Smart pipe, related to a

mobile network operator A mobile network operator (MNO), also known as a wireless service provider, wireless carrier, cellular company, or mobile network carrier, is a provider of wireless communications services that owns or controls all the elements necessary to sell ...

(MNO or ''operator''), refers to an operator’s network which leverages existing or unique service abilities, and the operator’s customer relationships, to provide value beyond that of data connectivity only. The use of the term “smart” refers to the operator’s ability to add value for added, and often unique, types of services and content beyond bandwidth and network speed only. Among the commonly understood operational models for a MNO are smart pipes, walled gardens, and dumb pipes.

Examples

While there is no real industry standard definition of a smart pipe, there are several operators, bloggers, and researchers who have described aspects of a smart pipe which are generally accepted. Network operator 3 led the way with the release of its X-Series line of devices in 2006. The X-Series platform bundles a set of services, several of which are unique to 3, and provides unlimited data access in exchange for a fixed monthly premium. While not necessarily a full realization of a smart pipe, 3 is one of the first operators to offer such a combination of bandwidth and value-added services for flat-rate pricing. In addition to pricing, there is a set of services commonly viewed as parts of a smart pipe,The Operators vs. the Media Brands
/ref> such as: * Location-based services *

Presence information In computer and telecommunications networks, presence information is a status indicator that conveys ability and willingness of a potential communication partner—for example a user—to communicate. A user's client provides presence information (p ...

Customer analytics In sales, commerce, and economics, a customer (sometimes known as a client, buyer, or purchaser) is the recipient of a good, service, product or an idea - obtained from a seller, vendor, or supplier via a financial transaction or exch ...

* Computing platforms, mobile or application ** Mobile operating systems * User interfaces * Personalization * Application programming interfaces (APIs), for devices or networks * Payment, Billing * Directory assistance, directory services * Quality of service By exposing these types of services to the mobile ecosystem, network operators can maintain the value of their pipes while enabling entrepreneurs to create new business models and generate entirely new revenue streams. The need for operators to innovate around a smart pipe is rising as they face rising pressure from media companies and new technologies, such as Apple’s iPhone,

Nokia Nokia Corporation (natively Nokia Oyj, referred to as Nokia) is a Finnish multinational telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics corporation, established in 1865. Nokia's main headquarters are in Espoo, Finlan ...

’s consumer portal

Ovi OVI may refer to: * Ohio Volunteer Infantry, volunteer regiment during the American Civil War * Operating a Vehicle under the Influence (of alcohol and/or drugs) * Optically Variable Ink, anti-counterfeiting measure in currency * Open Verilog In ...

, and even the open-access policies of the U.S.

Federal Communications Commission The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States. The FCC maintains jurisd ...

(FCC) introduced around its upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction. Recently,

Arun Sarin Arun Sarin (born 21 October 1954) is an Indian-American telecommunications executive. Sarin was the former CEO of the telecom giant Vodafone, serving from 2003 until 2008. He drove the integration of Vodafone, Airtouch and Mannesman. He was ...

, CEO of Vodafone, was criticized for some statements he made about how Vodafone will always have a unique relationship with its subscribers through its billing relationship.Vodafone CEO sticks head in sand, goes 'La la la'
/ref> Although Sarin’s point has been true traditionally, as the article points out there are several new threats to that exclusivity such as traditional credit card, Obopay, PayPal Mobile, and existing media companies like

Google Google LLC () is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company focusing on Search Engine, search engine technology, online advertising, cloud computing, software, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, ar ...

via the

Android platform Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software, designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Android is developed by a consortium of d ...

, Yahoo via Go, and

Apple An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus '' Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ances ...

via iPhone.

References

{{Reflist Mobile technology

Examples

See also

References