I think this is a milestone. This might be the first episode of TeleGeography Explains the Internet where we talk about 6G.
First, let me rewind. Our guest today is Dario Betti, CEO of the Mobile Ecosystem Forum.
It's always nice to have industry association folks on the show. I've found they can pull back from the perspective of a single vendor or operator to paint a broader picture of the challenges facing different corners of the telecom industry. This is exactly what Dario does in this interview on all things mobile.
Dario first explains what the MEF does (and does not do) for its members. But, perhaps more importantly, I think he provides a great overview of the key issues at play in the global mobile market.
And what might those issues be?
We talk about fraud—always needing to stay one step ahead of the bad guys—and what's happening with roaming as carriers turn off 2 and 3G networks. We get into security for mobile networks, meeting ever-increasing mobile bandwidth demand, and 5 and even 6G mobile service.
We cover a lot of ground, and I think you'll find our conversation to be a useful review of what's presently top of mind in the mobile world.
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Initially focused on securing devices and networks, the understanding of security in mobile has expanded. A recent focus is on securing the supply chain and ensuring consistency in customer experience when services rely on multiple providers and technologies.
This involves understanding the risks associated with buying services without full knowledge of the underlying components and responsibilities in the chain. MEF works on establishing frameworks, common terminology, and codes of conduct to help identify and address security issues across the ecosystem, recognizing that simple failures, like forgetting to change a password, can lead to breaches even with advanced technology.
Effective security requires attention to process and understanding the entire chain, not just deploying the best technical solutions.
The sunsetting of 2G and 3G networks is creating problems for international roaming, a historically profitable service. Meanwhile, skyrocketing bandwidth demands are challenging 5G deployments, which require denser networks, more fiber backhaul, and significant investment, leading to performance issues sometimes described as "two bar 5G."
Planning for 6G is already underway, but includes questions about affordability and how operators will pay for the necessary infrastructure. Overall, mobile services have become commoditized, reducing average revenue per user as customers focus on the applications consumed rather than the underlying connectivity. This commoditization, coupled with market and regulatory pressures, makes it difficult for operators to make the long-term investments needed for network evolution.