Based on Nokia Bell Labs technology and developed after a Nokia-Vodafone agreement signed in 2020, the Anomaly Detection Service product is being rolled out across Vodafone’s pan-European network. The product quickly detects and troubleshoots irregularities, such as mobile site congestion and interference, and unexpected latency, that can impact customer service quality.

Following an initial deployment in Italy on more than 60,000 4G cells, Vodafone will extend the service to all its European markets by early 2022. Anomaly detection is offered “as-a-service,” an important dimension to Nokia’s Cloud and Network Services’ business group strategy, and there are plans to eventually apply Anomaly Detection Service to Vodafone’s 5G and core networks.

Vodafone expects that around 80 percent of all its anomalous mobile network issues and capacity demands will be automatically detected and addressed using Anomaly Detection Service.

Deployment on Google Cloud allows Vodafone engineers to make fast and informed decisions, like boosting capacity where customers need it most, based on data managed through Google Cloud’s secure and reliable data and analytics services. On Google Cloud, Anomaly Detection Service allows the streaming of network data to Vodafone’s data analytics platform, enabling analysis simultaneously of data across multi-vendor environments.

The Nokia-Vodafone deal signed last year complements Vodafone’s recent six-year agreement with Google Cloud, also a Nokia partner, to jointly build integrated cloud-based capabilities backed by hubs of networking and software engineering expertise.

Johan Wibergh, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone, said: “We are building an automated and programmable network that can respond quickly to our customers’ needs. As we extend 5G across Europe, it is important to match the speed and responsiveness of this new technology with a great service. With machine learning, we can ensure a consistently high-quality performance that is as smart as the technology behind it.”

Amol Phadke, Managing Director, Telecom Industry Solutions, Google Cloud, said:
“We are thrilled to partner with Nokia and Vodafone to deliver a data- and AI-driven solution that scales quickly and leverages automation to increase cost efficiency and ensures seamless customer experiences across Europe. As behaviors change and the data needed for analysis increases in velocity, volume, and complexity, automation and a cloud-based data platform are now key in making fast and informed decisions.”

Anil Rao, Research Director, Analysys Mason, said: “Vodafone’s anomaly detection use case, developed in partnership with Nokia and run on Google Cloud, automates root-cause analysis for efficient network planning, optimization, and operations. This type of partnership provides a new opportunity for operators to rethink data management and increase the focus on use cases and application development.”

Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services, Nokia, said: “This first commercial deployment of Anomaly Detection Service with Vodafone on Google Cloud provides a great boost to customer service. It not only addresses the critical need to quickly detect and remedy anomalies impacting network performance using machine learning-based algorithms, but it also highlights Nokia’s technology leadership and the deep technical expertise of Nokia Bell Labs.”

Additional resources

• Cloud support services website
• Analysys Mason Vodafone case study

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.

Media Inquiries

Nokia
Communications
Phone: +358 10 448 4900
Email: press.services@nokia.co

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• Manufacturing
• National, regional and local governments
• Smart city builders
• Leading sports clubs and entertainment venues
• Operators of busy international container ports

Download the Enghouse whitepaper “Non-Public Network 5G: How to Capitalise on Surging Opportunity and Demand” to find out more.

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As networks expand and transform to meet tomorrow’s demands, new processes, tools and solutions are needed to address rapidly changing business and network needs. The comprehensive VIAVI fiber portfolio continues to evolve with a full range of essential instruments, systems and software required to address today’s fastest growing technologies and functional needs, providing end-to-end support for the construction, activation, monitoring and maintenance of fiber optic services.

New and enhanced elements of the VIAVI fiber portfolio include:

• OTDR 2.0 – The all new VIAVI OTDR solution, redesigned to deliver faster, more reliable measurements and user experience. A modern touch gesture interface and guided, automated workflow enables simplified real-time operation to improve job quality control and ensure operational goals are achieved, for technicians of any experience level. A modular design allows migration of fiber test capabilities across VIAVI platforms, including T-BERD®/MTS, OneAdvisor and CellAdvisor® 5G. This solution offers the most comprehensive range of fiber and service layer tests, from basic fiber certification to automated bi-directional characterization.
• SmartPocket V2 – Building on the popular VIAVI SmartPocket line, the SmartPocket V2 is a complete family of optical power meters, light sources and loss test kits for essential fiber testing, activation and troubleshooting. The SmartPocket V2 family allows service providers to improve technician speed and accuracy even as they deploy next-generation technologies.

“Since Corning invented optical fiber in 1970, we have been continually innovating fiber and connectivity solutions to transform today’s networks,” said Brian Rhoney, Director of Data Center Market Development, Corning. “As we enable providers to bring high-speed fiber closer to the end-user with next-generation technologies such as high-density cables, testing practices and tools also need continued transformation. We believe the latest fiber test solutions from VIAVI have done just that.”

“Service providers are under pressure to increase their fiber footprint, completing massive deployments – to homes, businesses, data centers and 5G cell sites – while striving to maintain quality of experience and reduce operational expenses,” said Koji Okamoto, Vice President, Fiber and Access Business, VIAVI. “The ability to capture faster, more reliable fiber test measurements with simple to use, automated solutions means that service providers can reduce contractor costs without sacrificing deployment pace or quality of experience, improving performance and operational efficiency for the life of the network.”

These solutions complement the most comprehensive fiber test portfolio in the industry, including PON/FTTx innovations for fiber monitoring (ONMS), construction/installation (Optimeter), and first-to-market certification of unbalanced PON architectures (PON OTDR).

About VIAVI

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for communications service providers, enterprises, network equipment manufacturers, government and avionics. We help these customers harness the power of instruments, automation, intelligence and virtualization to Command the network. VIAVI is also a leader in light management solutions for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, and defense applications. Learn more about VIAVI at www.viavisolutions.com. Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

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Ubiquitous Fiber Deployment

A successful and competitive national strategy to secure 5G relies on ubiquitous fiber deployment. No community can be left behind. 5G relies on ubiquitous fiber deployment. Take for example 5G’s three use cases:

• Immersive broadband,
• Mission critical applications such as autonomous vehicles, and
• Massive IoT

All will require gigabit bandwidth and ultra-low latency from very small cell sites that serve 200 to 1,000 feet as 5G requires more spectrum, more bits/Hz and roughly 10 times increase in cell site density. As a result, 5G cell sites will need a massive fiber infrastructure for the front-haul and backhaul of 5G traffic with ultra-low latency.

Fiber is also the only transmission medium that can carry multi-gigabit traffic today and evolve over time to meet the exponential growth in mobile data traffic.

Communities that lack fiber will perpetuate the digital divide. This holds true for both urban and suburban communities across America. Areas without fiber will not see 5G, and the digital divide will be exacerbated rather than alleviated over time.

Actionable Items for NTIA, the FCC, Congress and the Biden Administration

Government broadband subsidies should prioritize fiber and gigabit symmetrical service delivery to provide the needed critical infrastructure for 5G with ubiquitous fiber deployment. This is because we know ubiquitous fiber deployment maximizes 5G performance, provides a secure 5G critical infrastructure, reduces spectrum demand and elevates the rural digital divide.

The government has already put forth incentives for investment and future proofing rural broadband through legislation supporting Gigabit broadband in the 116th Congress, including:

• H.R. 7302/S. 4131 (Clyburn-Klobuchar) allocated $80 billion for rural broadband with preference for symmetrical gigabit networks.
• S. 4113 (Bennet) allocated $30 billion for rural broadband with preference for symmetrical gigabit networks.
• H.R. 7922/S. 4201 (Clyburn-Upton, Portman-Brown) instructed the FCC to accelerate funding for symmetrical gigabit providers.
• S. 2866 (Capito, Hassan) allocated $2.5 billion of private activity bonds for deployment of gigabit capable internet access to residential or commercial business.
• S. 2867 (Hassan, Capito) provided a 10% tax credit for the deployment of gigabit capable internet access to residential or commercial locations.

5G and Fiber are Critical to our Nation’s Global Competitiveness

Once built, fiber infrastructure will support U.S. global competitiveness. Virtually all developed countries are charging ahead to deploy this critical infrastructure, and foreign competitors are treating fiber as a strategic asset by upgrading technology and flooding the market. Currently, China is leading the charge.

The U.S. is making great strides in deploying fiber, even though we have a greater number of sparsely populated areas than other countries. However, there is much more that industry can accomplish, and the government can facilitate to speed deployments.  

Actionable Items for NTIA, the FCC, DoD, Congress and the Biden Administration

There needs to be increased invest in research and development for next generation technology. President Joe Biden has proposed “Innovate in America” which calls for $300 billion in research and development investment over four years in future technologies and industries to support America’s technological lead. As part of that push, there should also be a focus on enhancing industry workforce training and education.

Supply Security is Fundamental to National Security

We must protect our industrial base and ensure safe and secure US networks. Having a strong domestic industry requires policies that not only invest in technology, but also address targeted national policies of competitor countries that undermine market dynamics through unfair subsidies and trade practices.

As we have seen in other industries, China’s excess capacity is undermining health of the optical fiber industry globally. Currently, they have excess capacity of over 300 million fiber kilometers. That’s nearly enough to supply to current global markets combined. This excess capacity is being dumped in numerous countries and regions—including India and Europe—driving down global pricing and undermining profitability, which in turn can ultimately impact investment in research and development.

Actionable Items for Commerce (NTIA and BIS), DOD, and USTR

First, we must ensure a level playing field across the globe. Work with our allies to address unfair subsidies—the root cause of excess capacity.

Second, there should be clear criterion established for trusted suppliers. The Center for Strategic and International Studies published a list of criteria to assess the trustworthiness of telecommunications suppliers. The criteria complement the work of the Prague Proposal.

Fiber Broadband Association represents more than 250 members, including telecommunications, computing, networking, system integration, engineering, and content-provider companies, as well as traditional service providers, utilities, and municipalities.

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The project also will provide ultra-fast, all-fiber broadband services to over 200,000 homes and business by 2025 in Mississippi and Alabama, where the diversified telecommunications and technology services firm recently expanded its broadband internet availability, and result in faster delivery of 5G wireless technology in Mississippi markets.

When completed, the project is expected to expand next-generation, ultra-fast broadband services across Alabama and Mississippi. In Alabama, C Spire has plans to deliver all-fiber gigabit service in over two dozen Alabama markets. In Mississippi, fiber infrastructure will be expanded to within 1,000 feet of half of the state’s residential premises and deliver game-changing 5G service – the next generation of mobility – to nearly 600 sites covering over 60 percent of the state.

“We have a strong reputation of providing world-class products and services to consumers and businesses and this investment signals that we intend to deliver these benefits faster than ever before,” said C Spire CEO Hu Meena, noting that the firm will make the initial investment in three years with another $500 million in capital spending over a five-year period.

Meena said the investment is expected to generate at least 250 new direct jobs in Alabama and result in millions of dollars in secondary economic benefits for both states through contracts and agreements with firms who will help C Spire with the massive infrastructure deployment and construction efforts.

Meena noted that C Spire has already launched Gigabit broadband for consumers in Jasper, will offer service in Trussville next month and has plans to build robust fiber hoods in more than two dozen markets across Alabama as part of its Fiber Fast initiative.  “This is a game-changer, helping grow the economy and improving the quality of life for everyone,” he said.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said the C Spire investment in broadband infrastructure will help strengthen the state’s economy, education system, health care options and infrastructure investment efforts.  “C Spire’s investment and commitment to the expansion of all-fiber broadband services will help us make a difference in bridging the digital divide, which is a real challenge in our state, especially in rural areas,” she added.

Business executives also expressed support for the C Spire investment initiative, including the 2,662-member Business Council of Alabama, whose President and CEO Katie Boyd Britt noted that up to 5,000 new businesses would benefit from the broadband infrastructure improvements.

“This decision by C Spire will help the BCA achieve our goals of growing the state’s $228 billion economy, creating jobs, and encouraging investment in Alabama,” Britt said, noting that the C Spire investment will help the organization further its “mission to create an environment where all businesses can grow and flourish.”

Meena said C Spire plans to move quickly and aggressively in 2021 to bring the cutting-edge technology benefits to consumers and businesses in both states, leveraging several recent acquisitions, including Teklinks and Harbor Communications, to accelerate its growth and expansion efforts.

To learn more about C Spire fiber broadband internet in Alabama, go to C Spire Fiber Fast.  For more information about C Spire products and services, visit www.cspire.com.

About C Spire  

C Spire is a privately-owned telecommunications and technology company driven to deliver the best experiences in wireless, fiber internet, and business IT solutions such as internet, VoIP, cloud and managed services.  Read more news releases and announcements at cspire.com/news.  For more information, visit cspire.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.        

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