# Smart pipe

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> Source revision: 1352352002
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'''Smart pipe''', related to a [mobile network operator](/source/mobile_network_operator) (MNO or ''operator''), refers to an operator's network that leverages existing or unique service capabilities and the operator's customer relationships to provide value beyond data connectivity. The term "smart" refers to the operator's ability to add value through services and content beyond bandwidth and network speed alone.

Among the commonly understood operational models for an MNO are smart pipes, [walled gardens](/source/walled_garden_(technology)), and [dumb pipe](/source/dumb_pipe)s.

== Examples ==
The smart pipe term lacks a formal definition. However, operators, bloggers, and researchers have offered generally accepted aspects of a smart pipe.

Network operator [3](/source/Hutchison_3G) led the way with the release of its [X-Series](/source/X-Series_(mobile_broadband)) line of devices in 2006.<ref>[http://www.three.co.uk/news/h3gnews/pressnewsview.omp?collcid=1019745742912&cid=1163170230108&index=1 Hutchison Whampoa announces the global launch of the X-Series from 3] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607092313/http://www.three.co.uk/news/h3gnews/pressnewsview.omp?collcid=1019745742912&cid=1163170230108&index=1 |date=2008-06-07 }}</ref> The X-Series platform bundles services, several of which were unique to 3, and provided unlimited data access in exchange for a fixed premium. 

In addition to pricing, services commonly viewed as parts of a smart pipe include:<ref name="gigaom">[https://web.archive.org/web/20080115123747/http://gigaom.com/2008/01/13/the-operators-vs-the-media-brands/ The Operators vs. the Media Brands]</ref><ref>[https://mobhappy.com/blog1/2008/01/14/the-pipe-is-only-dumb-if-you-make-it-that-way/ The Pipe is Only Dumb if You Make It that Way]</ref><ref>[http://www.wirelessweek.com/staying-relevant-in-a-dumb-pipe.aspx Staying Relevant in a Dumb Pipe Era] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070803202751/http://www.wirelessweek.com/staying-relevant-in-a-dumb-pipe.aspx |date=2007-08-03 }}</ref>  
* [Location-based service](/source/Location-based_service)s
* [Presence information](/source/Presence_information)
* [Customer analytics](/source/Customer_analytics)
* [Computing platform](/source/Computing_platform)s, mobile or application
** [Mobile operating system](/source/Mobile_operating_system)s
* [User interface](/source/User_interface)s
* [Personalization](/source/Personalization)
* [Application programming interface](/source/Application_programming_interface)s (APIs), for devices or networks
* [Payment](/source/Payment), [Billing](/source/invoice)
* [Directory assistance](/source/Directory_assistance), directory services
* [Quality of service](/source/Quality_of_service)

By exposing these services to the [mobile ecosystem](/source/mobile_ecosystem), network operators preserve the value of their pipes while enabling entrepreneurs to create new business models and generate revenue streams.

The need for operators to innovate around a smart pipe is rising as they face rising pressure from media companies<ref name="gigaom"/> and new technologies, such as [Apple's](/source/Apple_Inc.) [iPhone](/source/iPhone), [Nokia](/source/Nokia)'s consumer portal [Ovi](/source/Ovi_(Nokia)), and the open-access policies of the U.S. [Federal Communications Commission](/source/Federal_Communications_Commission) (FCC).<ref>[http://www.rcrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070911/SUB/70911004/1008 Making Pipes Smart] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070626123702/http://www.rcrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070911/SUB/70911004/1008 |date=2007-06-26 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [Mobile phone](/source/Mobile_phone)
* [Mobile network operator](/source/Mobile_network_operator)
* [Walled garden (technology)](/source/Walled_garden_(technology))
* [Dumb pipe](/source/Dumb_pipe)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

Category:Mobile technology

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Smart pipe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_pipe) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_pipe?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.