Broadband technology specialist ASSIA, Inc. has launched the latest version of its flagship broadband management and optimization platform. The company has optimized DSL Expresse 3.3 to help support the roll out of broadband access networks based on VDSL and vectoring. It also sports new features that help minimize technician truck rolls, as well as improve customer support services.
DSL Expresse is the platform through which ASSIA offers customized services, called Expresse Solutions, for its clients. This version of the platform builds off of the vectoring capabilities introduced in DSL Expresse 3.1 last fall (see “ASSIA upgrades DSL Expresse to support vectoring management”). ASSIA has had the opportunity to run vectoring field trials with DSL Expresse, and the new version takes advantages of some of the lessons learned to improve the platform’s algorithms and performance, according to George Ginis, vice president, product management.
Service providers can use DSL Expresse 3.3 to help evaluate their installed infrastructure’s ability to support high-speed services using vectoring, Ginis said. When necessary, it will recommend that particular nodes need to upgraded or new terminals installed. Overall, DSL Expresse-enabled management capabilities can reduce the percentage of lines with significant noise impairments for both vectored and non-vectored scenarios to the single digits, Ginis asserted.
DSL Expresse also will support the provision of ASSIA-supplied services that can help the service provider predict take rates, based on customer analytics. The system will support as well the combination of vectored and non-vectored traffic within the same binder, in cases where a provider wants to roll out vectored services incrementally or is operating in an unbundled, multi-carrier scenario in which not all of the carriers want to provide vectored transmission.
Combined, the capabilities not only help service providers roll out vectoring-enabled 100-Mbps VDSL services more quickly, but enable them to prioritize their roll outs to create a success-based implementation strategy, Ginis said.
"With the release of ASSIA DSL Expresse 3.3 and Expresse Solutions, ASSIA can help accelerate vectored VDSL rollouts for service providers that increasingly have to compete with cable, LTE, and emerging fiber-to-the-home services," said Stephen Wilson, senior analyst at research firm, Analysys Mason, via an ASSIA press release. "DSL Expresse is a proven, hardware-agnostic solution that can help increase customer take rates while minimizing capital expenditure on vectoring upgrade efforts."
Meanwhile, the DSL Expresse 3.3 also features upgrades to ASSIA’s ClearView expert system. ClearView can support both call center and field technician efforts to streamline troubleshooting and problem resolution. ASSIA asserts that, when paired with Expresse Solutions for customer care automation, DSL Expresse has improved the productivity of customer care professionals by at least 50%.
ASSIA Expresse Solutions with DSL Expresse 3.3 are available now.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher
Stephen Hardy has covered fiber optics for more than 15 years, and communications and technology for more than 30 years. He is responsible for establishing and executing Lightwave's editorial strategy across its digital magazine, website, newsletters, research and other information products. He has won multiple awards for his writing.
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