Mobile Technology & Futurism Analyst / Consultant 

Dean Bubley is the founder of Disruptive Analysis, an independent technology industry analyst and consulting firm based in London. An outspoken analyst & futurist with over 25 years’ experience, he specialises in mobile / telecoms fields, with an eye on the broader technological and societal contexts into which they fit. He is one of the leading market observers and forecasters covering network infrastructure & software, telecom business models, voice/video communications and broadband/spectrum policy.

He is known as a contrarian and visionary, often with challenging opinions that go against industry consensus. Speaking at over 30 conferences and other events per year, and quoted by publications such as The Economist, FT & Wall Street Journal, he is an authority and influencer. He regularly appears in technology industry videos, podcasts and blogs.

His clients include many of the world’s leading telecom operators, vendors, regulators and industry associations. He also acts as associate director in charge of Network Futures research for STL Partners, and is an advisor to mesh-networking startup AmmbrTech. He provides clients with advice and analytical opinion on topics such as emerging trend “myth-busting”, business model validation, technology innovation and go-to-market strategies, "addressable market sizing", planning and due diligence.

His present focus is on 5G network technology, WiFi, spectrum policy, eSIM, blockchain & distributed ledgers, the “future of voice and video”, messaging & conversational commerce, mobile broadband, developer platforms, edge-computing and contextual communications. He also advises on wider trends in the evolution of cross-sector technologies like AI, IoT, automation and technology regulation/policy.

Mr Bubley was formerly an equity analyst, covering communications stocks, with the UK arm of investment bank Robert W. Baird. Prior to that, he spent eight years at UK research firm Datamonitor, where he co-founded the company's Technology business, managed the Internet & Networking area and custom consulting operations, with roles of Chief Analyst & Director of Consulting. He holds a BA in Physics from Keble College, Oxford University.

There is a growing focus on shared and wholesale approaches to 4G and 5G deployments. Indoor, rural, metropolitan and industrial locations are all suitable for new “open access” operators deploying cellular infrastructure, going beyond traditional tower-co’s business models. National MNOs or other innovative local mobile players could rent space for their own small cells, or share the neutral firm’s radio elements. These new NHN providers may also be ideal providers of shared edge-compute resources, given their physical locations, and multiple network connections to MNOs’ cores and other fibre routes.

This session will cover:

• What is a neutral host network?
• What use-cases are being addressed?
• What are the possible integration points & business synergies with edge-compute?