Insights

Data-driven insights that executives and policymakers actually need to make critical decisions in the telecommunications, technology, airline and AI industries.

62% of base iPhone 18 buyers interested in switching to more expensive Pro, Pro Max or Fold models

BOSTON, MA (September 7, 2026): As per Recon Analytics’ annual iPhone pre-launch survey of the U.S. consumers, 62% of intended iPhone 18 base model buyers would upgrade to…

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Foldables are <2% of the US smartphones, Will Apple iPhone Fold Shake up the Market?

Apple is expected to launch its first folding iPhone Fold this fall. Apple has entered mature categories late before and still won them, as it did with tablets,…

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Keep the Power Off Their Grid: Americans Will Back the Data Center Build

The fight over AI data centers is reported as a fight about fuel. Gas against solar, and nuclear against both. On 2026-08-07 Recon Analytics put six specific power…

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The Judgment Premium: How AI Is Repricing American Work

AI is repricing American work along a line that separates execution from judgment, and it runs through the middle of professions rather than between them. Execution work carries…

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The Upgrade Accelerator: Inside Apple’s New Klarna Lease

On July 28, 2026, Apple rolled out a new way to get an iPhone: a leasing program built with fintech Klarna, replacing its long-running Upgrade Program. It’s tempting…

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Claude Is Breaking Through Where It Counts

Awareness of Claude has more than doubled among weekly AI users in the past year, and it runs highest among the people who use AI on the job.…

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5% of Americans Prefer buying iPhone directly from Apple, but its leasing program is the need of the hour

Apple has launched a leasing program in partnership with Klarna. While Apple has experimented many times in the past with device finance options, this time may be different.…

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What the Carriers Stopped Telling You About Q2 2026

The wireless industry retired its customer metrics at the end of 2025, and this is the second quarter under the new schedule. T-Mobile publishes accounts and nothing below…

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Demanded and Hated

Americans love their phones and hate the deal that puts the phone in their hands for free. On Recon Analytics Mobile Pulse, about 337,000 wireless interviews in the…

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Want to Keep Your Business Customers? Talk to Them

Why do business customers stay with their telecom operator? Ask around the industry and you’ll hear the usual answers: contracts, bundles, the hassle of migrating service, the shortage…

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Podcasts

Join us every week for an analyst's perspective on the world
of telecommunications, technology, airlines and AI.

#313: Consumer Cellular's Ed Evans on Winning with the 50+ Customer

9.14.2026 — The Consumer Cellular's unique business model is based on serving 18-year-olds and 30s, with profitable profit. The company has been successful in the market and focuses on customer service. Target has multiple wireless providers and is the largest carrier in Florida. The success of their digital channels is due to answering the phone and being able to serve customers in a unique way. The company is creating a suite of products and introducing a new product called the seventh generation of GrandPad. The success of their product is due to reducing expenses and saving money, and they plan to catch up again in the future.

#312: AI Infrastructure Connectivity with Zayo's Bill Long

9.7.2026 — The demand for telecom, media, and technology is increasing due to a shift from training to inference. The importance of fiber-efficient infrastructure for multi- gigabit connectivity is discussed, as well as the need for a architecture that allows for multi- and multi- types of connectivity requests. The shift from training to inference will require fiber-efficient infrastructure and multi- gigabit connectivity is a key demand driver. The use of AI in the telecom industry is discussed, where the demand for intelligence is increasing and causing problems for retailers and enterprises, and the importance of cloud on steroids and security is emphasized. The speakers express excitement for the upcoming show and discuss plans for future updates.

#311: CONX Acquires MobileX and Starlink MVNO Ambitions

8.31.2026 — In this segment of a transcript, a conversation between two analysts about telecom, media, and technology by unawareness takes place between Roger Entner and Don Kellogg. Roger discusses the acquisition of Mobile X and its plans for profitability, while Don talks about the potential of the company's wireless network and its potential for growth. They also discuss the potential of the company's MNO and the potential of the company's wireless network.

#310: The FCC's Spectrum Pipeline with Arpan Sura

8.24.2026 — During a conversation between senior counselors and representatives from upper C Band auction company, they discuss the goal of lightening the upper C Band band for the benefit of Americans by setting early clearing deadlines for spectrum auction biddings. They also discuss the lack of discipline, accountability, and coordination within the federal government, as well as the success of setting early clearing deadlines for spectrum auction biddings. They emphasize the importance of functional regulation and communicating regardless of technology, as well as the potential for spectrum to fill a gap in the wireless market. They also touch on the current state of the wireless industry and the potential for spectrum to be put to use for American people. They emphasize the need for a fast process to deploy radios and the potential for spectrum to be put to use for American people.

#309: When Consumer Perception Does Not Match Network Reality

8.17.2026 — The conversation between Roger Entner and Don Kellogg covers the potential for a Republican-led commission to expand competition and improve wireless technology. Speakers discuss the importance of speed tests and identifying the device used in speed tests, as well as policy implications and speed tests. They also touch on the success of Optimum on their wireless network and the potential for T-Mobile to use their network to cover their wireless services. They mention the success of Optimum on their wireless network and the refinancing of their debt, as well as the potential impact of adding 49,000 lines on their subscriber base. They also discuss helping other people with their wireless bill and will do their best to assist them.

#308: Starlink's Wireless Ambitions, the Data Center Boom, and Sampath to Zayo

8.10.2026 — The potential for larger and larger data centers and the need for a new newsletter are discussed by the speakers in the conversation. They also discuss the potential for AI and telecom companies to build larger and larger data centers, as well as the potential for wireless infrastructure to be built. They touch on the potential profitability of Elon Musk's network, which is already in place and using a distributed data center for backhaul, and suggest that Elon Musk's network is possible, but the integration with social media is a task for the company. They agree that Elon Musk's network is possible, but the integration with social media is a task for the company.

#307: Verizon Promotes Alfonso Villanueva and the FirstNet Race Heats Up

8.3.2026 — Verizon is executing its plan and expects growth in accounts, with a focus on transparency and value in the industry. The shift towards ARPA is seen as beneficial, with the potential for growth in business and the importance of keeping an eye on the situation. FirstNet is seen as a success and the company is working on a solution to address this. The transition of FirstNet customers to the 5G service is discussed, along with the benefits of using it for various use cases and the potential for growth in the business.

In The News

Latest in the press and news.

www.hpcwire.com Favicon hpcwire.com
9.15.2026

Seagate Finds Only 38% Fully Prepared for AI Data Demands – BigDATAwire – HPC Wire

investors.seagate.com Favicon investors.seagate.com
9.14.2026

Global Seagate Research Finds Nearly All Organizations Expect AI to Increase Storage …

broadbandbreakfast.com Favicon Broadband Breakfast
8.26.2026

MobileX, Ergen Ask FCC for Deal Approval

MobileX has 107,000 subscribers, the companies disclosed. It provides prepaid service on Verizon’s network…

gizmodo.com Favicon gizmodo.com
8.21.2026

Grok Is Having a Hard Time – Gizmodo

www.androidauthority.com Favicon Android Authority
8.21.2026

Survey suggests this is the slowest carrier if you have a cheap phone

Should you expect a big gap in cellular speed between flagship and budget phones on the same network? A new survey reveals how carriers fare.…

www.phonearena.com Favicon phonearena.com
8.21.2026

Unique T-Mobile edge over AT&T and Verizon discovered – PhoneArena

www.mobileworldlive.com Favicon mobileworldlive.com
8.18.2026

Ergen-owned CONX to acquire controlling stake in MobileX – Mobile World Live

www.fierce-network.com Favicon fierce-network.com
8.18.2026

MobileX joins Ergen’s wireless portfolio as Boost Mobile searches for growth

www.fiercewireless.com Favicon fiercewireless.com
8.17.2026

Opinion: A lot of people don’t know who their telecom provider is – Fierce Network

www.phonearena.com Favicon phonearena.com
8.14.2026

SpaceX doesn’t want to be AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, and that’s the whole point

www.fierce-network.com Favicon fierce-network.com
8.11.2026

Elon Musk’s mobile moonshot still needs grounding – Fierce Network

www.lightreading.com Favicon lightreading.com
8.10.2026

Fiber industry eyes AI as force for favorable policies – Light Reading

www.fierce-network.com Favicon fierce-network.com
8.7.2026

Fiber broadband spurs consumer AI usage, says Recon Analytics – Fierce Network

www.benton.org Favicon Benton Foundation
8.7.2026

Fiber broadband spurs consumer AI usage

People who have a fiber broadband connection are doing more with artificial intelligence (AI) than people who don’t have a fiber connection, according to new research from Recon Analytics, which surveys 6,000 people per week about AI. Roger Entner, founder of Recon Analytics, said his research found that people who have fiber broadband typically ask 28.5 questions per AI…

www.fiercewireless.com Favicon fiercewireless.com
8.6.2026

Fiber broadband spurs consumer AI usage, says Recon Analytics – Fierce Network