Aptilo orders reveal trends in carrier WiFi deployments
"These deployments reveal several trends we’re seeing in Wi-Fi deployments," said Aptilo CEO Torbjorn Ward. These trends include:
Leveraging third-party Wi-Fi footprint through wholesale operator
A tier-1 European mobile operator selected the Aptilo Service Management Platform™ to enable carrier-class Wi-Fi services through a third-party network. The utilization of a third-party Wi-Fi footprint through a Wi-Fi wholesale operator lowers the barriers further for creating a carrier-class Wi-Fi service with a very fast time-to-market.
Wi-Fi managed service for operators
That mobile operator is also using the Aptilo Managed Service™, providing a high-availability architecture including geographic redundancy. "We’re seeing a significant increase in Managed Service, including cloud-based Wi-Fi deployments," said Ward. "It allows the mobile network operator to offer carrier-class Wi-Fi without the investment in equipment, training and maintenance."
Cable multi-system operators (MSOs) look to Wi-Fi
MSOs are leveraging Wi-Fi as a strategic asset to add new subscribers and reduce churn. MSOs are also starting to sell Wi-Fi network capacity to other operators, including mobile operators, for mobile data offloading.
Aptilo is working with a major cable multi-system operator (MSO) in the United States to enable carrier-class Wi-Fi services. The MSO will utilize Aptilo’s advanced portal and business-to-business (B2B) service delivery capabilities to monetize and sell services to multi-dwelling property owners. The MSO’s subscribers will also get access to the Wi-Fi service through an additional SSID at many other locations that have the same Wi-Fi service. These homespots a perfect tool for customer retention in the highly competitive broadband market.
Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) embrace Wi-Fi
A European MVNO is using Wi-Fi to complement 3G/4G network access to provide better indoor access, thanks to Aptilo’s carrier Wi-Fi solutions. The MVNO is using Aptilo’s mobile data offloading solution to compliment the 3G/4G mobile data traffic by adding Wi-Fi footprint through a third-party carrier Wi-Fi network. The MVNO will additionally build its own Wi-Fi footprint at specific locations.
Aging systems being replaced
Outdated first-generation Wi-Fi hotspot systems are starting to take a toll on operators, and as a result many are seeking replacements to aging service management platforms. Aptilo recently replaced an outdated Wi-Fi hotspot system for a European mobile operator as part of an end-to-end solution implemented by one of Aptilo’s major go-to-market partners, providing next-generation carrier Wi-Fi services.
B2B: Selling Wi-Fi
Service providers are tapping business-to-business opportunities when developing Wi-Fi offerings by making their services attractive to venue owners. They tailor the service to the specific needs of different industry verticals, making businesses Wi-Fi partners rather than Wi-Fi customers. One example is a new Aptilo installation with a European hospitality solutions provider using Aptilo SMP to deliver a cloud-based hospitality Wi-Fi service to hundreds of hotels in its customer base.
"B2B Wi-Fi services are a crucial component for monetization of Wi-Fi," said Ward. "In addition, these services facilitate site acquisition for their Wi-Fi footprint, one of the major challenges facing operators that are used to renting space for their base stations. In the Wi-Fi business it is all about selling services to venue owners."
www.aptilo.com/carrier-class-wi-fi
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