 SmartBoost gives broadband service providers (BSPs) a mechanism to enable subscriber self-selection of bandwidth-oriented services. The BSP has complete flexibility in defining and pricing those services and can craft as many individual services as desired. While the most likely service BSPs will offer is a temporary increase in downstream bandwidth (i.e., a “boost”), there are a myriad of other services that are similar in nature but may be packaged differently in order to increase take rates.
SmartBoost is one of many Zeugma Smart Series applications than run within the Open Application Sandbox (OAS) on the Zeugma Service Node’s (ZSN's) integral and scalable compute grid. SmartBoost can run in conjunction with other Smart Series applications such as SmartVideo and SmartMeter to construct compelling service combinations for subscribers.
Subscriber self-selection of BSP services can be accomplished in a number of ways:
Standard web browser. Subscribers can use any PC or Mac-based web browser to select service alternatives that are presented as part of the BSP’s service portal.
Television and remote control. Zeugma has integrated SmartBoost functionality into set top boxes such as the Roku digital video player. This allows subscribers to modify their bandwidth requirements in real time using the remote control.
SmartPhone. Zeugma has developed a SmartBoost app for Apple’s App Store, allowing subscribers to modify bandwidth using iPhones or iPod Touches when connected to their in-home Wi-Fi network. Other web-enabled smart phones can also control broadband bandwidth using SmartBoost.
A key aspect of SmartBoost is to simplify and expedite subscriber self-selection of bandwidth oriented services. By delivering the capability to a multiplicity of consumer devices—PCs, televisions, iPhones, web-enabled smart phones—SmartBoost makes it easy for subscriber to interact with the network in real time. And by implementing subscriber requests directly, SmartBoost reduces cost for BSPs by eliminating the need for complex, multi-box signaling mechanisms.
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