(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/AWSeebaran)
As the Internet of Things expands, the number of connected devices in homes is placing increasing demands on local networks. Consumers expect every device to maintain a stable connection and consistent speed so they can access services remotely without interruption.
Federico Guillén, president of Alcatel‑Lucent’s Fixed Access Business Line, observed that connected device shipments are projected to grow faster than smartphones and tablets, which will place significant strain on home Wi‑Fi networks.
To address this, Alcatel‑Lucent has introduced two products designed to help users experience their service provider’s full broadband speeds throughout the home, improving Wi‑Fi reliability and performance across multiple devices.
Many households now subscribe to Fiber‑to‑the‑Home (FTTH) services that can deliver broadband speeds in the hundreds of megabits per second or even approaching gigabit speeds. However, poor Wi‑Fi performance often prevents customers from realizing those speeds inside their homes.
Guillén explains that by offering a gigabit Wi‑Fi solution, operators can better fulfill the promise of their fiber networks and meet growing consumer demands for connectivity and speed. The ONT Easy Start package also opens new operational options that can help providers reduce costs and free up resources.
The new 7368 Intelligent Service Access Manager (ISAM) optical network terminal (ONT) functions as a home network hub. With dual‑band Wi‑Fi and stronger transmit power, the device is intended to distribute broadband more consistently throughout the home, supporting up to 1 Gbps of bandwidth where the infrastructure allows.
Operators can provide customers with a single wireless gateway device—the Gigabit Wi‑Fi 7368 ISAM ONT G‑240W‑B—designed to deliver the speeds promised by the service provider across the household. The unit supports region‑dependent transmit power of up to 500 milliwatts and includes USB 2.0/3.0 ports to enable media access across the home network.
Service providers also gain from ONT Easy Start, which combines Alcatel‑Lucent’s FTTH technology, Motive customer experience management (CEM) solutions, and professional services to give operators an integrated view and streamlined workflows for ONT setup and registration.
ONT Easy Start includes the following elements:
- Motive self‑care and field technician applications offer intuitive, graphical interfaces so subscribers or technicians can perform ONT setup with minimal friction.
- The Motive Service Management Platform leverages automated workflows to simplify ONT activation and configuration and orchestrates services between network element managers and Motive care applications.
- Professional services assist with integration into the operator’s existing network management systems.
- An end‑to‑end GPON FTTH solution is available using Alcatel‑Lucent’s 7360 ISAM FX and 7368 ISAM ONT products.
- FTTH solution management is handled via the Alcatel‑Lucent 5520 Access Management System.
These products aim to remove one of the biggest obstacles to a truly connected home: inconsistent Wi‑Fi coverage and unreliable performance. A simpler setup that delivers the expected coverage, speed, and stability would reduce customer frustration and improve the home networking experience.
We plan to obtain a unit for hands‑on review in the coming weeks.
Do you think Alcatel‑Lucent’s new products will improve home connectivity? Share your thoughts in the comments.