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.

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

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