Aiming to help network operators understand and optimize their network traffic, Movik unveiled its intelligent radio access network (RAN) architecture as well as what it is calling a 3G/4G/LTE real-time correlation solution for RAN traffic management.
The Massachusetts-based company claims its new REACH (Report, Export, Act, Control, HetNet) architecture enables operators to track and control each individual element of the access network, down to the sector, so they can take real-time action on a per-sector, per-condition, per-content and per-subscriber basis. The company also released its LTE Correlation and Multi Radio Access Technology (RAT) platform, which is based on the REACH architecture and provides a unified view into the operational efficiencies of all of an operator's networks.
Movik historically provided layers 1-7 deep-packet inspection on the control plane and the user plane, but the company has expanded its vision to deliver RAN awareness for operators, CEO John St. Amand told FierceBroadbandWireless.
The company's REACH architecture, he said, is designed to balance the user's quality of experience with the operator's capex requirements in real time.
"We decide if you're efficiently connected or not efficiently connected. If you're asking for more than the network can handle or too little. If you're asking for too much, we'll impose some optimization policies from the core network boxes. If you're not asking for more than the network can handle, we'll speed things up so you get an even better QoE," said St. Amand.
Movik's multi-RAT approach enables it to work with Wi-Fi, 3G and LTE. "There's a lot of dynamics going on as users go between those networks," said St. Amand.
Operators increasingly need to immediately correlate user behavior with network conditions. For instance, if a customer viewing streaming video on LTE loses that signal and drops down to 3G, "completely swamping that particular network," the RAN should be able to quickly optimize service based on that device's particular IP address and reduce the video's bit rate to one the 3G network can handle, enabling the customer to continue watching the video on the slower network, said St. Amand.
"We're taking the mystery out of what has been historically a very, very closed architecture," he added, noting individual vendors' RANs have long provided no visibility into their functionalities.
Movik is planning a progressive rollout for its technology, initially just reporting to operators about what is going on with their RANs before the company moves on to helping them manage their RAN activity. The company's architecture is in numerous trials and Movik has a handful of small deals with operators, but St. Amand acknowledged it is still early days for the technology.
Movik raised $25 million in venture capital during 2011. Oak Investment Partners led the round while previous investors Highland Capital Partners and Northbridge Venture Partners also participated.
For more:
- see this Movik release and this release
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