Perspectives in Mobile

“Connectivity is becoming utility” — Isik Uman, CEO of tpay, on mobile, AI, and the future of payments 23.06.2026 33min

Mobile payments in emerging and mobile-first markets are no longer a peripheral layer of digital commerce — they are becoming core infrastructure. With mobile money ecosystems already processing trillions in value and banking penetration still limited across many regions, mobile has effectively become the default financial system in large parts of the world.But this expansion is running into its defining constraint: regulation and trust. As payments move across telecom, fintech, messaging, and content layers, fragmented and overlapping regulatory frameworks limit scalability and consistency. A “mobile civilization” could emerge once these frameworks converge toward shared standards of trust, identity, and accountability across markets.In this episode of MEF Perspectives, Riccardo Amati speaks with Isik Uman, CEO of tpay Mobile, exploring mobile-first behavior, RCS adoption, and AI-driven orchestration across emerging markets.The episode explores how messaging, fintech, and telecom infrastructure are increasingly collapsing into a single monetization layer, where mobile is no longer just a channel but the operating system of digital commerce.

"We're Doubling Down" — Twilio's Kanter Touts New Agentic AI Push at Signal Berlin 09.06.2026 28min

Twilio is set to double down on AI agents and conversational experiences at Signal Berlin. The company will build on the themes introduced at Signal San Francisco, concentrating on helping enterprises use its platform to create better agentic customer experiences.As communications platforms evolve beyond traditional CPaaS, enterprises are increasingly focused on trusted, two-way engagement, AI-driven customer interactions and richer messaging experiences. At Signal San Francisco, Twilio introduced its vision for AI agents with memory — designed to retain context across interactions, channels and handoffs, so conversations don’t restart from zero every time a customer switches touchpoints or escalates from AI to a human agent.In this episode of MEF Perspectives, Riccardo Amati speaks with Jake Kanter, Vice President of EMEA Sales at Twilio, about Twilio’s Q1 financial results, growth and strategies, the future of messaging and voice, AI agents with memory, and what enterprise communications may look like in the next phase of platform evolution. Twilio is doubling its focus on AI agents and conversational experience, Kanter told MEF. The details will be revealed at the company's flagship conference Signal in Berlin on June 11, at the Clinker inside the historic Backfabrik.

“Are We Even Talking to the Right Person?” — Janak Joshi, Mass. CDO, on mobile’s top challenges 02.06.2026 27min

The biggest challenge in mobile communication today is knowing whether the person receiving a message is actually the intended audience. That’s the warning from Janak Joshi, Chief Digital Officer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who says identity verification is becoming critical for trusted digital engagement.At a time when citizens face growing spam, scams and misinformation, governments are under pressure to deliver secure, trusted communication at scale.In this episode of MEF Perspectives, Riccardo Amati speaks with Janak Joshi, Chief Digital Officer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, about how governments are modernizing citizen communications, why mobile has become the primary channel for engagement, and what the private sector can learn from trusted public communication.

“Scams Have Become Industrialized”: Bitdefender’s Botezatu on Operation Roadtrap 12.05.2026 28min

A global smishing campaign using fake toll-road, parking and traffic-fine messages is exposing the industrial scale of modern mobile fraud. Researchers uncovered more than 79,000 fraudulent SMS messages and over 31,900 malicious URLs targeting users across 12 countries.In this episode of Perspectives, the podcast exploring mobile technology, security and digital trust, Riccardo Amati speaks with Bogdan Botezatu, Director of Threat Research at Bitdefender, about the company’s Operation Roadtrap investigation.The conversation explores how cybercriminals are industrializing SMS fraud, why mobile users continue to trust text messages, and why researchers increasingly see smishing as a systemic infrastructure problem rather than a simple scam trend.

Less Is More: Shaziya Khan on Restraint, Context and “Biscuit Moments” in Mobile Messaging for Brands 05.05.2026 26min

Mobile messaging should build connection and brand value—not just drive performance and scale. As brands use channels like SMS, WhatsApp, and RCS more intensively, the risk is becoming intrusive or irrelevant. For brands and mobile ecosystem players, success depends on balancing automation with authenticity, using context, tone, and timing to create communication that feels personal and appropriate—not just efficient.In this episode of the MEF podcast Perspectives, Riccardo Amati hosts Shaziya Khan, a brand communication strategy specialist (with experience across Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, and others) and author of Have Biscut /‘bis.ku:t/ - An Ode to Sweet Everyday Moments—a book that outlines a way of thinking highly relevant to brand communication and messaging.Khan explains how messaging channels can be brand-building platforms and not just utility or performance tools, if used with restraint and a human tone of voice.

Peter Bell (Twilio): “If it’s not relevant, it’s spam” — Brands risk killing trust even with RCS 28.04.2026 28min

Trust in business messaging is at risk not just because of scams, but because brands themselves are sending irrelevant, context-poor communications—turning even legitimate outreach into perceived spam, with major implications for customer engagement and brand reputation. In this episode of MEF Podcast Perspectives on Mobile, host Riccardo Amati speaks with Peter Bell, VP Marketing EMEA at Twilio, exploring how messaging challenges are driven both by fraud and poor targeting, whether RCS can realistically rebuild trust through verified identities and richer experiences, and how the rise of AI-generated messaging introduces both opportunities and new risks around transparency, manipulation, and scale.

Tampnet in talks for expansion in UK, Germany, Poland, Norway — CEO Hanna tells MEF Perspectives 20.04.2026 28min

The offshore operator Tampnet is in active discussions in the UK, Germany, Norway and Poland to expand its offshore connectivity model, CEO Elie Hanna told MEF: "There are now many discussions for our "Roam-like-home" model and other models we offer", Hanna said in an interview with MEF podcast "Perspectives on mobile". This follows agreements in the U.S. and with KPN and Odido in the Netherlands, Mobile connectivity is expanding beyond terrestrial networks, with offshore, satellite, and hybrid systems challenging traditional roaming models. The industry is shifting from a single-access approach to a blended model combining roaming, network sharing, and native access to ensure seamless coverage.Identity, authentication, and billing stay with the home operator, while a more distributed access layer drives new commercial models. Meanwhile, roam-like-home schemes are eroding high roaming fees without reducing operator value.In this episode of Perspectives on Mobile, Riccardo Amati speaks with Tampnet CEO. The discussion also touches on the evolution of legacy roaming agreements, the scale of API monetization, and the move toward a platform-based, multi-party telecom ecosystem where coordination becomes the key differentiator.

"RCS Breaks from SMS Pricing as AI Redefines Messaging” — Stephanie Lashley (Bandwidth), MEF Board 13.04.2026 25min

RCS is finally scaling—and it’s rewriting the rules of messaging monetization.At the same time, AI is rapidly transforming messaging into a two-way, conversational and increasingly autonomous channel, while the industry faces mounting pressure around pricing models, trust, fraud, and identity. A key shift is emerging: messaging is no longer just about delivery—it’s about engagement, orchestration across channels, and measurable business outcomes.In this episode, Stephanie Lashley, Vice President of Messaging Products at Bandwidth and MEF Board Member, shares her perspective from both the carrier and platform side of the ecosystem.We explore the evolution of A2P SMS as a backbone rather than a legacy, the real monetization potential of RCS, why pricing models are set to diverge, and how AI, fraud, and data sharing are reshaping the future of messaging.

The Future of Work in Digital Transformation - Wendhyharto Kusumaatmadja TELIN 10.02.2026 35min

Digital transformation is moving at an unprecedented pace, reshaping how organisations operate, collaborate, and compete across borders. As technology accelerates change, the focus is shifting beyond systems and platforms toward people, culture, and the ways teams work together. Agile working models, strong internal alignment, and clear narratives are becoming essential to keep global organisations connected and adaptable.In this episode of Perspectives in Mobile, our host Dario Betti interviews Wendhyharto Kusumaatmadja, the Group Head Digital Initiative at TELIN. They discuss the profound impact of technology on collaboration and the importance of a people-centric approach to digital transformation.Wendhy emphasizes that successful transformation requires a shift in mindset and culture, rather than just technology. The conversation also covers TELIN's role in the global digital ecosystem, the essential skills needed for the future workforce, and the balance between technology and human collaboration. Wendhy shares insights on crafting a compelling narrative to engage teams and highlights the innovations and opportunities that lie ahead for TELIN in the rapidly evolving telecom industry.

Telcos Gain Certainty, But Mobile Market Remains Fragmented — EU Tech Lawyer Genna on DNA 03.02.2026 41min

Indefinite unlimited spectrum licenses will give telcos more certainty on duration, which benefits capital-intensive markets like fiber and 5G. This is the main change in the EU Commission’s Digital Networks Act (DNA) proposal. The act aims for a single European mobile market but offers no concrete tools to achieve it. Reducing obstacles alone won’t change this. The DNA does not reform roaming, leaving Europe’s mobile market fragmented.These are the key observations of Innocenzo Genna, EU tech lawyer and telecom policy expert, who advises mobile ecosystem leaders in this episode of the MEF Podcast series, Perspectives. Convergence is moving forward. Some rules that used to affect only certain operators now apply across the ecosystem. "Be ready for more regulation than in the past," Genna warns. "Mobile leaders need to analyze the situation and intervene promptly with legislative or enforcement authorities when needed.”

Digital Tide Urges Telecoms to Shift from Legacy Voice to Cloud PBX to Drive Growth 27.01.2026 32min

Telecom operators must shift from traditional voice services to cloud-based PBX and unified communication solutions to remain competitive — according to Digital Tide. It’s s urgent for operators to adapt. Legacy revenue streams are plateauing while cloud adoption offers recurring, scalable, and higher-quality revenue.In this episode of MEF Perspectives podcast, Digital Tide executives Anna Gonzalez and Roman Zahidi highlight how early movers in emerging markets and verticals like hospitality, healthcare, and retail are capturing significant market share by bundling cloud solutions with connectivity services. They also stressed the strategic value of white-label partnerships, which allow operators to deploy sophisticated solutions quickly without heavy R&D investment, reducing risk while competing with global giants like Microsoft and Zoom. Digital Tide, a MEF member, is a pioneering communications software provider specializing in white-label voice services for telecom operators. The company frames the white-label opportunity as a “pivot from connectivity providers to solution partners,” focusing on ecosystem-based offerings, sales training, and local support to accelerate growth in high-value markets.

How the MEFFYS Anticipate Mobile’s Next Breakthrough, with Martica Correa Gonzalez (MEF) 20.01.2026 8min

The MEFFYS awards are more than a celebration of excellence in the mobile ecosystem: they are a lens through which innovation, regulation, and consumer expectations come into focus. By recognizing the industry’s most impactful players, the MEFFYS help surface the trends and forces that are redefining mobile on a global scale.This podcast features a conversation with Martica Correa Gonzalez, MEF's Global Event Manager. Martica will explore the strategic role of the MEFFYS, discussing with host Riccardo Amati how selecting, awarding, and celebrating the best players helps shape a shared narrative around emerging mobile trends, regulatory developments, and evolving consumer demands.In turn, this process enables industry stakeholders to better anticipate change, adapt their business models, and even play an active role in influencing policy—turning recognition into a catalyst for progress across the mobile ecosystem.The event will take place on March 1st in Barcelona. Submission will close January 27th

OTT Messaging’s Regulatory Gap Raises Risk – Igor Skutsenya, LANCK Telecom 13.01.2026 23min

The global messaging market is under strain as enterprises move beyond A2P SMS while regulation lags behind fast-growing OTT messaging platforms. Unlike SMS, services such as WhatsApp and Telegram operate with limited oversight, creating vulnerabilities that fraudsters increasingly exploit and shifting risk across the mobile ecosystem.In this episode of Perspectives in Mobile, MEF’s Riccardo Amati speaks with Igor Skutsenya, Senior Business Development Manager at LANCK Telecom, about what live traffic data reveals behind the industry’s transition. They examine the real pace of RCS adoption, rising SMS costs, evolving monetization models, and why uneven regulation could become the industry’s most underestimated threat.Igor explains why A2P SMS still underpins revenues despite visible decline, why RCS adoption depends more on commercial models than technology, and how richer messaging can improve fraud defenses, if regulation keeps pace with innovation.

How Conversational AI Turns Chats Into Revenue: Conversive Pooja Kashyap 16.12.2025 30min

Conversational AI is reshaping mobile interactions, but real-world risks—like the recent ChatGPT wrongful death case—underscore the stakes for brands. Poorly designed AI experiences can erode trust, frustrate users, and drive churn. For mobile-first companies, telcos, and CPaaS providers, the challenge is not just technical—it’s financial: messaging missteps can hit retention, reduce engagement, and limit revenue opportunities.This episode of Perspectives in Mobile features Riccardo Amati interviewing Conversive’s Pooja Kashyap, conversational AI strategist and storyteller. Together, they explore how mobile brands can design messaging flows that safeguard users, reduce friction, and ultimately drive measurable business results.Amati and Kashyap focus on actionable strategies for mobile ecosystem leaders: designing high-stakes conversations (fraud alerts, service disruptions, healthcare onboarding), leveraging the Intent-Emotion-Action framework to guide user behavior, and optimizing emotional arcs—clarity, confidence, closure—to reduce churn and increase conversions. They also highlight RCS best practices, multi-channel orchestration, and how companies can transform messaging from a cost-center channel into a monetizable relationship layer that drives long-term loyalty.

Change Is the Only Certainty: Friska Wirya Urges Telcos to "Pivot Without Panic" in the AI-RCS Era 09.12.2025 27min

AI is forcing the mobile ecosystem's operators to rethink how they work, while RCS is creating new pressure to move faster than their legacy systems allow. Leaders are confronting internal resistance, confusion around priorities, and the cost of hanging onto outdated processes. A new model of “FutureFit” organizations is gaining traction, highlighting the need for agility, clear objectives, and the ability to unlearn what no longer serves the business.Welcome to MEF Podcast Perspectives. Our guest is Friska Wirya, one of the world’s leading change-management thinkers, best-selling author of the FutureFit Organization series, and creator of the AI tool Ask Friska. She works with executives to turn resistance into resilience and help teams stay confident and capable through technological change.We talk about what makes an organization FutureFit, how to recognise resistance as a useful signal, and why empathy is essential. We also look at the barriers slowing RCS adoption, the need to remove outdated practices when budgets are tight, and the distinction between mastering change and simply managing it.

Africa’s Mobile Leap: MEF’s Matt Ekram on the Shift Beyond Connectivity 02.12.2025 30min

Africa’s mobile industry is into the spotlight. User growth is accelerating, OTT services are rewriting the rules of communication, and rich messaging is fast becoming the backbone of financial services and business engagement. Yet this boom comes with pressure: operators are wrestling with volatile pricing, rising fraud, and shifting consumer expectations—all against a backdrop of tough competition and economic uncertainty. From Cape Town’s Africa Tech Festival to boardrooms across the continent, the message is clear: the era of “connect first, monetize later” is over. Africa has entered the age of digital engagement at scale.In this episode, we’re joined by Matt Ekram, Program Chief at the Mobile Ecosystem Forum and one of the industry’s sharpest minds on business development, mobile communication services, regulation, and security. With years spent navigating global markets and helping shape operator strategy, Matt brings an insider’s perspective on the tectonic shifts happening across African telecoms—and what they really mean for growth, innovation, and trust.Togheter, we will explore the biggest insights from MEF’s recent leadership forum in Cape Town: how operators can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s revenue streams; why CPaaS, RCS, and mobile financial services are moving from “pilot” to “powerhouse”; what the sector must do to stay ahead of fraud and evolving regulatory demands; and how to reach the continent’s underserved communities with smarter, more inclusive digital tools. From API monetization to AI-driven engagement, this conversation unpacks the strategies building Africa’s mobile future.

Why FinServ Lead the RCS Revolution: Messaging Guru David Fernandez-Vinuales 18.11.2025 33min

It’s the industry’s biggest storyline: application-to person (A2P) SMS is no longer the default, and for the first time in decades, the foundations of business messaging are being rewritten in real time. With reach communications services (RCS) accelerating after Apple’s adoption, fraud models shifting, interoperability becoming over-the-top-(OTT)-driven, and artificial intelligence transforming enterprise engagement, the sector stands at a genuine inflection point. What’s hype, what’s real, and what’s next for brands, operators and aggregators? This episode of MEF podcast “Perspectives in Mobile” tackles exactly that.Our guest is David Fernandez-Vinuales, a leading strategist in global business messaging and former Meta and Google executive. With deep experience across telecoms, CPaaS, carrier operations and conversational AI, he now advises enterprises on RCS and omnichannel transformation—bringing one of the sharpest perspectives on where the ecosystem is heading.With David, we break down the true state of RCS adoption and what’s driving its surge. We tackle pricing, fraud, verification, interoperability, and operator pressures. We also explore Messaging as a Platform (MAP), embedded payments, network application programming interfaces (APIs), the challenges of scaling RCS globally, and David’s vision of brand–consumer interaction over the next few years—plus his single most urgent directive for MEF members.

Andrey Anikin (Alaris Labs) on the Changing Landscape of Telecom and AI Integration 28.10.2025 34min

In the current conversation in Perspectives in Mobile, Riccardo Amati speaks with Andrey Anikin, CEO of Alaris Labs, about the evolving landscape of telecom messaging influenced by regulation and artificial intelligence. They discuss the balance between human support and AI integration, the challenges of cybersecurity, and the ethical implications of AI in decision-making. Andrey shares insights on the recruitment process in the age of AI and the skills necessary for professionals to remain relevant in the industry. The conversation concludes with a look at the gradual changes in messaging technologies and the potential future of AI in routing.

Inside the Task Scam Epidemic with Trend Micro’s Udo Schneider 21.10.2025 37min

In this episode of MEF Podcast Perspectives, host Riccardo Amati and guest Trend Micro's Udo Schneider discuss the alarming rise of task scams, a sophisticated form of online fraud targeting job seekers. They explore the emotional and financial impacts of these scams, the tactics used by cybercriminals, and the role of AI in both perpetrating and combating these threats. The conversation also touches on the future of cybersecurity, including the implications of quantum computing and the importance of staying informed to protect oneself from scams.

Mobile Nets May Spark War, Now Targets: Stanford’s Boyd Warns Telcos to Fix Ethics & Security 14.10.2025 36min

Civilian mobile networks are now emerging as potential flashpoints in modern warfare. According to retired U.S. Army Colonel and Stanford researcher Bradley Boyd, co-founder of OpenDefense, any network transmitting military data can be treated as a legitimate target once conflict begins. This shift poses urgent ethical dilemmas for mobile operators and tech firms whose dual-use innovations—AI chips, sensors, and 5G infrastructure—can serve both commercial and military purposes. At the same time, a booming defense funding landscape offers industry opportunities, from AI-enabled systems to cybersecurity solutions, but only if companies navigate moral and operational risks.On the latest episode of MEF podcast "Perspectives", host Riccardo Amati spoke with Boyd about the intersection of mobile networks, AI in warfare, and global security. The discussion covers how Western militaries are integrating AI into command, control, and edge-computed systems, the limitations and unpredictability of autonomous weapons, and the ethical stakes of dual-use technologies.