Strategy
CableLabs’ Connectivity as a Service: Simpler, Smarter and Always On
Key Points
- Connectivity as a Service (CaaS), a new service concept in the works from CableLabs, takes the guesswork — and hassle — out of network connectivity for internet service subscribers at home and on the go.
- Because they either own and operate their own mobile networks or leverage mobile virtual network operator relationships, some broadband operators are uniquely positioned to offer CaaS.
For most consumers, staying connected to the services they rely on every day likely requires subscriptions to two separate services: a broadband service at home and another for their mobile phone when they’re away from home.
What if network operators could provide a single connectivity service that ensures their subscribers’ applications and devices would work seamlessly at home, away from home, in remote areas, on a plane or traveling internationally? All their devices and applications would connect — wherever, whenever — and they wouldn’t have to worry about managing connections, passwords, authentication or security.
That’s the objective of Connectivity as a Service (CaaS).
Multiple system operators (MSOs) are uniquely positioned to offer a CaaS solution. Those that either own and operate their own mobile networks or leverage mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) relationships can make the solution available to every household or business passed by their networks. CaaS can be positioned as a truly differentiated service that other types of connectivity service providers can’t match at scale.
Connectivity That’s On — Whenever, Wherever
Put yourself in your subscribers’ shoes.
If your gateway and service provider provided a solution like CaaS, you wouldn’t need to worry about your wired or wireless connection at home or work going down. Your provider would monitor both and ensure all your devices, security services and Internet of Things (IoT) applications remain online. When you start a video conference at home and head to work, the session would seamlessly switch from your home Wi-Fi to cellular. Then, when you arrive at the office, it would transition to your company’s Wi-Fi network — all without voice or video drops, or manual intervention. All without giving the network a single thought.
Imagine you’re at the airport and need to send a critical file to a colleague. Your CaaS would automatically tether your laptop to your smartphone and “know” not to use one of the many untrusted options that the corporate security team keeps warning about. In the air, you would enjoy the Wi-Fi that your CaaS provider offers through a partner satellite service — without the umpteen steps your mobile provider and the airlines make you jump through for a weak connection.
Then, at your foreign destination, you would still be connected, with your service leveraging the roaming agreements that your CaaS provider has with top local networks. Finally, if you head into a remote area, your smartphone would be able to stay connected via low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity, ensuring connectivity for critical messages, calls and safety purposes.
A Differentiated Service for Happier Users
With CaaS, the discussions over whether to use fiber, cable, fixed wireless or satellite at home or which mobile carrier works best at work, at school, on vacation or wherever become moot.
By providing such a service, operators can guarantee their customers stay connected with whatever applications they’re running, whenever, wherever they are. Add in customizable privacy features and an “away” button for when users just need to disconnect, and you have a winning connectivity solution — and more satisfied subscribers.
CableLabs is working on the concepts, user stories, requirements and architecture elements that MSOs will need to offer Connectivity as a Service. Let’s work together to deliver the only connectivity service your subscribers will ever need.
Contact us to learn more about CaaS, share your ideas for additional features and get involved.