CCAPS vendor SoftAtHome has long provided voice control capabilities for CPE such as set-top boxes, smart speakers, gateways and WiFi repeaters via its Watch’ON solution, but is now expanding this competence by joining forces with the Amazon Alexa Solution Provider Network.
SoftAtHome, which is owned by Orange, Etisalat and Swisscom, has six CCAPS for broadband (Connect’ON), Wi-Fi (Wifi’ON), Security (Secure’ON), Smart Home (Things’ON), video (Watch’ON), analytics and QoE monitoring (Eyes’ON). Its products leverage cloud-based software components and software embedded in multiple mobile and fixed devices, and are already deployed by CSPs in over 25 million home networks and millions more mobile devices. In 2018, it acquired V3D, a vendor of data analytics software for network operators.
David Viret-Lange, CEO of SoftAtHome, says becoming an Alexa Solution Provider will enable it to widen the capabilities it provides to operators’ branded home solutions by delivering and deploying AVS technology and design services for service providers. This includes seamlessly connecting entertainment and IoT experiences, developing Alexa Video Skills, as well as managing end-to-end voice service integration and analytics tools.
He notes that as voice assistants are increasingly adopted to control in-home devices his company is pleased to collaborate with Amazon to bring together SoftAtHome expertise and Amazon Alexa technology to deliver “an outstanding home experience.”
Omnisperience’s View
This tie-up is particularly interesting because it brings together the world of digital devices and content with the service provider world. It emphasises that neither market has all the capabilities needed by customers and underlines the need for collaboration to broaden CCAPS offerings.
