Ep 135 - Telco has a context problem (John Abraham)

Ep 135 - Telco has a context problem (John Abraham)

Author: Danielle Rios, TelcoDR March 3, 2026 Duration: 19:36
Appledore Research's John Abraham joins DR to explain why context, not data, is the real blocker for AI at scale, and how ontologies give AI the business logic it needs to actually work.

Hosted by Danielle Rios of TelcoDR, Telco in 20 is a forward-looking conversation for leaders navigating the immense technological shift on the horizon. This podcast operates on a core premise: the coming two decades will see the telecommunications industry fundamentally reshaped by the dual forces of public cloud migration and artificial intelligence. It’s a practical guide for executives who need to move beyond theory and understand the actionable steps required for transformation. Each episode features high-profile guests from various corners of the telecom world, offering diverse perspectives on where the industry is headed. Listeners will hear candid discussions about the real-world impact of AI, the strategic imperatives behind moving IT estates to the cloud, and the tough decisions needed to not just survive but thrive. The dialogue is focused on savvy implementation-how to actually drive change, manage the transition, and position a company for a future that’s arriving faster than many predict. This isn't about vague futurism; it's a grounded, expert-led exploration of the specific technologies, business models, and leadership philosophies defining the next era of telecom. Tune in for a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges and opportunities, all aimed at preparing you and your organization for the radical evolution already underway.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Telco in 20
Podcast Episodes
Ep 78 - Visionary telcos use the public cloud (Andrew Walker) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:15
Telcos are finally heading to the public cloud, but also finding that old-fashioned thinking and technology are slowing them down. Andrew Walker from Accenture explains why the move is challenging and what telcos can do…
Ep 76 - Into the Nexus of GenAI with Microsoft (Rick Lievano) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:36
Microsoft CTO for Worldwide Telecommunications Industry Rick Lievano talks about the general availability of Azure Operator Nexus, the company's work with AT&T, and its $13 billion investment in OpenAI.
Ep 75 - Nokia’s journey to becoming cloud native (Azfar Aslam) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:32
Nokia is shifting focus to enterprise and B2B, which it sees as the future of telecom. Nokia Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Europe Azfar Aslam talks about its new direction, refactoring legacy products,…
Ep 74 - It’s time to take on Twilio! (TMF DTW) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:52
The future of enterprise telco lies in network APIs. Here's a three-step plan to take back CPaaS revenue from companies like Twilio, plus a sneak peek at a powerful new Totogi CPaaS product.
Ep 73 - Can telco compete in CPaaS? (Yesmean Luk) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:08
Telcos have lost money to companies like Twilio that make it easy for developers to add CPaaS capabilities to products. But the landscape is shifting and there are signs that telcos are ready to take back the CPaaS reins…
Ep 72 - Mats Granryd talks Open Gateway [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:41
GSMA Director General Mats Granryd sits down to talk about how Open Gateway could spark a massive shift in the telco industry and what needs to happen for it to succeed.
Ep 70 - Unleashing telco potential with AWS (Chivas Nambiar) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:09
Chivas Nambiar, director of worldwide solution architecture, AWS for telecom, talks about how the hyperscaler is working with our industry, how cloud software is changing the landscape, and the future of telco in an AI-d…