Post-MWC 2026: Qualcomm’s AI Wearables, Satellite Momentum, Nvidia’s RAN Push, and 6G Signals for LA 2028

In a post–MWC 2026 episode of the 6G Podcast, Anshel Sag and Mike Dano recap show takeaways, including heavy Qualcomm news: Snapdragon Wear Elite for AI wearables (including a future Galaxy Watch), FastConnect 8800 Wi‑Fi 8 with quad radios and 4x4 client throughput, an AI 200 rack-scale data center solution, and the Snapdragon X105 5G-Advanced modem with 6G testing potential. They discuss a turning point for AI wearables and privacy concerns, especially smart glasses. Dano’s main takeaway is accelerating satellite momentum, citing Starlink’s second-gen direct-to-device plans and activity from SES, Viasat/Space42, Eutelsat/OneWeb, AST SpaceMobile/Telus, Amazon Kuiper/Vodafone, Samsung, and Qualcomm satellite demos. Sag outlines Nvidia’s telecom strategy with Nokia and others to improve RAN efficiency, add AI features like ISAC, and later enable edge compute, then flags LA Olympics 2028 as a likely 6G milestone, and closes with MWC device highlights and questions about edge security and sovereign AI.

00:00 MWC Recap Kickoff

00:23 Travel Chaos and Jet Lag

01:55 Qualcomm MWC Blitz

03:59 AI Wearables and Smart Glasses

06:40 Satellite Internet Surge

10:46 Nvidia Enters the RAN

16:07 6G Countdown LA 2028

18:39 MWC Device Roundup

23:52 Edge Compute Security Questions

29:16 Sovereign AI and Operator Clouds

31:06 ISAC and Public Safety Shift

31:39 Wrap Up and Subscribe

Anshel Sag hosts episode 242 of the rebranded 6G Podcast and introduces new co-host Mike Dano (Ookla), noting the industry’s “5G lull” and a shift toward 6G discussions. They discuss 5G Americas shutting down operations after years as a spectrum- and standards-focused trade association, framing the closure as a sign of cooling 5G interest and flat-to-negative RAN sales. Anshel covers Samsung and KT achieving a 3 Gbps downlink in 7 GHz using Keysight 6G test equipment and X-MIMO, noting the unclear bandwidth used and emphasizing that 6G progress is still largely experimental with mixed commercialization timelines (2028–2030). They debate 7 GHz as a key 6G band, propagation challenges (referencing Wi‑Fi 6E/7), the fading focus on terahertz bands, China’s earlier stance on 6 GHz, and potential limited initial 6G deployments. Mike highlights an Ookla report on 5G standalone showing improved battery life versus NSA (EE +22%, O2 +11%) and argues operators under-market SA benefits. Anshel explains T-Mobile’s John Saw concept of “kinetic tokens” for low-latency AI in motion (physical AI) across device/edge/cloud, tying it to use cases like real-time translation (5G Advanced, 50 languages) and ISAC for tracking and supporting drones, plus discussion of NVIDIA-based AI-RAN strategies and skepticism about cost and monetization of GPUs in base stations. Mike raises broader concerns about the AI data center boom, citing a projected $710B hyperscaler investment in 2026, power constraints (natural gas, gas turbines/jet engines), private high-bandwidth inter-data-center traffic, and questions about whether telecoms can capture AI value versus hyperscalers, while noting sovereign AI opportunities in countries with fewer data centers. They close with Microsoft and Ericsson integrating Ericsson Advanced Enterprise Mobility into Windows 11 (piloted on Surface 5G) to simplify secure enterprise 5G laptop management with Intune and eSIM provisioning, and discuss why cellular laptops haven’t broadly taken off (cost, plans, coverage) and how Apple’s modems and multi-carrier services might change adoption.

00:00 Welcome & New Co-Host Mike Dano Joins the 6G Podcast

01:10 Why the Rebrand Now: 5G Lull, MWC & Samsung Unpacked Tease

02:03 5G Americas Shuts Down: What It Says About the Market Cycle

05:41 Samsung + KT Hit 3 Gbps in 7 GHz: Early 6G Trial Reality Check

07:32 Where 6G Spectrum Lands: 7 GHz, Propagation, and Terahertz Hype Fades

12:58 Ookla Report Spotlight: 5G Standalone Boosts Battery Life (and Why It Matters)

17:54 Kinetic Tokens & Physical AI: T-Mobile’s Vision for Low-Latency 6G

22:51 Is T-Mobile’s “GPU in Every Base Station” Plan Actually Viable?

24:16 The Edge Compute Case: Double-Dipping GPUs for AI + XR Graphics

26:29 AI Wearables, AR Glasses, and Why 6G Timing Could Favor T-Mobile

28:27 The $710B Data Center Boom: What Hyperscaler Spend Means for Telecom

30:36 Powering AI: Natural Gas, Turbines, and the Nuclear Buildout Debate

31:25 Neo-Clouds & AI Transport: Private Backbone Links, Akamai GPU Rentals, and Wall Street Doubts

37:40 Microsoft + Ericsson Bring Enterprise 5G Management Natively to Windows 11

40:00 Why 5G Laptops Still Haven’t Taken Off (Cost, Plans, Battery, Coverage)

41:41 What Changes in 6G: Apple Modems, Multi-Carrier Service, and the Road Ahead (Wrap-Up)

Final Episode: Analyzing 5G, Verizon's Moves, and the Future of Telecom In episode 241 of the G2 on 5G podcast by More Insights and Strategy, hosts Will Townsend and Anshel Sag cover six pressing topics in the telecom industry. Will shares his news of leaving More Insights to start a new venture, marking the end of the podcast. The episode starts with a discussion on Verizon's aggressive price cuts on their plans, raising questions about potential price wars. They move on to discuss a report by Okla comparing cellular and WiFi performance at major US airports, with cellular often outperforming WiFi due to outdated infrastructure. The hosts then delve into NTT Docomo's advancements in 6G radio sensing technology and its applications, followed by Anshel's experiences with T-Mobile's expanded partnership with Formula One and their new 'un-carrier' moves to streamline carrier switching. Lastly, they review Nokia's puzzling decision to focus less on private cellular networking despite previous successes and Verizon's enhanced enterprise-class FWA solutions. The episode reflects on the journey of the podcast and hints at future individual projects in the telecom field.