Analysys Mason Podcast

Mobile consolidation is easy to model - but far harder to deliver

Mobile operator consolidation is often straightforward to model, but far more complex to deliver in practice. In this episode, two of Analysys Mason’s experts, Charles Murray and Caroline Gabriel, explore what really determines success in mobile operator mergers.
They discuss: - why network synergies are often overestimated - why IT systems and organisational culture create the greatest risks - how deals can be set up for success from day one. If consolidation is on your agenda, this episode highlights the key factors that operators, investors and lenders need to get right. Learn more about how we support operators, investors and lenders through mobile consolidation.Get in touch to speak with one of our experts.

Orbital versus terrestrial data centres: will space-based computing become viable?

The emerging orbital data centre market is attracting growing interest, driven by the expansion of space-based operations and the increasing challenges associated with terrestrial data centres. Rising demand for AI in both domains is further fuelling interest. The prominent entrepreneurs advocating orbital data centres, including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt, highlight the considerable activity and hype surrounding orbital data centres.
In this podcast, three of Analysys Mason’s experts, Christopher Baugh, Claude Rousseau and Simon Sherrington, discuss the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of orbital data centres. They examine perspectives from the terrestrial data centre sector, the current challenges facing data centre growth, how these factors are linked to the emerging orbital market and what developments may lie ahead.
Learn more about our recently published report: Orbital data centres: trends and analysis
Learn more about our Earth observation programme

Is Europe entering a new phase of mobile consolidation?

This short extract from Analysys Mason’s M&A Predictions podcast features Charles Murray, Partner, and Alessandro Ravagnolo, Partner, discussing the renewed momentum behind mobile market consolidation in Europe.
In this bite-sized segment Charles explores why 4-to-3 consolidation is firmly back on the agenda, what has changed since earlier European deals, and why recent regulatory decisions are being viewed as a potential inflection point for the sector. He looks at where consolidation activity is most likely to emerge next, the role of network-sharing as an alternative path, and the implications for operators, investors and infrastructure players.
The conversation is particularly relevant for senior decision makers navigating sustained investment pressure, returns on capital and regulatory complexity across European mobile markets. Explore our thinking on mobile market consolidation here

Amazon Leo and TeraWave could fast track the next big space market shifts

In this podcast, our space experts, Christopher Baugh, Partner, and Prachi Kawade, Senior Analyst, cover how Amazon Leo and TeraWave from Blue Origin will soon enter the low-Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity market and raise the competitive pressure on today’s satellite broadband leaders.
Amazon Leo’s LEO network pairs gigabit class, enterprise-grade performance with deep AWS integration, signalling a cloud-native challenger built for far more than consumer access. Blue Origin’s TeraWave constellation will up the ante with a multi-orbit, ultra-high throughput design aimed squarely at enterprise, government and data-centre workloads. We compare these architectures with Starlink’s model and highlight where features such as symmetrical multi-Tbit/s capacity and built-in redundancy could shift expectations for non-terrestrial networks. We also examine the strategic and operational hurdles both players must clear to compete globally.
Explore our related programmes: 
Satellite CapacitySatellite Broadband

Analysys Mason’s research topics for 2026

In this podcast, Research Partners Caroline Gabriel, Chris Baugh and Tom Rebbeck discuss the key topics that we will cover in our research in 2026. They explore spectrum, AI and why the telecoms industry may be ‘losing its religion’. Caroline, Chris and Tom also share the one thing that they will be watching most closely in 2026.
Learn more about our research and insights hereSubscriber content here

Predictions for the space industry in 2026

The space industry is entering a decisive phase as satellite connectivity, government investment and new commercial models move from experimentation to large-scale deployment. In this podcast episode, Christopher Baugh, Partner and Head of Space Research, is joined by Antoine Grenier, Partner and Head of Space Consulting, alongside Lluc Palerm and Claude Rousseau, Research Directors in Analysys Mason’s space practice. They discuss why 2026 will mark a year of adoption and scaling for the space sector, including the accelerating integration of satellite and terrestrial networks; rising demand for direct-to-device services; increasing government focus on sovereignty and control; and the implications of growing investment, consolidation and infrastructure build-out across the space value chain. Read the full predictions here: Predictions for the space industry in 2026.Watch the video episode here: Predictions for the space industry in 2026

Analysys Mason TMT M&A predictions 2026

At Analysys Mason, we celebrate every successful deal. In 2025, we supported over 210 deals across a range of technology-enabled services, from traditional telecoms and digital infrastructure to emerging sectors like space, IT services and software. It has been a year of growth, collaboration and transformation, as we have strengthened ties with the investment community and embraced new business models.
In this podcast episode, Alessandro Ravagnolo, Partner, is joined by Charles Murray, Partner, as they delve into the Analysys Mason technology, media and telecoms (TMT) merger and acquisition (M&A) predictions for 2026. They explore how TMT investors will navigate the evolving landscape of market consolidation, the impact of new technologies like AI and the strategic decisions that will shape the industry’s future. Join us as we look ahead to another year of bold ideas, strategic partnerships and transformative deals.
Explore all of our M&A predictions
Watch the the video

TMT predictions 2026: operators are at a crossroads

Telecoms operators will face critical strategic decisions in 2026 as AI investment reshapes the communications infrastructure landscape and intensifies pressure on traditional network economics.
In this episode, Alessandro Ravagnolo, Partner, is joined by Caroline Gabriel, Partner, and Charles Murray, Partner, to discuss how telecoms operators should respond as capital requirements for AI and digital infrastructure increase. They explore the investment decisions that operators must make, the implications for network ownership and infrastructure strategy, and whether market consolidation will be essential to achieving scale and sustainable returns. Read the associated full predictions: Telecoms operators will battle for position as their infrastructure capex is dwarfed by spending on AI
France is likely to be the next major European market to go from four to three mobile operators in 2026