Tech Obsessed: Episode Summary – "Obsessed With Telecom" featuring Ricky Lang, VP of Telecom & Media at Quantum Metric

Published on January 22, 2025, on the "Tech Obsessed" podcast hosted by Regina Viadro in partnership with Intellias. This episode delves into the dynamic world of telecommunications and media through an engaging conversation between Ricky Lang and Myrna Eusebio Lythko.

1. Introduction

Regina Viadro introduces the podcast "Tech Obsessed," emphasizing its focus on innovation across various industries. In this episode, the spotlight is on telecommunications and media, featuring Ricky Lang, the Vice President of Strategy for Telecom and Media at Quantum Metric, and former VP at Comcast. Ricky is recognized for her expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), change management, and scalable strategy development.

2. Ricky Lang's Journey and Current Work

Myrna Eusebio Lythko begins the conversation by highlighting Ricky Lang's impressive career trajectory. Ricky shares her recent endeavors, including her transition from Comcast to Quantum Metric, where she is involved in advancing AI applications. Notably, she worked on developing an AI application to assist Alzheimer’s patients, showcasing her commitment to leveraging technology for societal good.

Notable Quote:

Ricky Lang (02:23): "I started my new role at Quantum Metric, which is very exciting. And I've been spending a lot of time also learning about AI, how to best use it in my daily life as well as professionally."

3. The Role of AI in Telecom

A significant portion of the discussion centers on AI's pervasive influence in the telecom industry. Ricky underscores that while AI has been a longstanding focus, its applications have become more sophisticated with advancements in processing power and data optimization.

Notable Quote:

Ricky Lang (05:02): "There's so much that we can do to ensure that customers are having the best experience possible. And that even takes into account mobile."

4. Evolution of Telecommunications and IoT

Ricky elaborates on the evolution of telecommunications, particularly the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in everyday life. She highlights how modern mobile usage and connected devices have transformed personal and commercial interactions.

Notable Quote:

Ricky Lang (07:02): "I think about IoT right in your house alone. If you just think about what you're doing at home and the amount of devices that are connected to your network that are communicating with each other and communicating with you..."

5. Balancing Technology and Everyday Life

Addressing the potential overreliance on technology, Ricky shares her personal strategies for maintaining balance. She emphasizes the importance of real-world interactions, nature, and personal well-being practices like hiking, journaling, and meditation.

Notable Quote:

Ricky Lang (09:28): "There's never anything that will replace the socialization of person to person... there's something great to be said about being in the same space and giving someone a hug."

6. Future of Telecom: Smart Cities and Processing Power

Looking ahead, Ricky discusses the emergence of smart cities and the critical role of telecom infrastructure in enabling real-time data management and optimization. She expresses excitement about the potential for fiber optics and enhanced processing power to support intelligent urban environments.

Notable Quote:

Ricky Lang (11:54): "The opportunity of that real-time management and the real-time processing power in smart cities is just phenomenal."

7. Preparations for Telecom Network Growth

Ricky emphasizes the necessity for telecom companies to prioritize data optimization alongside network expansion. Effective monitoring and understanding of data usage patterns are crucial for optimizing network performance and customer experience.

Notable Quote:

Ricky Lang (13:30): "Understanding how to optimize the data associated with monitoring those is important too, because you can build out the networking capacity, but you also need to understand how it's being used."

8. Opportunities in Smart Cities

Delving deeper into smart cities, Ricky identifies traffic optimization and maintenance as key areas ripe for innovation. She advocates for strategic partnerships to integrate devices, data capacity, and analytics to enhance urban living experiences.

Notable Quote:

Ricky Lang (15:09): "I think adjusting for usage is a very big opportunity, but you really have to have a good grasp on all of the different activity that's going on in the space."

9. Women in Telecom and STEM

A passionate segment of the conversation centers on the role of women in telecommunications and STEM fields. Ricky shares her experiences with mentorship, advocacy, and the importance of having both female and male allies to foster an inclusive environment.

Notable Quotes:

Ricky Lang (16:58): "The more that we are out there as women and we are showing our aptitude, our skill set, our ideas... the more opportunities we will continue to have."

Ricky Lang (19:02): "I help mentor and coach and I help in that way... being an example, the more women will say, I can do that."

10. Fiber Optics and Media Consumption

Ricky discusses the transformative impact of fiber optic networks on media consumption. Enhanced bandwidth has revolutionized streaming quality, gaming experiences, and overall digital interactions, providing consumers with faster and more reliable services.

Notable Quote:

Ricky Lang (24:58): "Think about how crisp the experiences are that you are getting in your home, whether that be streaming... or gaming. Gaming has been huge."

11. B2B Telecom Services

Shifting focus to the business-to-business (B2B) sector, Ricky explains how reliable and high-speed internet services are vital for small businesses. She illustrates this with examples like restaurants and gyms, where seamless connectivity is essential for operations and customer satisfaction.

Notable Quote:

Ricky Lang (26:50): "Every business wants low latency and high reliability. If you don't have reliable bandwidth, then that's not the service provider for you."

12. Rapid Fire Insights

In the final segment, Myrna engages Ricky in rapid-fire questions to uncover personal preferences and candid opinions:

• Text or Voice Call?

  Ricky Lang: "Text. I'm embarrassed. Text." (29:05)

• Telecom Buzzword Tired Of?

  Ricky Lang: "AI because we've been doing it for so long and there's so many different facets of it and you need to be more specific." (29:15)

• Would You Rather Never Lose Signal or Never Run Out of Battery?

  Ricky Lang: "Never lose signal." (29:37)

• Favorite App for Staying Connected?

  Ricky Lang: "Messaging... it's so big basic, but it's so helpful to me." (29:44)

13. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The episode wraps up with a comprehensive summary of the insights shared. Key takeaways include:

• Telecom's Strategic Priorities: Emphasizing the need for robust network infrastructure, data optimization, and strategic investments in emerging technologies like AI and fiber optics to meet growing demand.

• The Enduring Demand for Connectivity: Highlighting the continuous and evolving need for reliable, high-speed internet services across both consumer and commercial sectors.

• Empowering Women in Telecom and STEM: Underlining the importance of mentorship, advocacy, and representation in fostering an inclusive and innovative industry.

• The Evolution of Media Consumption: Demonstrating how advancements in telecom infrastructure have revolutionized how media and entertainment are consumed, enhancing user experiences through superior bandwidth.

• B2B Connectivity Solutions: Illustrating the critical role of dependable telecom services in enabling small businesses to operate efficiently and deliver exceptional customer service.

Ricky Lang concludes with heartfelt appreciation for the discussion, reinforcing the podcast’s theme of being truly “obsessed with the future of technology.”

Notable Quote:

Ricky Lang (33:25): "Thank you so much for your time today. It was amazing talking from a perspective of women in STEM and telecommunications, but also someone that has been at the heart of the strategy of changing the industry."

Final Thoughts

This episode of "Tech Obsessed" offers a rich exploration of the telecommunications landscape, intertwining technological advancements with personal narratives and industry insights. Ricky Lang’s expertise and passion provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of telecom’s present and future, the critical role of AI, the transformative power of fiber optics, and the imperative to empower women within STEM fields.

For those eager to delve deeper into these topics, Ricky Lang is available on LinkedIn and hosts the "Level Up" podcast, focusing on education, insights, and empowerment in the media, entertainment, and technology sectors.

Follow the Episode:

• Podcast Title: Tech Obsessed
• Episode: Obsessed With Telecom - Ricky Lang
• Host: Regina Viadro in partnership with Intellias
• Listen Now: Rickyland.com | Level Up Podcast

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