Beyond the Dumb Pipe: Why 5G’s Real Opportunity Is Still Untapped
Fri Jan 23 2026
In this episode, Jim is joined by leading wireless industry analyst Chetan Sharma for a candid conversation on what really held 5G back - and what operators must get right before 6G.
They unpack why 5G was never a technology challenge, but a business model and execution problem, especially in Western markets where strong consumer ARPU reduced urgency to pursue enterprise innovation. In contrast, operators in China and select global markets embraced connectivity-plus strategies built on private 5G, edge computing, AI, and industry-specific solutions.
Key topics include:
Why enterprise 5G adoption stalled in the West
What global operators can learn from China’s private 5G success
Why private networks should be as simple as Wi-Fi
The importance of outcome-driven enterprise engagement
And why missing the mark in 5G puts 6G at risk
A must-listen for operators, enterprise leaders, and anyone shaping the future of connectivity beyond the “dumb pipe.”
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In this episode, Jim is joined by leading wireless industry analyst Chetan Sharma for a candid conversation on what really held 5G back - and what operators must get right before 6G. They unpack why 5G was never a technology challenge, but a business model and execution problem, especially in Western markets where strong consumer ARPU reduced urgency to pursue enterprise innovation. In contrast, operators in China and select global markets embraced connectivity-plus strategies built on private 5G, edge computing, AI, and industry-specific solutions. Key topics include: Why enterprise 5G adoption stalled in the West What global operators can learn from China’s private 5G success Why private networks should be as simple as Wi-Fi The importance of outcome-driven enterprise engagement And why missing the mark in 5G puts 6G at risk A must-listen for operators, enterprise leaders, and anyone shaping the future of connectivity beyond the “dumb pipe.”