The Five Nine

Join host Diana Goovaerts and other Fierce Network editors as they explore the stories behind some of the hottest topics in tech and telecom. Want the inside scoop on broadband, wireless, artificial intelligence and cloud? You'll find it here.

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21 episodes
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English

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S8 · E2
Friday · 12 min
Are enterprise networks ready for AI?
Is your enterprise network truly ready for AI — or are GPUs getting all the attention? In this episode we break down why AI readiness depends on more than compute power, and why networking, private connectivity, latency, security, automation and network as a service are becoming critical to enterprise AI success. Guests Brandon Ross of DE-CIX and Bill Long of Zayo explain how agentic AI, real-time inference, AI-powered customer care, analytics and large-scale data movement are changing what enterprises need from their networks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S8 · E1
October 2 · 15 min
AI-RAN, 6G and the Future of Mobile Networks
In this episode of The Five Nine, host Diana Goovaerts explores what the future of the radio access network could look like as 5G matures, 6G takes shape and AI pushes telecom toward a new era of software-driven networks. With insight from Ericsson North Americas CTO Joe Constantine, Mobile Experts founder and president Joe Madden and Samsung Electronics America’s Shamik Shah, this episode breaks down what AI-RAN really means, whether GPUs are actually needed in the mobile network, how 6G could become more of a software upgrade than a hardware refresh, and why Open RAN may be moving from industry hype to operational plumbing. The conversation also tackles one of telecom’s biggest business questions: Can they escape the dumb pipe trap? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 22 · 19 min
How AI Is Fueling a New Fiber Supercycle (Sponsored)
AI is fueling a new fiber supercycle. See how data centers, broadband expansion, copper retirement and edge infrastructure are reshaping fiber demand and telecom investment through 2035. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E26
May 8 · 21 min
Data Center 2.0 - The New Sustainability Math
What does “sustainable” even mean when AI demand – and data center projects – are accelerating? In this episode, we unpack what sustainability means in the AI era, where power and water factor in and how data center sustainability is increasingly about more than just how electricity is being generated. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E25
May 1 · 15 min
Data Center 2.0 —Untangling the software stack
Software is what makes a modern data center tick. But sorting through what goes where in terms of IT, OT and beyond can be tricky. We untangle this complex web and shine on spotlight on how AI is driving change in the systems that keep compute running smoothly. #AI #software #datacenters See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E24
April 24 · 18 min
Data Center 2.0 – Episode 2: Storage
When people picture a data center, they tend to picture compute servers, GPUs, watts and raw horsepower. But there is another side of the equation that decides whether that expensive compute power actually does anything useful: Storage. In this episode, we'll tackle what storage is, what decisions make the biggest impact, key challenges and how to handle the current storage shortage. #AI #datacenters #storage #VASTData #HitachiVantara #EverPure See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E23
April 17 · 17 min
Data Center 2.0 – Episode 1: Compute
If you’re deploying AI, your decisions around what compute to use shouldn’t be based on which three-letter acronym you remember the best. We’re breaking down how to think about compute for AI; what CPUs, GPUs, and newer accelerators are best at; where organizations can get tripped up; and what constraints matter more than the chip itself. #AI #artificialintelligence #enterpriseAI #Nvidia #AMD #GPU #CPU #LPU #datacenter https://youtu.be/drZJFj2716g See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E22
April 10 · 33 min
Inside Data Center Financing—PE Funding Models and Industry Trends
Private equity has aggressively poured billions into data centers and digital infrastructure in recent years. But today, some investment assumptions are being stress tested. We explore the assumptions behind big PE data center investments, how the landscape is shifting, whether creative deal making is a good thing and where things might head next. #privateequity #datacenters #AI #investments #cloud See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E21
March 27 · 23 min
Why Fiber Still Matters After ChatGPT
AI dominates headlines but fiber still has a huge role to play in the future. We chatted with Fiber Broadband Association’s VP of Public Policy Marissa Mitrovitch and BNP Paribas’ Sam McHugh about BEAD, broadband, workforce issues and the next wave of infrastructure. #fiber #broadband #AI #infrastructure #telecom #workforce See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E20
March 20 · 29 min
Nvidia GTC Highlights—Top AI & GPU Announcements Explained
Turns out Nvidia isn't just a chip company, it's morphing into a systems company. On the heels of Nvidia GTC in San Jose, we sat down with three of our favorite analysts - Jack Gold, Anshel Sag and Leonard Lee - to translate Nvidia's tech talk into tangible takeaways. Here's what you need to know about the company's latest chip and AI announcements. #AI #AgenticAI #Nvidia #OpenClaw #Cisco #cybersecurity See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E19
March 13 · 15 min
MWC Barcelona 2026 Highlights: The Five Nine’s Top Takeaways
The Fierce Network team spent a week in Spain meeting with top wireless execs to get the down low on where the industry is headed in 2026. Now that we're back stateside, we sat down to dish on our top takeaways from the show. And spoiler alert, we heard about a lot more than just AI. #MWCBarcelona #wireless #AI #satellite #6G #wirelesssensing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E18
February 27 · 18 min
What to Expect at MWC Barcelona 2026
How much gas is left in 5G? And where will the road to 6G head? Where does quantum fiction meet fact? And will we actually hear anything new about ai? Fierce’s team of experts talks about what's coming at MWC Barcelona. #MWC #MWCBarcelona #wireless #6G #quantum #AI #artificialintelligence #satellite See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E16
February 13 · 28 min
What the Future Looks Like for Private Wireless Networks
A major vendor shifting focus, a spectrum tug of war and the unavoidable rise of AI have people wondering: what’s next for private wireless. So, let’s find out. #privatewireless #5G #AI #industrial #Celona #Nokia Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/rX0hRgzHN-E See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E15
February 6 · 28 min
How quantum computing and AI agents could break network security
The Five Nine explores how and why AI agents and quantum computing could break modern network security, what role telecom network operators have in stopping the threats, and why everyone needs to start thinking about these problems NOW. Special guests include Palo Alto’s SVP for Network Security Rich Campagna, F5 VP of AI and engineering guru Jimmy White and Fierce Network Research’s Mitch Wagner. #AI #agenticAI #telecom #security #cybersecurity #quantum See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 2 · 29 min
How AT&T is redefining connectivity with a customer-first focus (Special Episode)
In this conversation, AT&T Executive Vice President and General Manager of Mass Markets, Jenifer Robertson, discusses how the company is reshaping connectivity through a customer-first strategy across wireless and fiber. Robertson outlines AT&T’s approach to serving more than 100 million customers daily, highlighting how customer experience, network reliability, and simplified pricing are driving decision-making at scale. The discussion explores key initiatives including multi-gig fiber expansion, simplified pricing with no contracts, and the launch of the AT&T Guarantee—an industry-first commitment covering network reliability, customer service, and price value. Robertson also explains how convergence between fiber and wireless enables innovations such as automatic internet backup, AI-driven Wi-Fi personalization, and connected home services. From frontline leadership to enterprise-scale transformation, Robertson shares insights on managing large teams, driving cultural change, and taking bold, public commitments to improve customer trust. The conversation offers a clear view into AT&T’s roadmap for connectivity, convergence, and customer experience as the company looks ahead to 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E14
January 30 · 21 min
Retail AI in the wild
We’re flipping the script this week and talking not to the people building AI infrastructure but to one of the people trying to help implement it in the wilds of retail. Forum3 Co-CEO and former Starbucks Chief Digital Officer Adam Brotman talks why GenAI is different, how on-device AI could change the game entirely, and whether he thinks there is actually a bubble. #AI #artificialintelligence #retail #Apple #Google #Siri See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E13
January 23 · 31 min
Agentic AI rocks the multi-cloud landscape
AI is massively shaking up the multi-cloud landscape. And we’re here to talk about how. As cloud adoption kicked into gear a few years back, it wasn’t enough to have just one cloud. Suddenly enterprises had deployments scattered here, there and everywhere. That, of course, made for a management nightmare. And just as vendors and enterprises started to get their arms around the problem, AI entered the scene. Suffice to say things are – once again – very messy. #AI #cloud #multicloud#CloudBolt #AgenticAI See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E12
January 16 · 33 min
What does telecom look like in 2026?
What does the future hold for Verizon with a new CEO at the helm? Does the $42.5 billion BEAD program have staying power? Can telcos fend off a space-based market invasion? A new year brings a fresh start, but there are some trends that are bound to carry over from 2025. We gathered the whole Fierce Network crew to get their top takes on what's in store for the year to come in the wireless, wireline, AI and cloud realms. #AI #cloud #wireless #fiber See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E11
January 9 · 32 min
The Five Nine: The rise of alternative hyperscalers
AI isn’t just transforming how we live, work and play, it’s also overhauling the cloud and data center market. It’s not just about the big three anymore – we’re entering the era of the alternative hyperscaler. Vultr’s CMO Kevin Cochrane and Futuriom founder and chief analyst Scott Raynovich talk what's coming down the pipe in 2026. #AI #cloud #GPU #neocloud #altscaler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E10
Dec 19, 2025 · 25 min
The Five Nine: Do GPUs make sense for AI-RAN?
Nvidia made headlines in October when it announced plans to invest $1 billion in telecom vendor Nokia to develop AI-RAN solutions that use its GPUs. But do GPUs even make sense for AI-RAN? We sat down with Orange's Atoosa Hatefi and Dell'Oro Group's Stefan Pongratz to dig into the different flavors of AI-RAN, what would compel telecom operators to spring for GPUs and what the overall market forecast looks like. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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