Privacy, Resilience, and Reinventing the Cellular Network | Cape CEO on a16z

March 27, 2026

Here's something that might surprise you — our cellular networks are more vulnerable than you'd think. Justin Fanelli, CTO of the Navy, and John Doyle, CEO of Cape, chat with David Ulevitch from a16z about how the military is fast-tracking tech adoption to stay ahead. Now, here's where it gets interesting — recent breaches like the Salt Typhoon incident have exposed China's infiltration into US cellular networks. That’s why Cape built a secure, alternative network, and the big takeaway? Defense tech founders need to understand how to sell to the government without the usual slow process. According to David Ulevitch and John Doyle, speed and security are now the name of the game. It’s a clear signal that the future of connectivity isn’t just about faster speeds — it's about resilience and trust. So what does this mean for your business? Expect more government-backed innovations and a focus on protecting what matters most.

David Ulevitch speaks with Justin Fanelli, CTO of the Navy, and John Doyle, founder and CEO at Cape, about how the Navy is transforming its approach to technology adoption, from running bootcamps for program managers to piloting commercial solutions in months instead of years. They discuss the Salt Typhoon breach that exposed China's infiltration of American cellular networks, how Cape built a secure alternative, and what defense tech founders need to understand about selling to the government.

Resources:

Follow Justin Fanelli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinfanelli/

Follow John Doyle on X: https://twitter.com/JohnDoyleCape

Follow David Ulevitch on X: https://twitter.com/davidu

Stay Updated:

Find a16z on YouTube: YouTube

Find a16z on X

Find a16z on LinkedIn

Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify

Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts

Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Audio Transcript