio:
Carlos Oba is the founder of Dots for Inc., an entrepreneur dedicated to solving social issues in rural Africa. Inspired by his experience in Tanzania, he realized that digital connectivity is essential for sustainable development. In 2021, he launched Dots for Inc. to provide low-cost communication infrastructure and smartphones. Currently operating in Benin and Senegal, his platform has empowered over 750,000 people with access to education, finance, and digital gig work. Carlos strives to bridge the digital divide, ensuring rural communities can thrive in the global digital economy through innovative, community-based business models. 
Podcast credits:
Host: Ian Ginn
Editor: Francis Wright
Designer: Rebecca Ginn
Project manager: Ivana Duric
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What happens when a protest campaign decides to build its own smartphone? In this episode of Digitel Talk, Ian Ginn welcomes Monique Lempers, Chief Impact Officer at Fairphone, a social enterprise proving that successful business doesn't have to exploit the planet.
Monique shares the 15-year journey of Fairphone—from "shouting outside the tent" to becoming an award-winning industry leader. We explore the toughest realities of the electronics supply chain and the "messy bits" of ethical tech, including:
The DRC Connection: Insights from the leadership team’s recent visit to the mines in Congo.
The AI Contradiction: Navigating the massive energy consumption of AI-enabled devices and the call for renewable power.
Total Cost of Ownership: Why repairable, modular phones are actually more cost-effective for both consumers and procurement officers.
Radical Transparency: Why Fairphone is 100% honest about not being 100% fair... yet.
The Living Wage: How "carrot and stick" supplier incentives are filling the income gap for the world's most vulnerable workers.
Links & Resources:
Fairphone
GSMA
MWC GLOMO Awards
Episode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.
Guest Bio:
Monique is an executive leader in the sustainable business for consumer electronics. Her experience on this topic spans over 25 years, including 10 years at Fairphone, where she built the impact strategy and established the company as the undisputed leader in sustainability in its sector. Before joining Fairphone, Monique built and led several high impact and international industry coalitions in
Electronics, Mining and Apparel at The Sustainable Trade Initiative. In her earlier days she advised a variety of companies and institutions on the topic of Sustainability and Ethical sourcing in her role of sustainability advisor at Pricewaterhousecoopers
Podcast credits:
Host: Ian Ginn
Editor: Francis Wright
Designer: Rebecca Ginn
Project manager: Ivana Duric
Send us your feedback
Support the show
Follow Digitel Talk
Want to be a guest on the show or sponsor a podcast? For all enquires contact [email protected]

If 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 the opening episode of Season 3, Ian Ginn is joined by Mats Granryd, former Director General of the GSMA and one of the most influential voices in global telecoms, to explore what real digital inclusion looks like — and why sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”, but the foundation of good business.
From bridging the mobile usage gap, to ethical leadership, AI’s impact on energy and society, and why EQ may matter more than IQ in the future of work, this conversation goes beyond networks and numbers to focus on people, purpose, and progress.
Mats shares personal reflections from his leadership journey, real-world stories of connectivity transforming lives, and a powerful vision for a more connected, sustainable planet — where technology works with humanity, not against it.
A thoughtful, optimistic start to Season 3 for anyone interested in telecoms, leadership, sustainability, and technology for good.
Links & Resources:
Telenor
GSMA
Episode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.
Guest Bio:
Mats Granryd is a visionary business leader dedicated to creating transformative change for businesses, people, and the planet. He is passionate about building profitable businesses by harnessing the power of connectivity to create a better future for all. As the former Director General of the GSMA, the global mobile industry association, and with decades of experience from global listed companies, including executive leadership roles at Ericsson and President and CEO of Tele 2. Mats has been a driving force in the global deployment of 5G and IoT and led the mobile industry to become the first industry to commit to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Podcast credits:
Host: Ian Ginn
Editor: Francis Wright
Designer: Rebecca Ginn
Project manager: Ivana Duric
Send us your feedback
Support the show
Follow Digitel Talk
Want to be a guest on the show or sponsor a podcast? For all enquires contact [email protected]

If 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 Season 2 wrap-up episode, Digitel Talk host Ian Ginn is joined by telecoms industry leader Chris Hogg to reflect on a remarkable year of conversations exploring telecoms and technology for good.

Together, they revisit standout stories from across the season — from satellites using Bluetooth to reach the unconnected, and AI helping clear landmines, to drones saving lives, inclusive design for people with disabilities, sustainable energy projects, and community-driven connectivity.

With 32 episodes, voices from 78 countries, and insights gathered from global events including AI for Good, Network X, FYUZ, and Connected Britain, this episode offers a thoughtful look back at the ideas, innovations and people shaping a more connected, human-centred digital future.

Whether you’ve listened to every episode or are discovering Digitel Talk for the first time, this wrap-up is your gateway to the stories that mattered most — and a preview of what’s coming next.
Links & Resources:
Evergreen Strategy Partners
AI for Good Global Summit (ITU)
Network X
GLOMO Awards
FYUZ 
Connected Britain
Telecom Infra Project (TIP)
Episode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.
Guest Bio:
Chris Hogg is the founder of Evergreen Strategy Partners - a telecoms industry consultancy specialising in advising industry organisations and solving industry level challenges. Previous clients include organisations such as GCF - the mobile industry’s device certification programme and NGMN Alliance - which works on 6G requirements, sustainability and softwarization of networks.  Chris is also a former GLOMO judge in the category of Best mobile innovation for Climate action (2024). Prior to setting up his business Chris represented Nortel in industry standards bodies such as 3GPP, ETSI and ITU-T.  
Podcast credits:
Host: Ian Ginn
Editor: Francis Wright
Designer: Rebecca Ginn
Project manager: Ivana Duric

Send us your feedback
Support the show
Follow Digitel Talk
Want to be a guest on the show or sponsor a podcast? For all enquires contact [email protected]

If 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 episode of Digitel Talk, host Ian Ginn is joined by Nat-Sy Missamou, VP at Orange Energies, to explore how connectivity, mobile money and clean energy are coming together to transform lives across Africa.
Nat-Sy shares how Orange evolved from powering telecom towers with solar energy to enabling households, entrepreneurs and entire communities to access affordable, reliable electricity — without the burden of upfront costs. Through innovative pay-as-you-go models, mobile money and smart energy platforms, Orange Energies is reducing risk, increasing trust, and unlocking opportunity where it matters most.
From solar-powered hair salons and community mini-grids to life-changing stories of small businesses thriving with reliable energy, this conversation reveals why access to clean power isn’t just an infrastructure challenge — it’s a human one.
A powerful reminder that when technology is designed around people, it can drive economic resilience, dignity and long-term impact.
Links & Resources:
Orange
News: Orange Energies opens up its digital platform
Episode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.
Guest Bio:
Nat-Sy Missamou, Senior Vice President of Orange Energies for Africa and the Middle East: With over 30 years of experience in the telco sector, Missamou leads Orange Energies' mission to make clean and affordable energy accessible across 12 countries in Africa and the Middle East. Her role focuses on leveraging digital and financial solutions, such as the "Orange Smart Energies" platform which uses a pay-as-you-go model for solar equipment and smart meters.
Podcast credits:
Host: Ian Ginn
Editor: Francis Wright
Designer: Rebecca Ginn
Project manager: Ivana Duric

Send us your feedback
Support the show
Follow Digitel Talk
Want to be a guest on the show or sponsor a podcast? For all enquires contact [email protected]

If 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