Scaling next-gen access: The cost efficiency imperative

Niefern-Öschelbronn, June 4, 2025

Retail and enterprise customers alike are demanding faster and more reliable connectivity at increasingly competitive prices. To meet those expectations, communication service providers (CSPs) are investing significantly in upgrading their access infrastructure to high-bandwidth passive optical network (PON) technologies, such as XGS-PON. With shrinking margins and intensifying competition, operational efficiency is key to achieve positive returns on these investments.

However, this shift towards high-capacity, next-gen networks significantly increases complexity. The resulting challenge for CSPs is twofold:

This complexity is further increased by the typical approach of vendor-specific NMS, ad-hoc scripting and manual processes. Such approaches are time-consuming, highly error-prone, and ultimately diminish service agility, hindering CSPs’ ability to respond instantly to changing market requirements. To overcome this, CSPs need innovative, cost-efficient approaches to network rollout and extensive automation to maximize operational efficiency.

FNT, Inmanta & WISI: Streamlining hybrid network rollout

FNT Software, Inmanta and WISI provide CSPs with a comprehensive and cost-effective solution that supports the rapid rollout of hybrid access networks using WISI’s innovative network solutions, and that simplifies network operations thanks to Inmanta’s intent-based service orchestrator and the unified inventory from FNT Software.

WISI’s hardened Novalink Outdoor Aggregation Devices are designed to seamlessly aggregate a  wide range of access technologies, including Remote-PHYs (R-PHY), XGS-PON,  and point-to-point Ethernet business connections.

Inmanta Connect is a turnkey solution for intent-based service orchestration of connectivity services across diverse technologies and domains. It empowers CSPs with out-of-the-box service lifecycle management (from provisioning, updating, scaling up to self-healing and decommissioning).

FNT Command is an unified network inventory with a rich set of preconfigured models and out-of-the-box features, that can be deployed to instantly start with network documentation. The FNT Command network inventory management can be later extended to all network domains in a phased manner.

Together, these components deliver key benefits such as enhanced cost-efficiency, simplified operations and unparalleled flexibility.

Figure 1: FNT Command and Inmanta Connect enable end-to-end orchestration and lifecycle management across  hybrid networks, built using WISI’s flexible solution consisting of outdoor aggregation switches and pluggable XGS-PON OLTs.

Optimize TCO

WISI’s Novalink Outdoor Aggregation Devices enable easy aggregation across diverse network segments, reducing the need for expensive, standalone equipment and streamlining management. It accommodates additional R-PHY nodes, high-bitrate PON residential customers, and Ethernet business customers — all seamlessly connected to a high-performance 100G fiber uplink. Moreover, Novalink extends the range to cover longer distances, without the need to build or maintain repeaters.

A second optimization is achieved by introducing Inmanta Connect and FNT Command. It provides a single, integrated solution to orchestrate, configure and document network services across multiple vendors and technologies, eliminating the complexity and cost of multiple vendor-specific NMS solutions. FNT further enhances this with end-to-end (E2E) visualization of the network infrastructure as well as streamlined planning and operational workflows.

Simplify operations through unified API and E2E consistency

Inmanta Connect exposes a unified API, independently of the network technologies and equipment in the underlying hybrid network. Through this RESTful northbound API, the orchestrator captures the high-level intent and dynamically translates it to the correct config, such as the PEs, aggregation switches, OLTs etc. Moreover, Inmanta fully automates the E2E service lifecycle, streamlining operations from provisioning to decommissioning, and improving speed and reliability.

E2E network visibility is essential as network consistency directly impacts business continuity and customer satisfaction. Therefore, every order and change is automatically documented by Inmanta Connect into FNT Command, ensuring a reliable, up-to-date source of truth for network operations as well as the business. The integration between FNT and Inmanta also maintains a single, consistent view of the physical and logical network, reducing errors and simplifying troubleshooting.

Flexible & scalable expansion

The solution by FNT, Inmanta and WISI supports diverse technologies and vendors, allowing CSPs to gradually adapt to new market demands and technology shifts without costly overhauls. For example, WISI’s Novalink offers a port-based and therefore flexible and scalable XGS-PON solution for urban and rural areas. Their Helix pluggable OLTs makes it possible to gradually introduce XGS-PON alongside existing point-to-point Ethernet lines, significantly reducing capital expenditures.

Similar flexibility is available with the Inmanta Connect orchestrator and FNT Command inventory. These enable CSPs to manage complex, multi-vendor setups while accelerating innovation and streamlining the integration of emerging technologies into the existing infrastructure. Automated processes enable quick, seamless migration between network vendors and technologies, minimizing downtime and disruption during upgrades or reconfigurations.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

This combined solution from WISI, Inmanta, and FNT empowers CSPs to deploy high-capacity fiber networks more efficiently, reduce operational complexity, and improve overall network agility. By embracing this integrated approach, telcos can effectively balance the need for rapid expansion with long-term profitability, ensuring they remain competitive in a fast-evolving market.

WISI Communications: 

WISI employs 350 people worldwide at locations in Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, China, the United States of America and Canada. Of these, 140 employees work at the site in Germany. In addition, WISI works with more than 100 partners in all major international markets.

Almost 100 years ago, the successful path of the high-tech company began as one of the world’s pioneers in radio frequency and broadband technology. Modern broadband networks must be intelligent, powerful and scalable transport solutions. This is our business. As an innovator and technology integrator for key communications sectors, we are committed to innovation, now and in the future. For more information about WISI Communications, visit wisigroup.com

Media Contact:

WISI Communications GmbH & Co. KG

Sandra Eckert

Tel.: + 49 7233 66 531

E-Mail: sandra.eckert@wisi.de