I’m thrilled to sit down with Vladislav Zaimov, a seasoned telecommunications specialist with a wealth of experience in enterprise telecommunications and risk management of vulnerable networks. With a career dedicated to advancing industrial connectivity, Vladislav offers unique insights into the evolving landscape of private 5G networks and their critical role in supporting industrial AI and IoT applications. In our conversation, we explore the strategic moves shaping the future of connectivity, the ambitious goals of becoming a market leader in private 5G, the importance of staying focused on core networking solutions, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in transforming industrial infrastructure.
Can you walk us through what strategic recapitalization means in the context of a telecommunications company, and why it’s a pivotal moment right now?
Strategic recapitalization is essentially a financial restructuring that allows a company to bring in new capital, often by selling a significant stake to an investor, while maintaining operational control. For a telecommunications company like ours, it’s a game-changer because it provides the resources to scale rapidly in a highly competitive and capital-intensive industry. Right now, with the surge in demand for private 5G and industrial IoT solutions, this move is pivotal. It positions us to invest in expansion, acquire complementary businesses, and solidify our foothold in connecting critical infrastructure—think AI data centers and industrial devices—without the burden of debt.
How does bringing in a majority stakeholder influence the vision and day-to-day operations of a company in this space?
Having a majority stakeholder introduces a new dynamic, but it’s more about amplification than disruption. They bring not just capital but also strategic insight and a broader network, which can help us accelerate our goals. On the day-to-day side, operations remain largely unchanged because the core team, including leadership, retains control over strategy and execution. The real influence comes in the form of enhanced resources—whether it’s funding for new projects or expertise in scaling businesses—which allows us to tackle bigger contracts and expand our footprint faster.
What’s behind the ambitious target of becoming the largest private 5G provider in North America, and how do you define ‘largest’ in this context?
The ambition stems from recognizing a unique window of opportunity in the market. Industrial enterprises are hungry for reliable, secure connectivity to power AI and IoT applications, and private 5G is the backbone of that transformation. We see a chance to lead by focusing on what we do best—delivering critical networking solutions. By ‘largest,’ I mean a combination of factors: the number of deployments we handle, the revenue we generate, and the breadth of industries we serve. It’s not just about size but about impact—being the go-to provider for Fortune-level corporations and key verticals like energy, manufacturing, and transportation.
What are some of the key steps you’re taking in the near term to get closer to that leadership position?
In the short term, we’re focusing on strategic growth through 2025. That means consolidating our existing operations for efficiency, expanding our sales pipeline, which has already grown significantly, and pursuing acquisitions. We’re eyeing companies that complement our expertise—potentially other integrators with niche industrial focus or hardware providers that enhance our offerings. Additionally, we’re ramping up our partnerships with major technology players to ensure we’re delivering cutting-edge private 5G solutions. Every step is about building capacity to handle larger, more complex projects.
Acquisitions seem to play a big role in your growth strategy. Can you share what kind of companies or technologies you’re looking to bring on board?
Absolutely, acquisitions are a cornerstone of our plan to scale quickly. We’re looking at companies that can either deepen our expertise in specific industrial sectors or broaden our technological capabilities. Think rival integrators with a strong presence in niche markets like utilities or government, or perhaps firms with innovative hardware that can integrate seamlessly into our private 5G deployments. The goal is to create a more comprehensive portfolio that addresses every aspect of industrial connectivity, while ensuring any acquisition aligns with our focus on networking rather than getting sidetracked into adjacent hype areas like AI development.
Your focus on critical industrial connectivity is quite specific. Why is linking AI data centers and IoT devices such a priority for you?
It’s all about being the vital middle piece in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. AI data centers are exploding with growth as enterprises lean into advanced analytics, and industrial IoT devices—sensors, cameras, robotics—are multiplying at an incredible rate. The challenge is that these two ends of the spectrum need a secure, reliable, and high-performance connection to function effectively. That’s where we come in. By focusing on private 5G, fixed broadband, and other connectivity solutions, we enable real-time data flow and decision-making for industries that can’t afford downtime—think manufacturing plants or energy grids. It’s a critical niche with massive potential.
How do you manage to stay disciplined on core networking solutions when there’s so much buzz around AI and other emerging technologies?
Staying disciplined is about clarity of purpose. The buzz around AI and other trends is tempting, and we’ve seen competitors pivot to chase those markets. But our strength lies in connectivity—the plumbing that makes everything else possible. We’ve adopted a steady, consistent approach, focusing on what we know best and ensuring we deliver value there. It’s like a long-distance march; you don’t sprint when the sun’s out and risk burning out. Instead, we keep our pace, building trust with clients by solving their networking challenges, which ultimately positions us as a reliable partner no matter how the tech landscape shifts.
What challenges do you anticipate in achieving your growth targets within such an aggressive timeline?
The timeline is tight, no doubt, and there are several hurdles. First, the competitive landscape is fierce—other players are also looking to bulk up through acquisitions or partnerships, so we need to move fast without compromising on fit or quality. Second, integrating new acquisitions into our operations and culture is always a complex process; it requires careful planning to avoid disruptions. Lastly, the sheer scale of demand for private 5G means we have to ensure our workforce and technical capabilities keep up with bigger contracts. It’s about balancing speed with stability, but with the right capital and focus, I’m confident we can navigate these challenges.
Looking ahead, what is your forecast for the future of private 5G and industrial connectivity over the next decade?
I see private 5G becoming the backbone of industrial transformation over the next decade. As industries continue to digitize, the need for secure, low-latency, and customizable networks will only grow. We’re likely to see even tighter integration between connectivity solutions and edge computing, enabling real-time AI applications directly at industrial sites. Additionally, I expect regulatory frameworks to evolve, potentially simplifying deployments but also imposing stricter security standards. For industrial connectivity, the focus will shift toward resilience—ensuring networks can withstand cyber threats and physical disruptions. It’s an exciting time, and I believe companies that stay focused on delivering robust, tailored solutions will lead the way.
