Qualcomm’s 6G Vision: AI-Native Networks, ISAC Demos, FWA Performance, Starlink’s Terrestrial Ambitions, and Apple Foldable Rumors

Anshel Sag and Mike Dano return for episode 257 of the 6G Podcast and recap Sag’s visit to Qualcomm’s 6G event, highlighting Qualcomm’s view that 6G standards will remain global, real ISAC drone/car sensing demos, Giga-MIMO results (up to 16 Gbps downlink), a push for 400 MHz bandwidth, and an “AI-native” 6G approach including a compute card for the RAN while arguing GPUs aren’t required. Dano summarizes Ookla’s fixed wireless access report showing U.S. FWA holding up well with T-Mobile’s median downloads over 200 Mbps and seasonal foliage effects, plus AT&T speed gains tied to EchoStar mid-band spectrum. They discuss MobileX being mostly acquired by Charlie Ergen’s Connex, Starlink’s stated plan to build a U.S. terrestrial network, Lockheed Martin’s Verizon 5G-powered drone detection service Netsense launching next year, and expectations around a possible foldable iPhone at Apple’s September 9 event.00:00 Welcome Back and Catch Up01:01 Qualcomm 6G Vision02:58 ISAC and Giga MIMO Demos04:41 AI Native 6G and GPU Debate11:06 Fixed Wireless Performance Report15:16 MobileX Acquisition and MVNOs18:44 Starlink Terrestrial Network Plans25:50 Lockheed Netsense Drone Detection29:37 Apple Event Foldable iPhone Buzz31:30 Foldables Demand and Tradeoffs39:58 Wrap Up and Where to Follow