Cover Story
Cover Story
Thinking outside the
AI promises to revolutionise the way households consume content by enabling hyper-personalised services , enhancing quality of service in the home , and protecting customers from inappropriate or malicious content . What role do industry players see AIenhanced CPE playing in future service delivery to households ? Colin Mann asks the questions .
According to Metin Taskin , co-CEO and CTO of Airties , one of the most practical - and essential - uses of AI by broadband providers is to enable ‘ selfoptimising ’ networks that ensure consistent , quality connectivity throughout the home , despite a constantly changing environment . “ AI will help adopt the Wi-Fi network almost tailor made to the conditions in each home network by self-learning from the historical data and other networks .
“ In addition to that , many leading broadband providers rely on AI within Airties Smart Wi-Fi software to troubleshoot issues pro-actively based on the conditions on each
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customer network ; go beyond basic telemetry to identify and analyse historical trends , and dynamically automate solutions within individual homes , or across the entire network footprint . Looking ahead , we expect our advancements in AI to help broadband service providers further lower their customer care costs , reduce truck rolls , identify potential upgrade / monetisation opportunities , and improve the QoE for their subscribers .” PIVOTAL . “ AI is expected to play a pivotal role in current and future services and applications delivered to homes ,” says Paul Hendricks , CEO at Gamgee . “ However , it is crucial to focus on the potential role of Wi-Fi mesh systems as carriers for AI , rather than video set-top boxes . Wi-Fi mesh systems possess the capability to become highly intelligent , AI-enabled home hubs , as they connect all devices in the home to the internet and to each other .”
“ On the other hand , video STBs lack this capability . Gamgee recognises the immense value that AI can bring to the home network and digital home services , particularly in areas such as cybersecurity , device identification , online content filtering , home security , home automation , and hyperpersonalisation of the user experience .”
“ Additionally , for service providers , AI can add value to customer segmentation and predictive analytics . While some vendors promote the use of AI for improved home networking , the true value it provides beyond already well-functioning home networking protocols and algorithms remains questionable .” HOSTING . As to the likelihood of CPE becoming an intelligence point within the home by hosting the household AI and what functions this AI would perform , Jason Walls , co-director of the broadband user services work area at the Broadband Forum , agrees that AI-enhanced broadband CPE will play a key role in the future service delivery to households , but suggests this also depends on the nature of the service offered to the subscriber .
“ Broadband CPE can be regarded as the network centre of the subscriber , responsible for and aware of all traffic traveling into and
“ AI will help make the Wi-Fi network almost tailor made to the conditions in each home .” - Metin Taskin ,
Airties