
Nokia to boost better broadband with app store
Nokia has launched end-to-end open source, containerised home connectivity software for broadband devices that will enable service providers to add apps to generate new revenues and reduce operational costs.
The Corteca combines intelligent software running simultaneously in the cloud and in the home to boost both broadband infrastructure connections and WiFi in the home, aiming to create an App Store of third party suppliers.
Service providers are bringing multi-gigabit speeds to the home, but more than 40% of households are reporting issues with in-home connectivity. Operators and users are plagued by complex installation processes, limited interoperability, inconsistent coverage and dead zone.
Nokia says its Corteca software addresses these challenges, providing a combination of WiFi performance and devices in the home along with effective customer support tools and proactive monitoring in the cloud. In recent customer trials, Nokia’s Corteca solution increased peak hour Wi-Fi throughput by 70 percent and reduced average handling time of helpdesk calls by 50 percent.
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“Similar to what the PC market and the mobile phone market did in the past, the CPE market is systematically separating the application from the operating system in order to empower developers, enable operators, and delight users. The key is a unique and truly open approach – with no vendor lock-in and the ability to onboard and integrate with third parties,” said Justin Doucette, head of Wi-Fi for Fixed Networks Broadband Devices at Nokia
The platform consists of a number of elements using container-based software for portability. Corteca Cloud is an intelligent controller with a single pane interface to manage both home Wi-Fi networks and network-wide broadband device deployments, while Corteca Applications is a marketplace with value-added applications so service providers can generate new sources of revenue.
Corteca Device Software is used on Nokia’s growing line-up of broadband devices for fibre and fixed wireless access (FWA) gateways and mesh Wi-Fi beacons.
The Corteca Cloud, formerly known as the WiFi Cloud Controller, introduces a new marketplace to deliver Corteca Applications. This gives service providers access to a catalogue of revenue generating services. The marketplace allows operators to try applications before purchasing and centrally manage what is made available to their subscribers.
Corteca Applications cover a variety of uses cases, including enhanced security, intelligent device fingerprinting and gaming optimization, and Nokia has opened up the marketplace to an eco-system of third party developers to bring additional value-added applications to the market.
Nokia’s Corteca Device Software runs on the in-home broadband and Wi-Fi devices and works in real-time with cloud-based operations to monitor and manage the end-user experience.
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Nokia combines open-source software with industry standards and is the first vendor to provide seamless communications and management for multi-vendor mesh Wi-Fi and devices.
The Corteca Device Software also provides a container application framework to isolate and applications from the underlying operating system. It allows operators to seamlessly run, manage, and dynamically update applications independent of the device software to reduce costs.
“Providing an unparalleled broadband user experience in the home has long been a challenge that operators continue to grapple with today. Navigating the complex terrain of single Wi-Fi interfaces, device compatibility and user behaviour requires a harmonious symphony of technical expertise and customer-centric solutions,” said Michael Philpott, Research Director, Digital Consumer Services at Omdia.
“Having the ability to both manage the devices in the home and deliver value applications that can be targeted to each unique customer can be a game changer for operators seeking to drive enhanced user experiences and generate additional revenue.”
The cloud-to-device communication is based on the USP/TR-369 standard from the Broadband Forum while the Corteca Device Software uses EasyMesh from the WiFi Alliance for communication between Wi-Fi access points and devices are based on the Open Broadband USP Agent implementation from the Broadband Forum
The Corteca Cloud and several Corteca powered devices are currently available to all service providers. The Corteca Applications and Marketplace will be available for trials this year.
www.nokia.com/networks/fixed-networks/corteca/
