Today, Broadband Forum revealed that combining two smart home connectivity standards will allow network operators and broadband service providers (BSPs) to offer value-added services. This will also help the smart home reach its full potential.
When connected to the Broadband Forum’s main User Services Platform (USP), the Connectivity Standards Alliance’s Matter protocol will make it easier for BSPs to set up and control devices that are compatible with the smart home.
Matter networks and devices, like a TV or speaker, are handled, watched, and controlled by an app on a smartphone, a hub, or a smart display. All supported devices, no matter what brand they are, will be able to be controlled by a cloud-based controller that is built on standards.
The project will level the playing field because the big smart home players have split up the application space right now, said Jason Walls, co-director of the Broadband User Services (BUS) work area and director of technical marketing at the QA Cafe.
“BSPs will be able to make the smart home experience easier and more unified for end users by putting in a single managed Matter-enabled gateway.” For Matter to reach its full potential, the smart home industry as a whole needs to work together. We’re excited to move this project forward in the coming months.
There will be a standard from Broadband Forum called “MatterService Data Model for USP-enabled Devices (WT-517)” by the summer of 2025.
Orange Senior VP Home Services Innovation Chem Assayag said, “Network operators are very important to the end user experience in the smart home because they own the home connectivity.” “Orange is a member of both the CSA and the Broadband Forum, and we know that using standard protocols is important for getting a full picture of the home network.”
By adding Matter to the USP data model and showing off the powers of Matter devices, network operators and BSPs can make it easier to set up and keep an eye on new services, which makes it easier than ever to improve user experiences.
“This is not just a technical upgrade; it is a strategic opportunity to drive widespread adoption of the Matter standard, preparing the entire home ecosystem for the smart home revolution,” he said.
The USP not only gives network operators better control over connected devices in the smart home, but it’s also a good platform for letting the application layer and control layer talk to each other. The control layer manages how resources are assigned to apps.
The USP internet network is made up of USP Controllers, which get the data and use it, and USP Agents, which make the data available. The project explains how the MatterService data model can be added to USP Agents.
These are computers that do things like firewalls and speed tests and are controlled by the USP Controller. They usually live in CPE like routers and gates.
The MatterService data model will work with the Device:2 data model for USP Agents framework and the Broadband Forum’s TR-181 standard. Send an email to info@broadband-forum.org to join the project.
About the Broadband Forum
The Broadband Forum is a global organization that helps operators, application providers, and vendors provide better broadband services. It is run by the industry and works to create standards.
The Broadband Forum is the recognized center of expertise in the industry. It offers an easy-to-reach, efficient, and useful community where everyone involved in broadband can work together to create, improve, and promote open standards and software. This lays the groundwork for solutions that can be used in the global broadband business.
The forum puts out interoperable standards and open software, started certification programs, and supports education in the business. You can use these best practices and models to create a strong broadband ecosystem that supports a thriving, services-driven broadband industry built on open standards, global collaboration, and open source, making the most of the value for everyone involved.