Plume’s platform leads the industry for connectivity experiences by focusing on the behavior, capabilities and prediction between gateways, access points, and consumer devices. By managing and controlling the network within a home, small business, or even throughout an apartment building, Plume is able to optimize the connectivity experience with a high level of efficacy. The combined success of expanding Communications Service Provider (CSP) bundles to include mobile offerings and the need to expand internet subscriber reach beyond their home or business has propelled the sphere of WiFi connectivity to cover the full CSP footprint both indoors and outside.
To begin to tackle this gap in service, Plume is releasing a new service focused on different types of device connection and internet access technologies - 5G.11 Offload. 5G.11 Offload is part of Plume’s Converged Network Services suite, which is the umbrella of services under which we build and release products focused on network optimization beyond traditional WiFi.
Orchestrated by the Plume Cloud, 5G.11 Offload includes monitoring and active controls to intelligently consolidate connection and network controls across cellular, WiFi and fixed internet access technologies to enhance network performance and reliability. When coupled with other CNS services, the solution maintains the low latency of real-time, latency-sensitive applications across the current Plume product suites HomePass, WorkPass, and Uprise.
The service’s key benefits include:
- Reducing CSP Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) data usage costs through efficient WiFi offload
- Expanding indoor mobile coverage without additional cellular infrastructure
- Optimizing subscriber quality-of-experience with dynamic handoff algorithms
- Monitoring network performance in real-time with automated alerts
- Protecting subscriber internet bandwidth through smart-resource allocation
5G.11 Offload offers the ability for CSPs to deploy a service that can serve several overlapping purposes with the goal of increased customer connectivity and satisfaction. They are able to offer community WiFi across popular gathering spots in their operating area further increasing their brand awareness. Visitors to the area on participating carriers are able to gain access to the WiFi and see the CSPs branding. The service can even be extended to first responders and city services for their cellular-connected devices needed to serve the community.
5G.11 Offload marries two data connection types (5G/cellular and 802.11/WiFi), resulting in a service for mobile network operators to easily offload their subscribers’ mobile traffic onto existing WiFi networks. They can do this by implementing their service across their own subscriber WiFi networks, deploying gateways across public spaces where they operate, or by signing agreements with other WiFi operators.
Built on top of two industry standards — HotSpot 2.0 and OpenRoaming — 5G.11 Mobile Offload is able to identify available access points, authenticate connections and migrate the subscriber without any intervention by the end user. Plume is improving on traditional mobile offload services by monitoring the experience and making sure subscribers are not caught in a “WiFi black hole.” These black holes are familiar to anyone connecting devices via public WiFi. They occur when a network is strong enough to connect but not actually transmit any data.
Managed through Plume’s Haystack suite, OpenSync enabled access points with 5G.11 Offload offers CSPs centralized control and real-time insights into network usage, facilitating proactive management and personalized services.
As mobile data usage continues to increase, 5G.11 Mobile Offload offers the opportunity for CSPs to lessen their data expenses without degrading the experience of their subscribers.
Read more about Plume’s 5G.11 Mobile Offload here.