What's Happening?
Lumen Technologies has announced a partnership with Meter, an enterprise networking startup, to offer a comprehensive software-defined connectivity solution for businesses. This collaboration integrates Lumen's wide area network (WAN) capabilities with Meter's
local area network (LAN) platform, allowing enterprise customers to manage their network services through a single procurement portal, Meter Connect, and soon via Microsoft Marketplace. The partnership aims to streamline network management and provide AI-ready connectivity solutions. Meter, founded in 2015, has positioned itself as a pioneer in the Network as a Service (NaaS) sector, drawing comparisons to AWS in terms of its approach to networking. The company has developed a complete networking stack, including power, routing, switching, security, wireless, and cellular services, all on a single hardware platform. This initiative is part of Lumen's strategy to expand its Connected Ecosystem, which currently serves over 1,000 customers.
Why It's Important?
The partnership between Lumen Technologies and Meter is significant as it represents a shift in how enterprise networks are managed and deployed. By offering a unified platform for WAN and LAN services, businesses can achieve greater efficiency and flexibility in their network operations. This development is particularly relevant for industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and education, which require robust and scalable network solutions. The integration of AI-ready connectivity further positions Lumen and Meter as leaders in the evolving landscape of enterprise networking. Additionally, Meter's approach to eliminating upfront capital costs and providing autonomous network management could disrupt traditional networking models, offering businesses more control and reducing long-term expenses.
What's Next?
As Lumen and Meter continue to develop their partnership, they are expected to unveil new products and enhancements at the MeterUp customer event. These include updated firewalls, switches, Wi-Fi 7 access points, and a 5G gateway, alongside an upgraded software platform. Meter is also working on training AI models for autonomous networking, with a goal to achieve fully autonomous networks by 2027. The collaboration may prompt other industry players to innovate and adapt to the changing demands of enterprise connectivity, potentially leading to more partnerships and advancements in the NaaS sector.
Beyond the Headlines
The partnership between Lumen and Meter highlights the growing importance of software-defined networking and the shift towards more flexible, scalable solutions in the enterprise sector. This trend reflects broader changes in technology adoption, where businesses are increasingly seeking solutions that offer greater control and adaptability. The focus on AI-ready connectivity also underscores the role of artificial intelligence in transforming network management, potentially leading to more efficient and responsive systems. As the industry evolves, ethical considerations around data privacy and security will become increasingly important, requiring companies to address these challenges proactively.
