DBTT #8 - Future of WiFi, state of FTTH, future of telecoms and sovereignty

In this episode (recorded on April 27), Ben & Dean discuss Wi-Fi and the recent Wi-Fi Now Global Congress in California, takeouts from the FTTH Council conference in London and what's next for the fibre & optical sectors, thoughts on Network Automation and the FutureNet summit in London and quick takeouts from last week's Unthinkable Lab event on Telecoms Sovereignty. 00:30 - Wi-Fi trends, including Wi-Fi 8, AI + Wi-Fi 06:00 - US policy & regulatory about Wi-Fi, including ban on international router imports, thoughts on 6GHz spectrum 08:57 - Benoit's thoughts on the FTTH Council Europe event in London & the wider industry. What happens to the industry when fibre rollout is almost complete? What about Africa? 13:25 - Optical LAN, FTTX in-building, copper wiring/Ethernet replacement and Photonics 19:40 - Fibre uptake trends in Europe 24:00 - FutureNet and Unthinkable Lab outcomes. Trends in network automation, OSS / BSS, AI+telecoms trends, sovereignty and 5G standalone. 29:40 - What's next? Ben's partnership with Point Topic on FTTH takeup acceleration, Dean's May event schedule. 31:40 – Book Ben & Dean for your event! Get us on stage at your conference, or facilitating at your private meeting or executive offsite. Connect & message us on Linked. Links: Wi-Fi Now Global Congress: https://wifinowglobal.com/usa-2026/ FTTH Council Conference 2026, April 14-16: https://ftthconference.eu/ Dean's FutureNet commentary:   / deanbubley_telcos-edge-sovereignty-activit...     / deanbubley_5gsa-5g-neutralhost-activity-74...   Unthinkable Lab on Telecoms Sovereignty, April 23: https://www.telecomtv.com/content/unt... In May, Dean will be at Connect(X), Canadian Telecoms Summit, TelecomTV DSP Leaders  & Netaxis Inspiration Day. Click here for details and to arrange a meeting.