Disrupting Telecom: An Exclusive Interview with Harjot Saluja, Founder of Reach

At Reach, we’re committed to transforming the telecom industry, making it simpler, more accessible, and more innovative. Recently, Harjot Saluja, our Founder, sat down for an insightful interview with Fierce Network FNTV to discuss the vision behind Reach, the importance of open technology, and how simplicity is the driving force behind our success.

Here’s the full transcript of the interview, with Harjot’s thoughts on the telecom industry, innovation, and what lies ahead for Reach.

Fierce Network FNTV: Why did you start Reach?

Harjot Saluja: So aside from the fact that it's fun disrupting a big telecom industry, the other aspect of starting Reach is, what's the story I want to tell my children as they grow up? And I think starting something from the ground up is the story I wanted to tell. As any company, I feel like Reach has done a great job in people walking in the door, and we've seen them over the last five years grow both personally and professionally, preparing them for the professional world. So that's a big part of starting Reach for me.

Fierce Network FNTV: What are the pros and cons of open technology for this kind of system, both in terms of technology and the network?

Harjot Saluja: I think the openness to access the network is very important. If you look at the world today, we have hyperscalers, like Google and Netflix, who bring new things to market in a very modern way. Opening up the network with APIs gives the opportunity to drive innovation at a significantly faster pace. Look at us—we've built a telco in a box. We can stand up a new mobile service or a fixed wireless service on a tier-one major network operator in a matter of minutes. It wouldn't be possible without having access to these networks in an open manner. It’s a huge benefit to have access to open networks. A lot of innovation in telecom comes from mobile phones, and it’s kind of strange that the mobile networks themselves have been so closed. Having that access is vital to continuing innovation in this space.

Fierce Network FNTV: So, easy question, who do you think will win in the convergence wars?

Harjot Saluja: So it’s not an easy question, of course. I think there's going to be a market share for both the MNOs and the fiber and MSOs. A lot of it is going to be driven by technology. We get caught up in the deep tech aspects, like putting fiber in the ground or doing fixed wireless. Of course, that's important, but I think the other part of it is how you package it—how simple you make it for the user. Companies that innovate in digital lifestyle branding are going to do well. At the end of the day, we are selling to consumers. My wife, for example, isn’t from the tech world; she’s in the medical sector. She doesn’t know the technical bits and bytes, and she doesn’t care to. She just wants to know how simple it is to use something. So, companies that innovate in simplicity are going to be at the forefront.

Fierce Network FNTV: How does Reach aim to simplify telecom for the consumer?

Harjot Saluja: At Reach, simplicity is at the heart of everything we do. We're focused on making it easy for people to create services on top of existing networks, and we aim to make the process as seamless as possible. Our goal is to ensure that people can set up new services quickly and easily, with minimal complexity. We’re betting on the simplicity of packaging services. This is something we started Reach with, and we continue to innovate by making telecom technology user-friendly. Simplicity is key to helping consumers navigate the world of telecom services, and that’s the foundation of everything we do.

Fierce Network FNTV: What’s next for Reach and the telecom industry?

Harjot Saluja: Looking ahead, we see a future where telecom is more open, accessible, and simple for everyone. At Reach, we're committed to maintaining our focus on openness, simplicity, and innovation. We are continuously evolving to make telecom services better for everyone, and we’re excited to see how our platform will play a role in transforming the industry. There’s a lot of potential in simplifying telecom and making it more consumer-friendly, and we’re committed to leading the charge in that direction.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Telecom with Reach

At Reach, we’re not just changing the telecom industry. We’re making it more accessible and user-friendly. By embracing open technology and focusing on simplicity, we’re paving the way for a more innovative and seamless telecom experience.

Harjot’s vision for Reach is clear: we’re here to lead the telecom industry by sticking to the principles of simplicity, accessibility, and openness. As we continue to grow and evolve, we’re excited to see how Reach will continue shaping the future of telecom for everyone.

Want to learn more about Reach? Contact us!