Test and service assurance vendor EXFO has launched a new smartphone application that it claims can provide operators with real-time insight into their customers’ quality of experience (QoE) thanks to four layers of visibility.
The vendor’s new Brix Mobile Agent (BMA) has been designed to analyse subscriber-device KPIs in real time and to perform troubleshooting tasks before the problem affects customers.
The app supports two modes: a Foreground Mode, where engineers and technicians can run tests on smartphones; and a Remote Control Mode where tests and SLAs are scheduled and run by back-end operations teams.
Thierno Diallo, Product Manager, Service Assurance at EXFO, told Mobile Europe that the new app will “change the way” technicians and engineers operate.
“We are giving direct control to technicians and engineers through a handset. It would use the same internet connection which is provided by [mobile operators] to their consumers, this way technicians would experience and judge the quality of the connection directly,” he said.
The app allows operators to select and monitor a range of data metrics, while technicians and engineers can validate the different classes of service as well as perform active troubleshooting.
Diallo said that most products on the market provide only “one layer of visibility”, but the BMA has four layers.
“Most products on the market can only measure radio frequency (RF) performance, which is just one layer of visibility. BRIX is different, Âit not only measures RF metrics but also quality of data connection, application performance and network metrics  that’s four layers of visibility,” he explained.
According to Diallo, such techniques are becoming ever more important as 4G LTE networks get common and operators will have to “really concentrate” on service assurance as the new technology takes hold.
“4G has changed everything. The consumer is expecting more from their operator they want better speed and quality service,” he said.