Building intelligent, resilient connectivity systems for real-world operations. Writing about telecom, leadership, and the invisible systems that keep people and organizations connected.
I work at the intersection of engineering, operations, RF behavior, and organizational systems. My work spans more than two decades of cellular technology, network design, and real-world problem solving – from multi-node BBS systems as a kid to running one of the largest distributed connectivity fleets in private physical security today.
I’m a generalist in a specialist world: equally comfortable architecting multi-carrier networks, designing an MVNO strategy, solving field routing failures, writing articles about business and technology, or building tools that help teams see the entire system more clearly.
Outside of my profession, I’m a husband and father first. I’m outspoken about special education and the challenges of raising a non-typical child, and I advocate for better support and understanding for families like mine. I’ve carried a lifelong interest in amateur radio, enjoy simple woodworking projects, and often find excuses to fix things around the house. And through all of it, I maintain a steady passion for writing.
A selection of outcomes that reflect the scope, scale, and impact of my work across connectivity, infrastructure, and organizational leadership.
Designing the systems behind high-demand, high-scale deployments – including gateway configuration, failover logic, real-time carrier behavior, and hardware validation.
Experience with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, rural carriers, and MVNE partners. I specialize in cost optimization, prioritization analysis, and designing architectures that scale without fragility.
Field experience analyzing line-of-sight, terrain interactions, radiation patterns, and novel antenna designs. Created modern antenna/RF evaluation methodology and tooling used in production environments.
Where engineering meets field reality – I solve problems where the blueprint and the real world disagree, closing the gap between design, deployment, and ongoing operations.
I write about telecom failures and successes, industry misconceptions and how organizations overcome them, carrier behavior at both scale and at the local level, leadership under stress, organizational blind spots, the history of technology, and the human side of engineering and operational work.
A sepia-toned single-panel comic series about the absurdity and brilliance of telecom, infrastructure, and the systems we take for granted.
I’ve written science and speculative fiction, satire, poetry, and more.
My thought leadership includes:
I take on select consulting engagements in:
Engagement formats include executive advisory, project-based work, architecture reviews, technical due diligence, and retainer models.
I also offer fractional leadership support for organizations needing ongoing executive oversight of connectivity and telecom programs.
I grew up around computers, radios, and electronics with a healthy dose of carpentry, mechanics, and working with my hands – the kind of childhood where taking things apart was nearly a family tradition. I started a dial-up BBS in the late 80s called “The Foundation” that grew into a multi-line network, sparking the career that eventually led me into telecom and connectivity systems.
I’ve been an amateur radio operator since 1995, which introduced me to a lifelong fascination with RF, signal propagation, and antenna design. Combined with college, self-learning, and a pivot into business sales, I developed a unique combination of skills that make me unique within the telecommunications industry.
I’m a lifelong maker and entrepreneur. I owned and operated an IT business while still in high school, created a successful lighting e-retail business as an adult, then learned the name badge engraving and fabrication business for my small business, The Ham Badgers.
I currently live in Utah with my family – the real foundation behind all of this work.
If you’d like to connect, collaborate, or explore fractional consulting work, you can reach me here:
📧 ericpalmatierconsulting@gmail.com
🔗 LinkedIn: /in/ericpalmatier