In this episode of MTMG’s IT Roundtable, former ZTE CTO John Frieslaar joins the team to unpack the seismic shifts happening in telecom and IT infrastructure. From the challenges of geopolitical disruption to the rise of AI-driven networks and open RAN, John shares real stories—includingbillion-pound deals and innovation born from crisis. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on sustainable infrastructure, private 5G networks, and how to overcome vendor lock-in. If you're an IT or municipal leader rethinking your digital foundation, this episode is your blueprint.
⏱️ Key Events Timeline
🎯 00:00 Welcome & Guest Intro – Meet John Frieslaar, MTMG’s new infrastructure strategist and former ZTE CTO
🌐06:35 Lessons from Failure – Project stalls, political curveballs, and how they built the first global cybersecurity lab
📶12:40 The Shift to Open RAN & AI Networks – Solving vendor diversity and automating the future
♻️18:55 Making Infrastructure Sustainable – Fiber, edge compute, and circular economics
💡26:12 Incentivizing Green Tech – The role of banks, carbon credits, and changing accounting practices
🧭31:45 MTMG Questions – John's favorite podcast, book, and how Queen keeps him moving
📚 Notable References
🎧 The Rest is Politics– John’s favorite podcast for staying sharp on global dynamics
🔗Spotify
📖 The Four by Scott Galloway – Referenced when discussing market control and vendor influencein the infrastructure world
🔗Amazon
🎵 Queen – "Don’t Stop Me Now" – John's motivational pick for staying resilient through chaos
🔗YouTube
🔗 Connect with Us:
✅ Check out our website: www.mtmg.eu
✅Learn more about the amazing software we use to create these podcasts (Descript): https://get.descript.com/mtu0tl2zr3g7
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📧Suggestions or want to appear on a future episode? Email: podcast@mtmg.eu
💡Need expert help to maximize your IT investments? Reach out: info@mtmg.eu
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