C3Aero’s Digital Takeoff: Instant Efficiency with Autonomous Platform from Lumen

Founded in 2014, C3Aero began as a humble consulting company and has since soared to become a major player in the aviation industry. Think of them as the ultimate translators between the worlds of aviation and tech.

“My background is in aviation and technology, and those are two entirely different languages,” says John Speranza, the Founder and CEO of C3Aero. “C3Aero allows companies to come to us and be able to translate between those languages.” They understand the unique challenges of aviation and know how to leverage technology to solve them.

Facing headwinds

C3Aero, with their unique blend of aviation and technology expertise, encountered some serious turbulence before partnering with Lumen. Network deployment posed a major obstacle: “Our business requires us to deploy additional bandwidth during key selling cycles and seasonal projects,” explains John, and traditional network providers often took days or even weeks to set up new circuits, which was unacceptable for C3Aero’s ever-changing bandwidth needs.

Managing bandwidth efficiently was another rollercoaster. With a diverse client list ranging from Fortune 500 giants to a local grandma needing Wi-Fi, C3Aero’s bandwidth requirements were all over the map. This variability made it challenging to always have the right amount of bandwidth available without hitting bottlenecks.

In the aviation industry, cybersecurity is non-negotiable. John explains, “We build technology that allows organizations, such as those in the aviation space, to secure their networks and to defend themselves against threats.” Juggling robust cybersecurity measures while managing dynamic bandwidth needs and network deployment proved to be a complex and resource-intensive task.

These challenges grounded C3Aero’s operations, making it tough to respond swiftly to changing demands and maintain a secure, efficient network.

From grounded to gliding

The Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform from Lumen revolutionized C3Aero’s bandwidth management. They needed an immediate internet solution, and Lumen delivered just that. With Lumen, C3Aero could deploy internet within seconds, drastically cutting down the time from weeks to minutes. No more waiting around – just instant connectivity.

This solution from Lumen integrates seamlessly with C3Aero’s trusted Equinix data centers. This means C3Aero could quickly set up virtual connections and activate Lumen^® Internet On-Demand services in no time. The result? Faster data, better security and a smoother digital experience.

One of the standout features of the Lumen platform was its self-service capability. C3Aero’s team could get the service up and running without ever interacting with a human. “We didn’t have to speak with anyone to actually get this process rolling,” says John. “It was all self-service, and that’s something that’s very appealing to us.” This level of automation freed up time and resources, allowing C3Aero to focus on what really matters.

The future is bright

The partnership between C3Aero and Lumen has been highly successful, delivering flexibility, speed and security – all in one package. “Our relationship with Lumen is valuable because we’re able to get our customers from point A to point B as quickly as possible,” says John. “Utilizing Lumen’s network as a service product allows us to do that in an extremely cost-effective, turnkey and efficient manner.”

With Lumen NaaS, C3Aero has achieved:

• Rapid internet deployment: Internet setup time was reduced from weeks to minutes, allowing C3Aero to meet their dynamic bandwidth needs quickly.
• Cost savings: The self-service nature of this Lumen platform eliminated the need for numerous meetings and manual processes, freeing up time and resources.
• Operational efficiency: More flexibility was provided, enabling C3Aero to add bandwidth as needed without delays, providing robust cybersecurity and smooth operations.

C3Aero’s journey from humble beginnings to soaring heights is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. A pilot in his own right, John understands the importance of making connections – both in the air and on the ground. “In aviation, grounding airplanes affects people’s lives significantly. People might not get home or see a loved one for the last time,” he says. “That’s why I’m passionate about aviation. Things have to be right in aviation, similar to medicine.”

With a solid foundation and a clear vision, C3Aero is poised for continued growth and success in the aviation industry. “I think the future is bright for C3Aero and the aerospace industry as well,” says John. “The continued challenge is going to be more integration of what we would consider sort of modern technology into these legacy organizations and legacy systems.” At C3Aero, the sky is not the limit, but just the beginning.

Ready to take your business to new heights? Partner with Lumen and experience the benefits of our Network as a Service (NaaS) platform. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can support your business growth.

¹Current Lumen customer compensated for their endorsement.

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