Plume (company)

Plume was founded in 2014. The company began offering its cloud-delivered services in June 2016.{{Cite web|last=Cava|first=Marco della|title=Plume promises faster home WiFi linked to the cloud|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/06/16/plume-promises-faster-home-wifi-linked-cloud/85886780/|access-date=2021-06-10|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}

In 2017, Plume raised $63 million in funding.{{Cite web|date=2017-06-07|title=Plume Design Gets Funding|url=https://www.cablefax.com/technology/plume-design-gets-funding|access-date=2021-06-10|website=Cablefax|language=en}} In 2018, the company changed to a subscription model beginning with its Adaptive Wi-Fi service{{Cite web|last=Neuts|first=Dana E.|date=2018-06-13|title=Plume Launches Adaptive WiFi Via Subscription for $60 a Year|url=https://www.subscriptioninsider.com/type-of-subscription-business/consumer-b2c/plume-launches-adaptive-wifi-via-subscription-for-60-a-year|access-date=2021-06-10|website=Subscription Insider|language=en-US}} and new SuperPods. The SuperPods are slightly larger than the first generation pods, capable of faster speeds, and contain two integrated Ethernet ports.

In February 2019, TalkTalk, a UK-based telecommunications company, signed a deal with Plume to bring Plume Wi-Fi to TalkTalk’s broadband customers.{{Cite web|last=Pocket-lint|date=2019-03-26|title=Plume mesh network system now available to all UK customers|url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/smart-home/news/147564-plume-mesh-network-system-now-available-to-all-uk-customers-new-powerpod-included|access-date=2021-12-22|website=www.pocket-lint.com|language=en-gb}} After a month, Plume's services became available to all UK households.{{Cite web|last=Pocket-lint|date=2019-02-12|title=TalkTalk brings Plume mesh Wi-Fi SuperPods to the UK at last|url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/smart-home/news/talktalk/147046-talktalk-brings-plume-mesh-wi-fi-superpods-to-the-uk-at-last|access-date=2021-12-22|website=www.pocket-lint.com|language=en-gb}} In November, the company expanded into Asia when it announced a deal with J:COM, Japan's largest cable-TV operator.{{Cite web|last=Salter|first=Jim|date=2019-11-01|title=We are the Plume. We will assimilate your Wi-Fi. Do not resist|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/11/plume-takes-another-step-toward-fixing-isps-crappy-wi-fi-worldwide/|access-date=2022-02-11|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us}}

In November 2020, Plume acquired British Columbia-based network intelligence and security software firm Walleye.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-30|title=Germany confirms 6 GHz decision, Plume acquires Walleye, and Airties rebrands|url=https://wifinowglobal.com/news-and-blog/germany-confirms-6-ghz-decision-plume-acquires-walleye-and-airties-rebrands-itself/|access-date=2021-06-10|website=Wi-Fi NOW Global|language=en-US}} Plume also started working with POST Luxembourg.

The company works with more than 400 service providers including Comcast, Charter, Qualcomm, Cablevision, Shaw Communications, Bell Canada, and Liberty Global.{{Cite web|title=Plume raises $300m to develop communications services with AI|url=https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252508213/Plume-raises-300m-to-develop-communications-services-with-AI|access-date=2021-11-05|website=ComputerWeekly.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Plume eyes 6 GHz as Wi-Fi becomes hip again|url=https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/plume-eyes-6-ghz-as-wi-fi-becomes-hip-again|access-date=2021-06-10|website=FierceWireless|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Plume picks up $270M at a $1.35B valuation to power smart home Wi-Fi for broadband providers|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/02/23/plume-picks-up-270m-at-a-1-35b-valuation-to-power-smart-home-wifi-for-broadband-providers/|access-date=2021-06-10|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}} It also partners with U.S. cable television cooperative NCTC, Sagemcom, and customer-premises equipment (CPE) vendors and resellers such as Technicolor and ADTRAN.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-15|title=Smart Wi-Fi pioneer Plume reaches 20M homes served & 150 CSP clients|url=https://wifinowglobal.com/news-and-blog/smart-wi-fi-pioneer-plume-reaches-20m-homes-served-150-csp-clients/|access-date=2021-06-10|website=Wi-Fi NOW Global|language=en-US}}

In October 2021, it was announced that Plume raised $300 million in a Series F round, bringing Plume's valuation up to $2.6 billion.{{Cite web|title=Plume raises $300M as it passes 1.2B devices in 35M homes using its smart WiFi service|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/plume-raises-300m-passes-1-120333930.html|access-date=2021-10-12|website=www.yahoo.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|date=2021-10-12|title=Plume, startup improving WiFi experience, raises $300 million mostly from SoftBank|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/plume-softbank-funding-idUSKBN2H214K|access-date=2021-10-12}}

Plume provides an adaptive WiFi platform with cloud management services that works automatically to self-optimize network connections.{{Cite web|last=Cava|first=Marco della|title=Plume promises faster home WiFi linked to the cloud|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/06/16/plume-promises-faster-home-wifi-linked-cloud/85886780/|access-date=2021-11-04|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Plume picks up $270M at a $1.35B valuation to power smart home Wi-Fi for broadband providers|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/02/23/plume-picks-up-270m-at-a-1-35b-valuation-to-power-smart-home-wifi-for-broadband-providers/|access-date=2021-11-04|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2021-03-16|title=Why This Smart Home Solutions Provider Isn't Worried About a Silicon Shortage|url=https://readwrite.com/2021/03/16/why-this-smart-home-solutions-provider-isnt-worried-about-a-silicon-shortage/|access-date=2021-11-04|website=ReadWrite|language=en-US}} It provides interoperability for homes and businesses that may be using smart devices from different manufacturers.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-16|title=Why This Smart Home Solutions Provider Isn't Worried About a Silicon Shortage|url=https://readwrite.com/2021/03/16/why-this-smart-home-solutions-provider-isnt-worried-about-a-silicon-shortage/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=ReadWrite|language=en-US}} Plume’s products are open, allowing them to work with any CSP.{{Cite web|last=Rogers|first=Bruce|title=Fahri Diner Builds Plume As The World's First SaaS Experience Platform For CSPs And Their Subscribers|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucerogers/2021/08/05/farhi-diner-builds-plume-as-the-worlds-first-saas-experience-platform-for-csps-and-their-subscribers/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Forbes|language=en}}

Using its cloud management, Plume can identify and measure network traffic and then make changes to provide better performance.{{Cite web|title=Plume picks up $270M at a $1.35B valuation to power smart home Wi-Fi for broadband providers|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/02/23/plume-picks-up-270m-at-a-1-35b-valuation-to-power-smart-home-wifi-for-broadband-providers/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}} For example, if the bedrooms in a home are empty because everyone is in the living room streaming a movie in HD, Plume’s network will route more bandwidth to the streaming device in the living room. The company provides WiFi through its tri-band pods, which plug into wall outlets, or through an OpenSync integration into a CSP’s existing Customer Premises Equipment (CPE).{{Cite web |title=Branch Designs Plume Wifi Pods |url=https://www.dexigner.com/news/29564 |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=www.dexigner.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2017-06-07 |title=Plume Design Gets Funding |url=https://www.cablefax.com/technology/plume-design-gets-funding |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=Cablefax |language=en}}

Plume’s services include:

• Adaptive WiFi:{{Cite web |last=Vena |first=Mark |date=2018-06-13 |title=First Look: Plume Blossoms With New SuperPods And Membership Offering |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2018/06/13/first-look-plume-blossoms-with-new-superpods-and-membership-offering/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Plume adjusts bandwidth as load demand shifts throughout the day.{{Cite web |last=Cava |first=Marco della |date=2016-06-16 |title=Plume promises faster home WiFi linked to the cloud |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/06/16/plume-promises-faster-home-wifi-linked-cloud/85886780/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}

• Control:{{Cite web |last=Neuts |first=Dana E. |date=2018-06-13 |title=Plume Launches Adaptive WiFi Via Subscription for $60 a Year |url=https://www.subscriptioninsider.com/monetization/auto-renew-subscription/plume-launches-adaptive-wifi-via-subscription-for-60-a-year |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Subscription Insider |language=en-US}} allows users to set up profiles and manage devices and usage, set individual WiFi passwords for guests, and restrict guest access to certain devices
• Motion sensing:{{Cite web |last=Vena |first=Mark |date=2020-01-07 |title=Plume Asserts Its Smart Home 2.0 Aspirations With Motion Awareness Capability |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2020/01/07/plume-asserts-its-smart-home-20-aspirations-with-motion-aware-capability/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Forbes |language=en}} uses WiFi radio waves to detect motion in areas of a house. The functionality uses OpenSync nodes or, Plume’s SuperPods, and connected IoT devices to provide the sensing information.
• AI Security

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Category:Companies based in Palo Alto, California

Category:Software companies based in California

Category:Wi-Fi providers

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