The Foundation brings together broadband operators, silicon vendors, OEMs, ODMs, software developers, and system integrators to develop open-source software while promoting common interfaces, interoperability, and application portability across the broadband ecosystem.
Today, the prpl software ecosystem centres around three major open-source projects:
- prplOS – a Linux-based operating system for carrier-grade broadband gateways.
- prplMesh – a carrier-grade implementation of the Wi-Fi Alliance EasyMesh standard
- prplWare Life Cycle Management (LCM) – software for secure deployment and lifecycle management of applications and services running on broadband gateways.
Together, these projects enable operators to build flexible, multi-vendor broadband platforms while reducing vendor lock-in and accelerating software innovation.
Key capabilities
- Open-source operating system for broadband gateways (prplOS)
- Carrier-grade EasyMesh implementation (prplMesh)
- Secure application lifecycle management (prplWare LCM)
- Multi-vendor hardware portability
- Linux-based architecture
- Support for fibre, cable and DSL gateways
- Standardised management using TR-369 USP
- TR-181 data model support
- Open APIs for cloud applications and management
- Community-developed open-source software
Why it matters
Broadband operators increasingly want to avoid dependence on proprietary gateway software supplied by individual chipset vendors or OEMs. Maintaining separate software versions for different hardware platforms increases engineering effort, slows feature deployment, and complicates lifecycle management.
The prpl Foundation addresses this challenge by developing common software building blocks capable of running across multiple hardware platforms. Operators can introduce new gateway vendors or migrate between silicon suppliers while preserving much of their software investment.
The platform also enables service providers to deploy connected-home services—including cybersecurity, Matter, diagnostics, Wi-Fi optimisation, and future AI-powered applications—more efficiently across millions of customer gateways.
Typical applications
- Residential broadband gateways
- Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 routers
- Fibre (PON) gateways and ONTs
- DOCSIS gateways
- DSL gateways
- Carrier-managed whole-home Wi-Fi (via prplMesh)
- Connected-home service platforms hosted on broadband gateways
Ecosystem
The prpl Foundation ecosystem brings together broadband operators, silicon vendors, gateway manufacturers, software developers, and system integrators to develop open, interoperable software for broadband gateways and connected-home services.
Publicly announced commercial operator deployments
Silicon vendors
Gateway manufacturers
Software developers and system integrators
- SoftAtHome: Developer of broadband software platforms and a major contributor to the prpl ecosystem, including prplWare Life Cycle Management (LCM).
- embeDD: Embedded Linux and OpenWrt engineering specialist; contributor to prplOS and related open-source technologies.
- GlobalLogic: Engineering services and system integration company supporting broadband gateway software based on prpl, RDK-B, and other open platforms. GlobalLogic has contributed to the integration and commercialisation of prplWare LCM.
- Additional contributors: The prpl Foundation’s open-source projects are developed collaboratively by engineers from broadband operators, silicon vendors, gateway manufacturers, software companies, and system integrators participating in Foundation working groups.
