Fortinet Next-Generation Firewalls Provide Routing, VPN Management and Security Enforcement to Aptilo IoT Connectivity Control Service

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– A Disrupter in Cellular IoT as a Service on Amazon Web Services –

STOCKHOLM – February 25, 2020 – Aptilo Networks has selected the FortiGate next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) from Fortinet, a global leader in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions, to enforce agile, intelligent connectivity and security for the new Aptilo IoT Connectivity Control Service™ (Aptilo IoT CCS).

Aptilo IoT CCS is delivered as a service for Mobile Network Operators looking for rapid innovation in the IoT era. Compatible with current 4G Core (EPC) and upcoming 5G Core (5GC), Aptilo IoT CCS allows mobile operators to offer instant IoT service creation, enabling enterprises to define their own granular IoT connectivity and security policies – at a fraction of the cost.

With policy-based local break-out in AWS regions, mobile network operators’ business customers can manage the IoT traffic routing and security policies. For example, some traffic, such as IoT software updates can be securely routed to use a private Access Point Name (APN) connection while other traffic can be routed to the Internet in the local country or region.

“Aptilo’s IoT CCS solution provides MNOs the capability to cost effectively provide granular IoT connectivity services to their business customers. The integration with Fortinet’s FortiGate NGFWs empowers Fortinet Fabric-Ready alliance partner Aptilo to enforce and manage robust secure connectivity for their customers’ IoT traffic. We are pleased to be working with Aptilo to enable new revenue generating capabilities to our joint MNO customers,” said John Maddison, EVP Products and CMO, Fortinet.

Aptilo’s powerful and flexible policy engine has been deployed with more than 100+ service provider customers and handles the control plane in the Aptilo IoT CSS service.

The data plane is handled by Fortinet’s FortiGate next-generation firewalls providing policy enforcement, routing, VPN management, device traffic filtering, and protection against distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS); limitation of the number of TCP connections and detection of anomalies are also part of Aptilo IoT CCS security with Fortinet.

“Aptilo IoT CCS is groundbreaking because it adds connectivity control and a security layer for IoT services on top of the existing mobile core. A leader in cybersecurity, Fortinet is the perfect fit for Aptilo IoT CCS,” said Jonas Björklund, CTO, Aptilo Networks.

Learn more about Aptilo’s IoT Connectivity Management Platform that is enabling the control plane in Aptilo IoT CCS.

 

About Aptilo Networks

Aptilo Networks is a leading provider of carrier-class systems to manage data services with advanced functions for authentication, policy control and charging. Aptilo Service Management Platform™ (SMP) has become synonymous with Wi-Fi service management and Wi-Fi offload in large-scale deployments with 100+ operators in more than 75 countries, and is a critical component of Wi-Fi calling and IoT. For more information visit www.aptilo.com.

Media Contact:

Hillary Call
Aptilo Networks AB
P: +1 917-414-9262
[email protected]

 

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Aptilo Launches New Cellular IoT Connectivity Control Service

Aptilo Launches New Cellular IoT Connectivity Control Service

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– Because You Don’t Need Another Mobile Core –

STOCKHOLM – January 28, 2020 – Aptilo Networks introduces Aptilo IoT Connectivity Control Service™ (IoT CCS), delivered as a service for mobile operators that want to innovate in the IoT era. Aptilo IoT CCS works with the existing mobile core as well as with the coming service-based 5G core (5GC) architecture. It allows mobile operators to offer instant IoT service creation, with a service that lets enterprises define their own granular connectivity and security policies – at a fraction of the cost.

“The Aptilo IoT CCS service delivers the scalability and flexibility necessary for operators to rapidly innovate in the IoT era, enabling business models that were previously considered unthinkable,” said Paul Mikkelsen, CEO, Aptilo Networks.

“We have been working with policy control solutions since 2001 and have recently received requests from many of our 100+ operator customers to extend this to also include IoT connectivity management.”

Operators have designed their mobile core for a handful of different subscription types resulting in a few predefined policies. However, IoT customers often need their own unique subscriptions with complex and dynamic connectivity and security policies. The ability to offer these kinds of instant, customized IoT services is nearly impossible to achieve in the current mobile core.

A Disrupter in Cellular IoT
Operators typically must choose between using the existing mobile core and offer a handful of uniform IoT connectivity services, or adding a dedicated mobile core for IoT – a core capable of handling the complex and dynamic policies unique to each customer.

Aptilo IoT CCS offers a groundbreaking third alternative by adding a connectivity control and security layer for IoT services on top of the existing mobile core. New innovative IoT connectivity services can be produced in a matter of days rather than months.

Enterprise Control, Insight and Security

Operators can put business customers in the driver’s seat through a web self-service portal for policy controls enabled by Aptilo IoT CCS APIs. Enterprises receive real-time and historical insights into IoT device connectivity. Aptilo IoT CCS provides security through VPN tunnels and policy enforcement, as well as device traffic filtering, DDos protection and other security features.

Enables Smart Global Connectivity

Operators can add international mobile operator partners to their Aptilo IoT CCS service. Combined with their ability to instantly localize eSIM cards (eUICC) over-the-air, operators can offer a truly global connectivity without roaming charges.

Through the Aptilo CCS multitenancy virtual APN, operators can offer a secure international connectivity with optional local break-out for selected traffic. The business customer can save significantly in logistics and administration costs by handling just one unified eSIM card and one VPN connection instead of multiple local SIM cards and VPN connections for each mobile operator.

For more information:

Sign-up for Aptilo’s webinar Is Your Mobile Core Ready for IoT? now available on-demand.

About Aptilo Networks

Aptilo Networks is a leading provider of carrier-class systems to manage data services with advanced functions for authentication, policy control and charging. Aptilo Service Management Platform™ (SMP) has become synonymous with Wi-Fi service management and Wi-Fi offload in large-scale deployments with 100+ operators in more than 75 countries, and is a critical component of Wi-Fi calling and IoT. For more information visit www.aptilo.com.

Media Contact:
Hillary Call
Aptilo Networks AB
P: +1 917-414-9262
[email protected]

Aptilo launches WiFi4EU plug-and-play service

Aptilo Launches a WiFi4EU Plug-and-Play Service for Municipalities

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STOCKHOLM – September 19, 2019 – Aptilo Networks announces the launch of a plug-and-play service for municipalities taking part in the WiFi4EU initiative. Aptilo’s new service provides login portals for the WiFi4EU public Wi-Fi service and takes care of the consent and personal data management required by GDPR.

The European Commission’s WiFi4EU initiative promotes free Wi-Fi connectivity for citizens and visitors in public spaces everywhere in Europe. Municipalities can apply for a 15,000 EUR voucher for purchase of equipment and installation.

WiFi4EU requires the municipality to provide a login portal for the Wi-Fi service. The portal needs to integrate with the WiFi4EU back-end to display the official WiFi4EU banner and count the number of users.

Another requirement is that a user stays connected for 12 hours after login. To achieve this, the user’s unique device ID (MAC address) is used to reconnect the user. Many European countries consider the MAC address to be personal data. To comply with these local legislations and GDPR, the login portal must collect the user’s consent to save their MAC address.

The Aptilo Guest Wi-Fi Cloud™ service offers municipalities peace of mind by taking care of these requirements for a reasonable monthly fee. The cloud service works on top of the municipality’s Wi-Fi infrastructure. It provides login portals that anyone – even someone without web development skills – can design, maintain and assign to different locations. The plug-and-play plugin for WiFi4EU takes care of all the login requirements. Aptilo’s award-winning consent and personal data management solution makes sure that the municipality is compliant with GDPR. The optional marketing package allows municipalities to communicate with citizens through the login portal, SMS and email.

Watch this video to see how easy it is for the municipality:

https://youtu.be/YUbMgqcd-Bo

Aptilo also has partners that offer a complete managed Wi-Fi service with hardware included. Contact us to learn more.

 

About Aptilo Networks

Aptilo Networks is a leading provider of carrier-class systems to manage data services with advanced functions for authentication, policy control and charging. Aptilo Service Management Platform™ (SMP) has become synonymous with Wi-Fi service management and Wi-Fi offload in large-scale deployments with 100+ operators in more than 75 countries, and is a critical component of Wi-Fi calling and IoT. For more information visit www.aptilo.com.

 

Media Contact:
Hillary Call
Aptilo Networks AB
P: +1 917-414-9262
[email protected]

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Aptilo Guest Wi-Fi Cloud Shortlisted for WBA Industry Awards

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STOCKHOLM – October 23, 2018 – Aptilo Networks has been named a finalist for the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) Industry Awards. Aptilo Guest Wi-Fi Cloud: B2B Guest Wi-Fi with GDPR privacy-protected marketing solutions, has been shortlisted for the Best Business Wireless Service Innovation Award.

Managed guest Wi-Fi is an operator’s best strategic B2B asset. However, launching managed guest Wi-Fi services can be daunting. Aptilo Guest Wi-Fi Cloud™ (GWC) creates rapid time-to-revenue by enabling Aptilo’s award-winning Aptilo SMP Venue Wi-Fi Manager™ (VWM) from the cloud.

Marketing features in Aptilo GWC are fully compliant with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), helping businesses engage users while protecting privacy with functions for handling personal data and smart consent pop-ups. Only the relevant consents with terms for the access method used are dynamically shown. By separating consents from portal designs, administrators can manage user consents over time and update texts without disruptive changes to the portal.

While GDPR is implemented in Europe, the need for Wi-Fi solutions that meet strict privacy and personal data management requirements is fast becoming global.

With its unique un-cloud option and reseller-friendly architecture, operators can start testing the waters of B2B guest Wi-Fi services using Aptilo GWC and then later seamlessly migrate to their own operation with Aptilo SMP VWM if they so desire.

See a short animated video about Aptilo SMP VWM https://youtu.be/UsfNKRPtnxA.

About Aptilo Networks
Aptilo Networks is a leading provider of carrier-class systems to manage data services with advanced functions for authentication, policy control and charging. Aptilo Service Management Platform™ (SMP) has become synonymous with Wi-Fi service management and Wi-Fi offload in large-scale deployments with 100+ operators in more than 75 countries, and is a critical component of Wi-Fi calling and IoT. For more information visit www.aptilo.com.

Media Contact:
Hillary Call
Aptilo Networks AB
P: +1 917-414-9262
[email protected]

About Aptilo

Aptilo and Relacom Announce Guest Wi-Fi Cloud Partnership

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STOCKHOLM – June 18, 2018 – Now it will be easier for businesses, organizations and venues to build efficient and value-added Wi-Fi solutions for their visitors. That is the meaning of the cooperation that the Swedish technology service company Relacom and Aptilo Networks have now begun.

Aptilo Guest Wi-Fi Cloud is a solution that enables personalized and secure guest networks for very large organizations with offices at many locations, provided as either a  free or paid service. The solution supports many different Wi-Fi and gateway products.

Relacom is Sweden’s leading technology services partner, offering integrated services in the fields of telecom, IoT and power.

Under the agreement, Aptilo receives access to a nationwide channel for the company’s Guest Wi-Fi Cloud service. At the same time, Relacom can offer a value-added additional service to its recently released Relacom Cloud Wi-Fi service.

“Aptilo’s Wi-Fi service is not just about providing internet access over a Wi-Fi network in a public environment or in an office,” said Jan Sjönell, Vice President, Aptilo Networks. “The service also makes it possible to market a special location and to understand the behavior of the users and how they move. In addition, it makes it easier to connect different types of sensors and other IoT devices. Relacom, with its solid experience and its geographic and technical breadth, is a perfect complement to us.”\

“The collaboration with Aptilo is a valuable complement to our fast-growing Wi-Fi and IoT operations. With Aptilo Guest Wi-Fi Cloud, we can offer a clear added value for customers who purchase Relacom Cloud Wi-Fi,” said Andreas Niklasson, Business Area Manager IoT, Relacom. “In addition to the fact that we can take responsibility for a carefree construction and operation of Wi-Fi networks, we can now also provide additional features that add even more value to our customers.”

About Aptilo Networks

Aptilo Networks is a leading provider of carrier-class systems to manage data services with advanced functions for authentication, policy control and charging. Aptilo Service Management Platform™ (SMP) has become synonymous with Wi-Fi service management and Wi-Fi offload in large-scale deployments with 100+ operators in more than 75 countries, and is a critical component of Wi-Fi calling and IoT. For more information visit www.aptilo.com.

Media Contact:
Hillary Call
Aptilo Networks AB
P: +1 917-414-9262
[email protected]