ViaSat Selects Axiros for Device Management and Provisioning
(Munich, Germany) – Axiros, the technology leader in advanced service and device management, announced today a deal with ViaSat Inc., whereby ViaSat will leverage Axiros’ technology and expertise for its own satellite services as well as for services it resells to other satellite providers. The deal marks ViaSat’s first deployment of the TR-069 protocol over satellite.
ViaSat supplies satellite and other wireless networking systems and services. Under the agreement, the company will deploy Axiros’ AXESS.ACS for device management and provisioning and AXACT TR-069 Stack for integration and implementation of the TR-069 protocol within its satellite modems. ViaSat builds, designs and provides these modems as part of the turnkey satellite systems and services it provides for consumer, business, government and other satellite service provider customers.
The company chose Axiros based on its best-of-breed technology and ability to meet the unique requirements and challenges (e.g. latency) of delivering services and managing devices over a satellite network. Also significant was the flexibility, scalability and responsiveness of the AXESS.ACS Northbound Interface (NBI) as ViaSat plans to exclusively call and evoke AXESS.ACS through the NBI and other OSS/BSS systems.
The move reflects Axiros’ expansion into satellite communications and adds to the company’s growing list of access networking technologies across which its products are used. Additionally, ViaSat’s decision underscores the expansion of the TR-069 standard beyond terrestrial networks into next generation satellite networks.
Benefits
The partnership with Axiros will enable ViaSat to implement use cases associated with device/service provisioning, dynamic configuration, information updates, firmware download and scheduled inform. Other direct benefits include:
- Dynamic Security. The Axiros platform – and specifically the TR-069 protocol – will allow ViaSat to manage its satellite modems dynamically over the Internet using HTTP/HTTPS. This was a key consideration for ViaSat when considering device management solutions.
- Interoperability. Because Axiros products are open and interoperable, ViaSat will be able to seamlessly manage and provision via TR-069 – within a single platform –devices/services beyond the modem. Additionally, ViaSat will be able to take advantage of the ongoing innovation in and evolution of the TR-069 standard.
- Total Solution. By relying on the Axiros for both server and client technologies, ViaSat will be able to accelerate time to implementation and market with seamless integration, interoperability and support for TR-069 functionality as well as custom device feature/functionality.
On the Axiros side, the agreement highlights the company’s growing foothold in the United States and across North America while underscoring its ability to live up to its tagline to “manage and support any protocol, any device, any service – any time.” It could be argued that the company might now want to add, “over any access network” to this list.
ViaSat anticipates deployments in 2014, including launch for its US-based Exede service and with other satellite providers/customers it serves globally.
Supporting Quotes
Axiros CEO Kurt Peterhans says the selection of Axiros by ViaSat is a testament to Axiros’ technical leadership. “ViaSat ran a rigorous testing process to ensure our products were capable of meeting the unique and specific requirements of managing devices over a satellite network,” he says. “We’re obviously pleased that they noted the technical advantage and differentiated capabilities of our solution. We look forward to venturing into this new realm with a proven leader such as ViaSat.”
ViaSat Vice President Bill Hallstrom is equally optimistic about the partnership. “Axiros has deep industry knowledge in device management and the TR-069 protocol,” he says. “By partnering with them, we’re able to implement the highest-quality products and services into our turnkey satellite systems, bringing value-added benefits to our own satellite services and those we deliver to other providers.”