The change in network operation - why modern PON infrastructures need new operating models

Fibre optics is rolling - and with it, the infrastructure of many network operators is growing. However, network expansion not only increases bandwidths and connections, but also the requirements for operation, monitoring and further development of the underlying systems. What still seems manageable in small setups can quickly become a real operational challenge in growing PON environments.

Traditional operating models reach their limits

Many operators still manage their networks with a variety of isolated tools, manually maintained processes and decentralised operating teams. With increasing network depth and complexity, this model leads to growing susceptibility to errors, higher personnel costs and rising operating costs.

The introduction of a management platform such as Nokia Altiplano brings with it an enormous range of functions, but also a high operational burden. The initial commissioning alone is a multi-stage process with numerous technical dependencies. Altiplano does not work at the push of a button, but is a platform with a complex decision tree that encompasses architecture, service concepts, integrations, interfaces and authorisation models in equal measure. Many of these decisions cannot be easily reversed at a later date and require expertise that is only available on the market to a limited extent.

"Altiplano unleashes its full potential through the combination of cutting-edge Kubernetes technology and our in-depth expertise – delivering precise and reliable solutions for the most demanding requirements.” — Timm Preuß, Lead Consultant, Network Applications, Xantaro

However, the infrastructure also needs to be considered. For stable and scalable operation, Nokia recommends using a distributed container cluster modelled on Kubernetes, a setup that poses challenges even for experienced IT teams. Aspects such as high-availability clustering, monitoring, security hardening, reliable backup strategies and automated self-healing mechanisms require in-depth expertise in modern platform architecture. Even regular software updates from Altiplano are not a matter of course, but must be carefully planned, tested and rolled out in a controlled manner so as not to jeopardise the stability of ongoing operations.

In the coming years, it can be assumed that the shortage of skilled labour will continue to increase - partly due to the age-related departure of experienced specialists. At the same time, qualified new profiles are difficult to find, but the requirement remains unchanged: The networks must be maintained, secured and continuously developed around the clock - reliably, securely and economically.

Altiplano as a central platform for modern PON architectures

Altiplano provides network operators with a modern SDAN (Software Defined Access Network) platform that has been specially developed for the operation, automation and management of next-generation PON networks. Altiplano replaces the previous management solution AMS (Access Management System) from Nokia, which was primarily designed for the management of classic ISAM platforms. While AMS was still very system-centred and functionally limited, Altiplano relies entirely on a service-oriented, API-based and cloud-native architecture model.

The future clearly lies with LightSpan OLT systems and their full integration into Altiplano. This means that the platform not only supports new technologies such as XGS-PON or 25G-PON, but also lays the foundation for automation, closed-loop control, role-based access concepts and AI-supported optimisation - things that were not possible with AMS.

Altiplano is not a GUI-based management interface in the traditional sense, but a centralised control and orchestration platform that intervenes deeply in the network and actively regulates it.

This includes

Automated service provisioning (zero-touch)
Intelligent network monitoring
Dynamic bandwidth management
API-based OSS/BSS integration
Centralised configuration, alarm and user management

Infografik-Managed-Altiplano

Proactive network management with AI and digital twins

The new architecture also opens up new possibilities: Altiplano is designed to utilise the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future to support operational decisions and intelligently manage networks. The platform recognises network anomalies, predicts trends, identifies outliers in data traffic and relies on intelligent threshold logic to provide context-based rather than rigid alerts. Network operators also benefit from a continuous analysis of network utilisation, which indicates bottlenecks at an early stage. With the help of a digital twin, network scenarios can be simulated, capacities planned and bandwidths precisely managed - long before critical conditions arise in the live network.

Beyond off-the-shelf: Operating Altiplano with experience and structure

Experience clearly shows that Altiplano is not a simple off-the-shelf solution, but requires an infrastructure that runs stably, grows with it and reliably supports daily operations.

"We initially operated Altiplano ourselves - but quickly realised that we simply didn't have the staff for setup, operation and updates. With the managed service, we have a stable solution that relieves the burden internally and is scalable at any time." - Network manager of a regional fibre optic operator.

Nokia explicitly recommends a Kubernetes-based, distributed cluster deployment - including management of container workloads, redundancy mechanisms, resource monitoring and security controls. All of this requires in-depth expertise that goes far beyond a classic understanding of networks.

Even individual software updates become an operational challenge: planning, testing, validation, rollback options and tight maintenance windows are necessary to avoid downtime. Altiplano is not a plug-and-play solution, but a powerful platform that reaches its full potential only with the right expertise, structure, and commitment.

Why traditional operating models are no longer sufficient

As great as Altiplano's potential is, the challenges in day-to-day operations are just as clear. The technical complexity, personnel requirements and increasing operational depth present many companies with real hurdles.

In an environment where high-availability infrastructures, automated service provision and continuous development are expected, it is no longer enough to simply procure platforms. They need to be actively operated, secured, monitored, maintained and strategically managed throughout their lifecycle, making operation itself a central component of the product, with fixed responsibilities, defined service levels and clear interfaces.

Rethinking managed services: Altiplano with Xantaro

This is precisely where the Managed Altiplano model comes in. It combines the performance of Nokia Altiplano with a fully managed operating platform that is provided on-premises by the customer but managed by Xantaro as a managed service. For the customer, this means full control over their own PON infrastructure without having to deal with the technical depth and operational details on a day-to-day basis.

"We earn our living with the fibre optic network. Therefore, for compliance reasons alone, we cannot afford to place the management platform outside of our network - let alone in the cloud. We welcome Xantaro's move to provide this as a private cloud Kubernetes solution on-prem at the customer's premises." - Network manager of a municipal telecommunications provider.

Xantaro takes over the setup and lifecycle management of the underlying infrastructure (server, network, VPN, cluster) as well as the care, maintenance and further development of the platform itself. An annual major release is included in the basic model, while additional services - such as 24/7 support, incident management or network operation - can be added on a modular basis.

This creates an operating model that is not only technologically scalable, but also relieves the organisational burden. The technical complexity lies with the specialist, while the customer retains complete control.

"Many operators underestimate the extent to which network operation and platform operation are now diverging. With Altiplano and our managed service model, we help customers to separate the two cleanly - and thus secure their future viability."- Patric Leisten, Head of Portfolio & Product Management, Xantaro.