Perspectives in Mobile

The offshore operator Tampnet is in active discussions in the UK, Germany, Norway and Poland to expand its offshore connectivity model, CEO Elie Hanna told MEF: "There are now many discussions for our "Roam-like-home" model and other models we offer", Hanna said in an interview with MEF podcast "Perspectives on mobile". This follows agreements in the U.S. and with KPN and Odido in the Netherlands, Mobile connectivity is expanding beyond terrestrial networks, with offshore, satellite, and hybrid systems challenging traditional roaming models. The industry is shifting from a single-access approach to a blended model combining roaming, network sharing, and native access to ensure seamless coverage.Identity, authentication, and billing stay with the home operator, while a more distributed access layer drives new commercial models. Meanwhile, roam-like-home schemes are eroding high roaming fees without reducing operator value.In this episode of Perspectives on Mobile, Riccardo Amati speaks with Tampnet CEO. The discussion also touches on the evolution of legacy roaming agreements, the scale of API monetization, and the move toward a platform-based, multi-party telecom ecosystem where coordination becomes the key differentiator.

Digital transformation is moving at an unprecedented pace, reshaping how organisations operate, collaborate, and compete across borders. As technology accelerates change, the focus is shifting beyond systems and platforms toward people, culture, and the ways teams work together. Agile working models, strong internal alignment, and clear narratives are becoming essential to keep global organisations connected and adaptable.In this episode of Perspectives in Mobile, our host Dario Betti interviews Wendhyharto Kusumaatmadja, the Group Head Digital Initiative at TELIN. They discuss the profound impact of technology on collaboration and the importance of a people-centric approach to digital transformation.Wendhy emphasizes that successful transformation requires a shift in mindset and culture, rather than just technology. The conversation also covers TELIN's role in the global digital ecosystem, the essential skills needed for the future workforce, and the balance between technology and human collaboration. Wendhy shares insights on crafting a compelling narrative to engage teams and highlights the innovations and opportunities that lie ahead for TELIN in the rapidly evolving telecom industry.

Telecom operators must shift from traditional voice services to cloud-based PBX and unified communication solutions to remain competitive — according to Digital Tide. It’s s urgent for operators to adapt. Legacy revenue streams are plateauing while cloud adoption offers recurring, scalable, and higher-quality revenue.In this episode of MEF Perspectives podcast, Digital Tide executives Anna Gonzalez and Roman Zahidi highlight how early movers in emerging markets and verticals like hospitality, healthcare, and retail are capturing significant market share by bundling cloud solutions with connectivity services. They also stressed the strategic value of white-label partnerships, which allow operators to deploy sophisticated solutions quickly without heavy R&D investment, reducing risk while competing with global giants like Microsoft and Zoom. Digital Tide, a MEF member, is a pioneering communications software provider specializing in white-label voice services for telecom operators. The company frames the white-label opportunity as a “pivot from connectivity providers to solution partners,” focusing on ecosystem-based offerings, sales training, and local support to accelerate growth in high-value markets.

The global messaging market is under strain as enterprises move beyond A2P SMS while regulation lags behind fast-growing OTT messaging platforms. Unlike SMS, services such as WhatsApp and Telegram operate with limited oversight, creating vulnerabilities that fraudsters increasingly exploit and shifting risk across the mobile ecosystem.In this episode of Perspectives in Mobile, MEF’s Riccardo Amati speaks with Igor Skutsenya, Senior Business Development Manager at LANCK Telecom, about what live traffic data reveals behind the industry’s transition. They examine the real pace of RCS adoption, rising SMS costs, evolving monetization models, and why uneven regulation could become the industry’s most underestimated threat.Igor explains why A2P SMS still underpins revenues despite visible decline, why RCS adoption depends more on commercial models than technology, and how richer messaging can improve fraud defenses, if regulation keeps pace with innovation.

AI is forcing the mobile ecosystem's operators to rethink how they work, while RCS is creating new pressure to move faster than their legacy systems allow. Leaders are confronting internal resistance, confusion around priorities, and the cost of hanging onto outdated processes. A new model of “FutureFit” organizations is gaining traction, highlighting the need for agility, clear objectives, and the ability to unlearn what no longer serves the business.Welcome to MEF Podcast Perspectives. Our guest is Friska Wirya, one of the world’s leading change-management thinkers, best-selling author of the FutureFit Organization series, and creator of the AI tool Ask Friska. She works with executives to turn resistance into resilience and help teams stay confident and capable through technological change.We talk about what makes an organization FutureFit, how to recognise resistance as a useful signal, and why empathy is essential. We also look at the barriers slowing RCS adoption, the need to remove outdated practices when budgets are tight, and the distinction between mastering change and simply managing it.

It’s the industry’s biggest storyline: application-to person (A2P) SMS is no longer the default, and for the first time in decades, the foundations of business messaging are being rewritten in real time. With reach communications services (RCS) accelerating after Apple’s adoption, fraud models shifting, interoperability becoming over-the-top-(OTT)-driven, and artificial intelligence transforming enterprise engagement, the sector stands at a genuine inflection point. What’s hype, what’s real, and what’s next for brands, operators and aggregators? This episode of MEF podcast “Perspectives in Mobile” tackles exactly that.Our guest is David Fernandez-Vinuales, a leading strategist in global business messaging and former Meta and Google executive. With deep experience across telecoms, CPaaS, carrier operations and conversational AI, he now advises enterprises on RCS and omnichannel transformation—bringing one of the sharpest perspectives on where the ecosystem is heading.With David, we break down the true state of RCS adoption and what’s driving its surge. We tackle pricing, fraud, verification, interoperability, and operator pressures. We also explore Messaging as a Platform (MAP), embedded payments, network application programming interfaces (APIs), the challenges of scaling RCS globally, and David’s vision of brand–consumer interaction over the next few years—plus his single most urgent directive for MEF members.

In this episode of MEF Podcast Perspectives, host Riccardo Amati and guest Trend Micro's Udo Schneider discuss the alarming rise of task scams, a sophisticated form of online fraud targeting job seekers. They explore the emotional and financial impacts of these scams, the tactics used by cybercriminals, and the role of AI in both perpetrating and combating these threats. The conversation also touches on the future of cybersecurity, including the implications of quantum computing and the importance of staying informed to protect oneself from scams.

In this episode, MEF CEO Dario Betti sat down with Patrick George, CEO of iBasis, to discuss one of the biggest developments in wholesale telecom: iBasis’s deal with Telstra to take over its international wholesale assets. Patrick explains how this milestone perfectly fits iBasis’s long-term strategy of consolidation and scale, enabling the company to expand its global footprint into Asia-Pacific, the world’s most dynamic telecoms market. The deal brings not only infrastructure but also local teams and expertise, strengthening iBasis’s ability to operate in diverse environments. Above all, Patrick emphasized that wholesale is a people business. Deals of this scale are only possible because of the dedication of iBasis’s teams worldwide, who ensure quality of service every day. As the wholesale market consolidates, iBasis is positioning itself as a global, resilient partner for operators — focused on scale, service quality, and sustainable growth.

Mobile network operators worldwide are developing unified API standards, fueled by the growing momentum of the Open Gateway Initiative. These efforts are driving new business models and strengthening fraud prevention across the industry.In this episode, host Riccardo Amati interviews two key figures shaping the future of mobile network APIs: Nick Rossman, Director of Programmes at MEF, and Viktorija Radman, Telecom Business Director at Infobip and a recently appointed member of MEF’s board.Viktorija shares insights from Infobip’s practical experience in deploying these APIs globally, while Nick discusses MEF’s role in educating the industry and fostering cooperation. Together, they cover key developments including the growth of operator participation worldwide, real-world case studies of network API deployment, the critical integration of fraud prevention solutions, and plans for MEF’s upcoming Interest Group meeting.Listeners will gain a comprehensive overview of how network APIs are transforming mobile operator collaboration, addressing fraud, and creating new revenue streams, alongside the strategic goals guiding MEF’s initiatives in the coming months.

Satellite IoT revenue is doubling — and reshaping wholesale telecom. As integration between satellite and terrestrial networks accelerates, traditional models are giving way to more flexible, standards-driven partnerships. This shift is redefining how mobile operators, IoT providers, and platforms monetize connectivity — with major implications for pricing, security, and cross-industry collaboration.The data tells a clear story: satellite IoT revenue is forecast to grow from $2.9 billion in 2024 to $5.8 billion by 2027 — according to Juniper Research.. Direct-to-cell models could reach $2.8 billion by 2028. Wholesale roaming revenue is also set to double, nearing $2 billion. Key drivers include low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation expansion, like Myriota’s new 16-satellite launch, and hybrid deals such as KPN and Skylo leveraging 3GPP Release 17. Standards like SGP.32 for eSIM provisioning are becoming critical — but regulatory hurdles and fragmented security models persist.To unpack what this means for the industry, we’re joined by Sam Barker, VP of Telecoms Market Research at Juniper Research. In this episode, we explore growth trends, monetization strategies, emerging standards, security risks, and where mobile carriers, CPaaS vendors, and IoT providers should place their bets.

In this episode of Perspectives, Dario Betti engages with MCP Insight the winners of MEFFYS Award 2025 in the Payments category. The COO, Toby Padgham, and the Head of Compliance David Ashman discuss the evolving landscape of mobile payments, digital services and explore the current state of mobile operators, the importance of compliance and governance and the challenges posed by fraud. The conversation highlights successful regulatory frameworks in various markets, the need for trust in mobile payments, and the role of AI in enhancing efficiency. The episode concludes with actionable insights for mobile operators on how to grow sustainably and the importance of choosing the right compliance partners.

That’s the bold message from TOMIA, the company that just took home the 2025 MEFFYS Award for Best Connectivity Innovation in Wholesale.In this episode of Perspectives, we sit down with Caetano Pessoa, Product Marketing Lead at TOMIA, to unpack what this recognition means and how the company is helping mobile operators evolve from connectivity providers to digital enablers.We explore how AI, network slicing, and real-time data are transforming roaming into a platform for growth, fueling partnerships with travel, insurance, and financial sectors. Caetano shares insights on hyper-personalization, adaptive steering, and TOMIA’s latest innovation, the Travel Revenue Accelerator, designed to turn travel mobility into measurable business value.If you're in telecom, tech, or enterprise services, this conversation is your front-row seat to how roaming is being redefined in 2025.