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Wi-Fi news from Plume

March 30, 2023 – Leading telecommunications services provider Telenet has partnered with personalized communications services pioneer Plume®, to launch a brand new WiFi system, ‘Telenet 360o Wi-Fi’ to consumers throughout Belgium.

The solution is powered by Plume’s intelligent cloud- and AI-based technology, leveraging adaptive WiFi and Plume’s iconic SuperPod™ designs, to deliver a dynamic, self-learning system that continuously monitors the home network to ensure an uninterrupted Wi-Fi signal throughout the customer’shome.

Both the SuperPods and the new Telenet 360modem support the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, and through OpenSync® integration, optimize seamlessly through the cloud to dynamically adjust to network usage and serve the best internet experience to every connected device.

The adaptive WiFi service is integrated into the Telenet app which brings many benefits including fast and simple user self-installation, and advanced user controls for managing the home network while enabling Telenet’s customer service team to respond quickly and proactively to resolve network issues that may arise through push notifications.

Dieter Nieuwdorp, responsible for marketing at Telenet said: “WiFi is of crucial importance to the customer experience. Good WiFi results in happy customers. We, therefore, aim to provide them with the best technology, thereby unburdening our customers to the best of our ability.”

Read the press release in full

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About Plume

Plume® is the creator of the world’s first SaaS experience platform for Communications Service Providers (CSPs) and their subscribers, deployed in more than 48 million locations globally. As the only open and hardware-independent, cloud-controlled solution, Plume enables the rapid delivery of new services for smart homes, small businesses, and beyond at massive scale. On the front end, Plume delivers self-optimizing, adaptive WiFi, cyber-security, access and parental controls, and more. CSPs get robust data- and AI-driven back-end applications for unprecedented visibility, insights, support, operations, and marketing. Plume leverages OpenSync™, an open-source framework that comes pre-integrated and supported on the leading silicon, CPE, and platform SDKs.

Visit plume.complume.com/homepassplume.com/workpassplume.com/uprise, and opensync.io.

Follow Plume on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Plume, OpenSync, SuperPod, HomePass, WorkPass, and Uprise are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Plume Design, Inc. Other company and product names are used for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

About Telenet BV

As a provider of entertainment and telecommunication services in Belgium, Telenet Group is always looking for the perfect experience in the digital world for its customers. Under the brand name Telenet, the company focuses on offering digital television, high-speed Internet and fixed and mobile telephony services to residential customers in Flanders and Brussels.

Under the brand name BASE, it supplies mobile telephony in Belgium. The Telenet Business department serves the business market in Belgium and Luxembourg with connectivity, hosting and security solutions. More than 3,000 employees have one aim in mind: making living and working easier and more pleasant.

Telenet Group is part of Telenet Group Holding NV and is quoted on Euronext Brussel under ticker symbol TNET. For more information, visit www.telenet.be. Liberty Global – one of the world’s leading converged video, broadband and communications companies, innovating and empowering people in six countries across Europe to make the most of the digital revolution – owns a direct stake of 59.2% in Telenet Group Holding SA/NV (excluding any treasury shares held by the latter from time to time).

Virtual reality headsets—niche or mainstream?

Virtual reality (VR) headsets used to exist only in the realm of science fiction movies. However, the entry of big tech brands into this niche coupled with an increase in applications has promised to take the segment mainstream.

When comparing WiFi-connected VR headset deployments in the second half of 2021 to those in the second half of 2022, Plume households that own a VR headset have not added more headsets, in fact, we’ve seen a slight decline of -0.9% in the average number per home. However, over the same period, there has been an exponential increase in VR headset-related data usage of +83.9%, coupled with a marginal increase in accumulated busy hours per day of +0.9%. This suggests that while users aren’t using their VR headsets for longer periods, they are using more data-rich services and applications.

When it comes to market share, Meta is the dominant force responsible for 99.7% of VR headset deployments in Plume homes. For now, all indicators suggest that the category remains niche, but with richer applications now available, is the market preparing to go mainstream?

 

Transform how you manage your subscriber network

As communications service providers (CSPs) struggle to meet increased customer expectations, the enhanced Plume Haystack provides the tools CSPs need to gain visibility into and control over their data, deliver proactive support, and substantially improve subscriber experiences. CSPs have to transform their systems to keep up with rapidly evolving customer expectations. The change begins with gaining full visibility into subscriber data. Only then can CSPs understand customer needs and deliver value in an increasingly competitive field. As research from McKinsey and BARC shows, data-driven organizations are 9X more likely to retain customers and 1.5X more likely to grow revenue by more than 10%. The problem is that current systems are inadequate. CSPs need a suite of tools that allows them to see and manage their subscriber experiences in completely new ways.

That’s why Plume is proud to share some significant updates to Haystack: a CSP software solution for operational efficiency and superior subscriber experience management.

The struggle for visibility is real

CSPs are in a tougher position than ever before. While they have visibility across their access network, individual subscribers’ WiFi networks have been like a black box. These networks are only becoming more complex as customers add IoT devices, smart TVs, and other connected appliances to their homes, making the need for visibility even more important. Meanwhile subscribers expect their WiFi to be flawless and reliable. Any service interruptions can lead to mounting complaints, an increase in support call volumes, and unhappy customers. And without proper visibility, CSPs have to send technicians out for every issue ticket raised—an extremely expensive and time-consuming undertaking. It may seem like a solution to these challenges is far off, even unattainable. But the good news is that it’s available now.

Person looking at Network Status and Performance on their tablet.

Haystack transforms the way you manage subscriber experiences

Haystack is Plume’s CSP software solution for operational efficiency and superior subscriber experience management. It provides end-to-end visibility of your entire network so you can identify issues in real time, resolve issues quickly and proactively, and improve customer satisfaction. CSPs are already reaping the benefits of Haystack, but we’re rolling out the most robust version of this software yet, including two new capabilities:

Welcome to Plume IQ, our monthly reveal of data-driven intelligence and customer-focused insights from more than 2.1 billion connected devices, and over 44 million locations, managed in the Plume Cloud.

Five smart home trends in 2022

As 2023 approaches, we reveal five significant market trends following an analysis of data from Plume-powered smart homes, from November 1, 2021, through November 30, 2022:

Other Plume news

Midco scales up

We’re delighted to announce that Plume HomePass and OpenSync are powering Midco’s new WiFi service; a next-generation smart home solution capitalizing on cloud, A.I., and open-source technology to deliver fast and reliable WiFi experiences to consumers throughout the U.S. midwest.
Learn more >

Unparalleled experience

We’re thrilled to announce that Plume has appointed a board of advisorsHannes Ametsreiter, a former CEO of Vodafone Germany, Cody Sanford, former T-Mobile Executive VP, and Mike Doonan, Managing Partner at SPMB Executive Search, have joined Tony Werner, former CTO of Comcast and one of Plume’s independent directors, to advise and support our executive team through the next phase of our growth.
Read the article >

Winning impact

We’re very proud to announce that Plume has won two highly coveted Wi-Fi NOW Awards: ‘Best In-home WiFi Product’ and ‘Best Service Provider WiFi Solution’. We’d like to thank all of our service provider partners, customers, our employees, and our subscribers for their continued trust and commitment as we jointly celebrate this exciting achievement.
Learn more >

Whitepaper: Best smart home security

We’re honored that Plume’s Guard service has received the 2022 Fierce Telecom Innovation Award for security! Our latest whitepaper provides a comprehensive overview of the cyber-attack landscape to help service providers better understand and address consumers’ concerns, and deliver state-of-the-art cyber-security to all connected devices within the smart home.
Download the whitepaper >

News round-up

In this Fierce Telecom Awards report, Plume’s Director of Product, Mangesh Bhamre, discussed why service providers are best placed to provide comprehensive cyber-security in the smart home.
Download the report >

At Network X, Gregor Stegen, Plume’s VP of Sales and Business Development, EMEA, highlighted how A.I. and machine learning can provide CSPs with the opportunity to elevate user experience and drive meaningful change within the broadband sector.
Watch the video >

Total Telecom discussed the latest development in automated frequency coordination (AFC) as Plume, together with 12 other industry leaders, has been conditionally approved by the FCC to move forward with solutions in the U.S.
Read the article >

A comprehensive overview of the cyber-attack landscape to help you better address consumer concerns and deliver state-of-the-art security

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an exciting prospect for homeowners and small businesses alike, but potential cyber-attacks may well stand in the way of more widespread adoption. Wary consumers have also raised concerns over cyber-security and are calling for protective measures. Communications Service Providers (CSPs) are well positioned to deliver integrated solutions that mitigate these cyber-security concerns.

Read this whitepaper to learn more about:

  • How and why IoT security challenges exist.
  • The evolution of the IoT threat landscape.
  • Where the vulnerabilities are in the CSPs’ and consumers’ networks.
  • How CSPs can mitigate attacks at every stage of service delivery.

Plume Appoints Board of Advisors

—Industry leaders Hannes Ametsreiter, former CEO of Vodafone Germany, Cody Sanford, former T-Mobile Executive VP, and Mike Doonan, Managing Partner at SPMB, join Tony Werner, former CTO of Comcast to bring unparalleled knowledge and experience to Plume—
PALO ALTO, U.S.A. – 14 December, 2022 — Plume®, the personalized communications services pioneer, announced today that it has appointed and formed a new board of advisors comprising of highly-experienced telecoms industry and business leaders: Hannes Ametsreiter, former CEO of Vodafone Germany, Cody Sanford, former T-Mobile Executive VP, and Mike Doonan, Managing Partner at SPMB Executive Search will advise Plume’s executive team as global demand for its cloud-based and data-driven services for smart spaces—spanning homes, small businesses, and multi-dwelling units (MDUs)—continues to grow exponentially. Tony Werner, former CTO of Comcast who was appointed as an independent director on Plume’s board of directors earlier in 2022 will chair this advisory committee.

“Plume has successfully harnessed the power of cloud and AI technologies to help consumers live better and smarter while enabling CSPs to grow ARPU and reduce churn,” said Hannes Ametsreiter. “The company has ambitious product and expansion plans, and having spent many years driving European CSP strategies, I’m excited and thrilled to be a part of its advisory board.”

“Through its innovative suites of solutions for smart spaces, Plume has already taken consumer experience to the next level. I’m excited to advise this fast-growing company that is redefining the standards of the smart home and small business, and look forward to leveraging my experience in consumer products and marketing to assist Fahri and his team,” said Cody Sanford.

“I’m thrilled with the opportunity to advise such a talented and committed team,” said Mike Doonan. “With a data and people-driven mission, I’m confident Plume will continue to achieve extraordinary milestones to benefit consumers and the service providers who serve them.”

Today, Plume powers more than 44 million active residential and small business locations with its cloud-managed services, with more than 350 Communication Service Providers (CSPs) from around the world relying on its award-winning services to deliver optimal experiences to their subscribers. Capitalized with over $700 million in private equity and strategic funding since its inception, a solid balance sheet, and strong growth, Plume is well-positioned to continue to innovate and scale.

“I want to thank Hannes, Cody, and Mike for joining me on this exciting journey,” said Tony Werner. Throughout my time at Comcast, and this year via more direct engagement with Plume, I’m ever more confident that this company is set to shake up the status quo. It’s exciting and fun to be working alongside such an innovative team which is now even stronger with the formation of this advisory board.”

Commenting on the appointments Fahri Diner, Founder and CEO of Plume, said “I’m honored to welcome this group of talented and vastly experienced leaders who will provide their expertise and advice to my executive team through the next phase of our growth. I am very confident that their combined knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to upend the industry and put the consumer at the focus of everything we do.”

Introducing the board of advisors:

About Hannes Ametsreiter
Hannes was formerly the CEO of Vodafone Germany and a member of Vodafone Group’s Executive Committee. Prior to Vodafone Germany, Ametsreiter served as CEO of the Telekom Austria Group. He was also a Member of the Management Board of A1 Telekom, a company created through the merger of Mobilkom Austria and Telekom Austria TA AG. He has over 25 years of experience in the industry, working for leading companies providing fiber, cable, and mobile communications solutions.

About Cody Sanford
Cody served as T-Mobile’s Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Product Officer, leading the company’s Product & Technology organization. He held a variety of leadership roles at T-Mobile over the past 20 years, including Senior Vice President, West Area, and Vice President of Enterprise Delivery. Before joining T-Mobile, Cody was Western Regional Director for The Walter Group. Cody serves as Advisory Board Member to numerous companies including Paladin Cloud, Veza, and DataStax. He is experienced in a broad range of operational disciplines, such as technology transformation, corporate strategy implementation, retail sales leadership, and infrastructure deployment.

About Mike Doonan
Mike serves as a Managing Partner at SPMB Executive Search, where he leads the firm’s Digital Transformation and Data practice and has successfully executed over 350 C-level and VP searches across all market verticals. Mike joined SPMB in 2004 to help evolve its business model. Prior to SPMB, he was a Senior Quantitative Analyst at Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Equity Capital Markets Summer Analyst at Salomon Smith Barney. He also serves as Guest Lecturer for undergraduate and graduate business courses at Georgetown University. Over the past 2 decades, he has earned a reputation as a strategic partner and leadership architect who helps his clients build executive teams that bridge the gap between innovation and scale.

About Tony Werner
Tony currently serves as an independent director on Plume’s board of directors. He previously served as CTO and then President, Technology, Product, and Customer Experience at Comcast Cable. Prior to Comcast, Tony served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Liberty Global, Inc., in Englewood, CO, where he led the company’s global strategy for video, voice, and data services. He has more than 40 years of engineering and technical management experience, having also held senior management positions with Qwest Communications, Aurora Networks, Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI)/AT&T Broadband, Rogers Communications, Inc., and RCA Cablevision Systems.

About Plume
Plume® is the creator of the world’s first SaaS experience platform for Communications Service Providers (CSPs) and their subscribers, deployed in more than 44 million locations globally. As the only open and hardware-independent, cloud-controlled solution, Plume enables the rapid delivery of new services for smart homes, MDUs, small businesses, and beyond at massive scale. On the front end, Plume delivers self-optimizing, adaptive WiFi, cyber-security, access and parental controls, and more. CSPs get robust data- and AI-driven back-end applications for unprecedented visibility, insights, support, operations, and marketing. Plume leverages OpenSync™, an open-source framework that comes pre-integrated and supported on the leading silicon, CPE, and platform SDKs.

Visit plume.complume.com/homepassplume.com/workpassplume.com/uprise, and opensync.io.

Follow Plume on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Plume, OpenSync, HomePass, WorkPass, and Uprise are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Plume Design, Inc. Other company and product names are used for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Plume PR Contacts

U.S.A.:
Andrew Laszacs
Bob Gold & Associates
plume@bobgoldpr.com

Europe:
Stephen Orr
AxiCom
plumeuk@axicom.com

Plume receives conditional approval to enable higher power transmission for WiFi 6E within the home

Two years ago, the U.S. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) made the decision to open the 6 GHz band to unlicensed operators, making much-needed spectrum available to WiFi. By extending the transformative features of WiFi 6 to the 6 GHz spectrum, the FCC ushered in a new era of innovation. On November 2, the Commission took another step toward enabling new technology improvements by conditionally approving the implementation of automated frequency control (AFC) systems for the first cohort of industry players, including Plume. The FCC’s conditional approval allows Plume, along with 12 other WiFi industry leaders, such as Broadcom, Google, Qualcomm, and Sony, to proceed with the testing of their AFC systems. Once Plume’s system is fully approved, Plume would be among the first to integrate an AFC system into its products and services, providing its access points (APs) with the highest transmit power level possible.

What is AFC and why does it matter?

As the number of devices in the home has increased, WiFi networks have become more congested. The problem keeps growing with the explosion of IoT (Internet of Things) devices and high-data-rate internet services. To mitigate WiFi congestion in the home, the communications industry has long been advocating for more WiFi spectrum. Opening up the 6 GHz band to WiFi (enabling WiFi 6E devices) more than doubles the amount of spectrum available, providing benefits such as reduced interference and higher data rates. For consumers, this change has the potential to deliver more reliable and robust WiFi connections in the home. For Communications Services Providers (CSPs), WiFi 6E may offer the opportunity to improve subscribers’ Quality of Experience (QoE) and deliver the more sophisticated services that make smart homes smart. Currently, however, WiFi 6E operation is limited to low-transmission power to avoid interference with point-to-point microwave links, which are currently the primary users of the 6 GHz band. The low-power mode produces a weak signal that has a short transmission distance and typically uses a lower data rate at a given range. In essence, the low power reduces the efficacy of the additional bandwidth for residential services. AFC helps WiFi access points (APs) utilize the highest transmit power level possible while ensuring that they do not interfere with point-to-point microwave links. The AFC system is often able to find frequency channels that will allow the AP to operate at the maximum allowable transmit power, allowing an additional 9dB or more transmit power than under the low-power rules. This advantage in transmit power extends to the client devices connected to the AP—the maximum transmit power they can use is tied to the power level that the AP can use. Since point-to-point microwave link operators must file paperwork with the FCC, the Commission maintains a database of all these locations. The AFC system determines the location of an AP and then queries the FCC database for nearby microwave links using cloud-based software. The AFC system also factors in terrain data that determines how mountains or tall buildings affect the signal pathway between the microwave link and the WiFi device. Using all this information, the system then calculates the power level at which the AP can transmit without interfering with those links. Within the Plume Saas Experience Platform, the information analyzed by the AFC server would flow into the centralized optimization system so the optimizer can choose the best frequency channel the AP should operate on. The Plume optimizer also analyzes data such as interference from neighbors, the types and needs of devices in the home, and the WiFi signal strengths that can be maintained between devices. Based on that analysis, Plume’s Platform transmits instructions back to the AP for the optimum connection in the home. With the AFC system integrated into the Platform, the WiFi 6E devices connected to each AP would utilize the frequency channels that provide the highest performance, factoring the interference levels and the higher transmit powers allowed by AFC, improving range and data rates.

What AFC means for Plume customers:

Each company has its own vision for how it’ll use AFC. Whatever the vision, those that want to deploy AFC must apply for FCC approval to develop their own systems. As one of the 13 companies or organizations to receive the FCC’s conditional approval of their AFC proposal, Plume is part of a leading cohort that can proceed to the testing step. Once fully approved, Plume would be among the first industry players to integrate an AFC system into its products and services. Plume’s cloud-based control system currently serves more than 43 million homes globally. This system already supports WiFi 6E, allowing low-power transmission in the 6 GHz band. Bringing new AFC benefits to our customer base would be an extension of our existing capabilities. We continue to seek new opportunities that give our CSP customers a competitive edge, and creating an AFC system is an important part of our commitment to delivering cutting-edge products. The FCC’s conditional approval allows Plume to move to the testing phase of our AFC system in the US. Plume’s ultimate vision is to enable AFC service to all the homes where we manage WiFi. Our goal is to allow our CSP customers to take greater advantage of the 6 GHz band and increased WiFi capacity to deliver even better experiences to their subscribers.

What’s next:

Although WiFi can currently operate in the 6 GHz band without AFC—and a cloud-based optimization system such as Plume’s can maximize the performance that can be achieved by a low-power system—there are still performance limitations. That’s why the FCC’s launch of the AFC program is so exciting. AFC is what will help WiFi 6E achieve its full promise. And now that Plume is conditionally approved, we are well on the way to bringing our customers even better WiFi services.

Welcome to Plume IQ, our monthly reveal of data-driven intelligence and customer-focused insights from more than 2 billion connected devices, and over 43 million locations, managed in the Plume Cloud.

Which devices dominate the OpenSync universe?

Four years ago, we made OpenSync available as an open-source, silicon-to-service framework. It is now the go-to platform for the broadband industry, with over 350 CSPs relying on it globally to provide cloud-driven services for 43 million locations, with a staggering 890 petabytes of data managed every day.

Earlier this month we celebrated surpassing a key milestone as more than 2 billion connected devices have been managed on OpenSync-powered networks! So, we dipped into data from the ever-expanding OpenSync universe to determine the brands and devices that have proven to be the most popular over time.

At the brand level, Apple dominates with a 54% share while smartphones are the most popular devices with 40.9% of the deployed base. The iPhone family is the smart home users’ go-to product with 15.1%. When drilling down to specific models, Apple’s MacBook Pro (5.7%) beats Microsoft’s Xbox One (4.7%) to the top spot.

The new Plume Uprise suite of services empowers CSPs, property managers, and building owners to deliver and manage a comprehensive set of secure, reliable, and personalized tenant connectivity services
Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs) represent a significant proportion of European¹ and U.S.² homes, yet CSPs and property managers today are challenged to provide reliable connectivity services—such as consistent, high-capacity WiFi—and assign and manage access credentials in these environments.

Until now, competitive solutions to solving these issues have been difficult or cost prohibitive to implement. Physical site surveys, retrofitting existing cable wiring embedded in building infrastructure, and limited software services are all hurdles to rapidly lighting up a building with delightful connectivity experiences for tenants and property managers alike.

As the world’s first cloud- and AI-powered connectivity and management solution designed to meet the unique needs of MDUs, Uprise™ enables property managers and Communications Service Providers (CSPs) to provide highly personalized customer experiences while reducing costs through unmatched hardware choice and lower CAPEX.

How Uprise works:

For tenants, Uprise enables users to personalize their internet experiences through the HomePass® and WorkPass® apps; trusted applications already delivering adaptive wireless connectivity and AI-driven cyber-security to over 43 million locations. Uprise constantly performs sophisticated load and interference management, as well as clustered optimizations for reliable and consistent connectivity throughout the MDU. This is true even in mixed-use buildings where small businesses are operating in the same area as residential tenants.

What will this mean to a tenant? Optimization algorithms intelligently group units together by proximity, allocating bandwidth where needed. So, if one tenant is facing an afternoon of Zoom calls while another is streaming video games at the same time, Uprise will intelligently distribute bandwidth to support steady, strong, and secure connectivity for all parties involved. Similarly, when the coffee shop in the same building gets busy in the morning, tenants’ WiFi won’t suffer.

Uprise includes three main services:

  • Harmony™ uses optimization algorithms purpose-built for MDUs that provide unrivaled performance by proactively minimizing WiFi interference in densely populated spaces.
  • Hub™ is a tenant lifecycle management web interface with APIs that enable both network monitoring and tenant management across individual and multiple properties.
  • Places™ allows for the configuration of a private property SSID for building IoT and employees’ devices, and an open community SSID for tenants and guests. This enables separation of data traffic between common areas and residential networks, while providing a clear view of the network for monitoring and management.

Perks for CSPs:

CSPs get all the benefits of HayStack®, a back-end software suite that helps manage the subscriber experience. Plume also offers Harvest®, a data-driven network insights and campaign automation software tool to drive growth. Uprise also includes a variety of application programming interfaces (APIs), which can easily and seamlessly connect to back-end systems.

Managers or administrators can choose between a bulk-pay scenario (which covers the whole building), or individual pay options, where tenants choose a CSP that offers Uprise.

Benefits for building managers:

Building owners and property managers now have a new way to differentiate their MDU offering from competitors. Property managers will find Uprise makes it easier than ever to get new residential and small-business tenants connected after move-in (and disconnected at move-out). Hardware can be recycled from tenant to tenant and setup is simple. Options include LTE back-up for uninterrupted service, PoE+ for secure and convenient mounting, and WiFi 6 capabilities for greater speeds and network capacity. An intuitive, award-winning interface means that both managers and tenants can monitor and manage network settings.

Uprise also provides property-management employees (and their IoT devices) with a devoted, secure network that offers them an additional layer of protection and peace of mind. Finally, Uprise makes it possible for building managers to provide connectivity in common areas like lobbies, gyms, or pool decks.

“Uprise marks the beginning of a new and exciting phase in the development of Plume’s products. We have leveraged and further advanced our technology to address problems, such as inconsistent internet connection, fragmentation of systems, and high costs, that have long affected the MDU market. Our new and easy-to-deploy solution will truly empower property managers and CSPs to provide a leading and personalized customer experience, delivered with the highest degree of flexibility and hardware independence.” — David Huynh, Chief Product Officer, Plume

Watch an exclusive video on the benefits of Uprise with Plume’s Chief Product Officer, David Huynh.

Uprise is available for deployment in all of Plume’s markets globally. Get in touch with one of our experts to learn more about this exciting new product.

  1. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20210521-1
  2. https://www.statista.com/topics/5396/multifamily-homes-in-the-us/#topicHeader__wrapper

New technologies, the digitization of services, changing consumer demands, and increased competition are disrupting the landscape for Communications Services Providers (CSPs). To remain competitive and differentiate in this evolving market, CSPs can no longer rely on existing business models or legacy hardware and software solutions. 20-50% of revenues for some CSPs now come from nontraditional services.

With the commoditization of basic connectivity services, CSPs face both challenges and opportunities. By embracing digital transformation, they can harness the power of the cloud and create new sources of revenue.

 

Here’s why CSPs should look to the cloud as the enabler for growth and transformation.

 

Respond to changing consumer behaviors. Consumers are increasingly seeking over-the-top (OTT) content that’s easily accessible via their TV screens. The abundance of streaming content has led to a massive number of subscribers “cutting the cord” altogether.

31.2 million estimated US households cut the cord in 2020 35.4% of US households are projected to be cord-cutters by 2024. At the same time, consumers are embracing smart home devices and services, as well as shifting more interactions online. 1.4 billion smart home devices are estimated to be shipped per year by 2025. For CSPs, these converging trends create an opportunity to figure out how to deploy new services that can meet consumer demands—and the cloud unlocks those opportunities. Increase competitiveness in an evolving market. The market is seeing dramatic changes. According to Gartner, “Cloud-native CSPs are emerging as aggressive challengers, and leading incumbent CSPs are expanding on efforts to virtualize their networks and adopt cloud-native capabilities.” But CSPs are no longer competing only with industry peers. Outside players—both OTT and technology companies—have been entering the market, offering services aimed at taking over the home.

Everyone from Apple to Facebook is rolling out new content and services, vying for consumer attention. These disruptors are:

Adopting innovative business models. Creating compelling offerings that divert customers away from traditional CSPs. Building out their own infrastructure, reducing their reliance on CSPs.

All these changes mean further erosion of revenue—and CSPs will need to turn to technology like cloud computing to catch up.

Develop and implement new services faster.

Percentage of businesses in 2020 accelerated digital transformation programs that reinvented how they deliver digital experiences to customers and employees. 38%. In today’s always-on world, customers expect their service providers to offer upgrades and new services faster than ever. Traditionally, however, rolling out new services has been a challenge for CSPs due to the costs and labor involved.

As consumers embrace more digital and personalized experiences, a cloud-based service architecture enables CSPs to:

Decouple the service delivery from hardware and move it to the cloud. Deploy new and future services quickly and efficiently through software updates.

Improve ability to deliver services at mass scale.

Traditional IT architecture creates barriers to reaching consumers at mass scale. Outside players such as technology giants have broken these barriers by embracing web-scale architectures. The cloud levels the playing field, enabling CSPs to do the same.

Benefits of a cloud-based service delivery platform include:

Delivery of new services at scale without expanding IT resources and hardware. Opportunities to expand not only services but also new market segments, such as small business subscribers.

The B2B market is especially promising as even the smallest businesses adopt technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and data analytics, creating a bigger demand for the digital infrastructure and services that CSPs can offer.

98% of businesses were using IoT by the end of 2021

Eliminate vendor dependency and lock-in.

The smart home has grown more sophisticated, requiring new technology such as mesh devices to maintain quality WiFi connectivity. But consumers have limited options for upgrades and new services because the hardware provided by specific vendors has limits.

A cloud-based services platform Removes those limitations by eliminating the vendor lock-in. Allows CSPs to deliver uniform customer experiences regardless of the hardware and firmware in the home. Many CSPs are already taking advantage of the power of the cloud to pursue new business opportunities, improve service to their customers, and create additional revenue streams. The new differentiators are technologies such as data analytics and AI. But to get there, the cloud is an essential step. CSPs that don’t take this step soon will be left behind.