Openreach is set to roll out Nokia’s Altiplano Access Controller, a cloud-based software-defined networking (SDN) platform, across its full-fiber broadband and ethernet infrastructure.
This move aims to enhance automation, boost network visibility, and improve control and product flexibility for Openreach customers and their end users.
The deployment of Altiplano is expected to simplify network management, improve reliability, and reduce operational costs. Enhanced automation will facilitate faster fault detection, making network management more efficient while providing improved service delivery.
The Altiplano platform also simplifies Operations Support Systems (OSS) through advanced abstraction capabilities. By leveraging intent-based configuration, Altiplano can autonomously configure end-to-end services across network clusters, reducing the need for detailed OSS intervention on individual components.
Latest: Openreach Brings Ultra-Fast, Full-Fiber Broadband to Grangemouth
A “World-First” Deployment
Altiplano will manage clusters of Nokia hardware supporting Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) and point-to-point ethernet configurations for Openreach’s EAD2 offering in both dedicated and shared setups. A vital feature of the Altiplano platform is its ability to enable streaming telemetry, which provides near real-time insight into network performance.
In a statement, Trevor Linney, Director of Network Technology for Openreach, highlighted the uniqueness of this deployment, “We are working on what we believe to be a world-first deployment of the Altiplano access controller platform to enhance resilience and service in our fixed full-fiber network. This next step will manage clusters that include OLTs (Optical Line Terminals) and IP equipment, with Nokia developing new capabilities for us to support a multi-service, future-proof network platform.”
The Altiplano platform will go live in April 2025, with a full product launch slated for 2026.
Additionally, Openreach announced plans in August to introduce its first symmetric ultrafast FTTP broadband product, delivering speeds of 1 Gbps in select areas. The service is targeting premises under its ‘Type C’ bid for the UK Government’s Project Gigabit initiative and is expected to launch in April next year.