Shows
Jason's Industry InsightsEpisode #13 - Unlocking the North: Broadband, Barriers, and Blue Sky Thinking. Susan Church, Executive Director of Blue Sky NetWhat’s really stopping rural and northern communities from getting connected? In this episode, I speak with Susan Church, Executive Director of Blue Sky Net, for a candid conversation about the stubborn challenges, and creative solutions, shaping broadband in Northern Ontario.Susan shares stories from her 25-year journey, exposing why national broadband stats are misleading, why “hexagon mapping” leaves whole communities stranded, and what really happens when big telcos hold the keys to critical infrastructure. We chat about funding failures, data gaps, and the hidden cost of overbuilding. Hear about the innovative local providers, the unfilt...2025-06-0740 minJason's Industry InsightsEpisode #12 - Beaming Through the Impossible: Attochron’s Laser Quest to Solve the Last Mile. Tom Chaffee, CEO and Jim Olson, SVP Sales & Marketing, Attochron.What if the biggest challenge in high-speed connectivity wasn’t digging trenches or laying fiber, but simply getting through a mile of air? In this episode, I sit down with Tom Chaffee and Jim Olson from Attochron, a team on a decades-long mission to finally solve the “last mile” problem with a technology that’s left an entire industry skeptical: free space optics.With stories of failed startups, laser breakthroughs inspired by lightning research, and a crash course in why “fog” isn’t the real enemy, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it takes to disrupt teleco...2025-06-0653 minJason's Industry InsightsEpisode #11 - Broadband, Books and Pickleball. Fact vs. Fiction - Lessons from building Infrastructure in Ontario. Gord Reynolds. Senior Advisor, Battersea Advisory (former VP. Infrastructure Ontario)I speak with Gord Reynolds and delve into the complexities of Ontario's broadband journey, discussing the barriers to construction, the impact of legislative changes, the mechanisms of funding and subsidies, and ongoing challenges to continue to close the Digital Divide. We explore the challenges faced by municipalities and internet service providers, the viability of wireless versus fiber solutions, and the role of satellite internet. The discussion also touches on community engagement, Gord's upcoming panel at the Canadian Rural and Remote Broadband Community Conference, and we close out with the one question that really gets people...2025-05-2844 minJason's Industry InsightsEpisode #10 - From Light to Insight: The Untapped Power of Fiber Sensing. Dr. Paul Dickinson, Fiber Optic Sensing AssociationIn this episode, I speak with Dr. Paul Dickinson delve into the transformative potential of fiber optic sensing technology.They discuss its applications across various sectors, including security, utilities, and municipal and smart city applications, emphasizing the importance of awareness and education in driving adoption. Dr. Dickinson shares insights from his extensive experience in the industry, highlighting the need for collaboration among stakeholders to maximize the benefits of this technology. The discussion also briefly touches on the role of BEAD in expanding fiber infrastructure in the US, and the opportunity to integrate fiber...2025-05-1138 minJason's Industry InsightsEpisode #9 - Telecom M&A, Private Equity, shifting valuations, and the rural data center boom - David Pickett, Pardal Ventures(I'm apologizing for the sound quality on this one. No idea what happened there!)In this episode of Jason's Industry Insights, I discusses the current state of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), Private Equity placement and the dynamic of valuation in the telecom sector with David Pickett, a chartered business valuator. We explore the factors influencing M&A and valuations, and the shift in infrastructure ownership among telecom providers. From the M&A boom of 2020/2021 to reduced valuations in 2025, the conversation also touches on the hesitance of private equity in greenfield projects and the emerging...2025-05-0434 minJason's Industry InsightsAn Inside look - Closing the #DigitalDivide with Amedeo Bernardi, Founder, The Canadian Rural and Remote Broadband ConferenceWith the first conference of the 2025 series fast approaching (June), I wanted to speak with Amedeo Bernardi, the founder of the Canadian Rural and Remote Broadband Community Conference to revisit the origins of the conference, how it has evolved and continues to innovate every year, and the importance of networking and collaboration in addressing broadband challenges in rural areas. The challenge of closing the #DigitalDivide is still alive and well. The conversation highlights the shift in conference themes, the structure of the event, and the diverse demographics of attendees. We discuss the panels and workshops planned for...2025-04-1535 minJason's Industry InsightsAll About Model Context Protocol (MCP) - with the AI MadMan, John Capobianco, Selector.AIIn this episode, I discuss the Model Context Protocol (MCP) with John Capobianco, exploring its implications for AI integration and network observability. Think of MCP as the USB of AI Integration.Watch the episode with Video at https://youtu.be/vYF-vZnpQ4MWe delve into the concept of vibe coding, the practical applications of MCP in networking, and the future of technology with this new protocol. The conversation highlights the potential for innovation, and the transformative impact of MCP on pretty much any aspect of day-to-day life. We get into MCP repositories, live examples of...2025-04-0943 minJason's Industry InsightsManaging Broadband Performance Anxiety. Michael McCallen, CEO/Founder, Cheetah NetworksBroadband testing isn’t as simple as checking upload and download speeds. In this episode, I speak with Michael McCallen, CEO of Cheetah Networks, about the biggest challenges in broadband performance testing, why traditional methods often fall short and how they solve the problem with a home-grown Canadian solution.We uncover key obstacles, including:🔹 Inconsistent Testing Methods – Why results can vary wildly depending on how and when tests are run.🔹 Lack of Real-World Performance Metrics – Speed tests don’t tell the full story of your actual experience.🔹 Privacy Concerns – Who really owns your broadband...2025-03-1940 minJason's Industry InsightsThe Final Upload: Why the Future of Data Centers Is in Space - Philip Johnston, CEO and Co-Founder, StarcloudIn this episode, I sit down with Philip Johnston, co-founder and CEO of StarCloud, a pioneering company at the forefront of orbital data centers. Philip makes a bold prediction: within 10 years, all data processing will be in space—and he’s on a mission to make that happen.We dive into the game-changing advantages of space-based data centers, including unlimited solar power, passive cooling, and scalability—all of which could make terrestrial data centers obsolete. Philip breaks down the economic and engineering realities of launching massive compute infrastructure into orbit, tackling key challenges like thermal management, radiation shield...2025-02-2835 minJason's Industry InsightsThe Straight Goods From A Starlink Integrator - Tim Belfall, WestEnd WiFiIn this episode, I chat with Tim Belfall from WestEnd WiFi in Stevenage, England. Tim is an expert in satellite broadband, and an authorized installer (integrator) fort Starlink.We discuss Tim's background in telecommunications, his real-world experiences with Starlink, how its performance has changed over time, and the upcoming pricing changes that will impact customers. We touch on the competitive landscape with emerging players like Kuiper and Thousand Sails. The conversation also touches on the future of satellite internet, mobility solutions, and Tim's thoughts on orbital data centres.Chapters00:00 Introduction to...2025-02-1329 minJason's Industry InsightsAI Driven Human Sensing. Alex QI. CEO, Pontosense.In this episode, Alex Qi, CEO of Pontosense, joins me to chat about the innovative technology behind their human sensing solutions. PontoSense focuses on using millimeter radar technology combined with AI to monitor human activity without the need for wearables, and without compromising personal privacy.The discussion covers the origins of the company, its applications in automotive safety and assisted living, or "AgeTech" solutions that saves lives.Alex emphasizes the importance of human data and suggests that "If we can get data about people, we can save lives."The conversation concludes...2025-01-3031 minJason's Industry InsightsDiscussing Space, with Carlos Placido.In this episode I speak with Carlos Placido, a well known and respected independent consultant in satellite communications, about the evolving landscape of space-based communications. We discuss the significance of tools like NCAT (Non Geo Constellation Analysis ToolKit) for analyzing satellite constellations, the opportunities presented by direct-to-device communication, and the role of IoT in enhancing connectivity. Carlos discusses the importance of multi-orbit broadband solutions, the future of satellite constellations, the impact of AI on the space sector, the need for standards in satellite communications and the key players to watch in the industry, including Amazon...2025-01-2333 minJason's Industry InsightsJohn Capobianco, Selector.AIWelcome to the first episode of Jason's Industry Insights!Be kind. It's a learning curve, especially with sound quality and editing. In this episode, I speak with John Capobianco from Selector.ai, exploring the innovative applications of AI in network management. We discuss how Selector.AI enhances root cause analysis, predictive capabilities, and the integration of AI into existing systems. John shares insights on real-world applications, customer success stories, and the future of autonomous networks, emphasizing the importance of data management and the measurable ROI of AI solutions.00:00 Introduction to Selector...2025-01-0729 minJason's Industry InsightsIntroducing Jason's Industry Insights!Welcome to Jason's Industry Insights! Join us weekly!2024-06-1000 min