Sandvine unveils advanced QoE metrics for encrypted video

Network Analytics Product Enhanced with FlexPanels to Enable Shareable Customized Dashboards

WATERLOO, ON, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Sandvine, (TSX:SVC) a leading provider of intelligent broadband network solutions for fixed and mobile operators, today announced the launch of advanced quality of experience (QoE) metrics for encrypted video that will allow communications service providers (CSPs) to accurately measure the many factors that impact a subscriber's experience when watching encrypted video. The new encrypted video metrics can be fed to a CSP's big data system using the Record Generator feature of Sandvine's Usage Management or viewed independently with Sandvine's Network Analytics, the first and most widely deployed analytics product designed specifically for CSPs.

Earlier this year, Sandvine's Global Internet Phenomena Reports revealed that Netflix video accounted for 35% of peak evening traffic on North American fixed access networks and although only roughly 10% of total Netflix traffic was encrypted, it is expected to grow rapidly in the near future. As Netflix and other video services transition towards encrypting all of their traffic, it is vital for CSPs to have a business intelligence solution that can continue to provide advanced QoE metrics in order to ensure their subscribers have a positive experience when streaming video.

Unlike competing business intelligence solutions that apply a "one solution fits all video providers" approach to measuring encrypted video, Sandvine has chosen to develop unique recognition algorithms for each major encrypted video streaming service because key characteristics such as bitrates and buffering strategy can vary significantly between providers. Sandvine's approach uses a combination of machine learning and heuristics to ensure that CSPs are able to have confidence in the accuracy of their encrypted video metrics, and will be able to maintain the same level of insight as more streaming services begin encrypting their traffic.

Alongside the availability of these new encrypted video metrics, Sandvine is adding a brand new way to visualize these metrics in Network Analytics using a feature called FlexPanels. FlexPanels will allow CSPs to build custom dashboards using the network data that exists inside Network Analytics, while also supporting external data sources in order to provide complimentary visualizations. Additionally, any dashboard that is created using the FlexPanels feature can easily be shared throughout a CSPs organization, opening up the opportunity for executives to continually keep track of important KPIs, or operations teams to track major network events.

"Sandvine expects that 80% of all network traffic will soon be encrypted, and with video being the majority of traffic on most networks, it is important that service providers are accurately measuring how encrypted video is impacting their network and is being perceived by subscribers," said Don Bowman, CTO, Sandvine. "By taking the approach of using machine learning and heuristics to develop recognition for each encrypted video provider, Sandvine is helping to ensure that operators can continue to understand the numerous underlying factors that can impact a subscriber's experience when streaming video in an encrypted world."

ABOUT SANDVINE
Sandvine's network policy control solutions add intelligence to fixed, mobile and converged communications service provider networks, to increase revenue, reduce network costs and improve subscriber quality of experience. Our networking solutions perform end-to-end policy control functions, including traffic classification, policy decision and enforcement. Deployed as virtualized network functions or on Sandvine's purpose built hardware, the products provide actionable business insight, and the ability to deploy new consumer and business subscriber services, optimize and secure network traffic, and engage with subscribers.

Sandvine's network policy control solutions are deployed in more than 300 networks in over 100 countries, serving hundreds of millions of data subscribers worldwide. www.sandvine.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this release which are not historical facts constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") and are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of such laws. Statements related to the scope of deployment of Sandvine's products by a specific customer, the potential revenue opportunity with any particular customer or in any market segment, the benefits of Sandvine's products and services to be realized by customers, Sandvine's market position, future opportunities, product development plans and demand for Sandvine's products and services are forward looking statements, as are any statements relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve both known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Sandvine to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, changes in internal deployment strategies or plans by specific customers; the growth of broadband internet usage and levels of capital spending on broadband network management systems; the timing of orders and manufacturing lead times; changes in customer order patterns or customer mix; insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; increased competition in the broadband network equipment industry; dependence on the timely development and market acceptance of new product offerings and standards; rapid technological and market change; manufacturing and sourcing risks including dependence on key suppliers and key technologies; dependence upon indirect channel sales and resellers; factors such as business and economic conditions and growth trends in the broadband network equipment industry and in various geographic regions; global economic conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment including the impact of regulation related to the internet and the delivery of internet services. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions, and Sandvine does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change, except to the extent required by applicable law.

SOURCE Sandvine

INVESTOR CONTACT: Rick Wadsworth, Sandvine, [phone] ext. 3503, [email protected]; MEDIA CONTACT: Dan Deeth, Sandvine, [phone], [email protected]