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In Today’s Issue

Jason’s Industry Insights, The Podcast

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 with insights into future applications and market strategies for Pontosense's technology.

Check it out on Apple, Spotify, or find us and follow on whatever player app you use.

What’s Happening On Earth?

🇨🇦 TELUS puts customer focus at the heart of autonomous network transformation - The term autonomous networks (AN) has become a catch-all term as communications service providers (CSPs) transform their networks, IT systems and processes. Each CSP has a view on the business outcomes that AN can achieve. For Canada-based TELUS, AN is the evolution of many different domains that together will deliver better customer experiences, new services, and increased efficiency.

My Take: “If we’re successful in bridging all these pieces, then we produce a network ecosystem where we can move resources to where they're needed in real time, anticipating and meeting the needs of our customers in a more efficient and reliable way,” he explained.” You don’t hear this type of stuff from the other guys,

🇨🇦 CIRA unveils new Internet Performance Test to help Canadians better understand broadband speeds - The latest version of IPT provides users with an enhanced test-results dashboard, to ensure users understand critical aspects of their internet performance including how their connection supports common online activities like streaming services or video calls.  

My Take: I continue to be critical of CIRAs solution that uses the device as the end test point. If I run a test from my iPhone while standing beside the router and then again while standing halfway down my driveway, the results will be very different. If anything, this test exposes lousy in-home infrastructure, not normalized and actual “speeds” being delivered by the carriers.

Brightspeed joins forces with Verizon for fixed-wireless push - A new partnership between Brightspeed and Verizon will allow Brightspeed to deliver fixed wireless services over Verizon’s network for customers with aging copper cables.

My Take: Sharing is caring. And its copper replacement, so it makes sense. Again, says me.

Chairman Cruz Leads Senate Commerce GOP in Effort to Stop Biden FCC from Subsidizing Kids’ Unsupervised Internet Access - U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) led 13 Senate Commerce Republicans in introducing a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) that would nullify a partisan FCC order that violates federal law, creates major risks for kids’ online safety, harms parental rights, and will increase taxes on working families.

My Take: The Biden administration’s Wi-Fi Hotspot Order controversially expands the Universal Service Fund beyond its statutory limit of “classrooms,” raising concerns over government overreach and parental rights in regulating children’s internet access. By subsidizing unsupervised, off-campus hotspot use without parental consent requirements, the policy risks exposing children to inappropriate content while potentially enabling ideological censorship in education.

🇨🇦 How BCE chief Mirko Bibic aims to win back investor confidence - For a chief executive officer contending with stagnating industry growth, a downgraded credit rating and debt-heavy balance sheet, along with a stock price that dropped 36 per cent last year, Mirko Bibic is surprisingly upbeat.

My Take: Oh, it’s as simple as “fibre, fibre, fibre.”

BEAD Applicants Urged to Think Beyond End Users for Revenue - As $42.5 billion in federal funding flows into broadband network deployment through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, telecom strategists emphasized the need for applicants to think beyond network construction.

My Take: Well, yes, of course. The business is not sustainable with a single revenue stream. So many areas to focus on.

The Battle for Broadband Dominance Is Heating Up! Will Traditional Providers Survive? - In the picturesque setting of Davos, Switzerland, Liberty Global’s CEO Mike Fries shed light on the significant challenges facing Europe’s telecom industry. His insights during a CNBC interview at the World Economic Forum highlight the increasing competition from satellite internet providers such as Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper.

My Take: I need to learn more about some of the issues affecting the European market.

How API-first Wi-Fi can help MSPs stay competitive - With the networking industry shifting toward API-first principles, Wi-Fi is set to undergo significant transformation, following the path of advancements already seen in 5G. The API-first approach, which emphasizes building network systems and applications with APIs at their core, unlocks new opportunities for innovation and business models.

My Take: Vendor independence, faster time to market, reduced OPEX.. all good things.

Bandwidth Hawk: Rocky times ahead for broadband in 2025 - But the year ahead poses worries about whether carriers will be able to easily match federal funds that become available, or cope with inflation, network security challenges, equipment and labor shortages, and tariffs.

My Take: New administration in the US, and all.

After TikTok, the WiFi router in your home may be next Chinese tech ban target - Congressional leaders including Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, an influential House figure in the TikTok ban, say the routers are vulnerable to cybersecurity and cyberespionage aims of the government of the People’s Republic of China.

My Take: Older news that I though had been resolved.

D.C. Memo: Carr Shuts Down Proposal to Ban ISP Bulk Billing Deals - ISPs like Hotwire Communications in Florida can finally breathe easy. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has shut down a proposal designed to ban ISPs from inking certain Internet service contracts with the owners and managers of condos, apartment buildings, and homeowners associations

My Take: Bulk deals are good for the owners but not always good for the consumers.

🇨🇦 The CRTC’s flawed Far North approach - The headlines were breathless – Canada’s telecom regulatory is going to cut the cost of internet services for people living in the Far North

My Take: A good read. Wouldn’t it be better to build affordable mid-mile instead?

Oracle partners with Starlink for global broadband access - Oracle has teamed up with SpaceX's Starlink to enhance its Enterprise Communications Platform (ECP) with high-speed broadband connectivity, enabling customers to access cloud-based applications from virtually any location worldwide

My Take: Direct cloud connect, with a hint of SD-WAN, if I’m understanding correctly.

What’s Happening In Space?

What’s in Space This Week?

Inside the Comms Tech Headed to the Moon - As the world prepares for the return of crewed missions to the Moon, including the Artemis III mission set for 2027, space agencies are teaming up with the commercial sector to help future human and robotic lunar residents overcome those issues, providing the location and comms capabilities they need. 

My Take: Really interesting read. “Nokia payload that will attempt to set up the first 4G/LTE cellular network on the lunar surface is hitching a ride on board Athena, Intuitive Machines’ second lunar lander.”. I wonder what the roaming charges will be?

Lonestar's moonshot: Firm aims to place data center on lunar surface - The space startup will use SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to launch a fully assembled data center late next month by integrating it with Intuitive Machines' moon lander, Athena, it said on Tuesday.

My Take: So this is cool, too. Orbital DCs, Lunar DCs. How do they maintain them?

Amazon ships Kuiper satellites to Florida - Amazon has shipped the first of its Kuiper satellites. The satellites themselves were well wrapped up within metal containers, but Amazon has admitted that the containers contained more of their Project Kuiper broadband communications satellites.

My Take: I wonder if they shipped them with Prime. Next day. No shipping fee.

Bezos vs. Bezos: Amazon sues WA state over Washington Post request for Kuiper records - The company that Jeff Bezos founded has gone to court to keep the newspaper he owns from finding out too much about the inner workings of its business.

My Take: The makings of a movie. Like War of the Roses.

🇨🇦 Bridging the digital divide: Canada’s new frontier in satellite communications led by McMaster Engineering and NRC researchers - Maintaining communication networks across Canada’s vast and rugged terrain is a significant challenge. It’s one that has propelled the country to become a pioneering force in satellite communication technology. However, the recent surge in internet traffic has exposed the limitations of radio links used to relay data between Earth and space, hindering the expansion of satellite networks.

My Take: Space-Ground Optical links is the next frontier to conquer. Optical is better than RF, but with many challenges. More great Canadian research and innovation to solve the problem!

🇨🇦 Kepler Communications: Building the Internet for Space - Kepler Communications is building the critical infrastructure to solve compounding data needs in space with The Kepler Network, an optical data relay constellation designed to be the transport layer for space comms. 

My Take: In orbit processing and transport. A great Canadian solution, of course.

Are GaaS Infracos the Future of Satellite? - Although infracos have been a pillar of the telecom industry for quite some time, they are just now beginning to emerge in the space and satellite industries, as satcom providers are starting to consider turning to infracos to own and manage their Ground-as-a-Service (GaaS) offerings.

My Take: I don’t have a fully formed opinion on this.

Apple’s New ‘Game Changer’ iPhone Update Brings Starlink Satellite Access - Apple has just released iOS 18.3, its latest iPhone update and the software contained a surprise extra: compatibility with the Starlink satellite network, according to a new report.

My Take: US only. iPhone 14 or newer. Two strikes for me.

Globalstar, AST Space stocks fall as Apple partners with SpaceX - Shares of Globalstar (NYSE:GSAT) plummeted 20%, while AST Space (NASDAQ:ASTS) fell 12% following a Bloomberg News report that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been collaborating with SpaceX and T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS) to integrate support for the Starlink network into the latest iPhone software.

My Take: I won’t divulge my position in ASTS. Not enough to make that much of a difference, but the combination of SpaceX and Apple.. That’s something.

Broadband satellite is a blessing from above - Whether it’s accessing education, telehealth, government services or economic opportunity, the internet is an integral part of our lives. Today, about 15% of New Mexico’s population does not have broadband internet, creating a serious, and perhaps dangerous, digital divide that prevents far too many from maximizing their success in the modern world.

My Take: The right application at the right time!

How Satellite Data Can Enable Solutions for Smart Cities - Satellite data can be a key enabler of this shift, providing a unique vantage point to optimize resource management, prioritize environmental stewardship, and take urban planning to another level.

My Take: There must be a digital twin component here somewhere as well.

Swarm satellites use magnetic signals to reveal Earth’s hidden ocean mysteries - The tidal flows of Earth’s salty seawater across Earth’s magnetic field lines generate electric currents within the ocean. These in turn induce secondary magnetic fields that form part of the planet’s complex magnetic field signal that can be detected from space.

My Take: Very cool.

Starlink Changing Price Plans - Unlimited Standard Data after Priority Data has been exhausted is no more!!! You will be dropped down to 1Mbps download and 0.5Mbps. Yikes, but I have a solution.

My Take: Take a look at this. And now there’s a terminal fee, whether you use the service or not. I wonder when they’ll start charging for Warming As A Service?

Forecast: Over $70bn in D2D revenue generation by 2033 - The study projects the direct-to-device satellite connectivity market to grow from $1.5 billion (€1.43) today to nearly $15 billion by 2033, fueled by rapid advancements in technology and expanding satellite networks.

My Take: “$42 billion in direct-to-phone service revenues alone expected over the next decade” .. Interesting, as no one is really talking about cost. Apple says it’s free, and even invested $1.5b in Globalstar.

A Word From Our Partner

What’s Happening SubSea?

Subsea cable-cutting anxiety mounts in Asia - Following a spate of submarine cable cuts, governments and network operators in South-east Asia are looking to increase subsea communications monitoring and resilience to minimise communications disruption as the AI age dawns and reliable, high-capacity connectivity becomes ever more important to economic stability and growth. 

My Take: Are there not applications of fiber sensing that could be used to indicate some early tampering? … and then deploy missiles or something? ;)

Bulker Suspected of Subsea Cable Damage Has a Broken Anchor - For the fourth time in little more than a year, a ship calling in Russia has been accused of dragging an anchor under power and cutting a subsea cable in the Baltic. For the fourth time in a row, the vessel in question has a visibly damaged port anchor.

My Take: Fool me once, and all that.

Calls for Ireland to boost defence of subsea internet cables - Some say recent suspected sabotage of transatlantic cables serving Europe and UK means Ireland must be able to defend itself

My Take: Maybe they can get NATO to fly by. See the next article.

New NATO patrols watch over infrastructure under the Baltic Sea - The operation follows a string of incidents that have heightened fears of Russian sabotage and spying in the strategic region. “Fourteen men and women, French sailors were on board this French Navy aircraft an Atlantic 2 and it’s flying over the Baltic Sea,”

My Take: Seems the problem is worsening.

Enabling AI

OpenAI has evidence that its models helped train China’s DeepSeek - OpenAI and Microsoft are investigating whether the Chinese rival used OpenAI’s API to integrate OpenAI’s AI models into DeepSeek’s own models, according to Bloomberg.

My Take: Shocking (?)

Verizon sees dollar signs in AI networking opportunity - In a nutshell, AI Connect is the vehicle through which Verizon intends to peddle its fiber, land and 5G assets to data center companies and enterprises hungry for AI connectivity. The idea, Vestberg explained on its Q4 2024 earnings call, is to use its existing assets to generate new revenue streams that can help offset legacy wireline declines.

My Take: Seems like a solid plan for now. I approve.

AT&T and Verizon are pivoting into the landlord biz for AI - Verizon plans to sell the power, space and cooling necessary to run AI computing applications. Separately, AT&T is offering up its underutilized central office facilities through a real estate developer.

My Take: underutilized central office facilities.. yes.. Forget building massive infrastructure. Use what already exists, disaggregated.

AI can now replicate itself — a milestone that has experts terrified - Scientists say AI has crossed a critical 'red line' after demonstrating how two popular large language models could clone themselves.

My Take: "Successful self-replication under no human assistance is the essential step for AI to outsmart [humans], and is an early signal for rogue AIs," That’s pretty scary.

Introducing Operator - Today we’re releasing Operator⁠(opens in a new window), an agent that can go to the web to perform tasks for you. Using its own browser, it can look at a webpage and interact with it by typing, clicking, and scrolling.

My Take: Can’t do much with the regular paid version other than set reminders, etc.

How Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek Made a Model that Rivals OpenAI - When Chinese quant hedge fund founder Liang Wenfeng went into AI research, he took 10,000 Nvidia chips and assembled a team of young, ambitious talent. Two years later, DeepSeek exploded on the scene.

My Take: Additional FAQ as well. Anyway, seems they may have “borrowed” some of the infrastructure…

Employers Would Rather Hire AI Than Gen Z Graduates: Report - A significant portion of employers revealed they'd rather hire artificial intelligence robots than bring a Gen Z graduate into the company, according to a new survey.

My Take: 68 percent of small business owners said Gen Zers were the "least reliable" of all their employees.. And then there are mental health issues, Pretty bad that companies would rather have robots than people.

Learn About

Starlink Orbital Shells: Enhancing Global Connectivity

SpaceX's Starlink project is designed to bring high-speed internet access to people in remote and underserved areas. To achieve this, SpaceX has launched thousands of satellites into orbit, organized into several layers or shells. Each shell operates at a specific altitude and inclination, enabling coverage across various parts of the planet.

The first shell of satellites operates in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 550 km and an inclination of 53 degrees. This configuration ensures coverage of most mid-latitude regions, including countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, most of Europe (e.g., the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain), and parts of Asia (e.g., Japan, South Korea, China, India). However, this shell does not extend to high-latitude regions, such as the Arctic and Antarctic.

The second shell is also in LEO, located at 570 km with an inclination of 70 degrees. This higher inclination allows these satellites to extend coverage further north and south, connecting regions like Alaska, Scandinavia (e.g., Norway, Sweden, Finland), northern Russia, and parts of the Arctic.

The third shell operates at 560 km and a steep inclination of 97.6 degrees in a sun-synchronous orbit. This orbit ensures that satellites pass over the same locations at consistent times each day, enabling global coverage, including polar regions. Countries served include all Arctic nations (e.g., Canada, Russia, Greenland), and maritime zones that require global connectivity.

The fourth shell is positioned at 540 km and shares the same 53-degree inclination as the first shell. Its primary focus is to enhance coverage in densely populated areas, such as cities in the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, China, and Japan. This shell also covers other major population centers in mid-latitude countries.

The fifth shell also flies at an altitude of 560 km with a 97.6-degree inclination. Similar to the third shell, it provides global coverage, including remote regions, maritime zones, and the poles. This shell ensures reliable service for ships, planes, and isolated communities in areas like Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean, and the Himalayas.

The second-generation satellites form the sixth shell, which operates in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), divided across three altitudes: 525 km, 530 km, and 535 km. These satellites operate at inclinations of 43 degrees, 53 degrees, and 33 degrees.

• The 43-degree inclination targets low- to mid-latitude regions, covering countries like Brazil, India, Indonesia, and parts of Africa (e.g., Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya). These satellites enhance connectivity in tropical and subtropical areas.

• The 53-degree inclination extends coverage to higher mid-latitudes, including countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe and Asia.

• The 33-degree inclination focuses on equatorial areas, addressing high-demand regions with limited existing satellite options. Countries served include Ecuador, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

This generation of satellites also includes FCC-authorized plans for supporting direct-to-cell services, enhancing mobile connectivity in regions with poor terrestrial infrastructure.

Each orbital shell serves a specific purpose, much like layers of a cake. Some shells provide dense coverage for cities and high-demand areas, while others ensure connectivity in remote and polar regions. By operating satellites in LEO and VLEO, Starlink ensures low latency and high-speed internet access. This multi-layered approach allows SpaceX to deliver reliable and fast internet service to virtually every corner of the Earth.

The Starlink satellite system is designed for seamless operation. As one satellite moves out of range, another takes its place, ensuring uninterrupted coverage. This overlapping network design enhances reliability and performance, even in the most remote areas. With the addition of direct-to-cell capabilities, SpaceX expands its potential to serve mobile users directly.

By strategically deploying satellites in different orbital shells across LEO and VLEO, SpaceX has created a network capable of serving both densely populated and remote areas. This approach ensures that fast and reliable internet is accessible to everyone, regardless of their location, while paving the way for direct-to-cell services to further expand connectivity solutions globally.

This and That!

CIA shifts assessment on Covid origins, saying lab leak likely caused outbreak - The CIA said Saturday it has shifted its previous assessments and has concluded that it’s likely the Covid-19 virus was leaked from a Chinese lab before it became a global pandemic but added that the agency had “low confidence” in its judgment.

My Take: I just wanted an excuse to use the graphic :)

Sperm cells carry traces of childhood stress, epigenetic study finds - Fathers exposed to high stress in childhood had different epigenetic markers that may affect their offspring, though more research is needed.

My Take: I guess the question changes from “Tell me about your mother” to “Tell me about your father…”

CISOs Are Gaining C-Suite Swagger, but Has It Come With a Cost?- The number of CISOs who report directly to the CEO is up sharply in recent years, but many still say it's not enough to secure adequate resources.

My Take: But you can’t call them “See-So’s”.. They C-I-S-Os.

Electric spacecraft propulsion may soon take a leap, thanks to new supercomputer - Electric propulsion is being increasingly used on space missions and could ultimately replace thrusters using chemical rockets.

My Take: I wonder if they use Tesla batteries. Now we need orbital charging stations.

Emergency Braking Will Save Lives. Automakers Want to Charge Extra for It - The tech exists, and vehicles on the road already have it, yet a consortium of carmakers doesn’t want to make this lifesaving equipment standard. The reason is as old as the hills—money.

MY Take: Did we learn anything from the optional critical safety features on the 737MAX-800?

Trump orders ‘Iron Dome for America’ in sweeping missile defense push - The order’s most contentious element directs the Department of Defense to pursue space-based interceptors — weapons positioned in orbit to destroy incoming missiles. While proponents argue these could provide global coverage and early intercept capabilities, critics warn they could trigger an arms race and undermine existing treaties. 

My Take: Read the next article. Maybe he can pay for Iron Dome with the tariff money from Mexico and Canada…

How does China’s hypersonic glide vehicle work? - Last month, the global security community was startled by a report that China had twice tested hypersonic weapons over the summer. According to reporting by the Financial Times, this weapons system consists of two parts: a fractional orbital bombardment system (FOBS) and a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV).

My Take: Very enlightening and educational article. And how cool does a Fractional Orbital Bombardment System sound?

Infographic Of The Week

My Take: I think SpaceX wins

Podcast Recommendation

This week, we look at the marketing of ICE.
It may sound like a strange topic, but our obsession with ice - as a product - is only 200 years old.
The history of ice marketing starts with an amazing story about a bold entrepreneur with a vision, the cutthroat clash between competing ice companies, and the long list of ice brands and products that has transformed our lives.
It's a remarkable story.

Listen Here!

Movie/Streaming Recommendation

Back In Action

IMDb: 5.9/10

JMDb: 3/10 (an unoriginal, predictable mess)

"Back in Action" fails to live up to its star power, offering a tired rehash of spy-family tropes.

Cameron Diaz's return to the screen after a decade-long hiatus is underwhelming. Her chemistry with Jamie Foxx falls flat. The plot, centring on retired spies forced back into the game, feels derivative and lacks innovation.

While the action sequences are competently executed, they can't compensate for the film's formulaic approach and uneven tone. The attempts at family drama and comedy often miss the mark, resulting in a forgettable entry in the action-comedy genre.

Despite its potential, "Back in Action" is a disappointing comeback for Diaz and a mediocre addition to Netflix's catalogue.

Eww.

Until Next Time

Comments here are my own and do not represent the opinions, views or thoughts of any person, company or organization that I may be associated with.

Feedback, comments and ideas are welcomed. Message me on LinkedIn or contact me at [email protected]