BBWF 2022: Network Service Providers Elevate the Role of CPE in Connected Homes to Support Critical Services for ConsumersBy: VANTIVA So too is the relationship between network service providers (NSPs) and consumers. Once limited to enabling connectivity for the delivery of entertainment, the CPE provided to homes by NSPs now supports a wide range of critical functions. As a result, consumers and NSPs expect significant improvements in performance, adaptability, intelligence and security offered by the next generation of gateways and set-top boxes, according to Ashwani Saigal, vice president of Broadband, at VANTIVA–formerly known as Technicolor. "The events of the past few years have changed the fundamental relationships that NSPs have with consumers," says Saigal. "Before March 2020, broadband connections to the home were largely considered a luxury that enabled people to enjoy entertainment- Today, an ever-increasing number of people are working, learning, connecting with family and even taking medical appointments from home. As a result, broadband connectivity — a key component in the CPE puzzle — has evolved as an essential home service. Consistent, high-performance broadband access is now considered a critical utility — like water and electricity. As a result, consumer expectations around CPE capabilities and reliability are extremely high. "Operators are shifting their CPE strategies to meet evolving consumer expectations. Speed, reliability, efficiency and the ability to manage multiple services on one device are now key considerations when operators make strategic decisions about CPE design and the array of services they will offer," explains Saigal. The past few years have also added nuance to how the connected home market is tiered. As the so-called "new normal" begins to take shape, the market is seeing basic requirements for connectivity rise. For instance, as people return to the office, they may retain some enhanced services utilized during the pandemic and stop using others. "The bottom line is that people are landing across a spectrum of service requirements that have to be supported by NSP infrastructure and in-home CPE. This segmentation complicates CPE strategies because operators are forced to look at how devices can address all tiers in their market in a technically effective and cost-efficient manner," says Saigal. Further exacerbating this equation is the fact that home experiences are becoming much more complex. Consumption is no longer primarily entertainment based. The evolution of smart homes means that "intelligent devices" and "home automation" now compete for bandwidth with entertainment services, work-related zoom meetings, and home learning. NSPs must be able to manage a diverse array of digital traffic. "All of this is putting immense pressure on home wireless networks. As a result, Wi-Fi is evolving as a key factor in delivering services that meet the needs of consumers. The challenge is that Wi-Fi radio spectrum is a shared — and scarce — medium. To ensure high quality of service (QoS) there has to be a mechanism for prioritizing the allocation of wireless resources," says Saigal. As these trends converge, the business case for developing and deploying CPE devices that are more powerful, intelligent, and open is rising. It is emerging as the key to maintaining existing services while introducing new innovative offerings. CPE Optimization Delivers Higher Levels of Value to Connected Home Environments According to Saigal, there are three areas of focus that NSPs are applying when it comes to developing CPE strategies that ensure the delivery of higher value to connected home environments.
The key to meeting these requirements — while laying the foundation for emerging services — will be the deployment of robust, intelligent, and sustainable CPE devices that provide the connected home with an infrastructure that supports the digitally enabled lifestyles of households around the world. To listen to the full interview or read the Q&A with VANTIVA's Ashwani Saigal, visit: https://www.vantiva.com/ Contact VANTIVA ***@mindsharecapture.com Photos: https://www.prlog.org/ https://www.prlog.org/ End
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