Lumen Technologies (formerly CenturyLink) sees opportunities for in-home prioritization

Glenn Garbelman, VP of Access Architecture at Lumen Technologies (formerly CenturyLink), sees this new normal as a way to develop new solutions for remote workers. 

“When I look at it, I see two things: device and traffic,” Garbelman says. “When I think about device, that’s an opportunity to look at prioritization.”

For Garbelman, one of the best ways to solve the hybrid work-home environment is to identify the work device, give it priority over other devices on the network, and increase flow appropriately. 

“If you have a work laptop, you can elevate it during certain points of the day,” Garbelman says. “That priority would fluctuate based on the need.”

Teleworkers, telemedicine, and distance learners have a need for prioritizing residential traffic to their devices, and some companies and individuals will be willing to pay for that service. In developing and adopting these enhanced solutions, the hybrid residential environment will improve in the new normal.

“Some of the opportunities are in enhanced services for work from home,” Garbelman says. “We want to learn more about business-grade solutions. From where I sit right now, it has potential.”