Edgecore Networks and Indio Networks have announced a major milestone in the evolution of open networking
Edgecore Networks and Indio Networks have announced a major milestone in the evolution of open networking with the completion of a production-ready OpenWiFi integration designed specifically for managed service providers (MSPs) and telecommunications operators. This achievement marks a shift from experimental or proof-of-concept deployments to a fully validated, commercially deployable solution that combines open-source innovation with enterprise-grade reliability, operational readiness, and long-term support. By bringing together Edgecore’s OpenWiFi-enabled access points and OpenLAN Switching (OLS) infrastructure with the cloud-based orchestration capabilities of Indio Cloud, the companies have created a unified, cloud-managed networking platform that enables service providers to deliver scalable, flexible, and cost-effective Wi-Fi services across diverse customer environments.
At the core of this integrated solution is a tightly aligned hardware and software architecture that simplifies the deployment and management of modern wireless networks. Edgecore’s access points, optimized to run OpenWiFi, provide high-performance wireless connectivity, while its OLS-based switches deliver open, programmable switching capabilities that extend the benefits of open networking beyond the wireless layer. Indio Cloud serves as the centralized control plane, orchestrating network operations, policies, and lifecycle management from a single interface. Together, these components form a complete service stack that is not only technically integrated but also operationally mature, allowing MSPs and telcos to confidently deploy OpenWiFi-based services at scale.
Beyond basic centralized management, Indio Cloud introduces a comprehensive set of service capabilities that address real-world operational requirements for service providers. These include advanced authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) functions, captive portal capabilities for user onboarding and guest access, and granular access policy controls that enable differentiated service offerings. With these capabilities, MSPs and telcos can tailor managed Wi-Fi services to specific customer needs, whether for enterprise campuses, residential communities, hospitality venues, or multi-site commercial environments. The ability to define policies centrally while enforcing them consistently across distributed networks significantly reduces operational complexity and enhances service quality.
The completion of this production-ready integration represents a pivotal transition for OpenWiFi adoption. Historically, open networking solutions have often been perceived as suitable primarily for experimentation or niche use cases due to concerns about integration complexity, support, and scalability. By delivering a validated, supported, and deployable OpenWiFi solution, Edgecore and Indio are addressing these concerns directly and demonstrating that open networking can meet the rigorous demands of commercial deployments. Service providers can now move beyond pilots and limited trials to full-scale rollouts with greater confidence in performance, reliability, and operational efficiency.
Industry leaders from both organizations have emphasized the strategic significance of this development. Edgecore Networks highlighted its long-standing commitment to open networking and its expertise in building hardware platforms that align with open software architectures. By integrating OpenWiFi and OLS with production-grade hardware, Edgecore enables service providers to design networks that are scalable, flexible, and free from the constraints of proprietary ecosystems. This approach empowers MSPs and telcos to innovate faster, adapt to evolving customer requirements, and optimize their infrastructure investments without being locked into closed vendor architectures.
Indio Networks underscored the value of combining Edgecore’s OpenWiFi-ready infrastructure with its own software and integration expertise. By bridging the gap between open-source technology and enterprise-grade deployment requirements, Indio is helping service providers and enterprises adopt open, cloud-managed Wi-Fi networks with greater agility, lower total cost of ownership, and accelerated innovation cycles. Together, the two companies are positioning OpenWiFi not merely as an alternative to proprietary solutions, but as a foundation for next-generation wireless connectivity that aligns with the broader industry shift toward open, disaggregated, and software-defined networking.
Building on this technical integration, Edgecore and Indio are launching a targeted go-to-market initiative to accelerate OpenWiFi adoption across key vertical markets in the EMEA region. The initial focus includes multi-dwelling units (MDUs), hospitality environments, and retail and multi-site commercial networks. These sectors share a set of common challenges that make them ideal candidates for cloud-managed, open networking solutions. Distributed locations, high device density, variable usage patterns, and the need for centralized visibility and control are all characteristics that demand flexible, scalable, and remotely manageable network architectures.
In multi-dwelling units such as apartment complexes and residential communities, service providers must deliver reliable, high-capacity Wi-Fi across multiple buildings and thousands of users while maintaining consistent performance and security. In hospitality environments, guest expectations for seamless connectivity are constantly rising, and operators must balance user experience with security, monetization, and operational efficiency. Retail and multi-site commercial networks require centralized control across geographically dispersed locations, with the ability to implement uniform policies, monitor performance, and rapidly deploy updates. The integrated OpenWiFi solution from Edgecore and Indio addresses these challenges by combining open hardware, cloud-based management, and programmable networking capabilities into a cohesive platform.
To further support service providers in adopting OpenWiFi at scale, Edgecore and Indio have introduced the OpenWiFi at Scale Advisory Program. This initiative is designed as a customer-specific engagement that provides hands-on technical and strategic guidance for MSPs and telcos planning to transition from initial experimentation to large-scale commercial deployments. Unlike generic training programs or standardized workshops, the advisory program is tailored to the unique operational, technical, and business requirements of each participating organization. This personalized approach ensures that service providers receive practical, actionable insights that directly align with their deployment goals and operational realities.
The OpenWiFi at Scale Advisory Program encompasses a comprehensive range of activities that address the entire lifecycle of OpenWiFi deployment. It begins with an assessment of the service provider’s existing network architecture, operational processes, and readiness for open networking adoption. Based on this assessment, Edgecore and Indio collaborate with the customer to design OpenWiFi and OLS-based network architectures that align with performance requirements, scalability objectives, and business constraints. The program also includes guidance on onboarding Indio Cloud, establishing centralized management workflows, and integrating OpenWiFi into existing operational support systems.
Provisioning strategies, lifecycle management practices, and operational best practices are key components of the advisory engagement. Service providers receive detailed recommendations on how to automate deployment processes, manage firmware updates, monitor network performance, and handle troubleshooting in large-scale environments. Pilot planning and readiness assessments help organizations validate their architectures and operational models before moving to commercial rollout. By addressing both technical and operational dimensions, the advisory program reduces deployment risk and accelerates time to market.
A notable aspect of the program is the availability of dedicated technical support resources based in India, provided by Indio Networks. These resources support Edgecore customers throughout the deployment and operational phases, offering expertise in integration, troubleshooting, and optimization. This regional support capability enhances responsiveness and ensures that service providers have access to skilled technical assistance as they scale their OpenWiFi deployments.
Through this structured and collaborative approach, Edgecore and Indio aim to empower service providers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to embrace open networking as a strategic platform rather than a tactical experiment. The combination of production-ready integration, targeted vertical strategies, and hands-on advisory support positions OpenWiFi as a viable and compelling alternative to traditional proprietary Wi-Fi solutions. For MSPs and telcos, this translates into greater control over their network architectures, reduced dependency on single vendors, improved cost efficiency, and faster innovation cycles.
More broadly, the partnership between Edgecore Networks and Indio Networks reflects a growing industry momentum toward open, disaggregated networking models. As digital transformation accelerates across industries and user expectations for connectivity continue to rise, service providers are under increasing pressure to deliver scalable, flexible, and cost-effective network services. OpenWiFi, supported by robust integration and enterprise-grade operational frameworks, offers a pathway to meet these demands while fostering innovation and interoperability across the networking ecosystem.
The completion of the production-ready OpenWiFi integration is therefore not just a technical milestone but a strategic turning point for open networking adoption in commercial environments. By bridging the gap between open-source innovation and production-grade deployment, Edgecore and Indio are redefining how service providers design, deploy, and manage wireless networks. As MSPs and telcos move from experimentation to execution, the integrated OpenWiFi solution and the OpenWiFi at Scale Advisory Program are poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of cloud-managed, open wireless infrastructure across EMEA and beyond.
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
