Allen Bennion on RINA’s Mission: 20 Years of Reimagining Rural Wireless | EP:13

Network APIs, Fraud Prevention & The Future of Mobile Identity with Bart Goethals of TMT ID | Ep:19

In Episode 19 of Whiskey & Wireless, Ron Willett sits down with Bart Goethals, Sales Engineering Lead at TMT ID, to discuss one of the most important developments in telecom today: Network APIs. Bart shares his journey from Belgium's telecom industry to the United States, his work with international carriers, and how mobile operators are becoming a critical part of the fight against fraud, account takeovers, and digital identity abuse. The conversation explores how carriers can monetize network data, why enterprises are increasingly demanding access to Network APIs, and how technologies like SIM Swap detection, Silent Network Authentication, and identity verification are helping businesses create more secure, frictionless customer experiences. Ron and Bart also discuss the growing fraud ecosystem fueled by AI, the role regional carriers can play in the emerging Network API economy, and why mobile identity is becoming one of the most valuable assets in digital commerce. Along the way, they cover everything from international telecom, racing Corvettes and go-karts, life in Belgium and California, and why protecting consumers has never been more important. In this episode: • Bart's journey from Belgium telecom to Silicon Valley • How Network APIs are transforming digital identity • SIM Swap detection and account takeover prevention • Silent Network Authentication and frictionless security • Why carriers are uniquely positioned to fight fraud • The business opportunity for regional carriers • AI-driven fraud and the future of identity verification • Mobile identity, consumer trust, and enterprise security • Bart's passion for motorsports and international travel If you work in telecom, cybersecurity, fintech, identity verification, fraud prevention, or carrier services, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing opportunities in the wireless industry. Subscribe to Whiskey & Wireless for more conversations with the leaders shaping telecom, messaging, security, and connectivity.

Live at MCS 2026! CCA, Rural Carriers, Telecom Growth & the Future of Wireless | EP:18

In Episode 18 of Whiskey & Wireless, Ron Willett records live from CCA and sits down with three longtime leaders from the regional wireless ecosystem: • Kim Caronchi, Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) • Ron Whaley, IDI Billing Solutions • Slayton Stewart, CEO of Carolina West Wireless The conversations cover the evolution of RCA into today’s CCA, the relationships that have shaped the regional wireless industry for decades, and the growing challenges facing rural and regional carriers across the United States. From policy and advocacy in Washington to shrinking roaming revenue, AI adoption, private networks, and the fight to preserve local wireless providers, this episode offers an honest look at the realities of telecom today. The discussion also explores: -How CCA became a major advocacy force in Washington -Why relationships still drive the telecom industry -The financial pressures facing regional carriers -The decline of roaming and universal service funding -AI, automation, and operational efficiency in telecom -New revenue opportunities through APIs and private networks -Why local customer service still matters in rural America -The importance of supporting regional carriers and communities This episode is part industry history, part business strategy, and part behind-the-scenes look at the people helping keep regional wireless alive. If you work in telecom, wireless infrastructure, carrier operations, billing, policy, or rural broadband, this is a conversation worth hearing. Subscribe to Whiskey & Wireless for more conversations with the people shaping the telecom industry. #podcast #wireless #telecom

How Carriers Keep Up with Exploding Data Demand with Bill Basquin, VP of Sales at AppLogic | Ep:17

In Episode 17 of Whiskey & Wireless, Ron Willett sits down with Bill Basquin, VP of Sales, Americas at AppLogic, for a deep dive into how carriers manage the growing complexity of modern data networks. Bill shares his journey from startup setbacks to leading sales across the Americas, along with a behind-the-scenes look at how network traffic has evolved from early file-sharing days to today’s AI-driven, high-bandwidth environment. The conversation explores how carriers handle congestion, why adding more bandwidth doesn’t solve the problem, and how solutions like Total Traffic Manager (TTM) help optimize network performance while improving the end-user experience. From Netflix surges to AI traffic bursts, Bill breaks down what’s really happening inside the network. They also discuss emerging opportunities in enterprise services, satellite infrastructure, and how carriers can unlock new revenue streams through smarter data utilization without crossing the line on privacy. This episode offers a practical look at the technology powering modern networks and the strategies carriers need to stay competitive. If you work in telecom, network engineering, carrier operations, or infrastructure strategy, this episode provides valuable insight into how networks are managed at scale. Subscribe to Whiskey & Wireless for more conversations with leaders shaping the telecom industry. #podcast #telecom #wireless #networkoptimization

Alan Lewis of Hydeco on Saving Carriers Money on SMS, Carrier Tech and ClearSky Partnership | EP:16

Description: In Episode 16 of Whiskey & Wireless, Ron Willett sits down with Alan Lewis, CEO and Co-Founder of Hydeco, to talk about the newly announced partnership between ClearSky and Hydeco and why affordable, dependable SMS infrastructure still matters for regional and rural carriers. Alan shares the origin story behind Hydeco, from the paging software days to building one of the industry’s most trusted carrier-focused SMS platforms. He and Ron discuss why SMS is far from dead, how smaller carriers can reduce costs without sacrificing service, and why customer support, product reliability, and long-term relationships still win in telecom. The conversation also covers Hydeco’s carrier-first philosophy, the value of in-house development and support, and what it takes to stay relevant in a business where technology moves slowly until suddenly it doesn’t. This episode is part partnership story, part telecom history, and part lesson in building sticky, durable products for a changing wireless market. In this episode: -The ClearSky and Hydeco partnership -Why SMS still matters for carriers -Helping regional operators lower costs and improve service -How Hydeco built its first SMSC in 1998 -Why in-house code and support make a difference -The importance of customer-driven product development -How long-term carrier relationships are built and maintained If you work in telecom, carrier operations, messaging infrastructure, or rural wireless, this episode offers a practical look at how the right technology partners can create real value. Subscribe to Whiskey & Wireless for more conversations with the people shaping the telecom industry. #podcast #whiskeyandwireless #telecom

Tim Donovan, CEO of CCA, on Rural Wireless Advocacy, Capitol Hill, and AI Infrastructure | EP:15

In Episode 15 of Whiskey & Wireless, Ron Willett sits down with Tim Donovan, President and CEO of the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), for a conversation about the forces shaping the future of rural wireless. Tim shares how CCA represents regional and rural carriers on Capitol Hill, advocating for policies that ensure smaller operators can compete, invest, and continue delivering connectivity across the United States. The discussion explores the policy battles behind spectrum, universal service, and why accurate coverage maps and strong industry advocacy remain critical for rural networks. The conversation also looks ahead at how AI infrastructure, satellite partnerships, and new technology demands could reshape the economics of connectivity. As data demand grows and infrastructure requirements expand, rural carriers may find themselves at the center of the next phase of wireless investment. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at telecom policy, rural connectivity, and the evolving role of regional carriers in the wireless ecosystem. In this episode: Tim Donovan’s path to leading the Competitive Carriers Association How CCA advocates for rural and regional carriers in Washington The policy challenges facing rural wireless operators Why accurate coverage maps matter for funding and deployment AI infrastructure and the growing demand for network capacity Satellite partnerships and their potential impact on rural connectivity What the future may hold for regional wireless carriers If you work in telecom, rural broadband, wireless policy, or carrier strategy, this episode provides valuable insight into the conversations shaping the industry. Learn more about CCA: https://competitivecarriers.org Subscribe to Whiskey & Wireless for more conversations with leaders shaping the telecom industry. #podcast #whiskeypodcast