Vladislav Zaimov is a seasoned telecommunications strategist with a sharp focus on the security and resilience of enterprise-grade networks. Having navigated the complex transition from legacy systems to software-defined infrastructure, he has become a leading voice on how vulnerable networks can be fortified against emerging digital threats. His expertise is particularly relevant today as the industry grapples with the dual pressures of integrating artificial intelligence into network operations while preparing for the cryptographic shifts necessitated by quantum computing. In this conversation, we explore the major themes currently reshaping the sector, including the rapid consolidation of the IoT market, the evolution of eSIM orchestration, and the move toward integrated sensing in future 6G environments.
The telecommunications industry is currently seeing AI accelerate the speed and sophistication of cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. How should telcos prioritize their security strategies when quantum threats are also looming on the horizon?
The reality is that while AI is stealing all the headlines right now, the threat posed by quantum computing is no less urgent for the integrity of our global data. We are seeing a major push toward Quantum Safe Networks, as evidenced by the recent forum where industry giants like AT&T, Orange, and Singtel joined forces with security leaders like Cisco and Palo Alto Networks to discuss the implementation of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). Telcos are the guardians of society’s most critical communications, and they must adopt hybrid security models that address both the immediate speed of AI attacks and the future-proofing required for quantum resilience. Resilience isn’t just about reacting; it’s about establishing a strategy today that protects sensitive enterprise data before the cryptographic standards of yesterday are completely broken. If we wait until the threat is fully realized, we will have already lost the battle for infrastructure trust.
We are witnessing a significant wave of consolidation in the IoT space, with companies like Wireless Logic making their 10th acquisition in just four years. What does this drive toward scale tell us about the future of the IoT market?
The recent acquisition of US-based SIMETRY by Wireless Logic is a clear signal that the IoT market is finally maturing past its fragmented roots. For a long time, the sector was too bloated with small players, and we are now seeing a necessary “shrink to scale” movement where the focus is shifting from simply selling SIM cards to providing comprehensive software orchestration. CSL Group’s acquisition of IoTM Solutions further highlights this trend, as companies seek to build robust platforms for connectivity management. This consolidation is driven by the need to handle the complexities of the upcoming SGP.32 specification, which will redefine how devices are provisioned. In this environment, scale is the only way to provide the level of service and security that modern enterprises demand from their connected ecosystems.
As the industry prepares for the SGP.32 specification, we are seeing the emergence of multi-operator eSIM orchestration platforms. How does this shift from connectivity to software-led orchestration change the competitive landscape for traditional carriers?
The launch of the world’s first multi-operator eSIM orchestration platform by Thales, Singtel, and Bridge Alliance marks a fundamental shift in the power dynamics of the industry. This platform allows businesses to provision and manage IoT devices across multiple carriers with a level of flexibility that was previously impossible. We saw Telefónica launch a similar proposition very recently, which confirms that global IoT is increasingly becoming a software orchestration business rather than a purely hardware-focused one. Telcos are realizing that to stay competitive, they have to cooperate through alliances rather than trying to own the entire vertical in isolation. If they don’t embrace these open, software-driven standards, they risk being sidelined by more agile MVNOs who are already mastering the art of lifecycle management.
There has been a lot of talk about 6G and “integrated sensing and communications.” Based on recent drone demonstrations at AT&T Stadium, what does this look like in a practical, industrial sense?
The drone demonstrations by AT&T and Ericsson on a live 5G network in Texas give us a tangible glimpse into the 6G era, specifically through Integrated Sensing and Communications, or ISAC. This technology essentially turns the mobile network itself into a distributed sensor, allowing for the real-time tracking and detection of objects like drones without needing separate radar systems. This concept is being pushed even further in Europe through the PRIME-6G project, which is a €7.76m EU-backed initiative aimed at creating resilient platforms for AI robotics and sensing in manufacturing. We are moving toward a future where the connected infrastructure isn’t just a pipe for data but a real-time awareness platform for sports venues and industrial plants alike. It’s a sensory evolution that will make our physical environments much more responsive and safer.
The Thames Freeport has become a testing ground for private 5G networks with Verizon and Nokia, yet there seems to be a sense of frustration regarding the speed of adoption. What are the primary roadblocks holding back these high-stakes industrial deployments?
While the innovation lab at Thames Freeport is doing incredible work for partners like DP World London Gateway and Ford, the wider adoption of Industry 4.0 technology is currently hampered by a “messy” ecosystem. We have a situation where the technology is often too complex, the various vendors remain tribal and protective of their silos, and the return on investment remains inscrutable for many stakeholders. The language used in the industry is frequently too arcane, which creates a barrier for the very businesses that would benefit most from private 5G and automated logistics. To truly unlock the potential of these port and manufacturing environments, the industry needs to move past untested platforms and screwy valuations. There is a line of customers waiting, but the industry must hurry up and simplify the path to deployment if it wants to see these pilot programs turn into universal standards.
What is your forecast for the telecommunications sector over the next few years as these technologies converge?
My forecast is that we will see a “great simplification” where the complex web of IoT, AI, and 5G converges into a unified, software-defined layer that is invisible to the end user but indispensable to the enterprise. By 2027, the focus will have shifted entirely away from the “G” of the network and onto the orchestration of the data it carries, with SGP.32 becoming the gold standard for global device mobility. We will also see the first true “sensing-as-a-service” revenue models emerge as 6G pilots prove that networks can see and feel as well as they transmit. However, this progress will be contingent on our ability to implement quantum-safe protocols today; those who ignore the cryptographic shift will find their sophisticated AI networks are built on a foundation of sand. The winners will be the firms that prioritize security and orchestration over raw connectivity.
