All your 5G development needs met at the Altiplano
Nokia has created an app store aimed at mobile network operators who need automation – and the people who can give it to them. One network software writer has hailed it as a great way for third party developers to get in front of operators, at a time when software defined networking skills are at a premium.
The Altiplano Application Marketplace is named after Nokia’s pioneering broadband network controller suite and will include Nokia and third-party software. Initially seven apps were available at launch, but this figure is expected to rise next year as more developers are brought into the fold. The systems are organised under the categories of Network Support, Network Insights and Network Automation. New apps and marketplace features will follow in 2023 as soon as Nokia can approve them.
Developers and mobile operators need their own shop because no two networks are alike and finding the right system is a nightmare. Even automation solutions are unique to each particular network, explained Geert Heyninck, Nokia’s VP Broadband Networks. “By opening the Altiplano platform for developers, partners and customers to create and add their applications, we’re offering exactly the flexibility they need.”
In addition, Nokia is making an Altiplano Developer Portal available. This provides a software development kit (SDK) and virtual lab environment for developers to build and test apps. Operators can self-develop and organise their own applications within the marketplace. They can also use the developer portal to customise their network operations tools, personalise the user interface, customise application programme interfaces, add service profiles and build their own network policies and automation workflows.
The shop helps users to choose the automation tools from a digital storefront with ready-made applications. Apps will be curated by Nokia under three pillars. Network Support apps will be used by operators to maintain, troubleshoot and protect fixed networks through proactive monitoring, performance analysis and incident management. Network Insights apps will improve quality and service assurance with actionable insights that help operators to optimise operations, plan events and prevent problems. Network Automation apps will help automate and optimise the network, provide service and subscriber operations to boost efficiency and improve customer experience.
Middle Eastern operator du is a typical customer. It is committing heavily to a policy of software defined networking to improve its network’s performance, to get insights and improve services, according to Fatima AlDaghar, Director Fixed Access Planning, du. “All are managed under a single platform in a multi-vendor environment. Nokia’s open App marketplace is a first because it delivers sophisticated apps that address issues like marketing, planning, operations and assures customer satisfaction,” said Al Daghar.
Nokia has a strong reputation in software defined networking, according Alberto Patron, CEO of third-party developer Condor Technologies in Argentina. “We welcome this new, open marketplace which gives us an important platform to get our apps in front of global operators.”