Welcome to the 5th edition of HOTShots Magazine - the only watchable telecom magazine!
In this issue, we dive into what’s shaping the industry: from subsea innovation to the future of digital infrastructure. Discover how AI and sustainable data centers are redefining telecom, and meet the rising stars driving global connectivity.
We also celebrate resilience, as Isabelle crowns this year’s Top Dogour standout industry hero.
Expect bold insights, fresh ideas, and the trends shaking up the scene. HOTShots isn’t just a magazine - it’s your front-row seat to telecom’s future. Enjoy!
Shelley Wright Head of Content and Marketing,
HOT TELECOM
The future of telecom
Simon Dodsworth on navigating voice industry decline through automation, efficiency, real expertise, and strategic consolidation.
Linxa’s CEO, Simon Dodsworth, offers a candid take on the carrier voice industry, which is less about rapid growth, and more about smart survival. With messaging revenues collapsing and traditional voice under mounting pressure, carriers must adapt fast or risk fading out. The focus now? Efficiency, automation, and navigating complexity with precision.
Simon is clear: the era of manual operations and slow pivots is over. Success today depends on streamlined systems, regulatory agility, and sustaining returns under margin pressure. For voice carriers, it’s no longer about chasing hype - it’s about managing the decline with intelligence.
SIMON DODSWORTH
CEO AT LINXA
Linxa is stepping up as a strategic ally. Their edge lies in a team built from real carrier experience - people who’ve faced and solved these challenges. Under Simon’s leadership, the company is doubling down on making telecom operations faster, smarter, and more resilient.
The opportunity is real: to modernize, consolidate, and remain competitive in a tough market. Linxa is ready to enable carriers to thrive through what comes next.
Watch the full interview to see how Simon is shaping the future of telecom.
“It’s not going to be glamorous. It’s not going to be huge growth. It’s about consolidation and keeping it steady.”
Powering the AI revolution
Allen Meeks discusses AI-driven infrastructure challenges, MOX’s Topaz cable success, and booming subsea cable industry trends.
Allen Meeks, President and CEO of MOX Networks, unpacks the infrastructure challenges behind the AI revolution, and how MOX is leaning in. As AI’s demands grow at a breakneck pace, traditional infrastructure, like fiber, power, and data centers, can’t always keep up. The race is on to bridge physical limitations with digital ambition.
ALLEN MEEKS PRESIDENT AND CEO AT MOX NETWORKS
“We feel like some of the AI players are sort of building the plane as they’re flying it.”
For Allen, the real challenge lies in matching AI’s monthly evolution with infrastructure that takes years to deploy. “It’s like building the plane while flying it,” he says. But MOX isn’t slowing down.
Their recent move - buying spectrum on the Topaz subsea cable - marked a major milestone. By gaining end-to-end control across the Pacific, MOX entered a new league of global connectivity, selling out capacity almost instantly.
Subsea cables and AI demand, are the future of digital infrastructure growth.
Now, for the “HOTGossip?” They’re not stopping with Topaz. Plans are already underway to expand across both the Atlantic and Pacific via new subsea ventures. With AI surging and data demand exploding, the hottest trend in telecom is subsea scale, and MOX is at the forefront of the movement.
Watch the full interview to hear how Allen Meeks and MOX are redefining global infrastructure for the AI age: fast, bold, and borderless.
Africa’s tech powerhouse
Guy Willner shares how Africa’s young, techsavvy population is driving digital growth through data centers and innovation.
92% green energy grid powers Kenya’s digital future
powerhouse
In this interview, Guy Willner, Co-founder and Chairman of IXAfrica, shares a powerful vision: emerging markets driving the future.
With a youthful, tech-savvy population and digital demand exploding, Africa is rapidly closing the digital divide by keeping talent local and building data centers where they’re needed most.
Guy sees a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem forming across East Africa, powered by 92% green energy grids and massive geothermal potential in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. The result? Gigawatt-scale regional hubs that could soon serve as digital super-cores for the entire continent.
GUY WILLNER CO-FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN IXAFRICA
And the momentum doesn’t stop there. With whispers of a new cloud region and big moves from tech giants like Microsoft and SoftBank, Africa’s digital landscape is heating up fast.
It’s about unleashing innovation where the world least expects it and rewriting the tech map in real time.
Ready to see where the next digital frontier is being built? Don’t miss this high-energy interview. Watch now and discover Africa’s rise in the global data race.
NICK BARTON CCO AT AQUA COMMS
Riding the wave of disruption
Nick
Barton outlines Aqua Comms’ bold 2025 vision for smarter subsea networks with scale, speed and sustainability.
Nick Barton, CCO at Aqua Comms reveals what’s next for subsea infrastructureand it’s nothing short of transformative. As 95% of global internet traffic travels via subsea cables, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With AI surging and geopolitics reshaping the map, the mission for 2025 is crystal clear: more scale, more resilience and more reach.
Aqua Comms is delivering. In 2024, they lit up new cable routes, introduced blazingfast 400G services, and trailed Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 - achieving a record-breaking 1.3 terabit wavelength transmission That’s a step-change in efficiency, helping slash power consumption and drive toward sustainability.
From launching the NOC to rolling out shared spectrum services, the company is redefining what subsea service excellence looks like. Even amid ownership transitions, the team is doubling down on neutrality, innovation, and operational excellence.
2025 isn’t just another year. It’s a frontier. And Aqua Comms is engineering the infrastructure to power the digital world of tomorrow.
Watch this space, because the cables beneath our oceans are about to get a whole lot smarter.
“We will see further scale, further resilience, and more shared spectrum infrastructure being deployed globally”
Asia’s connectivity revolution
Budi Satria Dharma Purba highlights Asia’s rapid data center growth driving connectivity and major new submarine cable projects.
Budi Satria Dharma Purba, CEO of Telin, shares insights on the explosive growth and challenges in Asia’s connectivity landscape.
He discusses how the surge in internet demand, which is fueled by 5G deployment and cloud adoption, drives a data center growth of over 20% annually. With increasing cross-continental connectivity needs, projected to grow by 30-40% over the next five years, the supply side faces considerables capacity crunches.
Growth of data centers is more than 20%
Budi explaines how Telin is addressing these challenges by building new cable systems designed for low latency, unique routing, and direct data center access to avoid complex cross-connects.
He also reveales the ambitious ICE (Indonesia Cable Express) project which is a $2.7 billion consortium initiative connecting Southeast Asia to the Middle East, Europe, Japan, and the US with diverse routes that avoid vulnerable areas like the South China Sea.
Wrapping up, Budi hints at exciting future developments in the region’s digital infrastructure, underscoring Telin’s commitment to meeting growing customer demands with innovative and resilient connectivity solutions.
This is a must-watch interview for anyone interested in the future of global connectivity and digital infrastructure in Asia and beyond.
“We initiated a seven system cable called ICE, not just for Indonesia but addressing growth of data centers regionally.”
BUDI SATRIA DHARMA PURBA CEO AT TELIN
Reshaping connectivity with the fiber revolution
Simon Masri leads C3ntro Telecom’s ambitious fiber network expansion across the Americas region.
Simon Masri, CEO of C3ntro Telecom, shares insights into the biggest opportunities and challenges facing connectivity in the Americas today. He highlights the critical need for robust, diverse fiber networks to link expanding hyperscale data centers, many of which were built years ago and now require retrofitting and new infrastructure.
Simon spills some hot gossip, revealing recent milestones: the groundbreaking of their first fiber network in the Phoenix metro area, which is one of the hottest US markets.
He also talks about their new Mexico routes, connecting to a major data center in Queretaro, which is set to serve hyperscalers expanding in the region.
These projects promise to revolutionize LATAM connectivity by delivering carriergrade, diverse networks designed specifically to meet hyperscalers’ growing demands.
Simon also emphasizes C3ntro Telecom’s commitment to closing the digital divide and bringing high-quality connectivity to underserved areas, promising infrastructure that will serve the region’s needs for the next 30 years.
Watch how C3ntro Telecom is shaping the future of connectivity in the Americas today.
SIMON MASRI CEO AT C3NTRO
“We just break ground on a beautiful new route connecting by two of the biggest data centers in the region.”
Purpose-Driven Connectivity
Alex Chace highlights how subsea cables in Tuvalu and Bangladesh drive connectivity, youth opportunity, education, and economic growth investments and consolidation.
ALEX CHACE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT APTELECOM
Join Isabelle as she talks with Alex Chace, Program Director at APTelecom, as he explores two powerful connectivity projects transforming underserved regions in Tuvalu and Bangladesh.
Backed by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, AP Telecom has been helping deliver Tuvalu’s very first subsea cable - a milestone with enormous impact.
From keeping young talent on the island to enabling telemedicine and boosting educational access, this project is laying the foundation for long-term growth.
“It can’t be understated how impactful a first cable is to a country like Tuvalu. Powering education, healthcare, economic growth.”
Imagine sending MRI scans digitally instead of flying them across the ocean. That’s the scale of change we’re talking about.
In Bangladesh, where a quarter of the 170 million people are under the age of 25, the upcoming cable could unlock huge economic potential.
The goal? Deliver reliable connectivity to rural areas and drive development through digital inclusion, mobile access, and business innovation - much like India’s success story.
Alex also shares how APTelecom brings business and community together with a heartwarming CSR initiative at a Tuvaluan church in Honolulu.
Curious how subsea cables are transforming lives and economies? Watch the full interview to discover what’s happening beneath the surface and what’s next.
Special Featured Article Wired for Inclusion: The Subsea Revolution Connecting the Unconnected
Discussions about digital inclusion during the SubOptic 2025 conference started me thinking about the key role submarine cables will play moving forwards in connecting underserved regions. In recent years, global conversations in the media around digital inclusion have largely focused on terrestrial
access - extending mobile networks, fiber, and Wi-Fi into communities that have long remained disconnected.
But this approach often overlooks the critical role of subsea cable infrastructure in enabling meaningful, long-term connectivity, especially in remote or underserved coastal regions.
Submarine cable systems carry over 95% of international communications, yet their potential to drive local economic development, social inclusion, and digital empowerment is only beginning to be fully recognized in policy and planning circles.
For underserved areas, particularly in island nations, remote coastal communities, and regions with limited terrestrial backhaul,
LYNSEY THOMAS SUBSEA SPECIALIST AT LT CONSULTING
the absence of reliable, high-capacity international connectivity remains a major obstacle. These areas often depend on aging legacy systems, expensive satellite links, or terrestrial extensions that are both vulnerable and difficult to scale.
Without robust subsea connectivity forming the “first link” into the global internet fabric, even the best domestic last-mile initiatives struggle to deliver consistent, affordable service. That gap translates into missed economic opportunity, limited access to education and healthcare, and an inability to participate in the digital economy.
“Without robust subsea connectivity forming the ‘first link’ into the global internet fabric, initiatives struggle”
Inclusive Subsea Cables as Economic Enablers
New-generation cable systems are starting to shift this situation. Through innovations in system architecture, such as Remote Optical Add Drop Multiplexing (ROADM) branching units, shared spectrum models, and openaccess landing stations, more operators and local stakeholders can access international capacity at scalable cost points.
Thisunlocksarangeofsocio-economicbenefits, such as: Education - reliable connectivity allows rural schools and universities to participate in e-learning platforms and global academic exchanges.
Healthcare - telemedicine becomes viable, reducing the burden of travel and improving outcomes in remote clinics. Enterpriseentrepreneurs, freelancers, and SMEs can tap into global markets, fintech platforms, and cloud services, even from geographically isolated regions.
In short, the presence of a strategically routed subsea cable can turn a constrained local market into a digitally empowered economy.
Consider recent projects in Latin America and the Caribbean; cable systems like Trans Americas Fiber System’s TAM-1, which will connect key locations in Colombia, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Panama, are specifically engineered to bring resilient, highcapacity connectivity to regions previously underserved by legacy infrastructure.
In the case of TAM-1, it employs a shared spectrum design, enabling local operators and ISPs to scale services affordably and flexiblydelivering not just access, but opportunity.
Similar systems elsewhere are now being configured to reach coastal communities, island states, and emerging secondary markets that were previously bypassed. By working with local partners from the outset - on everything from permitting to education and skills programs - these projects are creating long-term value beyond bandwidth alone.
Designing for underserved markets also means thinking beyond economic access. Environmental conditions in these areas may be more challenging - ranging from complex seabed topography to increased climate risk. This demands cable routes that are resilient to changing ocean patterns, landfalls that account for erosion and sea-level rise, and environmental due diligence throughout the project lifecycle.
Fortunately, technical advancements are making it possible to build inclusively and sustainably. Intelligent routing, adaptive burial techniques, and low-impact marine deployment methods are becoming the norm for future-focused cable systems, as well as the inclusion of sensing technology to help forecast potentially catastrophic events.
Infrastructure Models for a Connected Future
For this momentum to continue, regulatory and investment frameworks must support open and inclusive infrastructure models. Governments can play a catalytic role by streamlining permitting, supporting local consortium participation, and aligning digital development strategies with infrastructure planning.
Private investors and development finance institutions, too, are beginning to recognize the long-term socio-economic returns of subsea
“A strategically routed subsea cable can turn a constrained local market into a digitally empowered economy..”
connectivity projects in emerging markets, especially when paired with inclusive access commitments.
Subsea cables have traditionally been viewed as enabling infrastructure, essential but almost invisible. That narrative is changing. As systems like TAM-1 will demonstrate, when we extend submarine networks into underserved regions, we don’t just improve connectivity, we can create the conditions for lasting socio-economic transformation.
Designing subsea infrastructure with inclusion in mind isn’t just good policy or corporate social responsibility, it’s a strategic imperative for network resilience, market expansion, and global connectivity.
By focusing investment and innovation on the edges of our digital maps, not just the centres, we lay the groundwork for a more connected, equitable digital future.
“We already have three subsea cables, and our facility is capable today of handling up to five”
The Southeast’s data boom
Chris Gatch, Chief Revenue Officer shares how DC BLOX is driving digital growth across the Southeast with subsea cables, fiber networks, and hyperscale infrastructure.
DC BLOX is reshaping the digital future of the U.S. Southeast, with Chief Revenue Officer Chris Gatch outlining bold, techdriven expansion in a region surging with energy. Thanks to affordable power, a growing population, and a pro-business climate, the Southeast is becoming a hotspot for hyperscale data centers and fiber growth.
At the center of it all is DC BLOX’s Myrtle Beach Cable Landing Station, now home to three of the latest transatlantic subsea cables from Google and Meta, delivering nearly 1,000 terabits per second. A new fiber route to Atlanta cements Myrtle
Beach as a key hub for global data flow.
And they’re just getting started. DC BLOX is building AI-ready edge nodes across the region and developing massive hyperscale campuses in Atlanta, purposebuilt for cloud and artificial intelligence.
This is empowering high-velocity digital transformation into the next era of connectivity.
Curious about what’s driving this digital revolution? Don’t miss the full interview and see how DC BLOX is building the backbone of tomorrow’s internet.
Special Feature Article
Top Dog Awards The Resilience
Excited to announce the latest recipient of the Top Dog Award: Patrick George!
Why Patrick?
Navigating challenges with strength, heart, and Belgian flair, Patrick proves true leaders rise - no matter the odds.
Award Category
As a result, Isabelle is proud to present him with ‘The Resilience’ Top Dog Award, also celebrating his unyielding resilience and the impact he’s made.
Top Dog Title
And just when you think it couldn’t get any better, Patrick is given a brand-new title: Patrick “King of Liège” George!
Join us in celebrating Patrick’s amazing achievements. Stay tuned, because the next Top Dog Award might just have your name on it!
PATRICK GEORGE CEO AT IBASIS
The power of space, mobile, and women in tech
Candace Johnson highlights space-mobile synergies, satellite’s evolving role, women’s leadership, and the importance of digital humanism.
Candace Johnson, Founder of SES and Founding President of the Global Telecom Women’s Network, is a true industry legend with decades of experience in satellite and space communications.
A founding member of Iridium, she played a key role in integrating satellite technology into mainstream mobile networks.
In this interview, Candace explains the vital role satellites now play in mobile telecom, supporting backhaul, edge computing, IoT, and AI-driven data analytics.
Despite satellites being part of telecom for decades, the industry has only recently embraced space technologies more widely.
CANDACE JOHNSON FOUNDER AT SES AND FOUNDING PRESIDENT AT GTWN
mobile,
Candace emphasizes the importance of nurturing the young, digital-native generation poised to drive future innovation and highlights the Global Telecom Women’s Network’s focus on thought leadership. This year’s theme being “Digital Humanism,” placing people at the center of technological progress.
This insightful interview reveals how satellite technology, leadership, and human-centric innovation are shaping the future of telecom. Don’t miss this powerful discussion. Watch now to hear from one of the most inspiring voices in the industry.
“Let us all try to remember that it is the human that is at the center of this technological revolution.”
TENANOIA SIMONA CEO AT TUVALU TELECOM
Tuvalu embraces the digital world
A powerful story of connection and collaboration took center stage At PTC’25 in Hawaii. Tuvalu has just landed its first-ever subsea cable (Vaka Cable) marking a transformative leap into the digital age.
Led by Nigel Bayliff of Google and Tenanoia Veronica Simona, CEO of Tuvalu Telecom, this project was a mission to digitally empower an entire nation.
Despite the universal challenges of subsea construction, which include complex seabeds, permitting hurdles and remote geography, the team delivered the project in just over a year.
“The cable will set for our people to the world.”
set a platform to connect to
Vaka empowers access to education, and cultural preservation. For Tuvalu’s 2,000 residents, it opens doors to global information, resources, and opportunity without ever having to leave the island.
Backed by an all-star coalition of partners, which include AP Telecom, and the governments of the U.S., Japan, and Australia, this was a united push to bring Tuvalu online, fast. Passion, purpose, and high-impact innovation collided to make it happen.
Want to know how a small island became a global digital player in just one year? Watch the full interview and witness the future of connectivity!
NIGEL BAYLIFF LEADER GLOBAL
SUBMARINE GGC AT GOOGLE
Sustainable data centers
Robert Dunn shares how Start Campus scales AI-ready, sustainable data centers with seawater cooling.
ROBERT DUNN CEO AT START CAMPUS
In this interview from PTC’25, Robert Dunn, CEO of Start Campus, breaks down the bold moves redefining data infrastructure.
As rack densities soar and AI’s appetite for power grows, traditional markets are buckling under demand. But Portugal, home to Start Campus, is rising as a new heavyweight.
Robert reveals how Start Campus is meeting the moment: 14MW now live, 180MW building next, and a roadmap to a staggering 1.2GW. Their secret? Innovation and sustainability at industrial scale.
Instead of chillers and cooling towers, they tap into the Atlantic, using seawater-based heat exchangers to cool their entire facility. This means no water waste, no excess power.
Start Campus isn’t just scaling big; it’s scaling smart. Already deploying 50KW and 100KW liquid-cooled racks, they’re future-proofing for AI and machine learning workloads. And they’re not stopping at Portugal. Global expansion is on the horizon, wherever power and potential align.
This is a green-tech transformation, driven by vision, power, and precision.
Ready to see how Portugal is becoming the future of AI-ready infrastructure? Watch the full interview now and get inspired by what’s coming next!
Disrupting telecom with bold moves
Mike Mills discusses Gamma’s global expansion, Operator Connect trends, compliance focus, recent acquisitions, and strategic positioning within
Mike Mills, Director at Gamma Service Providers, discusses how Gamma is riding the wave of rapid digital transformation in global telecoms. As the industry sees explosive growth in OTT communication platforms like Microsoft Teams and Operator Connect, Gamma is scaling fast and smart.
Their strategy? Build a fully compliant, global numbering footprint that powers seamless two-way voice and messaging services. Backed by a number of recent acquisitions, Gamma is moving beyond its UK roots to create a next-gen wholesale voice infrastructure fit for a global, cloudfirst world.
They’re stepping into the spotlight, joining top-tier trade associations like GLF and the Mobile Ecosystem Forum to cement their reputation as a trusted, compliant, and connected global player.
And the HOTGossip? A fresh acquisition in Germany is opening doors to a huge European market, with new smart product rollouts and footprint growth just weeks away.
This is a company shifting gears and making bold moves in global telecom. Watch the full interview to find out how Gamma is redefining voice services at scale, and why they think the best is yet to come.
MIKE MILLS DIRECTOR AT GAMMA SERVICE PROVIDERS
“One of the reasons why we’re here today is because we’re building out our global numbering footprint.”
The edge revolution
Isabelle literally takes the hotseat to the edge, with Doug Recker and Adrian Goldfarb of Duos Edge AI. This interview dives into how Duos is redefining edge computing with real-world impact.
As data gravity shifts, the company is stepping up with mission-critical micro data centers placed where the data lives. Not hundreds of miles away in the cloud, but at the edge, where real-time performance counts.
Their headline project? The Amarillo Initiative. An ambitious rollout of highpowered “pods” behind school district
ADRIAN GOLDFARB CFO AT DUOS EDGE AI
“The Amarillo project deploying mini called pods with 250 kW compute.”
project is data centers with roughly compute.”
DOUG RECKER PRESIDENT AT DUOS EDGE AI
hubs across Texas. Each pod houses up to 250kW of compute, giving rural schools Tier 3-level data power with ultra-low latency.
With roots in edge analytics and fresh momentum through energy partnerships, Duos is expanding fast. Growth is clearly on the horizon.
This is where innovation meets infrastructure, and where doing good is also doing business.
Don’t miss this interview to see how Duos Edge AI is reshaping connectivity from the ground up. Watch now and discover how edge can power the future.
Redefining sustainability and innovation
“The telecom industry is growing, and is driven by sustainability, equity, innovation and the voices of young people.”
CAROLINE CROWLEY UC BERKELEY
On the other hand, Caroline is energized by the creativity and innovation she’s seen in our industry. From AI-driven infrastructure to powering data centers more sustainably, she’s inspired by how the telecom industry is leveraging both physical networks and human talent to stay resilient. She sees telecom as more than technology - but rather a platform for global connection, equity, and opportunity.
In this interview, UC Berkeley’s Isabelle Cherry and Caroline Crowley are shaking up how we think about telecom’s future, bringing fresh energy, bold ideas, and a clear focus on sustainability and equity.
Isabelle is passionate about building with purpose, combining environmental sustainability, economic opportunity, and national sovereignty.
From recovering submarine cables to engaging communities directly, she’s exploring how telecom can empower people and protect ecosystems at the same time. She’s also leading the way back at Berkeley, spearheading a course called Building a Sustainable Internet which helps students find their place and purpose within the industry.
ISABELLE
CHERRY
UC BERKELEY
Both believe the industry needs more young minds and stronger universityindustry partnerships. Their message to students everywhere? This is your moment. Get involved, speak up, and help shape a smarter, fairer, more sustainable telecom future.
Want to witness passion and purpose collide? Watch this inspiring PTC’25 interview and meet the future of telecom already in action.
