How Operators Can Maximize Fiber Investments | Incognito Insights

According to the Nokia Future of Connected Building report, the multi-dwelling unit (MDU) segment represents 25% of the addressable American market. As telcos continue their fiber rollouts and gain new subscribers, the challenge lies in ensuring that no device is left behind. This is where a unified infrastructure becomes crucial, enabling operators to deliver a superior customer broadband experience for new products and legacy devices, ultimately increasing average revenue per user (ARPU) in a competitive climate.

Bridging the Digital Divide

To bridge the digital divide and tap into the MDU segment, operators must focus on delivering a seamless connectivity experience. This involves not only launching new products and services and reaching additional markets, but also ensuring that legacy devices are supported when operators are putting BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) funding to work. A unified device management infrastructure allows for this, providing a consistent and high-quality experience for all fixed broadband customers, regardless of the technology within the home.

Demonstrating Service and Network Automation

Incognito and technology partners, Vecima, Inango, Harmonic, F-Secure, Hitron, Sercomm, and KAON BROADBAND, will demonstrate OSS service and network automation in fiber interoperability and the connected home. This demonstration will showcase how next-gen and legacy devices can coexist, enabling operators to maximize their FTTx investments.

New in 2025, we change the game by adding MDU automation with Vecima OLT and consumer IoT, underpinned by a superior Wi-Fi experience, and build on the success of the Incognito 2024 innovative demo, where we showcased fiber interop (Broadband Forum 247 GPON ONU Certification) with Harmonic OLT and Sercomm ONU.

2025 Key Innovations

1. The integration of consumer IoT devices, such as smart speakers, adds a new dimension to the broadband experience. For example, users can ask, "Alexa, how is my quality of experience today?" and receive real-time feedback on their internet performance. Our new partner, Inango, ties into Incognito here and makes legacy devices "speak" TR-369 to ensure no device is left behind.
2. Operators can rapidly deploy value-added service applications into containers on TR-369 residential gateways, like those from KAON BROADBAND, set-top-boxes in connected homes, and Hitron ONU/ONTs. This allows for the quick introduction of higher-ARPU products, such as network security managed by service providers. Incognito will orchestrate the F-Secure application lifecycle in the proof of concept.
3. But when 90% of connectivity issues occur within the home, all the apps and gadgets in the world won't save the day. Incognito's DX Home Score helps improve subscriber quality of experience via automated Wi-Fi optimization, putting into action the Broadband Forum 398 carrier-grade Wi-Fi standard.

What's Next?

The future of connected buildings and smart connectivity is bright. By leveraging fiber interoperability and innovative technologies, operators can tap into the 25% addressable MDU market in the US, bridge the digital divide, and ensure no device is left behind. This approach enhances the customer experience and drives higher ARPU in a competitive market.

If you want to squeeze more revenue out of your fiber footprint, check out Incognito's exclusive POC demo at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville. Book a meeting with us!