26. How Cellular Carriers Make Money

5G Guys
5G Guys
26. How Cellular Carriers Make Money
Loading
/
It’s safe to say that the smartphone revolution has grown past a trend and moved into a modern necessity. A survey done in 2014 stated that 47% of adults believed they couldn’t last a day without their cellphone. With advancements in technology...

It’s safe to say that the smartphone revolution has grown past a trend and moved into a modern necessity. A survey done in 2014 stated that 47% of adults believed they couldn’t last a day without their cellphone. With advancements in technology and the new “work from anywhere” economy, we can only imagine how much that number has grown today.

Welcome back to another 5G Guys podcast! Join the conversation as we follow the money trail in the Cellular Carrier industry and explain the fundamentals they use to keep our world connected. Join the conversation as we talk about the excitement of when cellular technology first came out, the history of cellular carriers, and what has changed throughout the years.

Believe it or not, cellular service was unavailable at a consumer level when the technology first came out. It was considered either a luxury or a necessary tool for business, but it was only a matter of time before they brought it to the masses. Listen in as we talk about how the industry grew, the carriers that emerged with more reliable and affordable networks, and the technology that changed the entire course of cellular’s history.

Hit play to learn how legacy cell carriers kept up with demand as companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, and Apple began leveraging wireless technology to serve a bigger market and scale beyond anyone’s expectations.

Carriers know they hold the key infrastructure that the average worker or company needs to succeed in 2022. That’s why they are working nearly 24/7 to keep us all connected no matter what happens in the world. Be sure to listen to the end to hear our predictions on the future of the industry and our beliefs about how more reliable and affordable networks for everyone could soon be a reality.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to share it with a friend or tech-lover in your life!

For more free resources or to submit questions and topic ideas, check out the links below!

More Of What’s Inside:

  • Why Wayne will always have two phones
  • How cellular changed the workforce in the United States
  • The first cellphone vs. modern smartphones
  • What cellular communication was originally made for
  • How the FCC brought cellular to the consumer level
  • Why companies started providing “nationwide” service
  • When Apple had an exclusive deal with AT&T
  • Why switching carriers is so much easier today than in the past
  • The five companies that leveraged wireless and how it paid off
  • How the role of carriers has changed today
  • And Much More!

Sponsor Links:

Connect with us:

Website:

Social:

Submit Your Ideas or Feedback:

Episode Minute By Minute:

  • 0:02 – Does your business need wireless help? Check this out!
  • 0:59 – Welcome back! Here’s what we cover today
  • 1:49 – Wayne’s funny story about early day cell phone bills
  • 4:47 – How the industry made money in the early days
  • 6:19 – The start of cellular communication
  • 9:21 –  When the cellular industry really started taking off
  • 11:22 – Apple’s iPhone and how it changed the game
  • 14:29 – The big race between carriers
  • 16:08 – How the “Fab Five” revolutionized wireless
  • 19:10 – The pressure carriers face in 2022
  • 23:54 – How competition benefits the consumer
  • 26:47 – Why big tech should work together
  • 27:42 – Closing thoughts and how to connect with us

More Episodes

5G Guys
5G Guys
54. What Do Tomatoes, Forklifts, and Cows Have In Common?
Loading
/
5G and Advanced Positioning Technologies: Revolutionizing Location-based Services   The podcast episode features Samuel Van de Velde, founder and CTO of Pozyx, discussing the impact of 5G and other advanced technologies on location-based...
5G Guys
5G Guys
53. Fixed Wireless Access with Samsung's TJ Maan
Loading
/
In this 5G Guys podcast episode, Wayne and Dan welcome TJ Maan from Samsung to discuss Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). TJ explains what FWA is and its benefits over traditional wireline broadband delivery technologies, noting its speed, reliability, and...
5G Guys
5G Guys
52. Season 4 Premier - Does 5G stink, cellular for the holidays, what's with Xfinity's 10G?!
Loading
/
In this season 4 premier of the 5G Guys Podcast, hosts Dan McVaugh and Wayne Smith review the state of 5G technology and industry updates leading up to the year 2024. They explore 5G's progression in the US, discussing the coverage expansion by...
5G Guys
5G Guys
51. Season 3 Wrap Up
Loading
/
That’s a wrap!  Wayne and Dan wrap up season 3 of the podcast by doing a fantasy football-style draft of their favorite season 3 episodes.  This countdown of favorite episodes is a great way to get a summary of some of the best episodes...
5G Guys
5G Guys
50. 2023 Mid-year Update
Loading
/
Now that we’re right in the middle of 2023, it’s a great time to look at how our pre-2023 predictions are holding up as well as what big events and announcements occurred in the US wireless and broadband industries. In this episode, Wayne and Dan...
5G Guys
5G Guys
49. The Cable vs Cellular Service Soap Opera
Loading
/
What can best be described as an “incestuous, co-dependent, and competitive” relationship, major US cellular and cable service providers have found themselves in an interesting competitive yet partnering dance. On one hand, cable companies offer...
5G Guys
5G Guys
48. Shaping the Future of Communication: A Deep Dive with Telzio’s Peter Schroeder
Loading
/
Welcome back to the 5G Guys podcast! We were joined by an exceptional guest, Peter Schroeder. As a young entrepreneur and Danish DJ turned CEO of the telecommunications platform Telzio, Peter has a unique journey. Peter's success isn't just about his...
5G Guys
5G Guys
47. From Fiber Optics to 5G: Verizon’s Evolution: with Executive Phillip French
Loading
/
Hey there, 5G enthusiasts! Whether you’re a seasoned expert in the field or just curious about the next generation of connectivity, we've got a treat for you. In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Phillip French from Verizon! If you've ever...
5G Guys
5G Guys
46. 5G To 6G?: Ignacio Contreras with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Loading
/
Ever wondered about the powerhouse behind wireless technology and how 5G chipsets are being developed? In this episode of the 5G Guys Podcast, hosts Wayne Smith and Dan McVaugh welcome Ignacio Contreras, Qualcomm's Sr. Director of Product Marketing,...
5G Guys
5G Guys
45. AT&T's Robot Dogs and Drone Cell Sites with Art Pregler
Loading
/
Welcome back to the 5G Guys! Today we’re going to talk about some pretty cool technology that AT&T has been working on. You might be familiar with AT&T as your phone or internet provider, but did you know that they’ve been developing some...

Your Brand. Our Intelligence Tools.

Capture leads at the point of evaluation. Talk to Us →

Sponsored by Palo Alto Networks
⚡ Utilities ⏱ 8 min ✓ Free
This tool is built and hosted by TeckNexus.
Launch Tool →
Whitepaper
This whitepaper explains how utilities can use secure AI-enabled private mobile networks to modernize operations, support distributed intelligence, improve resilience, and strengthen cybersecurity across critical infrastructure. It covers AI applications, private network advantages, zero trust principles, multilayered security architecture, and governance considerations for AI-ready utility environments....
Whitepaper
Non-terrestrial networks are rapidly evolving from experimental satellite systems into an increasingly important part of the global 5G connectivity landscape. This eBook, developed by Radisys in collaboration with TeckNexus, explores how 3GPP standardization, satellite architecture innovation, and software-driven network design are reshaping NTN deployment models. It examines the transition from...
Whitepaper
Private cellular networks are transforming industrial operations, but securing private 5G, LTE, and CBRS infrastructure requires more than legacy IT/OT tools. This whitepaper by TeckNexus and sponsored by OneLayer outlines a 4-pillar framework to protect critical systems, offering clear guidance for evaluating security vendors, deploying zero trust, and integrating IT,...

It seems we can't find what you're looking for.

Scroll to Top

Map your security gaps to real threat scenarios – including Salt Typhoon, Volt Typhoon, AI data poisoning, rogue devices, and unencrypted OT traffic.

Take the free 8-minute assessment built for utility operators evaluating AI-enabled private mobile networks. Get a readiness score across five critical domains, see where your gaps are, and receive a prioritized action plan for what to fix first.

Free • 8 minutes • Built for private network security