Nokia has unveiled its first-ever Wi-Fi 6E supporting gateway, the Beacon 10, to enable seamless, high-capacity mesh networking. As a true tri-band device, it can deliver Wi-Fi throughput of up to 10Gbps and features a 10G WAN interface that works with 10 Gb/second fibre modems to deliver multi-gigabit services to homes. The product was showcased for the first time at the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona.

With the widespread deployment of 10G fibre powered by XGS-PON, upgrades to home and business Wi-Fi are essential to achieve super-high speeds for enabled devices. Wi-Fi 6E, represented by the ‘E’ in Wi-Fi 6E, offers faster speeds and lower latencies, making it ideal for the latest office applications, home entertainment, and remote work experiences.

Nokia has also upgraded its Nokia WiFi Cloud Controller to function as a User Services Platform (USP) controller, according to a recent announcement. USP is the industry standard protocol used to manage services and configurations in network devices. The Nokia USP agent in the Beacon 10 is based on the open-source OB-USPA, allowing it to be managed by any USP controller, including the Nokia WiFi Cloud Controller.

During its presentation at the MWC, Nokia also showcased its all-in-one console for Wi-Fi management and optimisation, which will be available to customer care operators, network administrators, onsite technicians, and level 3 support staff. It will provide advanced WiFi optimisation, troubleshooting, and management.

Nokia has developed an ecosystem of app developers to ensure CSPs can provide their customers with the value-added services they need on their Wi-Fi units. The Beacon 10 supports the latest fully integrated cybersecurity application from F-Secure, which is delivered as a containerised application.

Dirk Verhaegen, VP Broadband Devices, Nokia, said: “We are proud to introduce Nokia’s first Wi-Fi 6E product for premium, high-performance Wi-Fi in the home and office. Not only does it offer faster speeds, but it also supports 3rd party applications and a USP agent to be fully compatible with multiple controllers, making it much easier for operators to manage. Third-party apps and USP are both of strategic interest to Nokia and we will include them in all new broadband devices we introduce, as well as retro-fitting to select existing equipment”

Michael Philpott, Research Director, Digital Consumer Services at Omdia, said: “Vendors like Nokia are paving the path for the next generation of in-home broadband devices with a container application framework that separates the application from the operating system. F-Secure is the first partner to fully leverage Nokia’s application ecosystem to bring its cybersecurity solution to Nokia broadband devices using this innovative and open environment.”