Selling the Body, Keeping the Soul: Who Owns the Network of the Future?

Telecom operators have spent years selling or spinning off the physical infrastructure behind their networks — from mobile towers to fibre networks — to unlock capital, reduce debt and focus on their core business. But what happens when the next generation of networks needs more than antennas and fibre?

In this episode, we explore the global rise of telecom infrastructure divestment, from Deutsche Telekom’s GD Towers deal and Vodafone’s tower partnerships to Telstra’s Amplitel and TIM’s sale of its fixed-network business.

Then comes the bigger question: were the contracts designed for yesterday’s networks built for tomorrow’s AI-driven edge computing and 6G?

As networks become more intelligent and compute moves closer to users, physical sites could become valuable locations for power, cooling, connectivity and distributed computing. But if operators no longer own those sites, will they have the rights and flexibility to deploy the infrastructure they need — or will they find themselves negotiating with their former infrastructure businesses?

This is a conversation about capital and control, efficiency and dependency, and the difference between owning the network’s “soul” and controlling its physical body.

Because selling the towers may strengthen a telco’s balance sheet. But could it complicate the network of the future?

The Telco Without The Body

When Telcos Become Platforms, Infrastructure—and Instruments of Sovereignty

The telecom industry is changing in unexpected ways. In this episode, we look at Poste Italiane’s acquisition of TIM and what it tells us about the future of telecom operators.

Why is a postal and financial-services company taking control of a major telco? What can we learn from operators expanding into payments, banking, logistics and digital platforms? And why are governments and state-backed investors increasingly taking stakes in critical telecom and satellite infrastructure?

From TIM and Poste Italiane to Rakuten, stc, BT, Vodafone, Eutelsat and Vodafone Idea, we explore the unusual buyers, platform strategies and growing connection between telecom, finance, logistics and national sovereignty.

A first look at how the boundaries of the telecom industry are being redrawn—and what might come next.

Brave New Telco

Do we really need 6G? If someone can convince me about the benefits of 6G that person is Remy Pascal [https://www.linkedin.com/in/remypascal/], Practice Leader at Omdia.

After all the hype around 5G, what did we actually get—and what happened to the transformative use cases we were promised? In this episode, we continue to deep dive on 6G taking a broad look at various stakeholders and customers to understand why 6G may be an essential step for the mobile world.

We explore what 6G could bring, from dramatically more capable networks and ask how AI changes the equation. Will 6G simply make networks faster, or will it make them fundamentally more intelligent—and could AI ultimately be the real reason we need 6G?

This is for all the 6G skeptics out there: Telcos Strikes Back & 6G Is a New Hope

Telcos Strike Back: 6G A New Hope

On this episode of the Telco Drift I discuss how the different strategies from Nokia and Ericsson will create a telco market where the network could truly become a differentiator. I also bring up the question of what is needed to bring on the excitement for 6G beyond the techy and engineering world. Of course there is a short discussion of recent announcements with once again the NTN world grabbing my attention.

I then conclude by throwing my two cents on the analyst versus influencer debate.

On The Road To 6G And The Fate Of The Analyst

The telecom world is being reshaped by new business models, the ongoing debate around 5G’s success, and the rising strategic value of data. In this episode, I am joined by Miguel Carames [https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-carames-technologist/], Chief Product Officer at Mobileum to explore how AI is transforming networks and enterprise services, from the drive towards autonomous networks to new AI agents for small enterprises.

AI is coming for telcos and in this brave new world data may be one of telecom’s biggest untapped opportunities.

AI is coming: Data, networks, and the next telecom shift

In this episode I am joined by Ruth Brown [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-br/], Senior Principal Analyst Mobile Networks at Omdia to explore the wireless wonders of today and tomrrow. Join us for a look at the next generation of wireless connectivity as we explore the technologies shaping the future of networking. In this episode, we unpack the latest advancements in Wi-Fi 7, trace the challenges of private networks in their journey from niche deployments to business-critical infrastructure, and examine how 6G is beginning to redefine what's possible for wireless communications.

We also dive into the growing role of AI in the network, from intelligent automation and optimization to the emergence of agentic AI and what it could mean for network operations, security, and user experiences. 

Whether you're a networking professional, technology enthusiast, or simply curious about where wireless technology is headed, this episode offers an accessible overview of the innovations driving the next era of connected experiences.

Wireless Wonders: Wi-Fi and Beyond

In this episode, we unpack why telcos sometimes decide to bury the hatchet and to collaborate rather than to compete to the death. The creation of JV or broader collaborative initiatives is not a trend yet, it could become a way for telcos to create a common front to tackle the next wave of connectivity and monetization.

Among others, we look at Aduna, the multi-operator network API venture designed to give developers easier access to telco capabilities at scale, and the newly announced AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile D2D joint venture, a rare collaboration between U.S. rivals aimed at facing off against a real or perceived threat from Starlink. The episode explores what’s driving these alliances, where they could create new revenue, and the strategic trade-offs around competition, governance, and execution.

When Telcos Become Best Friends...

In this episode, April Tech News Salad: Satellites, AI, Enterprise 5G & Consumer Bits – PUB Edition, we investigate the biggest stories shaping the tech landscape right now. From satellite M&A breakthroughs expanding global connectivity to the different paths telcos are taking with AI and the worrying circularity of the AI economy, we unpack what actually matters beyond the headlines.

 We also dive into how 5G is evolving for business use cases discussing the fan-favorite private 5G market, and the latest consumer tech signals worth watching.

 Firstly recorded in a relaxed airport lounge with an Aperol Spritz, then re-recorded multiple times due to challenges with sound quality, this episode, now categorized as a pub edition,  blends sharp insight with candid views —perfect for anyone trying to keep up in a chill way without getting lost in the noise.

April Tech News Salad: Satellites, AI, Enterprise 5G & Consumer Bits – The Curse of The Pub Edition

In this episode, I am joined by Amy Cameron [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-cameron-67084745/], Managing Director for Research at STL Partners, to unpack the biggest promises and boldest claims that still make sense one month after the end of Mobile World Congress. Join us as we explore where telcos are genuinely advancing and where the hype may be outrunning reality. From network innovation to new business models, we discuss what comes next for the industry — and which opportunities are actually worth watching.

We also dive into the rapidly evolving role of AI in the enterprise world: where the real value is emerging, what leaders are getting right, and why the next wave of adoption will be disruptive.

Beyond technology, the conversation takes a more philosophical turn as we reflect on life, curiosity, and the importance of perspective in fast-moving industries. We close with a look at the journey of becoming an analyst today — the skills that matter, the habits that make a difference, and practical advice for anyone trying to build credibility in a world overflowing with noise and information.

Thirty Days Later: A Reality Check For Telcos And Industry Analysts

Quantum computing is moving from theory to reality—but what does it actually mean for the industry?

In this episode, I am joined by Frank De Jong [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fjdejong/] - Program Director Quantum Safe Networks at Orange Business and host of the Orange Business Radio [https://open.spotify.com/show/24t0Yi7UwhdTDWMFsi2thd?si=d03c2515224c4d99] podcast, to discuss the current and future state of quantum technology. Join us as we break down the fundamentals of quantum computing in plain language, exploring how it differs from classical computing and why it’s generating so much attention. We then dive into the real-world implications: from the transformative opportunities quantum technologies could unlock, to the technical and commercial challenges still standing in the way.

We also examine the emerging security landscape, including the risks quantum poses to current encryption standards and the race toward quantum-safe solutions. Finally, we explore the role telecommunications companies can play in this evolving ecosystem—where infrastructure, networks, and innovation intersect.

The Uncertainty Network: Should Telcos Love Quantum?

Pablo Tomasi (@ptomasi) · Zencastr

Pablo Tomasi (@ptomasi)

Analyzing the strange, the true, and the possible — stories and debates from the frontiers of tech, telecoms, and sci-fi