Hardware Podcasts

#060 - Future global data connectivity without worrying about your costs, with Guy Zbarsky of Keepgo, Israel

The Hardware Entrepreneur · 1 Aug 2018 · 49m

What this episode covers

Guy Zbarsky, co-founder of Keepgo, an established Israeli telecom company, explains how they pivoted from renting iPhones to selling global SIM cards and developing virtual SIM technology to solve roaming costs for travelers. He details the technical differences between their virtual SIM standard and the eSIM/eM standards, noting that their approach avoids operator dependency by transferring profiles from physical SIM banks. Zbarsky predicts that the adoption of SIM-free devices will enable a 'shared economy' for mobile data, allowing users to buy and resell connectivity like Airbnb, potentially disrupting major telecom operators by 2022. He also shares his management philosophy, emphasizing the use of tools like Trello and Slack, and personal habits like karate and power naps to maintain focus and well-being.

Most relevant to

established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Keepgo, Vodafone, Telefonica, Airbnb, Uber, Google
Products
iPhone 3G
Tools
Trello, Slack, Monday.com
Also
eSIM

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Coredump Sessions · 55m

    #012: Plug-and-Play Cellular Connectivity: Nearly Here or Never Happening?

    Vincent Corish, CEO of Kigen, joins Memfault's Alfonso Baldasari and Chris Coleman to discuss the evolution of cellular connectivity for IoT devices, focusing on eSIM and iSIM technologies. The conversation covers the shift from physical SIMs to soldered-down secure elements, the impact of falling module costs on device design, and new business models like rental and advertising enabled by remote connectivity. Key technical topics include the GSMA SGP.32 standard for fleet management, the trade-offs between NB-IoT and LTE-M, and strategies for optimizing battery life through efficient protocol selection.

    Wireless & RFEmbedded firmware
    9 chapters

  • IoT For All Podcast · 18m

    What is Software-Defined Connectivity? | Monogoto's Maor Efrati | Internet of Things Podcast

    Maor Efrati, CTO and co-founder of Monogoto, explains the shift from traditional IoT connectivity to software-defined connectivity, where connectivity is managed via APIs rather than physical SIM cards. He discusses how this approach solves real-world problems for enterprises by enabling seamless switching between private 5G, public cellular, and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) like satellite. Efrati highlights the importance of standards like SGP.32 for virtualized SIMs and predicts that satellite connectivity will play a significant role in the next five years, alongside increased focus on security and private 5G roaming.

    Wireless & RFConnected products & IoT
    7 chapters

  • IoT For All Podcast · 37m

    Scaling Cellular IoT Globally | Onomondo's Henrik Aagard and Anders Buchmann

    Henrik Aagard, CTO, and Anders Buchmann, Commercial Head, of Onomondo discuss their approach to scaling cellular IoT globally. They explain how Onomondo differentiates itself by owning the network infrastructure and offering transparent, data-based pricing rather than legacy subscription models. The conversation covers the technical and commercial challenges of global roaming, the comparison between NB-IoT and LTE-M technologies, and the future of software-based SIMs and cloud integration.

    Wireless & RFPricing, margins & unit economics
    6 chapters

  • IoT For All Podcast · 22m

    What is Hyperlocal Global IoT Connectivity? | floLIVE's Curtis Govan | Internet of Things Podcast

    Curtis Govan, President of Americas for floLIVE, explains how the company’s hyperlocal global connectivity infrastructure solves the operational complexity of deploying IoT devices across multiple countries. He details the benefits of owning core network infrastructure, such as reduced latency and cost savings, compared to relying on standard mobile network operator offerings. The conversation highlights floLIVE’s use of multi-IMSI and EUICC-compliant SIMs to automate localization in regulated markets like Brazil, avoiding roaming penalties and SKU proliferation. Finally, Govan discusses upcoming advancements, specifically NB-IoT over satellite via Skylo, which aims to close the gap on global coverage for assets in remote areas.

    Wireless & RFConnected products & IoT
    6 chapters

  • IoT For All Podcast · 32m

    Global IoT Connectivity Insights and Mobile Private Networks | floLIVE's Curtis Govan

    Curtis Govan, President of North America for floLIVE, discusses the company's global IoT connectivity infrastructure, including its virtualized core network, patented smart SIM technology, and full-stack BSS. He highlights use cases in logistics (smart labels) and solar energy, emphasizing the importance of localized 5G private networks and single-SKU global coverage. Govan also shares insights from a recent survey with James Bryan & Associates, noting that enterprises struggle with fragmented connectivity management platforms and high costs for low-data devices, driving demand for simplified, cost-aligned solutions.

    Wireless & RFConnected products & IoT
    8 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Hardware Entrepreneur. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.