In this episode, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with John Barlow, Director of Strategic Accounts at Consult Red, to explore the evolving broadband landscape. They discuss the shift from speed-focused competition to value-added services, the role of smart routers, and how operators can differentiate and future-proof their offerings. John also shares insights on broadband’s convergence with utilities, the impact of AI, and the launch of his own podcast, Simply Connected.

Episode 418: Broadband Innovation & the Future of Smart Connectivity with John Barlow

DJ Ruckus Connectivity Radio Episode 20! Live Dj Set House /Afro House/ Baile Funk 
Stream & Download Link Here.

DJ Ruckus Connectivity Radio Episode 20

Cease The Struggle

Episode overview: 
In this conversation, South African strategist Wabo Majavu, executive strategy and business operations leader at Africa Data Centres, unpacks how technical expertise at organisations like MTN and Intelsat laid the foundation for her distinctive approach to strategic leadership and digital activism.

From building radar applications at the CSIR to optimising cellular networks through late-night, township-sourced sheep's head dinners with seasoned veteran technicians, Majavu's journey illustrates how hands-on technical experience and savvy adaptation becomes the bedrock of strategic thinking. She discusses navigating workplace discrimination, helping transform organisational culture at state-owned Sentech, and her prescient work in AI before it became a global phenomenon.

Andile Masuku explores with Majavu how strategists shape a company's future direction, the delicate balance between commercial viability and digital inclusion, and her current mission to democratise coding through native African languages.

Key topics:
- From radar systems at CSIR to RF optimisation at MTN: building the technical foundation for strategic leadership
- How experiences at Intelsat shaped her understanding of managed services and market transformation
- The Sentech years: leading digital transformation while learning that culture can eat even the best strategy for breakfast
- Studying AI and signal processing before the global AI boom, and formative educational experiences in Malaysia that shaped future vision
- Strategic stakeholder management: converting union leaders into product managers and building collaborative ecosystems
- Balancing commercial imperatives with digital inclusion through long-term strategic thinking
- Where to start learning AI: practical advice for breaking into the field

Notable points:
1. Majavu's radar applications work at CSIR and cellular network optimisation at MTN provided the technical depth that informs her strategic decision-making today
2. At MTN, she overcame racial barriers by building relationships with Network Operations Centre (NOC) technicians through after-hours learning sessions, bringing sheep's head delicacies from Mamelodi township to earn their trust and knowledge
3. At Sentech, she learned firsthand that "culture can eat strategy for breakfast," successfully converting a well-respected, highly influential union leader into a turnkey product manager spearheading the roll-out of new digital services
4. Majavu studied signal processing and then AI before it became mainstream, building web crawlers and predictive systems
5. Her approach to change management involves understanding each stakeholder's agenda and finding areas of alignment, demonstrated through her successful transformation of adversaries into collaborators

Listen for Majavu's insights on how strategists inform a company's trajectory, why patient capital and technical depth are essential for Africa's digital transformation, and how past experiences become the lens through which strategic leaders view future possibilities.

Image credit: Konecta

Strategy Diaries: Wabo Majavu on Balancing Commercial Success with Digital Inclusion

Episode overview:
Andrew Hall faces a unique challenge: building profitable telecommunications infrastructure across one of Africa's largest countries with one of its smallest populations. As managing director of Paratus Namibia, Hall oversees operations spanning vast distances where traditional business models struggle to pencil out.

Andile Masuku invites Hall to share on the realities of building networks where "you'll see three fibres running next to the road" instead of shared infrastructure, why COVID accelerated their consumer business, and how recent oil discoveries are reshaping Namibia's economic landscape.

Key insights:
- On geographic challenges: Namibia's vast distances and sparse population create unique infrastructure economics where covering remote areas requires careful return-on-investment calculations across extended payback periods.
- On competitive landscape: Operating alongside two state-owned enterprises creates complex market dynamics where regulatory considerations and different organisational mandates influence infrastructure deployment strategies.
- On infrastructure sharing: Despite logical benefits, competitive dynamics often result in duplicated infrastructure: "three towers standing next to each other" rather than collaborative deployment approaches.
- On consumer versus enterprise: Traditional enterprise focus (75% of business) provided stability, but consumer growth since 2016 now drives expansion, particularly accelerated during COVID-19 periods.
- On technology transitions: Moving from WiMAX limitations (4-10 Mbps) to fibre required strategic timing; balancing asset sweating against customer retention as bandwidth demands increased around 2018.

Notable moments:
1. Hall's description of infrastructure redundancy: "If you drive down the road, you'll see three fibres running next to the road. If you're driving from one town to the other, you'll see two or three towers standing next to each other"
2. The COVID-19 catalyst: Consumer business performed "very, very well" as people became "100% reliant, work-wise, education-wise, entertainment-wise on connectivity"
3. Recent oil discoveries creating positive economic outlook with increased foreign investment interest and improved business confidence

The development question:
Hall addresses the expectation that telecoms should "unlock growth economically for an entire nation" by emphasising education as the foundation. Paratus's corporate social responsibility focuses on educational sector connectivity because "for children to have access to the internet, it makes the world a lot smaller."

His perspective reflects broader African infrastructure challenges: balancing commercial sustainability with development impact, managing investor expectations whilst serving diverse stakeholder needs, and building institutional capacity in environments with limited technical specialisation.

"I think access to the internet plays a crucial role. And I think it starts at grass root level in the form of education... for children to have access to the internet, it makes the world a lot smaller."

Image credit: Paratus Namibia

Andrew Hall of Paratus Namibia: Building Networks Serving Small Populations Across Vast Distances

Whatever about my song... As promised in the poem track here is a person who can potentially help you change your life 🫶🏽

Meet Gabor Maté

https://youtu.be/66cYcSak6nE?si=1hnPhfgdqEhheE34


Also 🌈

Listen to Rainbows & Dreams by No killie fish on #SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/6zxTUha3vdmkgVmdaZ

Please feast your ears on my fellow country man Johnny. What a ball of positive love Johnny is. We just connected last week but this will be a permanent ear rabbit hole. Well worth connecting to this Irish man.
I got distracted half way through these lyrics and got poked with that song and that's where the rainbow in us reference came from so thanks my friend 🫡🫶🏽🔆


Song Pic
This was my breaky this morning. We call it eggs and soldiers. We luckily regularly had it as kids. So boil an egg for 4 mins so it's soft boiled and then cut strips of buttered toast and dip them in the egg. it's so amazing. I had forgotten about it for about 30 years and a couple of years ago it roared back when I gave it to my kids which they now love. A yummy breakfast indeed 🫡😊🌍 Thanks Chickens and Bread and Cows and well you get the jist... for keeping me ALIVE 👌🏾

Then the most important part of the song was delivered by a very close friend that needed help so the BE lyrics were born from me wanting to send them all the healing power I could as they needed it. So thanks for that and I hope you're all good 🫶🏽♾️

For the record I ain't no healer but I believe good intention is the way forward for us all so 🤷🏾‍♂️ Just keeping it pure and real where possible 

I do have a hunch though that pure intention holds way more power then science currently knows or considers and accepts. Just a hunch I don't get too hung up on it and I think that's part of keeping intention clear.

Think it, feel it, send it and forget it... The forget it is important because you don't allow your ego attach worry to it then which may warp the projection of your good intentions

Now, the next day, Beating Edge just sent me a version as a thank you for thinking about them yesterday and I popped some vocal on it. Guys, thats amazing and pure instinctual musicianship right there. Well done

https://soundcloud.com/beatingedge
Connect with Beating Edge here

Lyrics

Miracle me
Miracle you
Born to Earth of Sun lightened new
We talk to spirit
Eight billion versions
We speak to all
Talk soul emersions

Heaters
Lights
Love all life's
Rainbow vessels
Intent finds bright
Shine these hues on all our colours
Intelligence tuned
Floodlights of fullest

You're alive
You're the prize
Prune proof with your eyes
BE strong
BE wise
Source love
BE hive
You're alive
You're the prize
Prove proof with your eyes

Radiant potential to soothe your nerve
Guide with word, paint, musical verve
Verse for you written by any
Matter is made for reference of many

Worth to live on past it's creator
Love evolutionary thought from a maker
Manifest zest to seed good behaviour
Survival of fittest makes you gene saviour

You're alive
You're the prize
Prune proof with your eyes
BE strong
BE wise
Source love
BE hive
You're alive
You're the prize
Prove proof with your eyes

Savour this life
We suffer
We live
Savour the strife
Good reference to give
Transmute the evil
Dark poisoned with light
Here, have a moment with eternal might

We know it's hard
But we are alive
Those difficult feelings challenge our hive
You're worth the pain
We are all g.o.a.t
Keep steady your ship
Life is your boat

You're alive
You're the prize
Prune proof with your eyes
BE strong
BE wise
Source love
BE hive
You're alive
You're the prize
Prune proof with your eyes

You're Alive
The proof is in your eyes
You're Alive

Alive

The Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint analyses the gaps behind the digital divide—spanning infrastructure, affordability, skills, and policy—to estimate that achieving universal, meaningful connectivity will require $2.6 to $2.8 trillion in investment, including $1.5 to $1.7 trillion for infrastructure and nearly $1 trillion to improve affordability.
 
In this edition of ITU Technologized, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin discusses the human side of those numbers and shares how the report can be put into practice in country-level planning to accelerate digital progress for the one-third of humanity currently offline.

Interviewer: Maximillian Jacobson-Gonzalez

For further information please visit: http://www.itu.int

ITU Technologized: Connecting Humanity - interview with the ITU SG

Today, we are joined by Chris Watson, vice president of marketing and communications at KVH Industries. We’ll be talking about how KVH’s connectivity solutions—like TracNet, AgilePlans, and hybrid systems integrating Starlink—are shaping the future of maritime communications, crew wellbeing, and cybersecurity at sea.

Connected at Sea: KVH on the Future of Maritime Communications

Hello, I'm Winston Graves, and I share new ways to approach travel and technology. Today, I want to talk about eSIMs. This is the best solution for international travelers. It helps you avoid the stress of roaming charges or physical SIM cards. If you want to learn more about travel connectivity, you can visit my website. https://phonico.com/

eSIMs for International Travel

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Jeff Wabik of DC BLOX for a tour of how modern data centers are conceived, powered, cooled, and connected—especially across the underserved Southeast. Jeff traces his tinkerer roots (think Heathkit computers at age 12) through launching one of the earliest ISPs in the late ’80s, to helping build DC BLOX’s “bunker-plus-connectivity” model and its evolution from regional edge facilities to hyperscale projects—including a Myrtle Beach cable landing station serving global web giants.

Jeff discusses what it takes—from site selection and power realities to five-nines reliability and Tier III design—to deliver on the simple promise of “doing what you said you would do.” He talks through today’s biggest constraints—grid capacity, generator and fiber lead times, and skilled labor gaps—and where innovation fits, from AI-assisted construction verification to smarter alarm reduction across tens of thousands of sensors. Along the way, he offers candid career advice (keep reinventing yourself—and don’t forget sunscreen) and a pragmatic view on on-site generation (natural gas today, nuclear tomorrow?) to meet AI-era demand.

Episode 468: Jeff Wabik on Data Center Design, Power Challenges, and Delivering True Reliability

Dj Ruckus Official! House/ Afro House/ AMA - Piano
Somewhere Djing a Party that is very hard to get in to!

Root Vibration Records is a home for music that speaks to the soul and uplifts the spirit. We champion artists and creators who carry clarity in their message, depth in their sound, and intention in every note.

Our catalog spans genres, blending organic talent with emerging forms of creativity to explore new possibilities in musical storytelling. Whether the voice comes from a familiar place or a future-minded source, what matters most is what it says — and how it makes you feel.

At Root Vibration, we believe music is a force for healing, unity, and self-awareness. Every release is curated to inspire, ground, and remind us of what connects us all.

Rooted in purpose. Open to innovation. Vibration with vision.

Africa-focused technology, digital and innovation ecosystem insight and commentary.

Tech-savvy traveler exploring the world one step at a time. I'm all about smart and seamless connectivity solutions.

ITU: Committed to connecting the world
www.itu.int.

ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of some 900 private sector entities and academic institutions. Established over 150 years ago in 1865, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world.

The materials contained on this podcast channel are for information purposes only. ITU expressly disclaims all liability to any person in respect of anything and in respect of the consequences of anything said or omitted to be said wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this podcast channel. ITU is not responsible for any third party content which may be accessed through this podcast channel. ITU interviews and soundbites may be edited for content and duration. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the ITU. 

ITU holds copyright in the information available on this podcast channel, unless otherwise stated. Copyright in any third-party materials found on this podcast channel must also be respected.

Welcome to the Broadband Bunch, a podcast about broadband and how it impacts all of us.  Join us to learn about the state of the industry and the latest innovations and trends. Connect with the thought leaders, pioneers and policymakers helping to shape your future through broadband.

The Broadband Bunch is sponsored by:
ETI Software:  www.etisoftware.com
VETRO: www.vetrofibermap.com

Howdy,

Welcome to TBD.

All these creations are made by hard work and years upon years upon years of practice and trying to explain this world and the human condition to myself in the process through poems & songs.

Thanks for all of your wonderful support.

Peace and Love to Everyone,

Carl Culliton



What playing music does to your brain

https://youtu.be/R0JKCYZ8hng?si=KJt33NWjUo63ieAm



A nice David Bowie Interview here:

https://youtu.be/JRtZc_Nmo5w?si=1g1Wag87NdEumAc4

New tracks tagged #connectivity