Nokia debuted a new application marketplace for wireline operators, aiming to make it easier for broadband providers to choose and deploy network tools. Its new app store is initially focused on network monitoring and automation, though the vendor said it plans to roll out additional offerings next year.
Dubbed the Altiplano Application Marketplace, the new app store currently features three categories: Network Support, which includes apps like an ONT Health Monitor and Automated Troubleshooting Assistant; Network Insights, with a trend analyzer and capacity manager; and Network Automation with ONT Easy Start and a Bandwidth Sharing Optimizer.
As one might glean from the ONT options, Nokia’s Head of PR for Fixed and Optical Networks Matt Thomson told Fierce the marketplace is geared toward serving fiber-to-the-home and FTTx networks. That said, Thomson added Nokia is looking to expand the marketplace later on with additional apps. Indeed, Nokia noted in a press release it plans to add new apps and store features in 2023.
“Managing fixed networks involves a lot of operational tasks. These can benefit from productivity/automation tools to improve quality and reduce operational costs,” Thomson said.
In addition to its own apps, Nokia said it plans to host third-party and operator-built apps in its marketplace. That’s likely why it launched an Altiplano Developer Portal alongside its marketplace. This provides access to an SDK which exposes programming capabilities, APIs which can help smooth integration in operations support systems, code samples, templates and a virtual lab for development and testing.
If the Altiplano name sounds familiar, that’s because the new marketplace and developer portal are named after Nokia’s cloud-based Altiplano Access Controller, which made its debut in 2017.
Asked about how much appetite there is for a network app marketplace, Thomson noted “everything is actually an app” in its Altiplano platform.
“Operators value the flexibility in one modular extendable platform,” he stated. “The additional apps are attractive as they cover fulfilment and assurance activities key to streamline operator processes; the app framework also saves them development and integration at the OSS level which can be operational complex, expensive and time consuming.”