BandwidthX

BandwidthX is a cloud-based marketplace operator in which both mobile operators and internet service providers can define value for data capacity in real time and are automatically matched when values align. The virtual trading platform allows mobile operators and internet service providers the opportunity to share their unused capacity on a regular basis. These services are intended to optimize the utilization of mobile data networks across boundaries by optimizing networks and trading data capacity to provide data at a lower cost and complement existing wholesale mobile data methods.

The company was founded in 2011 by Pertti Visuri and is headquartered in Carlsbad, California. Initially, the company's business was based on Wi-Fi capacity with millions of mobile devices and access points on its platform. Since then, the company's services have grown to include cellular capacity, including LTE and 5G, with its Xpacity platform.

Since its founding, BandwidthX has been recognized by industry groups including the GSMA, which selected the company for the GSMA 100; the Wireless Broadband Alliance, which awarded the company its Best New Venture Award in 2013 and the Best Wi-Fi Management Solution for a Service Provider Award in 2015; Light Reading's "Wi-Fi Mover and Shaker"; and Fierce Wireless, which named the company as one of its "Fierce 15" Wireless Companies.

BandwidthX works to increase efficiency and utilization to extend the capacity and coverage of data networks, creating CapEx and OpEx savings, and enhancing mobile connectivity for mobile subscribers. The solutions built by the company are as a result of years of collaboration with mobile operator and network provider participants.

The solutions serve network operators, who are given a chance to use an existing network and create more value from it, and mobile operators, who can use BandwidthX's platform and solutions to make data capacity more agile and meet busy hour demands.

The Xpacity platform developed by BandwidthX is a cloud service that uses cloud-computing and multi-dimensional algorithms to help unlock underutilized cellular capacity. The service is capable of calculating mobile network baseline settings to find the best conditions of selection parameters. As well, the platform works to improve network management functions through new and different optimization strategies.

Graphic visualization of how Xpacity works.

The Xpacity platform is capable of increasing network efficiency by optimally moving mobile devices from a loaded cell or frequency to a better alternative to improve overall coverage and performance. This also creates capacity and throughput improvements. To do this, the platform considers both signal and load conditions and their combined effect on frequencies and cells in a mobile network. This is where the platform's algorithms work to assure each mobile device will be served by the cell in the network layer and achieve the best user experience and cost savings. As well, by offering the platform virtually, in cloud, it can be used without need for any technology or hardware deployments.

The platform includes an analysis tool for creating detailed scenarios and analyzing "what-ifs" to provide the best result for users and their networks. It offers a cross optimizer, which works to calculate the needed set of 3GPP parameters for maximizing speeds and reducing loads. And it offers control parameters, which include calibrated baseline of cell selection setting, and with new parameters entered monthly.

BxWiFi is a service provided by BandwidthX that works to optimize the use of wireless data utilizing all available Wi-Fi and cellular, in order to save cost and provide a better user experience. The service saves cellular data by improving how mobile devices select Wi-Fi when a good quality connection is available. The service works to assure a good customer experience by balancing Wi-Fi connections automatically and managing the status of the Wi-Fi radio without disturbing the device user.

BxWiFi is composed of two elements: BxApp and BxMarket. Through BxMarket, mobile operators are able to set policies for accessing additional capacity using parameters including time, location, and quality thresholds. This is to ensure that alternative data capacity is only used when it is able of creating value.

The BxApp, which is on a user's mobile device, communicates with BandwidthX's cloud-based servers hosting the policies in real time, and when the parameters are met, the app automatically and seamlessly shifts data traffic to available Wi-Fi. Connections are only established when the quality of service and thresholds are verified to ensure a good user experience.

BxAnalytics is a service offered by BandwidthX that works to provide deep understanding of cellular and Wi-Fi network performance. The data is based on aggregated and anonymous data points about environment and network conditions, which is gathered and pooled from millions of devices. An example of the type of analytics is Peak Load Analysis, which has developed an advanced algorithm to analyze the billions of included data points. This allows the BxAnalytics solution to estimate the actual peak load distribution in LTE networks, and can help customers understand and analyze data consumption trends. Furthermore, it can help the same customers understand the effect of network upgrades, the use of Wi-Fi networks, and network optimization.