Broadband  |  2024-02-27

Casa Systems and Alef Collaborate to Unlock Potential for Mobile Private Networks

Curated by: Gert Jan Wolf - Editor-in Chief for The Critical Communications Review

Casa Systems, a provider of cloud-native network solutions catering to communications services providers (CSPs) globally, and Alef, an industry leader in mobile connectivity solutions, have formed a collaborative alliance to unveil an innovative Mobile Private Network (MPN) solution. By means of this pioneering partnership, CSPs obtain an MPN solution that redefines the industry and propels enterprise-wide adoption.

Eliminating the Antiquated: Conquering Conventional MPN Obstacles

According to a recent estimate by the GSMA, 5G MPNs could generate $109.4 billion in revenue by 2030. MPNs provide enterprises with the ability to facilitate a wide range of use cases, including but not limited to AR/VR training, supply chain management, and mission-critical communications, due to their high speed, dependability, customization, and security. However, the advancement of MPN deployments has been impeded since the introduction of 5G due to the severe integration issues with enterprise IT systems, the exorbitant expenses, and the rigidity of existing MPN solutions.

The Alef-Casa solution effectively resolves long-standing obstacles and accommodates unique organizational needs. Integrating Alef's authentication, authorization policy, and management functionalities with Casa's cloud-native 5G Expansion Suite, a 5G standalone (SA)-compliant solution that supplements the CSP's existing core network, the solution further integrates these components. An enterprise MPN solution is produced that effectively caters to the management requirements of IT policies and data residency/sovereignty. Additionally, it offers the benefits of 5G mobile connectivity with the ease of administration typically associated with Wi-Fi networks.

Colin Kincaid, CPO of Casa Systems, commented, "By integrating Alef’s enterprise-centric authentication, authorization policy, and management with Casa’s cloud-native 5G Expansion Suite and in-building radio access products, we can deliver a differentiated mobile connectivity solution that works seamlessly with enterprise network authentication and policy frameworks–all with the deployment and management simplicity of Wi-Fi."

Incorporating the New: Meeting the Requirements of Carriers

The joint effort between Alef and Casa provides essential functionalities that are critical in realizing the MPN vision:

  • Distributed Lightweight Core: Small footprint for enterprise applications
  • Horizontal Scalability: As a SaaS-based solution, seamlessly extending across enterprises and enterprise locations.
  • Dynamic Network Services: On-demand allocation of dedicated bandwidth
  • Enterprise IT Integration: Completely integrating the benefits of mobile radio into the current IT infrastructure.
  • Policy Control: Integrated security, identity, and unified policy expansion
  • Management and Visibility of a Single Pane: To facilitate operations

Mike Mulica, president and CEO of Alef, stated, "Together with Casa Systems, we are unlocking the opportunity for mobile carriers to deliver their enterprise customers a fully IT-native enterprise MPN solution."

The integration of Alef and Casa's solutions empowers carriers to take the lead in enterprise connectivity, thereby transforming the business environment and driving the industry towards a future in which connectivity can be tailored to the specific profile requirements of individual commercial clients.