Nokia has announced it is enabling communications services providers (CSPs) to directly upload and manage the lifecycle of applications on its broadband devices. CSPs can now bypass firmware releases to deploy new applications using Nokia’s application container solution.
The new solution, launched today at the Broadband World Forum in Amsterdam, opens up new monetisation opportunities for CSPs who can now dynamically provide a far richer suite of services.
Application containers are widely used in cloud and enterprise domains, but is an emerging market for CSPs in a CPE environment. Service providers can use containers to quickly add new services and capabilities, including from third parties, to open up new monetisation opportunities.
Third-party developers can make their applications available to CSPs through Nokia’s application container platform. Initial partners include F-Secure for cybersecurity, Broadpeak for multicast-ABR video delivery, Cognitive Systems for Wi-Fi motion sensing, Gamebench for performance monitoring, Domos for performance optimization, Ookla for speed test, and NTOP for traffic analysis.
John Kendall, principal analyst from Omdia, explained, “Application containers enable the ability for service providers to have more nimble solutions for their customers. Whereas previously, these new services would need to be pre-installed on the broadband gateway, containers empower service providers to easily and rapidly provide new capabilities to their customers, bringing new potential revenue streams. These can include VPN access to work from home, enhanced threat protection, better latency for streaming video and online gaming, privacy and parental controls.”
Sandy Motley, president, fixed networks at Nokia, added, “We believe application containers are as exciting for broadband providers as was the invention of app stores for mobile devices. They open a whole new world for our customers to innovate, to create revenue streams and to bring more value to the end-users.”
Nokia’s application containers will initially be available on its premium residential broadband devices including the Nokia WiFi Beacon 6 (pictured above, left) and the Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway 3.2 for 5G network connectivity (pictured above, right).