DDoS Detection, Mitigation, Orchestration, and Threat Intelligence
Consolidated Security & CGNAT
TLS/SSL Inspection
Web Application Firewall
Application Security & Load Balancing
Analytics & Management
CGNAT & IPv6 Migration
In the “5G: Secure What Matters” blog post series, we showcase thought leaders and their unique perspectives on the intersection of 5G, security, and technology. We recently sat down with Algis Akstinas, CEO and Founder of Data On Tap, Inc. to get his views on 5G and 5G security.
I am founder and CEO of Data On Tap Inc. A telecom technology company building domtobile.app – a smart tiny telecom and full MVNO in Canada – designed to be affordable and awesome.
In my previous roles I’ve helped build a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) in Canada from scratch, led commercial strategy, managed customer acquisition, monetization, product and business development, launched numerous products and services with leading technology companies in 3 different continents in telecommunications, airline and logistics industries.
I see the 5G as the beginning of the new architecture of connectivity. For the first time the building of radio access networks is being done by disaggregating hardware from software. Also for the first time networks are realizing the power of the cloud and its ecosystem. All that re-imagines economics and building things the Internet way. APIs, microservices and service innovation on top to deliver better connectivity, better digital experiences for less.
But more importantly now more than ever 5G has potential to bridge the digital divide, bringing a fairer type of universally accessible connectivity. Faster. Smarter.
Main challenges for 5G are not technical. Purely from a technology perspective, I see 5G addressing some of the major headaches that we had to deal with when moving from 3G/HSPA+ to 4G/LTE. To name a few: spectrum refarming, voLTE compatibility (fallback to 3G and fast return to LTE for non-compatible phones), capacity issues in RAN and transmission. The 5G brings such great things as Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) capabilities – a load balancer between 4G/LTE and 5G. Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) allowing for a base station ‘mesh’.
Main challenge I see for the 5G ecosystem is the misalignment of the initial 5G strategy and stakeholder goals. MNOs and Carriers aside two other stakeholders – governments and consumers are looking for affordable, universal access to connectivity everywhere. The economy and our way of life transformed almost overnight to a place which we anticipated to be only by 2030. As a result, we are getting lots of speedtest screenshots from urban iPhone users. Deploying 5G with dubious merit in the places where we already had abundant connectivity will not yield the best long-term result for everyone.
In my view, in the case of 5G, the security, national and economic interests have been mixed up with private information security of the end users. Both are important, and in both cases can be addressed with use of technology. I started following and diving deeper into digital wallet and decentralized trusted credential systems for that reason. Industry and governments should start looking at how to solve the security threats instead of talking about them being unique to 5G.
We also saw irrational backlash coming from the introduction of 5G, such as burning of cell towers. Industry and governments failure to communicate improved tools, architecture, smarts behind 5G.
We are a telecom technology company and a Proposed Full Mobile Virtual Network Operator in Canada. Major additional benefits for current pure play MVNOs such as us – opportunities in IoT/M2M and Fixed Wireless Access space.
IoT and M2M is becoming an opportunity for us because of SAAS business model and API architecture.
Fixed wireless space because the 5G economics for last mile and serving the customer for full suite of phone, wireless, broadband and TV services can be delivered at a cost reaching 5c/GB, self-install, eSIM and government digital divide programs are further reasons to get into FWA.
IoT and associated real time rich data and intelligence is the key net new benefit of 5G to businesses.
Universally accessible fast connectivity is the lifeblood of the digital economy, in five years 5G will cover 100 percent of the current LTE footprint and be supported on nine out of ten handsets in the hands of consumers.
What is more important I believe is that 5G has the potential to lead in building net new connectivity. Different levels of government, advocates for rural development and organizations working on bridging the digital divide are coming up with major connectivity initiatives trying to address the underserved part of the population. Technologies like Fiber, 5G Low Earth Orbit satellite technologies all have a role to play. This time around there are more reasons for all competing technologies and their use to be maximized, prioritized and architected in a way to deliver the best long-term outcome for every stakeholder.
Algis has global experience launching and transforming wireless carriers. Developing products and implementing services with leading technology companies. He has spent the last decade leading product, customer acquisition, customer base management and commercial strategy for Canadian wireless carrier WIND/Freedom Mobile, and is currently working on a new exciting startup – dotmobile.app.
