Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (J:COM), Japan's largest cable TV operator serving more than 5.5 million subscribers, and smart home services expert Plume, on June 29 announced an expanded partnership where J:COM will distribute Plume's smart home Wi-Fi platform to cable operators throughout Japan.
Per a Plume official statement, "From today, Japanese cable operators now have the ability to offer the world's most advanced Consumer Experience Management (CEM) Platform for the smart home. Powered by cloud and AI technologies, Plume's CEM Platform enhances the subscriber's in-home Wi-Fi experience, while significantly reducing the service provider's operational costs. ZAQ Mesh Wi-Fi, Powered by Plume combines intelligent back-end support tools and highly-personalized front-end consumer services."
Plume calls itself the creator of "the world's first Consumer Experience Management (CEM) Platform powered by OpenSync. "As the only open and hardware-independent solution, Plume enables the curation and delivery of new Smart Home Services rapidly and at massive scale," adds a product statement, which further informs, "The Plume HomePass Smart Home Services Suite (which includes Plume Adaptive WiFi, AI Security, secure Access Controls, advanced Parental Controls, and Plume Motion) is managed by the Plume Cloud, a data- and AI-driven cloud controller currently running the largest software-defined network in the world. Plume leverages OpenSync, an open-source framework which comes pre-integrated with leading silicon and platform SDKs for coordination by the Plume Cloud."
Plume's CEM Platform provides a comprehensive view of a subscriber's home network and enables customer support teams to rapidly identify and proactively resolve issues.
J:COM will offer Plume's full suite of products, including its Haystack platform, Plume's intelligent suite of support services, tools and data dashboards. Plume says Haystack provides "unprecedented insight to enable service providers to manage subscribers more effectively." As a result, Plume contends "customer satisfaction is significantly increased, while churn and support costs are dramatically reduced."
"Plume understands the critical needs, demands and challenges of today's smart homes and has become an established partner to ISPs, including cable operators, around the world," said Mr. Yusuke Ujimoto, corporate officer and GM, Business Innovation Unit at J:COM. "Cable operators across Japan are now empowered with the tools and technology they need to remain competitive and provide high-value services to their subscribers."
As part of Plume's CEM Platform, Japanese cable operators will also be able to offer the associated HomePass service to their subscribers. HomePass defines an expanding suite of Smart Home Services that can be self-installed in minutes through the Plume App, including:
- Plume Adaptive WiFi intelligently optimizes in-home networks to deliver flawless Internet-delivered services to every device
- Advanced User Controls provide visibility into what's happening on a user's network, allowing them to set guest and child access controls, profiles, content filters, even pause the internet
- AI Security detects and blocks potential security threats, customizes content access, and eliminates unwanted ads
- Plume Motion uses Wi-Fi-connected devices to provide whole-home awareness through motion detection
- SuperPod Wi-Fi access points plug directly into power outlets and ensure reliable, whole-home Internet coverage
The total ZAQ Mesh Wi-Fi, Powered by Plume platform can be deployed and scaled rapidly, adds the company, meaning that operators can be ready to deploy in less than 45 days.
J:COM has already secured roll-outs with ten cable operators. Chupicom Fureai, Chupicom Hiroshima, Imizu Cable Network, and Kanazawa Cable all will deploy services in July, with Ichinoseki Cable Network, Katch Network, CableTV (Tochigi), Ina Cable Television, CRCC Media and Bay Communications Inc. following in the second half of 2020.
"We're excited to offer our subscribers a new level of speed, security, personalization and control in their homes," commented Mr. Hiroyuki Nakatani, executive managing director, Chupicom Fureai. He added, "'ZAQ Mesh Wi-Fi, Powered by Plume, is the perfect solution to complement our premium broadband offering and meet our commitment to attain the highest levels of customer satisfaction."
The expanded J:COM-Plume partnership follows the successful launch of the J:COM Mesh Wi-Fi, Powered by Plume platform in October 2019. The company notes its Plume Cloud today manages more than 800 million devices in 16 million homes across the world.
"We're delighted to enable J:COM to develop its commercial operations and at the same time, further expand Plume's presence throughout Japan and Asia," concluded Mr. Fahri Diner, co-founder and CEO, Plume. "Today, in-home connectivity is at the forefront of every consumer's mind, and we believe that with self-install and contactless support at the heart of our offering, there is no better time for cable operators in Japan to delight their subscribers with a comprehensive smart home offering."
Visit www.plume.com and www.opensync.io for more information.
